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April 29, 2007

The Farmer's Daughter

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I'm being shown up on my ignorance of classic films lately. Went off on a rant about Bacall, then dreampinups from ebay emailed me part of his collection, including Frances Farmer, "the misty one," of whom I'd never heard, then Diane mentioned the movie "Sunset Boulevard," a piece of Americana I had to also confess to never having seen.

Turns out my fostering hobby exposes me for a neophyte, and take this kind lesson, boys and girls.

If you want to delve into the byways of cellular reminiscence, realize the pool is deep and other waders have tread water before you. That metaphor sucks, because you can't wade and tread water at the same time, but I think you know what I'm trying to say and this horrible instant coffee won't allow me to reword.

Like anything else, purpose must follow inclination if one is to successfully lose one's identity.

All this is just another way of avoiding the $600 charged to Discover for a new dishwasher. Long story about a tragic Thursday, brutal failure of seldom-used appliance, complete with follow-on tale of woe, broken glass in the sink trying to hand wash, garbage disposer side no less. See Mark pick the pieces out. See Mark bleed.

But I was younger Thursday, not grown up yet, like now.

April 28, 2007

Tripping Sweetly into Poverty

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Once upon a time, I had money in Paypal.

Now gone, all gone. Thank you Lauren Bacall.

Well, if I own the autographed collection as a stipend towards early senility, how much to frame?

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The thing about old movies is people never age, nor do retired ex-managers force them to mouth presentations about software inspection process quality control. Their world is safer than ours, in classic black and white, and every eager hour brings to a panicked ear calm reassurance.

They can always be relied upon to say exactly what you expect.

As for my recently prized wish-dream,

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Lindsay Campbell never lets up her sense of humor on

Wallstrip.

She wrote me back the other day, a brief (because she didn't want to go long as some people with no self-control might do) email of thanks. She would have elaborated upon my praise, yet felt compelled to act the part of a successful girl rushing out of her expensive, upper west-side Jerry Seinfeld-like apartment to join a stage callup for the latest rendition of "Uncle Vanya."

New York City, here I come. I'll just grab my traveling bag here...

Wait.

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"Where do I think I"m going?"

Killjoy dog. No fun with the stock market savvy, dancer, actress, all things beautiful - because poor canine saw "As Good as it Gets" and wants nothing to do with sidewalk cracks or poodles influenced by too many Woody Allen movies.

April 26, 2007

hod

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I thought I would link this Drudge Report image of the stock market breaking an all-time high with an article that says being smart does not necessarily make one rich.

What if one is neither? To whom do we complain?

Now don't go out there today, borrow money, and buy a bunch of stock. It is just a passing fad with profit takers lurking around the corner. Or the million unpleasant surprises our nation is heir to. Or maybe these financial results are due to Wallstrip?

One could theorize all morning, if one were not obligated to traipse into a cubicle and memorize presentation material for what one hopes will last through its delivery, which of course is how I once made it through college...

April 23, 2007

Happy Birthday Will

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Not looking bad at age 443.

And she shall be called "Rosalind."

As you like it.

A wonder dude could write at all, what with Gwyneth hanging all over him in a shameless, patronizing way.

If Shakespeare had had a blog...

April 22, 2007

On a Wing and a Prayer



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Sad to read another Blue Angel pilot crashed. Dangerous business.

I remember being ten years old in Guam, early 70's, my dad a Navy pilot himself. I met a Blue Angel at the naval station cabana club. Too young to really take in the rocket atmosphere. Shook his hand. He died in a crash about six months later.

Folks, life is risky enough without flying jets within inches of each other just to impress Kelly McGillis. Did she ever make any other movie?

Alright girls, you know you want to plug in the beach volleyball scene. Male vogue models flexing each other in the sand. Disturbingly close to gayness.

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Actually, Val Kilmer's best performance came as Doc Holiday in "Tombstone."

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"Why, Johnnie Ringo. You look like somebody just walked over your grave."

"Fight's not with you Holiday."

"I beg to differ, Sir. We started a game I never got to finish."


April 21, 2007

A Long Fall from Jackie O

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How's that for creepy. Halloween in April.

I vent, feel dismissive, wish to rage during this interlude of a sort of second lunch, Saturday trips back and forth, home to cubicle (forgot some notes), delaying yet another return to the office PC where certain numbers on an Excel spreadsheet just won't match the Lotus Notes ones.

Am I an animal? If you prick us, shall we not bleed? Where are my major inspection error counts?

The process presentation is due next week, and look at this glorious Ferris Bueller day.

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As Stephen Crane once said, "it is bitter, because it is my heart."

Enjoy your sunshine, mixed drinks, pool parties, poor grammar. This is America.

Here's the saddest part: Emerson all built up for a weekend with me lolling around. Then I go through a Monday routine, the inevitable exit. Dog paws against nose, calculating, "what do you think you're gonna do?"

Closing the door on that canine face of astonishment causes me no guilt whatsoever.

Please resume your frivolity.

Carly



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Time for something uplifting.

You know, in a world of tragedy, every direction, I sometimes fear growing insensitive.

Wise innocence lost too soon.

Those of us grown up, according to the mirror, can probably take the bombardment of human fiasco every day in the news and right across the street. But what about the generation growing up behind us?

April 20, 2007

What is Going ON?

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I didn't realize it was this close.

Just walking the dog, then a frantic call from Canada........chaos.

This week, completely ridiculous.

How about everyone just settle down with Brady Bunch reruns?

April 15, 2007

South Pole Eavesdropping

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"What do you wanna do?"

"I dunno, what do you wanna do?"

"I've got egg duty again."

"Bummer."

"Wife is also being cold to me."

"Sorry dude. Well, I'm off to watch Wallstrip on my penguin pod. Need investment advice because all my positions seem to slide."

"A slippery slope."

"I'll say hello to Lindsay for you, if I can find you again."

"Great."

April 12, 2007

We Don't Need to See His Identification

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I've decided to put in motion getting a new passport, even if I have no immediate plans to visit another country and want back in (the traditional way). So I'm trying to dig up a birth certificate, fill out forms, etc.

The exercise has made me also realize that my tattered, ancient SS card is nearly illegible and about to fall apart, so time to take the freakin thing out of my wallet, put in a secure place, and get a backup.

These items cost some money and take time, much more time now (see link behind photo) that U.S. Regulations have extended req's for passports to include quick border trips or cruise destinations, even Puerto Rico I think. This is putting a strain on Federal workers at the State Department who did not qualify for Post Office positions of high-energy customer service.

April 8, 2007

tv shows

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The sun is now shining, taking out some of the sting from that abrupt Canadian air mass sent down by yankee joksters trying to wake me up.

April 7, 2007

books

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Experience the refreshing flavor of Whitening Expressions Cinnamon Rush Liquid Gel toothpaste.

After garlic bread last night, consider this a gracious public service announcement.

I also simply like clean teeth. You never know from where, or from whom, or from when the next kiss might drop on unsuspecting lips. Be prepared, scout boy.

Speaking of surprises, what's with this last blustery burst of wind from the north? It's almost cold outside.

Probably the fault of Spring chuckle-heads in Iowa or Missouri.

Just the ticket for hot chocolate and tennis on TV.

Sit down before you fall down. I'm actually planning on reading today.

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I trust the author because I swallowed in a gulp "The Boleyn Inheritance" a few weeks ago.

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Easy page-turner. Clever insight. I never knew Katherine Howard was such a Britney, got her head chopped off age fifteen. Those court women were serious. No "American Idol" call in the vote back then baby. Misplace a smiling glance, drop your handkerchief before the wrong knight, and good night magna carta.

The geek in me is attracted to more elevated themes.

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Fascinating book among many which explain all that stuff I was supposed to have learned in high school. Or maybe I knew it all once before that band drummer girl ripped my heart out, homecoming night, lost football game, Mr. Gatti's in Austin.

But who nurtures painful memories after decades, or even thinks to stray from a point he once planned to pen, obscure reference to brilliance suddenly vanished?

Let's just say I forgot 99% of what Anderson High had to teach me, now barely remembering things like manners or using a turn signal in traffic because other drivers have an unreasonable inkling for insight into which direction I intend to steer my automobile.

Charlatans on wheels. Better late than never to re-clue myself on rocket science, thanks to NOVA. Any great evening probably ends with you and significant other holding hands, surfing the
Hubble Space Telescope Website.

Imagine one small slice of the night sky, any direction you choose, pick out a window size of a dime at 300 yards.

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Thousands of galaxies in that tiny peek there buster, each with 100 billion stars and possibly multiple Al Gores brainwashing aliens.

Here we are on this spinning rock, trying to figure out how to stop killing each other.

Did you know that the farther away star systems are, the faster they recede? Profound implications.

Best way to imagine: we all live on the rubber surface of a big balloon, ever expanding, so no matter what point to reckon, it moves away, sort of like my common sense.

The math isn't that hard when I end up breaking the pencil in half and begin babbling about Klingons pulling away from Romulan commanders who are trying to sleep with Spock, hoping he'll betray the Federation.

Rest secure knowing sane people are in charge of your space program.

April 6, 2007

Friday Night



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hi