Random Access

Monday
Quiet morning. I slept in (I needed it, apparently), so I shall go to Ye Olde Gym tonight.

Song of the Day
Since it’s the start of the work week, we’ll start off with a song about… working. Sixteen Tons, by Tennessee Ernie Ford… although, the Rockapella cover is quite good, too.

Stray Toasters

• The Star Trek geek in me finds it more than slightly amusing that the name of the CNN reporter covering the space shuttle Endeavour’s mission to the International Space Station is Miles O’Brien. And, for the non-Trekkies/Trekkers out there: Miles O’Brien was a member of the Star Trek: TNG and Star Trek: DS9 crews.
• The Miss World pageant has been moved to London. There still seems to be quite a bit of controversy as to whether or not the show should be staged; intentions are to still make a go of it.
• This site has garnered quite a bit of attention over the past couple of weeks. I won’t tell you how many people have quoted it to me because they thought that it was funny. While I am usually a fan of most satirical things, I failed to find the humor in it. There is a poll on the ABC News site that asks:
  

  What Do You Think?
  Nov. 25 – Now that you’ve heard about blackpeopleloveus.com, we would like to know what you think. Is it promoting racism, or is creating a healthy dialogue about touchy race issues?

  Chelsea and Jonah Peretti (siblings) sat that they created the site as a means to address racism in a funny, non-offensive way. I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on this. They may have wanted to find a way to open a dialogue about racism… but I think that their theory could have found a better practical application.

• The more that I hear the song Die Another Die, the more that I like it. And the Anthony Newley version of Goldfinger, while not the brassy opus that is the Shirley Bassey version, is gaining popularity with me, as well.
• While on a movie note, I think that I want to see Treasure Planet.
• Jess and I played XBox last night. I introduced her to Halo and MechAssault. She took to MA pretty quickly; Halo, however… Let’s just say that she made a good showing for someone who had never played before. Especially since we were playing “deathmatch.” She fell victim to a few well-placed sniper rifle shots, too. All’s fair in love and wargames!

Time for the final work-prep stages.

Namaste.

Sunday
Nice lazy football watching day.

::: Football Update :::
The Ravens won a defensive game over the Titans.
The Dolphins took it to the house over the Sandy Eggo Chargers.
The Panthers. *sigh* The lost BIG TIME to the Falcons.

I think that it is fairly common knowledge that I enjoy football. I like a good football game, too. There’s nothing like a good back-and-forth game. Of course, there are exceptions:

• If one of my teams is playing (I want them to crush their opposition);
• If one of my teams is playing a close game, but completely dominates the second half.

The Dolphins game wasn’t remotely close. Neither was the Panthers game… but they wound up on the business end of an ass-whoopin’. The Ravens game, however, was a close game. In fact, towards the end of the game, I’d even say that it was a little “too close.” But, there wasn’t much bad that I can say about the Baltimore Kids’ game. And, it did end up in the “W” column, so I am happy.
::: End Update :::

Stray Toasters

• It snowed. Joy. (That was meant to be taken with a heavy dose of sarcasm.) Although, I’m sure that the ski/snowboard buffs are happy.
• I talked (actual vox conversation, no Internet involvement) to my mother. I needed to get her input on preparing Cornish game hens. Why? Because I don’t want anyone contracting ptomaine poisoning or anything of that sort.
• Joe called me from the world’s largest Toys ‘R’ Us (Times Square, NY). Bastard-ass.
• A few of us are going to see Die Another Day tonight.

  I finally heard the theme for DAD this morning. Madonna. Interesting. It’s a definite departure from what I would consider “a quintessential Bond theme,” but I like it. In fact, Duran Duran’s A View to a Kill was a departure from the norm, as well. I guess that I have just gotten used to hearing something with an orchestrated sound and feel, but this new theme is more techno/electronica and it made me think that a little change (and shaking up of what is considered to make a good theme) is not a bad thing. Not bad at all.

  ::: time delay :::

  We saw the movie. The general concensus: We liked it. I must say that I think that the theme song and the opening credits were amazingly integrated – the song and the visuals tied in seamlessly. (I won’t tell you how… you’ll have to see the movie to find out.) Typical Bond flick: Guns, gadgets, girls (Halle. *sigh*)…. Over-the-top action… one-liners. And it was just plain fun.

• Kristen and Chelsea came over for a while and hung out.
• We ate at California Pizza Kitchen. Tasty.

That’s more or less it… I think that I shall play a little MechAssault and end the evening with a proverbial bang.

Namaste.

Saturday
It was foggy, VERY foggy, this morning. Jess was trying to figure out something to put in the “Weather” section of the Operations Journal (at work). I told her she should try “What the FOG!?!?” and see if anyone noticed. I’ll have to ask her if she did.

Friday’s NPR Stories
Yesterday’s theme for Fresh Air was not just music. It was the music of Bond. James Bond. John Barry talked about writing themes for different Bond films, especially Goldfinger and Thunderball. They played one of the demo versions of Goldfinger as done by Anthony Newley, who wrote the lyrics for the song. This version (around the 14:00 mark of the interview) sounds… more sinister. Verra cool. (In fact, I’m d/l’ing it now…) And, before I forget: They did play excerpts of the Shirley Bassey version of Goldfinger and Tom Jones’ Thunderball.

Jazz trumpeter Steven Bernstein was the second-half interview. His quartet, Sex Mob, has a CD called Sex Mob Does Bond, where they play interpretations of Bond themes.

All Things Considered had a few good stories yesterday, as well:

• Riots in Nigeria (which explained the situation very well)
• A VERY funny commentary about the G.W. Bush – Gerhard Schroeder “tiff.”
• Walter Cronkite on the day that JFK was assassinated (1, 2)
• Ephedra
• Counter-Tenors (for you music majors/buffs)

Stray Toasters

• I have been quite lazy today. I think that the highlight of the day (so far) was a trip to the craft store to get some new leads, a blue non-photo pencil, and a new lead holder. I watched XME, and then the new He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and half-watched Transformers: Armada. T:A has yet to grow on me, but it makes for good background noise while I’m busy doing… um… well, nothing.
• I’m watching Purdue whoop up on Indiana U. The way it should be. They are playing for “The Old Oaken Bucket,” in the traditional rivalry game. These guys are working today. It’s early in the 4th quarter and Purdue has dominated this game; the score is 24 – 3. Go Boilers!
• Angie just copied this link to me. There are any number of jokes that can be made here, but I’ll refrain from making any. For now.
• I got to chat with my mother for a bit.

::: Postgame Update :::
Purdue won. 34 – 10.
The Old Oaken Bucket will spend the next year in West Lafayette!
::: End Update :::

That’s about it. I need to head to the comic shop and then get something to eat. And get ready for bowling.

Namaste.

Friday (part II): Response to my previous entry

[10:05] ShadoRunr: You
[10:05] : me.
[10:05] ShadoRunr: …are up early.
[10:05] ShadoRunr: (damn )
[10:06] : nah it’s noon
[10:06] : gotta work at 2
[10:06] ShadoRunr: Ah.
[10:17] ShadoRunr: Video Killed the Radio Star
[10:55] : yes indeed he did
[10:55] : in my mind and in my heart (or is it soul?)
[10:55] : damn buggles
[10:56] ShadoRunr: See this morning’s post. 🙂
[10:56] : awww yea
[10:57] : the worlds most catchy song
[10:58] ShadoRunr: No, THAT is “The Safety Dance.” Which also is one of the most ANNOYING songs, too.
[10:58] : i like safety dance 🙂
[10:59] : ‘course there is a completely separate category called “the most infectious songs”
[10:59] ShadoRunr: So do I…. in moderation.
[10:59] : of which i think the national geographic theme song is #1

Namaste.

Friday
Waking up this morning wasn’t too bad. Only one press of Ye Olde Button of Snoozing. I made it to the gym, had a decent workout and now… now, I am killing time before finishing the pre-work prep.

Song of the Day
You can blame (or thank) my gym for this one; once it came on the P.A. system, I had to make it the SotD. What is it? Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles, from the CD “The Ace of Plastic.” Alternately, you could listen to the cover, as done by The Presidents of the United States of America. The song is poppy and verra cheesy, but its video launched the MTV age of music videos… even though MTV only shows videos for about forty-five minutes a day now.

BrainyQuote Quote of the Day
It is difficult to produce a television documentary that is both incisive and probing when every twelve minutes one is interrupted by twelve dancing rabbits singing about toilet paper.
Rod Serling

How true. I wonder what he would say today, in a world where the rabbits would probably have an infomercial about toilet paper…?

Stray Toasters

• I’ve discovered a new “cat thing.” I have always heard that cats are… averse to water, at least when it comes to getting it on themselves. Sissy, the Wonder Kitty, now jumps into the shower, after I have just taken one, and proceeds to drink the water from the soap dish. (I don’t keep soap in the dish, so she isn’t drinking soapy water. AND, before starts spreading rumours that I don’t use soap: I use shower gel.) I guess that the “cats don’t like to get wet” theory has a “walking in water” exemption.
• Riots in Nigeria. At least 105 people have been killed (as of 1030 MST). They are attributing the riots to “Muslim fury over the country’s staging of the Miss World pageant next month.” This is another indication that there are some things that I just don’t “get.” If they don’t want the pageant held there, that’s one thing. Protest all you want. When it comes to killing or inciting others to violence over it… that’s a concept that I don’t grok.
• m3l posted a link to this picture; it’s NASA’s “Astronomy Picture of the Day.” It is from this past week’s Leonid meteor shower.
• One of today’s Talk of the Nation: Science Friday topics is the experimental vaccine against a virus that is linked to some forms of cervical cancer.

  Looks like music is the theme of the day (no pun intended…. or maybe it was) on Fresh Air. Today’s guests are composer John Barry and jazz trumpeter Steven Bernstein.

• From this morning’s conversation with :
  

  [10:20] THE niliyo: Ill survive
  [10:20] ShadoRunr: You go, Gloria Gaynor!
  [10:21] THE niliyo: lol
  [10:21] THE niliyo: whos that?
  [10:21] ShadoRunr: She’s the first person to record “I Will Survive.”
  [10:21] ShadoRunr: Cake just did a kick-ass version.
  [10:21] THE niliyo: oh
  [10:21] THE niliyo: never heard it
  [10:22] ShadoRunr: *jawdrop*
  [10:22] ShadoRunr: ::: feels old :::
  [10:22] THE niliyo: :\
  [10:22] THE niliyo: I heard the 1st version
  [10:22] THE niliyo: just not the new one
  [10:22] ShadoRunr: You’ve never heard Cake’s version of it?
  [10:23] ShadoRunr: Hmm…..
  [10:23] THE niliyo: nope
  [10:23] ShadoRunr: I thought that I had ripped it. No go.
  [10:23] THE niliyo: Ill dl it tonight
  [10:23] THE niliyo: sounds good
  [10:24] THE niliyo: I lie cake
  [10:24] THE niliyo: k
  [10:24] ShadoRunr: I thought that you meant that you lie in cake.
  [10:24] ShadoRunr: I was going to ask “Doesn’t that get messy?
  [10:24] ShadoRunr: ”
  [10:24] THE niliyo: lol

• I shall have to see Die Another Day sometime this weekend.

Off to gird myself for the battle against the legions of Hell.

Namaste.

Thursday
A restless night’s sleep, congestion, and a slight headache do not make for an auspicious awakening. Yes, it feels like a cold has set in. Joy. This has the potential of being a long day.

Song of the Day
Three from Tin Machine today: Working Class Hero (from “Tin Machine), One Shot and Baby Universal (from “Tin Machine II).

Stray Toasters
As yet, I don’t have anything for here. If anyone has something that they would like to share with the rest of the class, please feel free to do so.

And now, back to playing the “Let’s Get Ready for Work” game.

Namaste.

Wednesday (part II)
I left work early today. That’s right, in the words of : “I slacked out.” Yup. If I were a member of an updated Fantastic Four, I’d be Mr. Slacktastic.

NPR Stories
Terry Gross interviewed performance poet Sekou Sundiata (and his manager and friend , Katea Stitt). He read a few pieces, but his work wasn’t the focus of the interview. Here’s how the Fresh Air site introduces the interview:

He is one of New York’s most notable spoken-word artists. He blends lyrics of urban dwelling with music. Born in Harlem, Sundiata is a professor of English literature at The New School for Social Research. He’s released CDs of spoken word including The Blue Oneness of Dreams and Urban Music. This week, Sundiata premieres his new one-man show blessing the boats. It’s about the year his kidney failed, he went into dialysis and then had a kidney transplant. That year ended with him breaking his neck after he crashed his car in a snowstorm on the way to his “comeback” concert. He is fully recovered now.

Although they didn’t do much poetry, this was a really good interview. Give it a listen.

Stray Toasters

• Okay, now that it’s all over, I can finally say the following: Land resigned today. He had finally had enough of… well… “everything.” We talked at the gym last night and he said that he was considering it. He had it up to “here” with the disarray that is not uncommon at our… his former workplace.
  Congratulations and good luck!
  I know that saying “congratulations” to someone resigning might sound a little odd, but follow me on this one: He made a decision based on his ethics, morals and conscience. And, he acted on it. That deserves a “congratulations.”

• Why am I so drawn to this damned G.I. Joe cartoon? If anyone knows (or would simply like to hazard a guess), please fill me in.
• On the news tonight, I finally saw the video of Michael Jackson holding one of his kids over the fourth-story balcony of his Berlin hotel room… Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!? I have long thought that he was a bit… “out there.” I have re-assessed that opinion: I don’t think that he has ANY clue. “Out there?” That doesn’t even begin to cover it.
• Jess and I saw Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets tonight. It was a good adaptation. Very good. We both liked it. I might even listen to the books again.

  In a semi-related note: Today’s “IMDb Movie of the Day” is The Iron Giant. This is one of my favorite movies. Warner Brothers did a very poor job of marketing this movie…. BOTH times that they released it at the theatres. And, that’s a shame: It had a good story; it had interesting characters; it was fun, pure, plain and simple. If you have not seen it, do so. You won’t regret it. Hung up about the fact that it’s “a cartoon?” Get over it. Sure, the fact that it’s animated lets them get away with a few things but it does not detract from the story. If anything, it adds to it. Rent this movie!

• Someone posted this link on IRC earlier. WHAT?!?!? I’m not sure if this is another drain-circling indicator, but if it isn’t, it damn well ought to be!
• Sissy is curled up and sleeping on the futon. Every so often, she will hear something, wake up, look around and then conk back out. It’s cute.
• The construction that UDOT is doing on Redwood Road, right outside the apartment complex, hit the braincramp stage today. I can see it very easily moving into clusterfuck territory over the next few days… or weeks.

Okay, that’s about enough for now.

Namaste.

Wednesday
Midweek. Three more days of working and then it will be the weekend once more.

Song of the Day
I Go to Work by Kool Moe Dee, from the CD “Knowledge Is King.”

Stray Toasters

• Got to chat with Kris again this morning.
• Talked to Jonni for the first time in a long while. He’s been on tour; he said that they (Air Supply, he’s the bassist) just got back from a ten-day run in Mexico.
• I have been craving Cracker Jack, of all things, for the past couple of days. I may have to get some on the way home tonight.

Worktime!

Namaste.

Tuesday (part II)
Today was not too bad of a day. It wasn’t necessarily sitcom perfect, but it wasn’t unbearable. If it had been in Dante Aligheri’s Inferno: The Divine Comedy, it would have been one of the upper circles of Hell.

Stray Toasters

• I chatted with Kristen (kid sister) this morning. She was getting ready to head to class; I was getting ready to go to work. “Parallel lives meet at infinity.”
• I just (or “finally,” depending on your point of view) finished watching Justice League: The Savage Time (synopsis here). One word review: “Wow.” I am continually impressed with the quality of that show. When I got to the part that Bret told me about about last week, I laughed; I could picture his reaction to seeing that.

  I decided to see if JL:TST had an entry on IMDB. It didn’t. The pilot does, however. And… there is even a list of “Memorable Quotes.” Unfortunately, it does not include these quotes, which are among my favorites.

• Hornsby’s Draft Cider is pretty tasty.
• I was looking for something that I wrote earlier this year and I came across this in the process. Wow. I need to have another tirade like that sometime.

  ::: looks for soapbox :::

• This still makes me laugh.
• Everytime I hear “Superman,” by Five For Fighting, I think of this… which makes me laugh, too.

Considering the fact that I got something on the order of three (3) hours of sleep last night/this morning and that caffeine was the ONLY thing that kept me from doing an intensive inner eyelid study at work, I should probably call it a night.

Namaste.

Tuesday
Tired. No, that’s not emphatic enough.
Tired. Better, but still missing that “oomph!” One more time…
Tie-urd. Yep. That’s the ticket!

We (Jess, m3lody and and I) went to see the Leonid meteor shower last night. You know… the one that they were saying was the last big shebang before 2096. The one they said would be more of a “meteor storm” than a “meteor shower.” Yeah, that one. Well, it turned out to be more of a “meteor drizzle” due to the overcast conditions here behind the Zion Curtain. We did see a few, but not as many as we would have hoped.

We got home around 0430 and I decided to sleep. That may have been a mistake. I possibly should have stayed up and just slept tonight. When the alarm went off, I discovered that I like the “snooze” button. It was my friend at least two or three times this morning. But, I still managed to get up and go to the gym. There will have to be coffee in the system, if am to make it through the day. C’est la vie. It was worth it.

Song of the Day
Today’s Two-fer comes from Paul Shaffer (band leader of “The CBS Orchestra,” formerly known as “The World’s Most Dangerous Band,” when Letterman was on NBC). The songs are: Late Night Theme, the classic theme from the NBC show and One Cup of Coffee. Both songs are available on the CD “Coast to Coast.” Why these songs? The former is in honor of staying up late to watch cosmic debris as it skids across the upper atmosphere; the latter reminds me that if I do not have something caffeinated (and preferably laced with two shots of espresso), I will not make it through the workday.

Stray Toasters
Nothing has popped up yet. Check back tonight… or maybe tomorning.

Time to finish work-prep, trek off in search of frozen mocha goodness and then prepare for (up to) eight hours of making sure that your mail gets to you (or to whomever you sent mail) on time.

Namaste.

Monday (part II)
Today was not a red-letter day at work. In fact, I think it might even go in the “fairly shitty day” category. I found out that a friend of mine might be terminated. (No, . Not killed, just “no longer employed by the USPS.”) Let’s just say that I was not a very happy person at work today. I’m still a bit torqued about the whole situation, but I’m getting past it. Not necessarily “over” it, but I’m moving on. Which is a “good thing.” Why? Because that spared you from having to read the LONG diatribe rant that I was originally planning on writing. Thank the higher power of your choice for that.

NPR Stories
Talk of the Nation talked about Winston Churchill in the second hour. I had never really heard or read much about him before; I will have to rectify that situation.

On Fresh Air, Terry Gross interviewed Joe Hunter and Jack Ashford, two musicians who were part of the Motown Records studio musicians known as “the Funk Brothers.” This was a great interview and made a good prelude to seeing Standing in the Shadows of Motown, a new documentary/performance movie about the Funk Brothers.

All Things Considered had a cute piece about a new “digital library” for kids that is being developed at the University of Maryland. (Yes, I used the word “cute” about a news story. Deal with it.) You can find out more about it here. There was also a story about a lawsuit about “Winnie the Pooh” as a property concerning who has the rights to… umm… the rights. And, if you get a chance to listen to it, check out the “Mom’s Email” commentary.

Stray Toasters

• I’m still amazed by how much I’m (re-)enjoying watching G.I. Joe on Cartoon Network. The animation quality, while good for it’s time, is… umm… yeah. And the writing? Hoo-boy. But, it’s still pretty damn fun.
• I am now watching The Adventures of Superman on TV Land. ::: nostalgic bliss ::: I used to watch this back in Baltimore and Columbia after school. I [heart] this show. Jess calls it “Old Man in Tights.” Cheesy? Hokey? Dated? You betcha! It’s all that and more. I still [heart] this show. And the fedoras! You know… I’ve never thought about it before, but I think that this may have been where I got my yen for fedoras.

  Trivia: Noel Neill, who played Lois Lane on the series was in the 1978 movie starring Christopher Reeve. If you remember the movie, when the young girl (Lois Lane) on the train saw Clark running along side the train, she tried to point him out to her mother. Noel Neill played the mother.

• The Leonid meteor shower is tonight. In fact, they are saying that it should peak in about an hour.
• James Coburn died today.

And now, off to see the galactic lightshow.

Namaste.

Monday
Okay… I guess that I’ll be hitting the gym after work. I didn’t wake up until a little after 0900. Apparently, I needed the rest.

Song of the Day
Since today is the start of the work week, for most people, we will go with Sellout. But, I can hear you asking: “Which song?” That’s a good question. The answer: “Not just one song. No, no. Two versions!”

• emmet swimming (from “Arlington to Boston”)
• Reel Big Fish (from “Turn the Radio Off”)

Stray Toasters

• This morning’s “Who Said That?” quote from Brainyquote was: “I love mankind; it’s the people I can’t stand.” The odd thing is that the late Charles Schulz (creator of the Peanuts comic strip) said it.
• I had an odd dream this morning: I was being trailed by a vigilante who wanted to break my right index finger. That was a little weird. But, wait… it gets even more weird! His reason for wanting to do it: Because I had defended myself against some other person who was trying to break (at least one of) my fingers with a pair of pliers. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!?!? I woke up a little disoriented but very glad that all of my manual extremities were in working order.
• There are many movies that I want to see: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (I’m an overgrown kid… sue me.), The Ring and Far From Heaven… just to name a few. Add to this: Die Another Day, when it comes out next week.

Time to finalize the pre-work preparations.

Namaste.

Sunday
Today kicked ass.

“But, the Ravens lost,” you might say. And, that’s true. They lost pretty handily. But, they lost to the Dolphins (which is one of my top 3 teams), so that made it sting a little less. But that’s not “why” today kicked ass.

Today kicked ass because I had friends over all afternoon/evening to hang out, watch football and play XBox. It was verra cool. and were the first to arrive, followed shortly by Gary and (last, but far from least) Dee. There was a great watching of football, imbibing of frosty malt beverages, ingesting of snackage and much gaming (much Covenant ass (or the alien equivalent) was kicked. And it was good.

Flashback: Saturday
The discussion that I wanted to have did happen… in a way. Some people had things come up that caused them to be unable to attend or late (which happened to me). Those of us who did make it talked about a few of the issues and then decided to postpone the discussion until a “to be determined” date.

Anyway, I’m awake later than I had planned to be, so I should probably call it a night fairly soon. Now, the big decision: Gym pre- or post-work? Pre-work means that I’ll get less sleep, but be home to see some of the game tomorrow night. Post-work means more sleep, but I’ll have to watch the game at the gym. Oh well, I’ll figure it out when the alarm goes off.

Namaste.

Saturday
I’m still a little tired, I didn’t sleep very well. But, I think I’ll live. I just finished watching today’s ep of XME and should set about getting my notes together for today’s discussion. Fortunately, it’s going to be more freeform than the previous ones, so the notes will be highlight points more than anything else.

NPR/PRI Stories
Yesterday’s Fresh Air interview with evolutionary biologist Olivia Judson was a riot! If you get a chance, you have to listen to it. Here’s the overview of the interview:

In her new guide to the evolutionary biology of sex, Judson explores the sex lives of animals and insects. Posing as Dr. Tatiana, sex-advice columnist, she answers “letters” posted by such creatures as the fairy wren, the stalk-eyed fly and the African elephant. Her new book is Dr. Tatiana’s Sex Advice to All Creation. Judson has also written for The Economist, Nature and Science.

Who knew that scientists could have such a sense of humor…?

Stray Toasters

• My friend Bret called yesterday. I haven’t talked to him in a few weeks; he’s doing well. He told me that he watched last week’s Justice League movie, “The Savage Time.” While he has enjoyed the show, he came to like John Stewart (Green Lantern) even more when he announced, after a fight, that he had received combat training as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps; Bret is an ex-Marine.
• Last night, I went to The Gateway and did some drawing at the Barnes & Noble. Also, the new Virgin Megastore is open there. I will try to avoid making the obvious “Virgins in Salt Lake City” jokes… but no promises.
• Jess, Adrian and I met and for late-night eats at one of the local Village Inns. It was good to see them. They may even show up for bowling tonight.
• The IKEA website is finally letting accepting orders for their catalogs.
• Cartoon Network. Not only do they have Justice League and Samurai Jack, but they are giving me my nostalgia fix with the 80s G.I. Joe. And something else… I’m checking out the new He-Man and the Masters of the Universe toon. Something that I never thought about in the 80s (when the toon/toy line was new): If you are transforming into a powerful warrior who goes into battle, wouldn’t you want to wear something more than than fur shorts/a loincloth and a pair of boots? Just a thought. (I do like the new animation, though. And the writing is a little more mature.)

Off to get ready for the rest of the day…

Namaste.

Friday
It’s finally here: The end of the workweek. Now, the uber-question is: Will I put in a full eight today or will it be an early departure day? “Should stay…” Yes. “Will stay…” That has yet to be determined.

There’s a (relatively) new person at the gym whom I had neglected to mention: He looks like a younger (and thinner) Wilford Brimley.

Song of the Day
Jungle Love by Morris Day and the Time, from the CD “Ice Cream Castles” and featured in the movie Purple Rain. (This is not to be confused with the song of the same name by the Steve Miller Band. They are quite different.)

NPR Stories
Fresh Air will rebroadcast (from 04 June 02) an interview with Stan “The Man” Lee today. Excelsior! (And if I have to explain that… *shrug*)

He was the leading creative force behind the rise of Marvel Comics and is responsible for many of the best-known comic book heroes. 40 years ago, he co-created the character Spider-Man. He also helped create The X-Men, The Fantastic Four, and The Incredible Hulk. He is Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Enterprises, and was Executive Producer of the recent film, “Spider-Man,” which is now out on video. LEE’s new book is called “Excelsior! The Amazing Life of Stan Lee.”

Talk of the Nation – Science Friday will discuss, among other things, next week’s Leonid meteor show and the “obesity epidemic” in America.

Stray Toasters

• I hope that ‘s use of imbedded sounds in his posts is a short-lived interest.
• Apparently, ‘ interest in The Anna Nicole Smith Show was piqued ju-u-u-ust enough to get her to watch it once. I think that Jess’ comments about it may have had more than a slight influence in that. In her own words:
  

  [10:03] : anna nicole has sucked me in too.

• m3lody posted a link to this picture (. It is today’s “Astronomy Picture of the Day” from NASA.
• And has anyone ever figured out just what do you do with a drunken sailor?

Time to finish getting ready to be a (semi-)productive member of the workforce.

Namaste.