It's so orange. And green. Kind of like Ecto-Cooler

My cousin Jason and I are headed out to Moab and the surrounding areas Memorial Day weekend to see what the National Park Service is making Schacht do. Nonstop hikin'/bikin'/drinkin'/geocachin' fun.

Anyone else up for the journey?


...Seriously. It'll make the 12-hour drive a lot better.

Hey, something to look forward to

We all remember this book:



It's being made into a movie. That in of itself is not a big surprise, but Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) is going to be directing it. It's being filmed in New Zealand, and they're going to use 10' tall animatronics for the monsters in lieu of CGI.

And said 10' tall animatronics are being made by Jim Henson's workshop.

Neat.

Ok, just one more (sort of)

I found that great quote from Syriana when that Danny Dalton guy is talking to Jeffrey Wright's character:

Some trust fund prosecutor, got off-message at Yale, thinks he's gonna run this up the flagpole, make a name for himself, maybe get elected some two-bit, no-name congressman from nowhere, with the result that Russia or China can suddenly start having, at our expense, all the advantages we enjoy here. No, I tell you. No, sir. "But, Danny, these are sovereign nations." Sovereign nations. What is a sovereign nation, but a collective of greed run by one individual? "But, Danny, they're codified by the U.N. charter!" Legitimized gangsterism on a global basis that has no more validity than an agreement between the Crips and the Bloods! Corruption charges. Corruption? Corruption ain't nothing more than government intrusion into market efficiencies in the form of regulation. That's Milton Friedman. He got a goddamn Nobel Prize. We have laws against it precisely so we can get away with it. Corruption is our protection. Corruption is what keeps us safe and warm. Corruption is why you and I are prancing around here instead of fighting each other for scraps of meat out in the streets. Corruption is why we win.

and while I'm on a political kick...

If this Iraqi civil war they've been discussing in between lottery coverage on CNN actually goes down, let me just say that I called it three fucking years ago, before we invaded.

But I have my doubts that it will.

On that note, back to the subject at hand:

Taking on this issue before Savener gets a chance (OWNED)

This whole thing with the ports, and such... I don't feel like copying and pasting the text.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/21/port.security/index.html

For the first time in five years...

I agree and support Bush on some sort of issue.

First, yes- A UAE-based company should not be held to different standards than one based in the UK. Second, security would not be the responsibility of the UAE. There are numerous government agencies that handle and screen our ports.

Sometimes the battles our politicians choose baffle me. Even though it shouldn't.

February 18, 4:13 AM (an interpretation inspired by the late Dr. Seuss, and whatever else goes on in my head)

"It shall be mandate that bread be eaten with the butter spread on the top side!"


"You marxist philistine! Bread shall be buttered on neither side! Bread requires marmalade!"


"That kind of thinking caused the Hindenberg disaster! Consider future generations!"


"I shall observe Savener's advances on Crystal while I enjoy this delectable Colorado microbrew!"


"If you all don't shut up, I'm going to go play Sim City."


"But George, if I do not endorse Schacht's marmalade doctrine I fear my father will not approve of your proposal of marriage!"


*KKKKKPPPPPOWWWWWHHHHHHH*


THE END



...sorry.

"Baton Rouge"? More like "Red Stick", am I right

I need to go somewhere for work, and should therefore get ready.

But Sidekicks, starring Chuck Norris and the late Jonathan Brandis, is on Showtime.

I know where my priorities are.

He takes after his cousin

My cousin Karin's 1 month old son, Kia. I guess that means "King" in Farsi. Besides, by the time he's in school I doubt the automobile company of same name will still be functional.



Hey, he stole my expression

If anyone needed more proof that the Grammys are a complete, unassailable joke

I saw that Maroon 5 won the award for best group pop performance, for their song "This Love".

For the record, I really don't have anything against Maroon 5. But I'm pretty sure I heard that song in 2002, back when they were playing the Royal Grove and Crystal was reviewing them for the Journal Star.

No, wait. I am sure.

What?

From my Houston hotel room:



Make your own assumptions.

Because my Rose Bowl prediction was so close

Seattle 30
Pittsburgh 27

That being said, I'm leaning towards rooting for Ben Roethththththththtlililililililsberger.

Leave it to Pinback to make the only good music video in recent history

For 'Fortress':

http://www.tgrec.com/news/detail.php?id=39#

I guess it was on MTV2 at one point; didn't see it. I'm sure if I had access to MTV2 I still would've never seen it.

Anyway. Just watch it. the end is the greatest thing ever.

Come on, don't tell me medieval soldiers fighting on 19th century bicycles isn't the greatest thing ever.

Austin is such an aberration

...but shit, I'd live there.

These two people:


And these two people, the other being Lindsey, an old pal from high/middle school. Note that the alcohol is starting to take its effect on me here.


Some crazy Lewis and Clark type hilarity.


Stay tuned for some hot Houston photos next week. That is, if I even bother taking my camera along. It's probably not worth it.

Random Ten Speed shit

The second highest grossing bicycle store in the country:



GARY FISHER TOUCHED THIS BIKE AND WROTE SHIT ON IT:



Jonnadon Forslund, you're a fucking trendsetter you sonofabitch

Shameless Evangelism Wins!

Ok, most of you that know me are well aware of my hatred for Napoleon Dynamite. Enough said.

I was at a nearby mall in San Antonio a couple of hours ago. One of the many kiosks of stupid shit had a bunch of Jesus-esqe t-shirts, including...



(I found a picture of it via google).

Now, I'm sure there are fans of the film out there that will take great offense at this.

And that pleases me.

That's right, I'm a hypocrite. Come on, who wants a piece of me

From Del Rio to Laredo

Think driving on I-80 in central Nebraska is monotonous? Shit, try southwest Texas.



I don't think I saw another Caucasian person in Laredo. I kind of liked the city though.



I sampled some of the native cuisine, too.... oh wait



Back in San Antonio now; meeting up with Justin and Alesha tomorrow evening. We intend to check out the clusterfuck that is 6th Street (AS SEEN ON 'THE REAL WORLD: AUSTIN')

This building was used in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. I don't know if it has any other historical significance.

And look who I found...



(Don't worry, Justin is doing much better than he looks here)

Paradise Now was pretty good.

Go see it. I'm going to San Antonio. Be right back

Taking advantage of my job

(Well, aside from the fact I'm typing this from work)

So I have to go down to San Antonio in two weeks. Heck, I also get to see Laredo and Del Rio. Here's hoping I don't get eaten by coyotes or that cupacabracuchmunga-thing that they claim sucks the blood out of goats down there.

But on Friday after I get done working, I'm meeting up with Justin and will be in Austin that weekend. I'll be able to see first-hand if it's all it's hyped up to be.

Random thoughts from Louisiana/Texas

-Bayou Country is one of the coolest places I've seen. I'll probably change my mind come June or July though
-There are still dry counties in the US. At least in Texas.
-I met some incredibly kind people down there
-There are acres and acres of trees near Beaumont, TX that will have to be destroyed. A guy I talked to said that the wood isn't even suitable for pulping.
-Houston sucks. It's like Omaha x 10.