Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Entertainment News

Talked to my son on the phone this afternoon. He and The Johnsons will be playing at the Warped Tour in Vancouver and Calgary. They'll be playing one of the side stages.

I looked up who's coming with the tour to Vancouver this year. Nobody who I was overly impressed with. I took the same son and my nephew to see the Warped Tour in Calgary back in 2000. We were treated to bands like The Donnas and Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Green Day and Anti Flag and NOFX and Gob.

I'm hoping that a connection here will be able to get me a camera pass for the show which is July 3rd. (two days before the Bolivia trip) Of course Stephen Stills plays Vancouver the night before we leave. That's still really tempting.

UPDATE:

I just found out that my fave Bolivian musician, Grillo Villegas, will be playing two concerts while I'm in La Paz. I hope I can find a way to get tix!

When I was a young lad in high school my bed was right by the window. On the other side was the patio and birds that sang me awake. I would lie there for a moment or two before reaching over for the radio and turning on KWFM. I'd lie there listening to music for a bit before getting ready for school.

This morning I woke up to the sound of my high school aged son in shower. I lay here for a moment and then reached over for my lap top and turned on the internet. I turned on iTunes and am listening to and Argentine musician named Charly Garcia. I glanced at the BBC (my home page) then to Flickr (where my photos are). Read a message from Duane that he had used several of my Matthew Good shots for his blog post. (Cool) I clicked on the link to his blog and read the post. Then to Matthew Good's site. Nothing new. Then finally here to my blog where I read comments from Jay and Duane.

Where as a young man I moved from my room to the bathroom to the kitchen and out the door for the 5 block walk to my high school, as an old man without moving from bed I've read the news in London, and looked at pictures from a guys in Los Angeles and Paris.

Now I get to see what friends I have not met have to say (if anything new) in London, Edinburgh, Rotterdam, Athens, and Toronto, as well as friends I have met in Vancouver, Calgary, and Los Angeles. All right here from bed.

And outside my window birds are singing.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

CLOSED

for golf

Apologies for any inconvenience

Sunday, May 27, 2007

In the midst of all good inspiration many a miracle has happened

Whilst I was two finger pounding yon post post below my grandson sneezes. Now keep in mind that the entire house is infected with a change in the weather head cold.

Two dangly streams of snot from his nose to his chin.

DON'T MOVE!! I shout and I immediately pounce from the living room sofa and into the kitchen.

I GRAB

Playtex dish gloves

Three wash cloths

Oven mitt

BBQ tweezer thingies (their technical name)

I GEAR UP

Gloves on.

Oven mitt on left hand.

One wash cloth in left hand.

Wash cloth wrapped around each tweezer thingy end

I LEAP BACK INTO THE LIVING ROOM where Conroy stands motionless

I ACT

ALL STOP!!

I sprint into the garage and grab

and

put

on (bad grammar, I know)

MY WELDING GOGGLES!!

BACK to the living room

where

Conroy

remains

standing

motionless

I grab the snot with the wash cloth adorned tweezer thingies. I then use the other wash cloth in my oven mitted playtex glove left hand to pluck the two snot soaked wash cloths from the tweezer thingies. Then I walk

slowly

through the kitchen and out to the back patio

I do a surgeon move. Meaning I pull the playtex glove off off my right hand so that I have an inside-out playtex glove that is stuffed with an oven mitt and three snot soaked wash cloths. I remove the grill from the bar b que and place it where the charcoal goes. Then to the shed for the charcoal starter fluid. Back to the kitchen for matches. Minutes later Conroy and I dance like warriors around the fire to jungle drum music.

THEN the needle scratches across the surface of the record album

The warrior queen (wife) is standing in the open sliding door in her pijamas rubbing her "I just woke up" eyes

"What are you doing?????"

I don't have satellite so some of the channels do come in so well all the time.

Today is a sick leave day. Sometimes I take one of the four days that I'm sick with a head cold off from work. So they get me for three of the days I'm sick. Not too bad a deal. What made today a little different is that I went against my body telling me to call in sick from home and went to work. About an hour and a half into it my mind signed a treaty with my body and shut down my ability to focus. In what I do, focus is a big deal.

I walked back out to the parking lot against a cold wind and under they gray clouds after having read, and commented on, Jay's post of the joys of summer and summer memories. The wind felt good though. It wrapped around me like a friend I didn't have to acknowledge. It felt as good at that moment as any warm breeze of my past.

My friend Matt will tell you that he is a recluse. If he didn't have to leave his house, he wouldn't. I'm a recluse who likes to be out of the house. I like to be alone and left alone and in some cases ignored. Ask anybody who knows me, or says they know me. Some people call that being a loner. I prefer recluse because it sounds cool while loner sounds like somebody who will someday be talked about on the evening news as the one who barricaded himself in a house while police surrounded it. Then one last shot was heard.

Nah, not me.

I'm a recluse because I'm not that interesting. I'm not that interested. I'm sure there are a lot of freudian explainations as to why and some of you may disagree but you're not around me that much. I have a short attention span. Maybe I have AADD. Maybe I just don't give a shit about a lot of things that a lot of people give a shit about. Who knows? Probably doesn't matter that much anyway. I am who i am.

Oh Jay. Now I know summer is here. I'm watching Sunday Morning on CBS. They're talking about the invention of the bikini.

Wanna know something?

I've always preferred a nice one piece swimsuit over the bikini.

Friday, May 25, 2007

TODAY

Seven months til Christmas
One month and a day til my anniversary (25)
Two months and three days til my birthday (49)
Forty days til the big trip to Bolivia
Nine days til my oldest child's birthday (24)
Two days til Mother's Day in Bolivia
Thirty years ago today Star Wars premiered (I saw it the second night)

Today in...

904: Mustard was invented in France
1961: President Kennedy announced his plan to put a man on the moon
1944: Frank Oz (Miss Piggy) was born
734: Bede died

Today is the original date for Memorial/Decoration Day in the U.S.

Today is International Towel Day.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Because Chloe asked and I need light heartedness after my two previous posts

1. The phone rings; whom do you want it to be?
My dad

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
Most of the time

3. If you had to kiss again the last person you kissed, would you?
Sure. But I think she's nursing right now so.....

4. Do you take compliments well?
Most times

5. Do you play Sudoku?
What is that?

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
Probably not

7. Do you like nipple rings?
As long as they're not bigger than the breast

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Once

9. If a sexy person were pursuing you, but you knew he/she were married what would you do?
You have to give me more details
Are we in Vegas?
real or implants?
breath?
TRUE blonde?

10. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
Most everybody has different religious beliefs than me, so yes

11. Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
Both

12. Use three words to describe yourself at the moment:
Sitting on bed

13. Do any songs make you cry?
Only during movies

14. Are you continuing your education?
I hope so

15. Do you know how to shoot a gun?
Yes

16. If your house were on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
Coke

17. Who was the last person you shared a bed with?
Wife

18. Whom do you text the most?
No text

19. Favorite children’s books?
Where The Wild Things Are

20. What do you buy at the movies?
Popcorn and coke

21. Do you know how to play poker?
Yes

22. Do you wear your seat belt?
Hell, I have one on NOW

Responsibilty

Josh Hancock, a pitcher for the St Lous Cardinals, was killed in a vehicle accident. The following was determined by law enforcement.

1) Hancock was speeding
2) He was not wearing a seat belt
3) He was using his cell phone
4) He was intoxicated
5) There was marijuana in his vehicle

Hancock ran his vehicle into a tow truck that was attending to a car that was stalled after spinning out to avoid an accident when the driver was cut off by another vehicle.

Hancock's father has now filed a law suit regarding his son's death.

Among the defendants named, are the driver of the stalled vehicle, and the driver of the tow truck. It is clear to Mr. Hancock that THEY are partially responsible for his son's death.

Forgive me, it's political thought of the week time.

A company named DynCorp is looking for a few good men. A few good Border Patrol men. As you might guess by the name, one of the duties of the U.S. Border Patrol is the detection of human trafficking and those profitting from this crime. DynCorp has a U.S. Government contract to train the Iraqi border police. DynCorp is attempting to recruit current Border Patrol Agents to work one year contracts for the company in Iraq. They are offering $132.000 for the year as well as a $25,000 signing bonus.

DynCorp had a contract in Bosnia to train law enforcement there. A DynCorp employee in Bosnia went to company management when she discovered that several of her coworkers were frequenting brothels where women were forced into prostitution against their will.

She was fired by DynCorp.

Later another employee reported to DynCorp management that several of his coworkers had actually PURCHASED women from the brothels. DynCorp employees in Bosnia to TRAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT personnel had given money and "taken ownership" of other human beings!

He was fired by DynCorp.

Eventually a number of DynCorp employees were fired for their roles in supporting the trafficking of human beings in Bosnia. NONE were prosecuted for their crimes. They were not subject to prosecution due to treaties under which DynCorp and other private contractors operate internationally. I am ashamed to say that my government continues to grant contracts to companies like DynCorp. Companies who then operate with complete disregard for holding employees subject to established laws in the countries where they operate. Laws, in this case, relating to rape, false imprisonment, slavery, and human trafficking.

The two employees who were fired by DynCorp in Bosnia sued under whistle blowing laws. Both won their cases

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

If my grandaughter had a native american name it would be One Sock

mil ciento cuarentayuno

I listen to a killer online radio station out of Chicago. WXRT, the "new music" radio station. No commercials. No stupid morning show. Only the occasional station ID notice. AWESOME tunes. That trouble is I have no way of finding out the artist or the name of the song. Probably saves my a lot of money though.

It turns out that we didn't forget the doctor's appt the other day. They called to change the date and the wife didn't tell me. It's our travel consult so we get to do the hepatitus shots and take the typhoid pills and get the pills that stop the rapid exit of..... you know.

I get up for work early so I have about 20-30 minutes in front of the TV news while enjoying a can of coke.

So this morning they show a new National Geographic book of photographs taken.......with cell phones. It was all I could do to not throw my coke at the TV. They show some of the shots and I could tell right away that there was some photoshopping done. It's not had to tell that stuff. The photographer was interviewed and of course they talked about stuff that most people don't think of. Adjusting exposure on a cell phone and, lenses, and a few other things.

I, because I'm a smart guy, was asking what cell phone did he use? Turns out it was a $350 Nokia. It was funny to hear that because a minute earlier the gal with him stated that cell phones were going to replace point and shoots. Of course then she pipes up that "you" can get phones at a discount along with a plan from one of the companies.

Then they showed some cell phone shots from CBS employees and asked what they could have done to make them better. The photos just sucked quality wise. The photog didn't say that of course. He just mentioned how cute the little girl was and to maybe adjust the exposure as the guy who took the shot, if he was listening, went HUH?

Somehow I don't see the world turning in all cameras for cell phones. Rest easy Canon, Nikon, Kodak, Pentax, and Sony.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Golf is always good

My legs are tight and tired. It was a magnificent day. I hit the ball decent and was happy with my game. My grandaughter is sick. Cough and sneeze sick. She's still alert and playfull but gets frustrated and cranky. Typical woman.

So now I'm lounging in my shorts and sandals. Watching TV while both grandkids play with noisy toys. That's what they get paid to do at this age so there's nothig much to do about it.

Almost 8PM. The finale of The Big Break (golf) is almost over. Then it's bed time and hoping no asshole decides to mow a lawn in the neighborhood.

Playing the Crosby Nash CD on my tunes because I'm old

So now search for "To The Last Whale: Critical Mass" to hear a beautiful pro enviroment song that was created before you were born.

Did all the U.S. payday shopping yesterday and you'll be proud of me for telling you that I didn't get angry at somebody for discovering AT THE BORDER that she had forgotten her green card. Minor delay before breakfast at Denny's. Post Office, Bank, Costco, Money transfer place, JC Penney, Target, Grocery, Pizza place, back across the border.

All in just under 9 hours!!

I found a DVD that I snatched off the shelf with cat like reflexes. I say cat LIKE because I was quicker than any damned cat. It's the complete, unedited collection of Droopy cartoons. TOLD YOU I was old. Laughed until I choked for air watching the first disc. Google Droopy images if you don't know who/what I'm talking about and in the middle of all those old tit pictures you should see a funny looking basset hound, That's him.

This morning I awoke to the remembering of a doctor's appt that we forgot about yesterday as well as the doorbell of the first baby being dropped off. Four babies in the house today. That means one four letter word for yours truly.

G O L F

Sunday, May 20, 2007

one one three eight

I don't put much trust in people because they always let you down and I can say this because I'm a people and I've let people down. Consistency is a hard row to hoe. I've even had people I detested do more for me than some I've considered friends. I leave shaking my head. I still carry a little hope for mankind that the biggest failure cannot destroy. Maybe I'm a fool or maybe it just feels good to be right sometimes.

I'm exausted and in need of sleep.

I had a great chat with JaG. She's going to be here in July while I'm somewhere else. Damn. But maybe next spring I will be there while she's there too and it will be tons of fun. She promises to keep me out of trouble. Because I asked her to. And she said she would. And she's true people.

My mother wants to travel to Amsterdam very badly and she wants me to take her so she's comfortable. My mother and I are very much alike and it would mean a lot to both of us. Who knows, maybe London too. Then the train to Amsterdam. I've always wanted to go to The Netherlands and put flowers on the grave of an uncle who escaped a POW camp only to be recaptured and then murdered by the nazis.

This post is all over the place isn't it.

Told you I was exausted.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

 


An attractive young woman with way too much perfume, bad perfume at that, came up to me today. She was flying to Seattle. Why? She was going to see the Mariners play the Yankees tonight. That was last week says I. No says she. The schedule says the Mariners play the Yankees tonight at 7:05. That was last week says I. I was there. Got the pictures. No, says she. The schedule says they play the Yankees tonight.

Okay says I. Have a good time. Off she goes.

I get on the Mariners site. The good news for the young woman is that the Mariners play tonight in Seattle. 7:05PM. The bad part is that the Yankees are going to be disguised as the San Diego Padres.

Let's hear it for the Saturdays of our youth.

The days when I would wake up early to the birds singing the praises of glorious no school days. The sugary cereal. Johnny Quest, The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, and Hot Wheels commercials. No cable, no remote, no internet.

Just friends down the street and around the corner and maybe a $1.25 submarine sandwich down at the mall made by the big sister of another friend who worked there. Or maybe out cruising the bars with dad.

Dad had the day off and old people didn't ride bikes to each other's houses. They met at bars called Third Base, or JoJo's, or The Cactus Room, or The Bambi. Three Jewish men owned Third Base and I liked all of them. They were nice guys. One made book and got into a little bit of trouble one time. But I'll tell you, one time we had some money trouble and those guys stood up and just asked, how much do you need Bob? They're all gone now but the memories are golden.

My sister and I sat in a booth while dad talked to friends at the bar. We got hot dogs and cokes and I used to stare at the pool table and couldn't wait until I turned 18 so I could play.

Pappi hung out at the Cactus Room. He was always there and amazed me by pulling quarter after quarter out of my ear. Sometimes I even got one for the juke box. The Cactus Room had the best pizza on the planet and at 6 years-old I was an expert on pizza.

As a young man I delivered hot dogs to The Bambi and the owner asked, "are you Bob's boy?" then announced to the patrons at the bar that she remembered when my dad had to hold me up to the urinal to pee because I was so small. I didn't even remember that but we all laughed as she offered me a coke.

Weekends used to be so much fun.

Now if parents take their kids to bars people think they're just awful. I just thought of it as adventure, or lunch, while listening to Roger Miller. Of course times have changed so much. Now I sit here at work on Saturday. I will get home at about 1:30. Just about the same time that my two youngest are getting out of bed. And the only bar they're interested in, and for that matter, the only bar my wife will let me go to....................serves sushi.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

I'm radioactive baby!

I went for my nuclear treadmill test today. No caffeine for 24 hours prior. I was watching the clock yesterday morning as I drank that can of coke. So I got up early and blew by the border and down to Bellingham. I walked in the office. Receptionist, cute. I was called into another office. Assistant, cute. She stuck a needle in me and pumped in some glow juice and took my blood pressure. Normal. Back out to the first office for 20 minutes. The assistant called me again and it was picture time. I lied down on a narrow table while a big round apparatus was adjusted over me. Assistant: "Please try to remain still. This will take about 15 minutes". Me: "I'll probably fall asleep". Assistant: "That will be fine". Me: "ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz". About 15 minutes later I was awoken and told that it was all done.

Back to the waiting room for a bit. The assistant called me back into the office. Blood pressure. Normal. Shirt off, electrodes attached, wires hooked up. The doctor came in. Red hair, attractive. She explained the treadmill while wires hung from my chest to the device wrapped around my gut. Oh yeah, I could tell she wanted me.

Up on the treadmill for six minutes. That's how long it took to get my heart rate up to where they wanted it. Legs were tired because I played golf yesterday but chest felt fine. Winded but chest felt fine. With one minute left they gave me more glow juice. The doctor told me everything looked pretty good. Back into the camera room. Assistant: "This won't take as long as the last time". Me: "ZZZzzzzzzzz".

I left, after hearing pretty good news, feeling like a 24 year-old.

So I punched her number into my cell phone. Sadly she was in Las Vegas with another client. So I went to lunch at The Olive Garden and then to Target to get some memory cards I had a rain check for. Good news!!

Coke was on sale!!

The BEST part about all of this is that I am radioactive. I work with a bunch of guys who walk around with sensors that look for the boogie man and nuclear material. According to the assistant I will set those sensors off for about a week. It's gonna be a FUN week. I can't wait.

Monday, May 14, 2007

 


There are four babies in the house today. The other three are crying for attention. The other three are jockeying for position. This one is cool as a cucumber. The old soul of the group. I took the picture now I'm getting the hell out of Dodge!!

Tony Pierce says a major character was whacked in The Sopranos last night. Three years ago I would have gone nuts hearing that without seeing the episode. But not now. The Sopranos lost my interest two years ago. I saw the premier of the series in a hotel room in Philly. At least I think it was Philly. I used to travel a lot in those days. Now I never travel for Uncle Sugar. And I don't care what happens on The Sopranos.

The series was only supposed to last four years. The first two years were jammed full of fuck and violence and tits. I was in Calgary then. My mother would tape the episodes for me because she had a free cable box and got HBO. Timid Canada would not see The Sopranos until season three was about to start. I would watch the tape and then take it to work where I was the most popular dude. Four years turned into six because the creator who said only four accepted the buckets of money HBO threw at him. He also toned down the tits and the fuck because HBO was nervous about the Christian moralists who monitored the show "for the good of the sinners".

There are now a shitload of cable TV series that owe The Sopranos everything. And The Sopranos is boring because some guy decided enough money was more money.

If you saw the show last night tell me who got whacked but don't get mad if I just shrug.

UPDATE:

I know who it was. I won't say for the benefit of anybody who cares but hasn't seen the episode.

I shrugged.

Sunday, May 13, 2007





Pike's Market, Seattle.

I had a porno movie dream the other night.

There was a "strip joint" where you could take the dancer into a private room. There were big picture windows where anybody could watch the action from a big patio. The bouncers were always busy chasing kids who snuck in to see. I was there with four friends and not doing much of anything until I saw a BEAUTIFUL woman. Dreamy eyes. Large breasts and just a very squeezable body.

There was only one minor problem.

She was a space alien.

What she had in common with earth girls is that she politely declined my offers of physical activity. It was because she was a space alien. I stepped out somewhere and garnered enough courage to make an agressive move when I got back and she grabbed my arms with a kung foo grip and shoved me away. I looked at my buddies and said, "let me guess, superhuman strength too?" and they all nodded.

Not long after that I noticed that the space alien love of my life looked like she was getting a headache. A man in a lab coat suddenly appeared and explained to us that our atmosphere was draining their strength. We all smiled and took each space girl by the hand and lead them towards the direction of the private room. My girl had the cutest look of resignation to her fate on her face.

Halfway down the hallway I awoke.

I thought about emailing some real porn director with my idea but I would bet that it's been done.



HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY Vesper, Chloe, and any other mothers who drop by

Friday, May 11, 2007

 
Posted by Picasa

I gotta tell ya boys and girls, I like this new look. Nice and clean. Minimalist. Relaxing.

I just plain got tired of looking at the old thing. So I trimmed it down. Lost the boy. Of course he's still inside me always. The curious boy who pushes me to and fro and lets me smile at the pretty girls and blush when caught.

Sure, maybe some things aren't fair but sometimes I just have to be selfish.

I do my share of giving, donating, buying. I do it all with open heart and I need to keep some for me.

I need to switch it up sometimes.

God knows I have enough routine in my life. We all do. That's why I play the lottery. That's why I day dream.

That's why I change the blog.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

FIVE DAY WEEKEND!!!!!

Today's my Friday.

Sunday is Mother's Day.

Saturday we will spend the day together in Seattle.

Saturday we will spend the evening in Seattle....

at Safeco field......

Mariners VS Yankees.

Hot dogs and baseball.

It don't GET more romantic than that kids!

The Big List

September 2008 I leave Canada and return th the U.S. to work. Before then I will submit a list of five places where I wish to work. Here is the list as it stands today in order of preference.

Tucson, Arizona

It's home. Where I was born and raised. I'm pretty fond of the place. It's a pretty difficult place to get to if you're in my line of work. Small office. Considered to be a garden spot where many many people want to go. A "retirement" station. I know I would probably retire there. One minus is there's probably not much overtime. Overtime is considered gravy in what I do.

Naco, Arizona

Small, quaint, mellow place with a pretty decent golf course down the road. I'd live in Sierra Vista (20 minute drive). Tucson is 45 minutes from Sierra Vista.

Salt Lake City, Utah

I already KNOW what you're saying. For some reason my daughters want to go here and I think it would work out great for both of them. Probably all the kids for that matter. Salt Lake is one HUGE metropolitan center from Ogden to Provo now. I LOVE the Southern Utah/Northern Arizona area so I would be happy there. Calgary is just a day's drive with Montana in between. Not a real big office. The one big minus is that I would really like to kiss winter good bye. Forever.

Alberquerque, New Mexico

Northern New Mexico needs no explaining. It's probably as hard a nut to crack as Tucson is though.

Charleston, South Carolina

The South. The DEFINITION of the South. A spectacular city with enough golf to keep me busy the rest of my days. A small office and the threat of hurricanes. The last one to hit Charleston head on was Hugo in 1982. Wanna see Charleston? Watch Prince Of Tides. I lived in Charleston for four months back in 1996. Time of my life.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Why?
Why not?

Maybe I'll figure out how to get my profile stuff back up top.
Maybe I won't.

Links?
I haven't decided.
Maybe do it yourself links.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Eleven twenty five

Stayed home from school today because I had a doctor's appointment. Yearly physical. I'm in great shape inside (oh boy) and out. My last blood tests show that, despite my best efforts to raise the roof, my blood sugar level is normal. Everything is just hunky dorey with your humble narrator.

So I took a nice drive and took some pictures before having a healthy brunch at Taco Bell.

Later in the check out line at the grocery store I read the latest on Britney and cheating Angelina and drunk W and some billionaire SO STUCK ON HERSELF that she is on the cover of every issue of her own magazine. "WORSHIP ME BITCHES!!"

Let's see, what else?

Didn't win the lottery but "more draws remain".

Reminds me of my high school days. Keep a hand in the game and I may score. Of course at my age $100.000.000 is less complicated than a woman.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Two months from today I will be in Bolivia.

Thirty years ago today my sister was married.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Happy Sink O Day My O!!

This holiday commemorates the day beer was discovered in Mexico. At least that's what you would think by the way it's celebrated.

Here's what really happened.

The French were in Mexico to collect a debt owed them. They also thought they could take the place over. During a break in the fighting the French were allowed to retreat to the coast. They asked the Mexicans if they could leave their wounded in the highlands to get better. The Mexicans said "si". The Mexicans spotted French wounded walking around with rifles and complained to the French. The Mexicans weren't too worried about it but the French Commander, fearing his men were going to be murdered, stopped the retreat and called his troops back.

There was a battle in which the Mexicans were beaten. The Mexicans retreated to Puebla. The HEAVILY fortified city of Puebla. The French commander thought that the populace of Puebla didn't like being Mexican and were only kept in check by the Mexican army. EVERYBODY told the French commander NOT to attack Puebla from the north. On May 5th, 1862 the French attacked........from the north.

When CNN reported the Mexican victory at Puebla, Napolean III sent 29,000 more troops. The French eventually conquered Mexico City. On their way to doing that, they decided to go around Puebla.

Some interesting things:

It's not a Federal holiday in Mexico.

The battle was great for morale and it also gave the Mexican Govt time to get out of Mexico City before the French got there and put Maximillian in power. The Mexican Govt, now based in the north, continued to be recognized as the legitimate government by most countries of the world.

The French intended to use Mexico, in part, to support the confederacy in the U.S. Civil War. That explains why some of the Confederates fled to Mexico after the Civil War ended. (Pinches Gringos)

The Mexicans defeated the French and drove them out in 1867.

And in case you're wondering, Mexican Independence Day is September 16th.

Friday, May 04, 2007

Been tagged by Minge to post my top 20 fave movies.

Random order:

20. The Joy Luck Club
19. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
18. Saving Private Ryan
17. It's a Mad Mad Mad World
16. Crash
15. Being There
14. Sid and Nancy
13. A Tale of Two Cities (the old made for TV version)
12. Chariots of Fire
11. True Romance
10. The Big Lebowski
09. Miller's Crossing
08. Raising Arizona
07. Three Days of the Condor
06. Cool Hand Luke
05. Stalag 17
04. The Shawshank Redemption
03. Ben Hur
02. The Motorcycle Diaries
01. Grease

I know Grease surprises some of you. Sid and Nancy has the best death scene (his) ever.

I met one of the actresses from Joy Luck Club and she was amazed when I told her that a scene she was in makes me cry every time. She was the girl married to the real loser architect dude and her mother told her to leave him.

"Losing him does not matter. It is YOU who will be found, and cherished."

Tears me up everytime.

Okay. Top 5 from the list:

Joy Luck Club
Motorcycle Diaries
Raising Arizona
Saving Private Ryan
Crash

 
Six months old

 


Everybody's gone home

Thursday, May 03, 2007

 


Just a lovely day to be a carnivore

 

 

 

 


Here's a few pictures of Minge when he had his band a few years back!!

Actually, it's Saskatoon, Canada based rock/blues trio Wide Mouth Mason

I shot these when they performed outside GM Place prior to playoff series game 4 between Vancouver and Anaheim

If you have a chance to see them, I highly recommend it. They were very very good

 


This is what the kid next door looks like when you live in Canada

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