Violating a law (of nature) (4)

Posted 5 August, 2010 in Albany, Random Musings

I asked my landlord for a weed wacker / and he gave me a slingblade

No, that’s not the first line of a terrible, Billy-Bob-Thornton-inspired blues song. Read on.

For those of you who know me even slightly, you know there is one underlying philosophy that informs every aspect of my life. It is the beacon of wisdom that lights my way forward, and it is this:

I hate manual labor, especially if it occurs outside.

So when I asked my landlord to borrow a weed wacker so I could clean up our side of the block, I fully expected to be pulling a crank line and buzzing my way down the street. Instead, I had a lovely opportunity to study the life of a 19th-century farmer as I hacked and chopped my way down the street.

Before we go to the video, allow me to mention two other facts:

It was 78 degrees Farenheit
The humidity was 96%

Let’s go to the tape:

The key is… (2)

Posted 13 July, 2010 in Random Musings

I thought it was a good sign that the key to my new apartment contains a partial line of Shakespeare:

Click to enlarge

Three observations: Thumbs up, Fats & Kassav’ (0)

Posted 26 February, 2010 in Music, Random Musings

Good morning! Here are three things I’ve been thinking about this morning:

1. Has the “thumbs up” gesture completely replaced the “OK” gesture?
OR

2. Fats Domino turns 82 today. Huzzah!

3. The album Kassav’ au Zenith is, to my ear, one of the greatest live records ever made. If this album doesn’t dispel your blues, nothing will. But don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself:

Speed limit (0)

Posted 18 February, 2010 in Random Musings

NOTE: Your hat may not exceed 15 mph.

Three observations: Depeche Mode, Dump Trucks, Duncan Hunter (0)

Posted 3 February, 2010 in Random Musings

Listening to Depeche Mode’s Black Celebration album on the way to work is an interestingly bizarre way to start the day.
Dump truck signs that read “Construction Vehicle – Do Not Follow” are inappropriate far more often than they’re appropriate.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) is a bigot. Enjoy!

People for whom I’m thankful (an incomplete list) (0)

Posted 25 November, 2009 in Family, Random Musings

A small sampling of people for whom I’m thankful. Not complete and in no particular order, but worth writing. I may add to it, too.

Jennifer: 14+ years of putting up with me. I don’t know how she does it. Or, for that matter, why.

Bernie & John: It’s incredible to be unconditionally loved by your kids. Plus, they’re fun to wrestle with.

Mom, Dad and Gretchen: What haven’t we been through? Actually, skip that question, because I’m finding out that this year there are quite a few new and unpleasant answers. They’re always there, though, and that’s amazing.

Linda, Todd & Sarah, Tammy, Dick, Denise & John, Lynne & Mike & Jack & Grace, Jill, Jimmy & Karen: Couldn’t ask for a better family.

Carol, Amy & Michele, Sandy & Carol Jr. & Autumn, Dorothy & Ethan, Kit & Sue, et al: Couldn’t ask for a better second family.

Bernard & Dorothy Flanders: My debt to them can never be repaid.

Jeff & Leeann & Jake: They know how to be friends, which is a hell of a lot rarer than you might think. And one of these days, Jeff and I will have a very successful show together. Probably a strip-tease show.

Kevin & Jen & Momo: My oldest friend (and his wife, who would probably be disturbed to learn that she’s my second- or third-oldest friend). Uncompromisingly honest and loving people with a real cute kid.

Josh & Jen: Smart, funny and wonderful. Josh is always expanding my world, which is just about the highest compliment I can pay.

Team RocBike: You couldn’t ask for a better gang to ride with, blog with, and be positively influenced by.

The musicians, promoters and record labels who’ve made The Jazz Session possible: What can I say? “Beyond my wildest expectations”? Yeah, that about covers it.

Chuck & Bobby D: Never were two guys more accepting of my crazed need to wave at everybody. Plus, they pick good tunes.

Jo & James: Even kinder than they are talented. And they’re supremely talented.

Sue & Jenny & Katie-Kate & Elinor: Love ‘em, love ‘em, love ‘em. (And miss ‘em, too!)

Tom & Susan: Beautiful people who made Raymond Street just barely tolerable.

Satoru: Pops up when I least expect it, and is always welcome when he does. One of those people you know will be there when you need him.

Otto: He understands and inspires.

The members of the Rotary Club of Albany: Nice people doing nice things, as Harry Shearer would say. Except in this case, it’s true.

Real photos — NOT edited in any way (0)

Posted 15 June, 2009 in Random Musings

Yes, folks, these incredibly rare images depict me doing actual work on an actual vehicle. I am seen here hanging a tailpipe on the 1997 Ford Ranger my parents gave us. My assistant is clearly in violation of child labor laws.

Auto Repair 101 … or maybe just 1

Perfection (0)

Posted 5 April, 2009 in Random Musings

“Perfection (in design) is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but rather when there is nothing more to take away.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery