On OhmyGodOhmyGodOhmyGod

It's here! Thanks Justin, you rawk!

On the fact that I can't believe Klinger didn't think of this

This doesn't make me feel any safer, I gotta tell ya.

On I've been afraid of changes, but I built my blog around you

Well, not really, but I fixed a lot of it. Pez contest is up and running again, and new people are ON MY LIST. SXSW stories will now be on the correct page as well, moved from this blog, though the beginning will still appear here as well. Blogrolling is still screwing me around, but we're getting close. Blogrolling is up and the links page is all new and growing fast! Also, sections with new content will now appear in red above, so you'll know where to look, gentle readers. Have fun!

On Dubya's desperate attempt to get us all fucking killed

I have to interrupt the SXSW story, though I have many more people to gush over, to say something about where we are going. It's not a pretty place. Someone asked me on the night of the speech [ultimatum, threat] what I think this all means, what I think will happen now that we [Cowboy George] have declared war [illegally] on Iraq. I think it will lead us to one place, or another, or possibly both. Since the administration [regime] has stated that the only way to win the war is to remove [eliminate, kill, post his head on a pike in front of the White House] Saddam Hussein, the war is essentially a house to house search [bombing] for the man and his sons that can in no practical way be done quickly, or avoid the destruction of the homes of the Iraqi people, regardless of how much the White House says [lies] that they are not the enemy. The first strike in Iraq was in fact on Saddam's private home [likely stolen, but here I have no proof, mush like we have no actual proof of weapons of mass destruction, only "intelligence"] .
Second, I think [deeply fear and hope that I am wrong about this part] that the instances of terrorism in the United States will increase, whether Saddam is supporting them or not, because this will simply throw fuel onto the fire of a very small number of extremists who have perverted a beautiful religion and denegrated those who practice its teachings peacefully like sane, civilized human beings. I am afraid that terrorist cells will think they can hit us in small ways, that suddenly we, like every Isreali citizen, should be forced to wonder whether or not the pizza place we are eating in will be blown up at any moment by a shifty eyed fellow with a backpack on. Note to General [ReichMarshall] Ashcroft: While I appreciate new readers to my site, please do not think that I am in any way encouraging these raving lunatics to attempt such things. In fact, just the opposite. And, please don't come and arrest me, as I am only exercising my Constitutional rights to free speech [which means I can say what I want, not that I can say what I want without having to pay for it]. In some ways I admire and respect the Isreali people for choosing to live in a nation that is essentially a large bullseye because of the strength of their religous and cultural identity. I however, do not choose to do so. I like a living in a place where cultural, religous, ethnic identity is mixed, crossed, blurred even, all in one big ole stew pot of diverse goodness, each of us surrounding each other with who we are, learning and growing from each other's differences as well as our similarities. I also choose not to live in harm's way. Now, Dubya has taken that choice away from me, from us all, declaring we will stand together [guns raised] to defend our nation [kill others] against an enemy that threatens us [shakes a limp wristed fist and whines a lot] with weapons of mass destruction [which are horrific and evil, I'll give ya that one. Then again we have nukes, too, don't we?].

My opinion thus fully voiced [not remotely done bitching about this yet], I will say that I whole-heartedly hope for the safety of all our soldiers in the Middle-East and around the world as they enter into this conflict. These brave men and women have taken on responsibility for the rest of us, and it's not to be taken lightly, no matter how much one might object to the political objectives behind the orders that they are given. No one who chooses to risk their lives for others should be ridiculed, but instead supported as best they can be by the people at home. I sincerely hope for the safety of all of America's sons and daughters, all of the World's sons and daughters as we stumble forth into madness. Whatever God is, may it bless us all.

On waiting...........

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On SXSW, as best I can recall (as yet incomplete, but read away)

Strap in, this will be a long one.........

It began on a quiet Friday afternoon, standing in line at Volunteer check in, where once again the system has managed to lose my badge.... no wait.

It began In January, at the first volunteer call, signing up to work the same crew with old friends and looking forward to new horizons.....no, that's not it either.

I think it began in the womb, because I can not think of any thing that can fully recharge my soul like the people and music of SXSW, except maybe making spaghetti sauce. Or Pez.

Everyone shows up on Friday, some in big groups, some in harried rushes from the airport, all prepared to Break Bread with Brad. I had to hit and run, as it was not officially vacation time for me yet. I said hello to a few folks who really counted, marveled at the talent and intellect around me, and lamented a bit that I had to go to work and listen and deal with the banal while these gods of the night were tramping about in it, without me.

A few hours later, something magical happened. It was the first of many. These same gods, or devils as some cases later proved, appeared from the night, just to say hi. Most were not Piano bar types, and said their polite "Hi, but we gotta get somewhere that isn't trying to blow up our heads like that cat in Scanners" Most, but not all, were gone as fast as they came, but the promise of things to come made the night fly by on dark but spirited wings.

Read more about it......