Caz's MLK Speech

Album Cover Animation

This is funny!

You put the "ICK!" in Rick

Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is running behind in the polls to Bob Casey, Jr. He has supported W 98% of the time. Unfortunately, Casey's presence and voice is like ether. He should be a cure for insomnia.

Despite that, in their first debate, Casey managed to get a few good lines in. Santorum actually claims we found the weapons of mass destruction (I guess the Bush administration is just really bad and getting their message out - HA!). Of course, even Bush and his cronies have publicly admitted there were no weapons. Casey's line was something to the effect of: "We've finally discovered the 2% where Santorum DISAGREES with Bush - he actually BELIEVES WE FOUND THE WMDs!"

The other line came in response to Santorum (doing what he was told by the Republican Party bosses) referring to "Islamic Fascists" instead of "terrorists". Casey said that we should worry about finding and killing Osama bin Laden (the person actually RESPONSIBLE FOR 9/11!) and THEN Santorum can decide whether he's a "dead terrorist" or a "dead Islamic Fascist" - good stuff!

Anti-Flag on Jimmy Kimmel

Justin's the one in black in the middle.

Justin Sane - a good UU kid

After shopping at the East End Food Co-op, I had to pick up some things at Whole Foods for Claymama and was so glad I did. I actually bumped into political punk band Anti-Flag's lead singer, Justin Sane. He was incredibly nice (just like when a friend and I chatted him up after a show at Club Laga years ago). We talked about their performance of "This Is The End For You My Friend" on Jimmy Kimmel last week and the little change they made in the lyrics at the end of the song to dis the "Pontiac Summer Stage Concert Series" thing. He said the folks on the show got really pissed at the band later (after they realized what had happened).

We talked about the new album, For Blood And Empire (it's AMAZING - go BUY IT NOW!!!), which is their first for a major label and all the craziness/judgment that has accompanied that. We also talked about our experiences with the Unitiarian Universalist church. He told me he used to go to Summer Institute (my family goes now) and he would love to go again but is too busy in the summer touring. He attended the UU sexuality class for children and youth, Our Whole Lives (I'm an OWL instructor - coincidentally I taught it with the mother of Anti-Flag's first guitarist, Andy). I confessed when I am a teacher at church of a disgruntled looking punk teenager, I have often pointed out that Justin and Pat Thetic (Anti-Flag's drummer) are/were UU's. That is like credibility in a can to those kids and often makes the fact that their parents dragged them to "some lame church" WAY more palatable. He laughed and gave his blessing to continue using that. He said that UU Youth Conventions probably saved his life and that his best friends are ones he made at those gatherings.

It was actually a rather brief (less than 5 minute) conversation, but I'm really glad I saw him. A good UU kid who is living out the 7 Principles - and pissing off corporate america as he does it. Go Justin!

World Party

Brian & Vivian had gone to see World Party Fri night in Cleveland and told me it was a great show. I went Sun. Night here in Pgh by myself. It was kind of weird to see Karl Wallinger playing to such a small crowd (under 200). It was a great show, lots of new songs (only two from the first record). I had been warned that Karl was looking a little chubby. The guy had a freakin' aneurysm a few years ago and had to go through rehab & such. I couldn't help but think about the first time I saw them. It was probably 87 at the Phantasy Theater in Cleveland (Lakewood, actually). It was in support of the first album. I think Trent Reznor's awful Exotic Birds band opened (I could be wrong on that one).

When I tried to evaluate how Karl looked compared to the last time I saw him I couldn't help but think - "If he remembered how I looked 19 years ago he'd probably think I wasn't looking too good now either - and I didn't have a brain aneurysm".

Akron

So with claymama working overtime all weekend I took Caz1996 and Ruby2001 to my dad's in Ohio. We got to have a cookout with our friends Brian & Viv (w/Andrew & Brandon) and Bruce & Kathy (w/Calvin & Eden). It was just so great getting to visit with them. Brian started his own design business a few months ago and things are going better than expected there. Farmer Bruce is finishing his apprenticeship, got an education job in Medina and Kathy is writing pretty much every article in the West Side Leader.

We got to visit with Bruce & Kathy (and our old friend Sue) at Crown Point Farm and got the tour. What a very cool place!

I had promised claymama that I would get her Luigi's Pizza since it is SO much better than any pizza in Pittsburgh. After everyone left Sat. night, I called for takeout and took Caz1996 with me. He didn't remember going previously and was very impressed. It was actually pretty dead (11:00 or so on a Sat night!?!) We ended up sitting down and having a couple of pieces while listening to our songs on the jukebox (Beatles, Stevie Wonder).

I think Caz1996 came away with a better opinion of Akron and even said he DEFINITELY wants to go to the Lebron James Bike-A-Thon thing next June. At some point he'll admit he likes Lebron James. Right now I think he's still too stubborn.

The Gimme Curse

So Me First & The Gimme Gimmes (the greatest cover band in the world) somehow got a gig for three nights playing during fireworks at PNC Park (the greatest baseball stadium in the world) after games by Houston Astros versus the host Pittsburgh Pirates (the worst baseball team in the league).

Apparently the first night (Thursday) didn't work out so well as they got booed off the stage during their opening number "Stairway to Heaven". They should have opened with "Rocket Man" or "Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard" (way better songs - originals AND Gimme Gimme versions).

The Pirates PR folks asked them to cancel the next two scheduled nights and what happened? - The Pirates lost the rest of the THREE games to Houston Astros.

Betty Blue 1992-2006

Our beloved dog was put to sleep last evening after months of declining health and apparent kidney failure. She was clearly uncomfortable yesterday but was particularly affectionate yesterday afternoon as we brought her home from the vet to spend time with the family prior to returning for the procedure.

14 years ago, Kim and I were in a new city and working opposite shifts so we had much time alone in a small apartment. We didn't really have friends near us and we both wanted companionship when the other was gone. We found her at the Animal Rescue League. She picked us, we did not pick her (I'll tell you that story if you've never heard it). She taught us responsibility before we had children and was a wonderful companion.

I enjoyed her playfulness with other dogs probably more than anything else. When she was young, she would just not leave other dogs alone (even younger ones), trying to play with them almost constantly. In her later years, you could see that playful puppy inside of her, but she would only be able to pester other dogs for a few moments before resting. Her gentleness was another trait we will never forget. I don't think she never tried to harm another being (except for those pesky bugs that she might snap at occasionally). She shunned pepperoni and ate vegetables. Due to an allergy, she was a vegan before I was.

The picture above was taken just over a month ago at Piedmont Lake. As much as she did not really enjoy swimming, she had a fascination with the water and seemed to really enjoy her visits there.

She will be greatly missed.

Farmer Bruce

So my friend Bruce has left a job with a charter school company and wants to be a farmer! I wish him luck and hope he really enjoys it (the most important thing) and can make enough money at it to support his family (a close second!)

Read about it his new blog: http://farmerbruce.blogspot.com

Vegas

We're going to Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Check out our vacation website at web.mac.com/flyingoyster

Ban GOP Adoptions!

Robert Hagan, Democrat state senator from Ohio is my new hero. He proposed legislation to ban adoptions from households in which one or both parents are Republicans. Read the whole story here at PlanetOut.com.

Jeux Sans Frontieres

So I am typing at the post office tonight and listening to my iPod on my headphones.  I'm listening to Peter Gabriel's 3rd album (a.k.a. "Melt") for the first time in probably a decade and "Games Without Frontiers" comes on.  It gets to the part with the whistles (you know the part).  I almost started whistling out loud (cuz I always do in the car) and realized that it might be a little disruptive to my co-workers.  MAN! that song is great! 

It's Millionaire-Hunting Season

And our VP has already bagged one! Woo Hoo!!!

Super Stillers

So the Stillers won Super Bowl Extra Large and Caz1996 got to go to the parade to celebrate with 250,000 of his closest friends. I grew up in Cleveland rooting for The Browns/Cavs/Indians and have never really had a team I rooted for win a championship. I wanted him to experience as much of it as he could. He got to high-five Antwaan Randle-El and Hines Ward (the passer and receiver on the trick play that sealed the victory). He also got a good picture of his favorite player, Troy Polamalu (above).

Later Polamalu, Ricardo Coclough and James Harrison crowd surfed. I watched the video. Harrison and Coclough went in face down and certainly kicked a few folks in the face (by accident). Polamalu might have experience stage diving cuz he went on his back (you don't kick people as easily). In my younger, punk-rock/stage-diving days, that was the form I used. Stage-diving and slam-dancing was never about hurting someone else.

Ping Pong

Do you want to see a picture of your favorite celebrity playing ping pong?

Me neither.

Revenge

Who do WE (us NON-Right-Wing-Kool-Aid-Drinkers) blame for inflicting Bush on us for 8 years (or less if our dream of impeachment comes true)?

I read this article at alternet.org (reprinted from the American Prospect). It seems to me that the Right Wing machine had lots and lots more money due to to various Native American tribes (with casino ties) increasing their donations to Republicans after hiring Jack Abramoff as their chief lobbyist.

Maybe this is our payback for the whole genocide thing?