| Oh, yeah.... |
[Jul. 4th, 2008|10:45 am] |
You know what else I'm sick of?
Coldplay. |
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[Jul. 4th, 2008|10:41 am] |
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Last night was my first night of work during Essence Fest and I'm already sick of looking at Barack Obama t-shirts. |
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| George Carlin, 1937-2008 |
[Jun. 23rd, 2008|08:33 am] |
An American icon has died.
I've been a huuuuge Carlin fan all my life. When I was a kid I had "Class Clown" on a fucking 8-track. I listened to it all the time until the tape finally gave out on me. Somewhere in my storage room, I have a box of old VHS tapes, and among them is a set that contains EVERY SINGLE GEORGE CARLIN STAND-UP SPECIAL EVER BROADCAST. I also have an oft-played CD box set that remained in heavy rotation in my house for years, and even though it was virtually the EXACT SAME MATERIAL as the VHS tapes I had, I still shelled out the cash for the CD's and loved every minute of them.
I'm also one of what I assume to be a very small number of people who not only remembers, but enjoyed, Carlin's short lived sitcom that aired on FOX in the mid-nineties. If I recall correctly, it aired immediately following Married... With Children, and only lasted one season. One of my favorite moments of that show is still vivid in my memory, in an episode where he takes in a homeless man, played by Brian Doyle Murray, who asks, "Say buddy, you mind if I use your shower?" To which Carlin replied, "The way I see it, you're about as dirty as you could ever possibly get. Why start over?" It's kind of messed up, but that joke still comes to mind today anytime I see a homeless person.
It is a shame that over the last few years, a lot of his material had degenerated into barely coherent misanthro-anarchist rantings and conspiracy theories that would make Alex Jones roll his eyes (call it perhaps "Lenny Bruce Syndrome"), but I don't think it diminished his legacy, which should rightly be a decades-long career of comedy genius.
In an interview I once read, George Carlin said (and I'm paraphrasing), "If I could choose how I would die, I'd want to be thrown screaming from a helicopter. But only on one condition- that wherever I land, you have to leave me there. Even if it's on the governor's lawn." Maybe he didn't get his wish, but it would make a hell of an epitaph. |
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| Mark your calendar. |
[Jun. 2nd, 2008|09:44 pm] |
June 12, Carbon Belch Day.
Spread the word. |
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| Hooker bangin' and cop killin'. |
[Apr. 29th, 2008|11:53 am] |
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Grand Theft Auto IV is out today. If you guys don't hear from me for a few months, you'll know why. |
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| Bye bye, paychecks! |
[Apr. 26th, 2008|06:28 pm] |
Because it seems they are opening a Gamestop two blocks from my house.
Hell, bye bye social life, as well. |
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| Duuuuude ... 4-20... |
[Apr. 20th, 2008|04:51 pm] |
Happy stoner pseudo-holiday.
Now put down the Xbox controller and get a job. |
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| Mike Gravel goes Libertarian |
[Mar. 26th, 2008|07:53 pm] |
Yes, Mike Gravel is now seeking the Libertarian Party's nomination.
Funny, even though I agree with more than a few of his positions, he never struck me as all that "libertarian". But I always said, if I absolutely had to vote for a democrat, Gravel would be my guy. And if he and Ron Paul could somehow be running mates, that would be kind of awesome. It'd never happen, though. |
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| Chris Rose: Al Copeland's over-the-top life perfect for his hometown |
[Mar. 26th, 2008|05:44 pm] |
Posted by The Times-Picayune March 26, 2008 4:30AM
Categories: Living: Arts and entertainment
By Chris Rose
Columnist
There were many terms applied to the larger-than-life character named Al Copeland: Larger than life, for instance. Over the top. Flamboyant. Ostentatious. In your face. Outlandish. A dreamer. A doer. A hustler. And, perhaps more than anything else: one of a kind.
There is only one term that did not apply, that he did not understand, that he would not abide: Moderation.
Copeland's life was marked by a carnival of controversy, wild schemes, wild rides, bright lights, fast cars and faster women. A New Orleans life. An American life. A never-say-die kind of life.
Until, well ... he died.
In Al Copeland style, refusing to go gently into the good night, he jetted off to Germany in recent weeks to find a cure for a rare form of cancer. Unlike most of the ambitious plans he hatched over the past several decades, this one didn't materialize. Thus, his epitaph will read that he only met two nemeses in this material world that he could not defeat: cancer and divorce lawyers.
There's that old quote about how most men live lives of quiet desperation. Not Al. He lived a life of very loud desperation. Desperate to be noticed. Desperate to go fast. Desperate to be rich. Desperate to be powerful. Desperate to make a difference. Desperate to be remembered.
By most measures, and certainly by his own yardstick, Copeland was an enormous success, a classic rags-to-riches story, a guy who simply wouldn't quit.
There's no question that Copeland's critics matched his admirers in mass and volume. But his failures were all born of the same confidence -- or was it hubris? And does it matter? -- that led to his many accomplishments and achievements.
It's impossible not to admire the guy, what he did, how he did it and who he made himself to be. That song "My Way"? Yeah, that was his song. Except he was no Sinatra. He was our Elvis.
And as for Graceland ... well. I remember the first Christmas after Katrina. It was a tough season all over. Hard times in a dark city.
My kids and I were driving around town to see what Christmas lights we could find. Naturally, we ended up at Copeland's house. It was as it always was. A fairy tale. Over the top. The Great Escape.
There was a sign in front of the house that year. It was signed by Copeland and it had an inscription about how it was more important than ever before that he put on a show for the children of the community. It had words like "sacrifice" and "spirit" and "gratitude" and all the right notes.
I cried when I read it. I cried a lot back then.
I wrote the inscription down but have long since misplaced it. I wish I still had it. I remember reading it and thinking: God bless this guy. He didn't have to do this. It was an easy time to opt out. Many did. But he didn't. Because it mattered. Because it's what Al Copeland set out to do: to set his house, the city, the world, his life ablaze.
My kids dug this guy. And they didn't even know who he was, what his name was. And now they do.
I told my daughter on Monday about Copeland dying and she said to me what I imagine a lot of local kids are saying to their parents this week: "Will we get to go see his house anymore?"
I realized it was like telling a kid that Santa Claus was dead.
"That's all right, daddy," she said to me. She can always tell when I'm getting choked up. Then: "He was a great man."
I said, "He made people smile."
My daughter, she hugged me.
Funny, shedding a tear over Al Copeland. I reckon after the many times I wrote about his lustful foibles in this newspaper over the past two decades -- he was an easy target for a newspaper columnist, to be sure -- that he would find that more than ironic.
But I'm a big fan of over-the-top. A big fan of celebration. A big fan of lust for life. A big fan of Big Fun.
Copeland epitomized these things. He was one more guy who put his life on display for all to see, another example of talking too much, living too large and laughing too loud -- those New Orleans attributes that sometimes make folks elsewhere a little leery of this place.
He made a difference. He was impossible to miss. He will be equally impossible not to miss.
Merry Christmas, Al, wherever you are.
The Chicken King has left the building. |
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| "Ron Paul Republicans" |
[Feb. 21st, 2008|04:50 pm] |
So I was reading the paper today, when I came across an article on the race for the District 1 Senate seat, the seat Bobby Jindal vacated when he became governor. I had heard absolutely nothing about this guy in the news until now, but apparently there is this guy David Simpson, a lawyer from Mandeville, who is running on Ron Paul's platform, pretty much word for word.
I think we are going to be seeing a lot more of this, and it's very encouraging. I had read a while back that there was some guy running for office in Maryland (don't remember his name or what he was running for) who proclaimed himself as a "Ron Paul Republican". Something tells me we will be seeing more candidates popping up all over the country, pushing the paleoconservative/libertarian view.
I've said before that the most likely victory of the Ron Paul campaign will not be in winning the presidency, but in igniting a movement. Glad to see I was right.
I already signed up to volunteer for Dave Simpson. |
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| Looking to the future... |
[Feb. 11th, 2008|12:27 pm] |
Okay, we seriously need to get Rand Paul to run for pres in '12.
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| Political philosophy quiz |
[Feb. 10th, 2008|05:55 pm] |
...from Wild Bill-
No surprises here.
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What's Your Political Philosophy?
created with QuizFarm.com |
| You scored as Libertarian Libertarians believe that you have the right to live your life as you wish, without the government interfering, as long as you don't violate the rights of others. This translates into strong protections for privacy and property rights, and a weak to non-existent social safety net.
Pro Business Republican |
| 90% | Libertarian |
| 90% | Green |
| 70% | Socially Conservative Republican |
| 65% | New Democrat |
| 40% | Foreign Policy Hawk |
| 30% | Old School Democrat |
| 25% |
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| survey |
[Jan. 30th, 2008|08:13 pm] |
repost from lickmine...
1. Do you like blue cheese?
Only with buffalo wings, and I hardly ever eat those.
2. Have you ever smoked heroin?
No. Only snorted.
3. Do you own a gun?
Do I or don't I? Do you feel lucky?
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic?
I honestly can't recall having ever eaten at Sonic. Not that I'm opposed to eating at Sonic, it's just a situation that has never come up.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Not usually, except my current doctor is kind of a dick. Kind of like House, M.D., only without being funny.
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
So what if they're made from pig anuses and cow scrotums or whatever. Those fuckers are tasty.
7. Favorite Christmas song?
"Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues. It's the only Christmas song in which you'll ever hear the words "slut", "faggot" and "arse", all in the same verse.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Fake cappuccino. I get it for free at work.
10. Can you do push ups?
Yes. Lots of 'em.
11. Why are these things always missing questions?
12. Favorite hobby?
Banjo and various other musical instruments, video games, and supporting Ron Paul.
13?
14. Do you have A.D.D?
I don't believe in ADD. I think it was contrived to sell pharmaceuticals.
15. What's one trait that you hate about yourself?
I'm just too god damned awesome for my own good.
16. Whats your middle name?
Andrew
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment..
I have to go pick up my meds from the pharmacy in a few minutes.
I really need to fill my car with gas.
Shouldn't this be on Myspace?
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
Nothing. I'm broke til my direct deposit goes through tomorrow.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink.
Lately I'm drinking almost nothing but water.
20. Current worry right now?
That Hillary Clinton will become president.
21. Current hate right now?
See 20. And 9iu11ani too.
22. Favorite place to be?
Lately it's at the gym, which is a good thing.
23. How did you bring in the New Year?
I didn't. I'm still observing '07.
24. Where would you like to go?
Where no man has gone before. Boldly.
25. Name three people who will complete this.
Maybe Joey, and that's it, probably.
26. Do you own slippers?
Yes.
27. What shirt are you wearing?
White Flogging Molly tee.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
I don't believe I ever have.
29. Can you whistle?
Yes, but not that well.
30. Favorite color?
Honestly don't have one.
31. Would you be a pirate?
I'd rather be a secret agent.
30. What songs do you sing in the shower?
I usually shower at the gym after I work out. And singing there would be weird.
31. Favorite girl's name?
Never really thought about it, but when I went to the supermarket the other day, the girl at the checkout's name was "Nassrin". I thought that was kind of cool. I have no idea what nationality it is.
34. Favorite boy's name?
Tiberius.
35. What's in your pocket right now?
Lint.
36. Last thing that made you laugh?
Yacht Rock- Episode 11.
38. Worst injury you've ever had?
Broken bones... broken bones.
39. Do you love where you live?
Less and less as the years go by.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
Three. Two of them work. Only one belongs to me.
41. Who is your loudest friend?
Buras.
42. How many dogs do you have?
One, although it technically isn't mine, but it lives with me.
43. Does someone have a crush on you?
I like to think so.
45. What is your favorite book?
Dune- Frank Herbert.
46. What is your favorite candy?
Ferrera Rocher, or however you spell it. I usually only get them as gifts, though.
47. What is your favorite sports team?
Saints, baby.
48. What song(s) do you want played at your funeral?
There are a few good choices. Anywhere I Lay My Head- Tom Waits, also lots of Irish stuff like Danny Boy, If I Ever Leave This World Alive- Flogging Molly, I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day- The Pogues. There will also be an open whiskey and potato bar.
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Sleeping.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
Fuck, I have to work. |
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| Yacht Rock #11 is here! |
[Jan. 28th, 2008|07:02 pm] |
The wait is worth it!
Featuring special guest star Jason Lee as Kevin Bacon, and killing parrotheads with machetes!
Possibly the best episode yet. |
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| "Give a Man a Fish"- Doug Stanhope |
[Jan. 27th, 2008|07:42 pm] |
Doug Stanhope on Freedom. He's kind of making a lot of the same points as Ron Paul, only with more yelling, cursing and drinking. God Bless America.
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| Caucused out |
[Jan. 22nd, 2008|11:59 pm] |
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Voted in the GOP caucuses tonight, and afterward stayed to help out with the Ron Paul people. Went out drinking with them afterward. I'm really fucking tired now, and I have to work in the morning, so I'll blog about it later. |
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