Slightly Rough

Shoot, y'all don't have to worry

2008-05-10T20:43:00.002-05:00

I voted for Bob Dole for crying out loud. I'll vote for him. Now leave me alone.

An "I Am Legend" Spoiler; or, From the Whacked Priorities Department

2008-05-10T11:05:00.004-05:00

Don't read this if you want to see "I Am Legend" and can't stand spoilers.

I haven't seen the film yet but the missus and I would like to. We've been in the Will Smith fan club since "Parents Just Don't Understand."

However, I understand that harm comes to a dog in the film and the thought of a dog getting hurt makes my eyes well up with tears.

End of humankind, nature taking over NYC, man constantly threatened by mutants - these things all interest me. Dog in danger - makes me profoundly sad.

I do like my cat more than most people I meet. I've liked the dogs I've had more than a distinct majority of people.

Odd, isn't it?

His last name...

2008-05-04T21:20:00.001-05:00

...is Bramanti. Figures.

Interviewing Chris Difford

2008-04-14T19:59:00.003-05:00

I'm meant to be blogging over at the squeeze reader much more than I am. I made it a resolution for crying out loud.

Despite my sloth, my very kind co-bloggers included me on a very interesting and rare opportunity that has come our way. I have the chance to submit some questions to one Mr. Christopher Difford.

I get four questions. Here goes:

1. What does "pulling mussels from a shell" mean? Sometimes I want to know the answer, sometimes I don't. At the moment, I want to know. Mega-Squeeze-fan Mitzi wants to know, and she's earned it, so there you go. Why is Maid Marion on her tip-toed feet?

2. One page 81 of Squeeze: Song by Song, Jim Drury asks this question about the song Tempted:

Is the lyric autobiographical?

to which you respond:

I think so. I was married by the but going on the road...

That part of the answer ("I thinks so") jumped out at me when I first read it. Do you not remember precisely whether the lyric was autobiographical or are you being hesitant to answer the question?

3. When you give advice to upcoming songwriters, do you ever deal with songwriting duos? If you do, what advice do you give them about working with someone on songs? If you don't, what advice would you give to upcoming songwriting duos?

4. How are you managing with the fear of flying on your recent trips to America?

Backup questions:

5. Have you ever asked Kelly Willis about covering Cowboys Are My Weakness? She covered a Kirsty MacColl song very well.

God I miss them

2008-04-12T21:54:00.001-05:00

A headline I had to read several times because I figured my eyes were going and I was seeing it wrong...

2008-04-07T21:26:00.002-05:00

Possible Nazi Theme of Grand Prix Boss’s Orgy Draws Calls to Quit

Would a Stalinist theme have been acceptable?

You might be married to a girl from Corsicana if...

2008-04-07T20:37:00.001-05:00

...you get an e-mail from her that starts with, "Honey, we need more guns,"

He's a blogging fiend, who knew?

2008-03-30T20:43:00.000-05:00

Tommy Lasorda's World

One down, 55 to go

2008-03-30T20:23:00.002-05:00

Baseball geekiness abounds!

I signed up for this.

I've already got the first game in my streak covered: Chipper Jones got a hit.

Tomorrow - Carlos Lee better get a hit.

How much does Cecil Cooper make?

2008-03-30T18:09:00.002-05:00

I called this back then.

For the few days I'll be blogging on baseball in my little brain. I'll see if any makes it to the keyboard.

I still can't believe I paid the $15 for this. It's nice at work though.

Dogs and cats are different

2008-03-30T17:57:00.001-05:00

From one of those e-mails that people send around...

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

It's a jet-pack, Michael, what could possibly go wrong?

2008-03-29T20:53:00.001-05:00

Funniest. Show. Ever.

Everything is remarkably different in Paris, indeed.

2008-03-26T20:06:00.001-05:00

The Hills Recap: Paris Changes Everything - The Hollywood Gossip

The missus is very excited at the new season of The Hills.

I of course could not care less. I don't watch stuff like that.

This is freaking great.

2008-03-15T16:13:00.001-05:00

Joe Strummer and Johnny Cash mashed up on Marley, mon. Absolutely wonderful.

A Crass Commercial Message

2008-03-15T11:11:00.000-05:00

Buc-ee’s Beaver Blog

Their jerky rocks.

WWRWHS

2008-03-12T21:10:00.004-05:00

When I heard of this I thought of this.

He said, "Come on over here son, let me show you around
Over there's where we put the preachers, I never liked those clowns
They're always blaming me for everything wrong under the sun
It ain't that harder to do what's right, it's just maybe not as much fun
Then they walk around thinking they're better than me and you
And then they get caught in a motel room
Doing what they said not to do"

I don't know much about the guy, so it's hard to get excited about it. I'd feel sorry for the wife mostly but I don't get these political couples. Why is she standing by him? Ah well, I hope everything works out for them.

'Cause he's got what all the rest lack

2008-03-09T20:10:00.003-05:00

Political note:

I avoid discussing politics these days as I don't follow closely and don't venture many opinions on things of which I'm ignorant.

I still think I'm obligated to vote and I did in the primary.

If you're curious, I voted for Ron Paul in the presidential race, despite the following.

The racist content in the newsletters was news to me, besides the one that Lefty Morris brought up a few years ago. I couldn't afford the newsletter back then, it was pretty pricey as I remember. I don't care for racists, they have no respect for logic. I don't think Dr. Paul's a racist, but letting that kind of thing go into the newsletters is something for which he should be held accountable.

Anyway, I think Dr. Paul's position on ending the Iraq war is unrealistic and would have negative consequences, but, since he wasn't going to win I found it easier to vote for him.

I didn't go to the precinct convention. (Why do they insist on calling it a caucus?) I saw some of the Democrats' conventions on the TV. Dang. Glad I didn't have to deal with that much turnout as an elections judge.

Come on Barnsley

2008-03-09T09:39:00.000-05:00

BBC SPORT | Football | FA Cup | Davey hails giantkillers Barnsley

Frustrated and overwhelmed

2008-03-08T19:55:00.002-06:00

So damn busy at work. I have so much to do, at times I just have to walk away, or I'd go crazy.

Following up to yesterday, last year I went to three Astros games. This year, I'll hit more. I already have tickets to a Yankees game and one of the home opening stand with the Cards. Going with a Russian friend I took last year.

Also on tap this year, my first trip to the rodeo in Reliant and the Rockets in the Toyota Center. Too much time downtown for me....

The Lobster's Claw, Is sharp as knives

2008-03-07T18:54:00.002-06:00

So, baseball is starting. I'm paying attention, after many years I'm paying attention to spring training. I even plunked down $15 to listen to all the games online this year. Having been an Astros fan in my older youth and young adulthood, I learned a lot about heartbreak and loss. I'm ready for more.

I did 45 minutes on the elliptical this morning and ten minutes of weights. Music: Vampire Weekend. The music kind of reminds me of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.

That statement reminds me of some old dorky guy trying to sound young and hip when in fact he is old and chunky.

Sigh.

Back to the couch.

Good Prince

2008-03-01T09:33:00.003-06:00

Thank you Prince Harry for manning up and chipping in.

This is a weird statement though:

"I don't want to sit around Windsor, because I generally don't like England that much and it's nice to be away from all the press and the papers."

An odd statement for being third in line to the throne and an officer in that country's military.

OTOH, please don't go finding things I said or did when I was 23.

Good on him.

Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before

2008-02-22T23:24:00.002-06:00

It's been a long time since you heard from me.

Sorry.

I haven't had much to say.

Tonight I saw a video of Morrissey.

The dude looked as old as I do.

Damn.

This morning I did 45 minutes on the elliptical.

I listened to the Transplants, Desmond Dekker, and Fats Domino. Blue Monday is one of the best songs I have ever heard. It's song of the day. Carry on.

Blue Monday
Fats Domino and Fabian

Blue Monday how I hate Blue Monday
Got to work like a slave all day
Here come Tuesday, oh hard Tuesday
I'm so tired got no time to play
Here come Wednesday, I'm beat to my socks
My gal calls, got to tell her that I'm out
'Cause Thursday is a hard workin' day
And Friday I get my pay
Saturday mornin', oh Saturday mornin'
All my tiredness has gone away
Got my money and my honey
And I'm out on the stand to play

Sunday mornin' I'm feelin' bad
But it's worth it for the time that I had
But I've got to get my rest
'Cause Monday is a mess

A Ska/Beach/Salty/Chocolate Christmas

2007-12-24T14:52:00.000-06:00

It's Christmas Eve and the missus and I are spending the Christmas holiday at the Slightly Rough compound, just the two of us.

We have already established three new traditions for the holiday:

1. Mark Lamarr's Christmas shows - they are great
2. Chocolate-covered potato chips - mmmmmmmmm
3. Lunch at the Purple Cow in Surfside - I had the oyster po-boy. The greatest restaurant in the history of mankind? No. A fun, funky Texas dive? Yep.

Pete and me

2007-12-09T14:07:00.000-06:00

Checking in

2007-11-27T19:42:00.000-06:00

I spent Thanksgiving in Moscow, went out for dinner with Styopa and his family. Moscow has changed but I still love it. Styopa and his wife Vika were great to see and talk with after so many years. I realized after a couple of minutes that for years when we had studied/worked together, we mostly spoke in Russian. Now we e-mail in English. It was like going home speaking Russian.

Mario, our classmate and my fellow Texan, was there for Friday night's festivities. We hadn't seen each other in a million years. Fantastic.

I spent a few days in Siberia on bidness, it went well. The hotel in Siberia had no wi-fi. There was a network connection in the wall by the desk. I plugged in, nothing. Went down to talk with the devushki at the front desk. I feared they wouldn't know how to tell me to connect.

I was wrong. They knew perfectly well. I had to buy a card to dial in on the modem.

Dial in? In 2007?

Yep. Only e-mail for a few days. Wild.

There should be some youtubing in a few days.