I seem to be capable of being annoyed by the smallest things, even as the big things seem to become easier to reconcile to. There has recently been - at least here in the United States of Yee-Haw! - a remarkable up-tick in the number of commercials using jangly, acoustic guitar indie-rock cuts . . . (More)

DISCLAIMER:  A wise man once said that Beer + Coffee = Removing the Volume Control.  You have been warned.DISCLAIMER THE SECOND:  I am going to attempt an invasion of the South over the next week, so I will be on hiatus during this time. DISCLAIMER THE THIRD:  Jesus was way cool.  Leave me al . . . (More)

Apparently, Seattle's love of animals does not extend beyond mammals.It has been a commonplace in our home for some years that local TV news shows love to open with a story about a sick baby and end with a story about a dog. This has held true through the several places I have prev . . . (More)

WARNING:  DON'T CLICK ANY LINKS IN THIS POST.  IN FACT, JUST DON'T CLICK ANY LINKS, EVER AGAIN.  IF YOU ARE OVER 18, IT'S PROBABLY LEGAL FOR YOU TO CLICK THESE (AND POSSIBLY OTHER) LINKS, BUT, LISTEN, JUST DON'T, OKAY? So, what is a troll, really?  And why are you dressed like a memb . . . (More)

 Here in Washington State, the race for governor has been contested with unrestrained hostility, probably due to the incumbent, Chris Gregoire, winning over her then, and current, challenger Dino Rossi by a scant 133 votes last time - after a trial, recount, charges and counter-charges, and, presu . . . (More)

 At the risk of appearing to beat a dead horse with a lame duck, this: seems like a good idea.  Sadly, but inevitably, my gonadless compatriots and the quislings who rule them will never grow the requisite pair, or brain. (Though I can honestly say that I didn't write this simply as . . . (More)

 I remember, shortly after 9/11, the TV was on.  And wasn't it always on?  No airplanes, but plenty of TV.  Apparently, that is what we do.  I don't say that it's bad or good; I say that it is what we do, now that we are the people that we have become.  An off-screen announcer said, behind plain . . . (More)

  Never mind everything that could be said against them (and that's a lot) - the New York Times has finally delivered news that's fit to print: Forget Logic; Fear Appears to Have EdgeThe article itself is about how the stock market (whose state, if it continues to decay, could ruin lives) is . . . (More)

 If you're like me - and you are - you probably pride yourself on your immunity to popular prejudices.  Of course, most of these idols were pre-smashed for you by some other, competing set of idol-makers.  Noam Chomsky taught you to distrust the media, but you trust him.  South Park makes fu . . . (More)

 Gee, it's nice to know that someone who understands the youth of today is willing to take a daring stand on behalf of the values of the Sixties (for money).  Witness, therefore, Lenny Kravitz shilling for Kohl's and Levi's in the name of Love - specifically, in the name of a Love Revolut . . . (More)