On the Radio

Before the Hawks game, I got a little ear worm:

And you know what?  The Hawks did. 

Yes, I did the happy dance.

In Memoriam

One of my personal favorite blues/R&B artists, Bobby "Blue" Bland, has passed away:

He left the world a richer place thanks to his music.

Rubber-Necking

Stumbled across this little educational video...

Yep.  That's pretty much the look on my face after a few seconds of narration. 

Want more?

Cool.  Gross.  Hysterical.

If those didn't get at least one full-fledged belly laugh out of you, you're not my kind of people.

In The Rear View Mirror

Saw this shortly before Father's Day, and thought I'd share with those of you who are missing your father today as much as I miss mine:



The most memorable dance I ever had with my dad?  Get your hankies out...



Yes, we both sniffled and smiled our way through the entire thing.

Miss you, Daddy!

In The Rear View Mirror

Another icon of my disco days has passed on:



Boogie on, Mr. O'Day.  Boogie on!

Busman's Holiday

A friend and I are headed to Nashville for Memorial Day weekend.  Do you have any tips for great places to sight-see, eat, drink and hear great music (other than the obvious Ryman, Grand Ole Opry and Bluebird)?

TGI... E???

I had not a clue that Ender's Game was being made into a movie.  (I just had a nerd-gasm of earth-shattering proportion...)

Book Your Ticket

I just started reading Cryptonomicon, and as a result I have a terrible ear worm:

I haven't thought about that little ditty since childhood, but one of the main characters in this book is named Bobby Shaftoe -- hence the tune in my head that just won't go away...

Lover's Lane

Too sweetly funny not to share:

The Great Wheel Turns

The leader of a body-snatching ring responsible for stealing the bones of veteran broadcaster Alistair Cooke is dying of bone cancer, his lawyer has been revealed.  

Michael Mastromarino, who made millions of dollars by illicitly harvesting skin and bones from corpses, was given his last rites two weeks ago in a New York state prison.  

Bone cancer has spread through the 49-year-old former dentist's entire body. 

Karma -- It's a beautiful thing.

Quick Stops

With a review as snarky as this:

"Reading the book is like peering through the windows of a big dolls' house and catching glimpses of lots of well-crafted, ill-assorted, flickeringly lighted interiors. The effect is superficially attractive but unsatisfying." 

... I might just have to read the damned thing The Rule of the Clan myself to see just how truly bad it is!
_____

I could have (and probably should have) written this article:  "Leggings aren't pants.  They're superior."  Given the weather this winter, I'm an avid fan.
_____

Giggles...



And more giggles...


_____

A gazillion totally cool uses for WD-40.

Accident Report

Have you seen the story about the idiot poor sap young fool who didn't measure his rope before swinging down off Corona Arch in Utah?

I know it's sad.  I feel terrible for his family.  And at the same time, I can't stop myself from comparing him to...



I just know I'm going to burn in hell for this.
_____

Update:  And if I do go straight to hell, I'll be in good company.  Heh.

That's a Big 10-4

My pal from the Northwoods and I have had an interesting email conversation today, risen from this John Hawkins post on what does and does not embody manliness and resulting in my pal's post here. But the whole email string was truly entertaining, and I share with you here the "she said/he said":

To:  MPFTN: 
Subject:  Why are you not... 

... writing your own column for PJ Media? You could run rings around this guy: 

http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/03/21/5-ways-to-forfeit-your-man-card/?singlepage=true 

To:  Omnibus Driver: 

I never come up with ideas such as the basic conceit behind the article. They just don't occur to me. But I agree that the guy could use better reasons than the implied: Because that's what men do. Real – adult – men have articulable reasons. "I like it" might be reason enough, but "It's ICKY!" probably isn't, unless the icky thing is DWTS or a movie in which men, in tight pants, tapdance. He who does not, at least occasionally, change his own oil is almost certainly useless. 

Pardon me while I sign up for a welding class. 

To:  MPFTN

It takes a real man to do succeed at DWTS, actually.  That is one hell of a physically demanding slog, and it takes nads of titanium to put on those costumes and compete in front of a live audience.  Honestly, from a woman's point of view there's nothing hotter than a guy who likes to dance, knows what he's doing, and can confidently make any girl instantly feel like a princess on a dance floor.  ("Splash," on the other hand, raises the "ICK" factor to new heights.  Or "Skating With The Stars."  Or any "Real Housewives Of" franchise.  Or "The Bachelor," fer cripes sake.)

Not every real man has to be mechanically inclined, but should have at least one manly talent at which he excels. (BTW -- it takes a real man to know when to ask for directions or where to find and when to call in an expert, as far as I'm concerned.) 

In any case, I don't understand the ridiculous and obvious examples Hawkins used. Surely there's a much murkier area where a guy certainly isn't in the extreme but also might have trouble completing his "man card" application? That's the group that my girlfriends and I wish would get a clue...  

To: Omnibus Driver

According to biographer James Parton (no relation to Dolly, so far as I know), Thomas Jefferson was "a gentleman of thirty-two who could calculate an eclipse, tie an artery, plan an edifice, try a cause, break a horse, dance a minuet, and play the violin." Too bad he couldn't also balance an account. (The minuet bit is a bit French for my taste, but it was the refined dance of the day and the outfits were merely formal, à la mode, so I won't protest too loudly.)  

Men may dance in casual clothes or tuxedos, with or without the rose (watch the prick!), and the ability to twirl-and-dip convincingly is not to be disparaged. But the tight and frilly Euro-weenie outfits are best left to Euro-weenies, who shall be scorned and reminded of the number of wars we had to fight for them in the twentieth century, and I don't think it was coincidence. The tight Castilian dancing outfit is permissible only on Castilian persons, gored bulls optional but guitars and castanets required. 

I've said this before, but it bears repeating: Women frequently do but should not confuse Prince Charming with a knight in shining armor. Knights in shining armor tend to watch football on their off-hours, drink beer, belch, growl at the dog, and throw their underwear on the floor, but charming princes tend to prefer the company of other charming princes, if you understand. 

To:  MPFTN

I'm in full agreement... with the caveat that maturity in females (emotional, not age chronological, that is) tends cause the tint in the rose-colored glasses to fade. Thank Jeebus. And for those of us former princesses who've decided to be queens of our own destinies/finances/happiness -- who says WE don't occasionally watch football in our off-hours, drink beer, belch, growl at the cat and throw our underwear on the floor? (At least when we're home alone and not expecting company.) 

Heh.

In the Rear-View Mirror

Seeing this article on women who disguised themselves as men in order to fight in the Civil War brought this old chestnut from Peter Paul & Mary:



_____

Lyrics:

The Cruel War is raging, Johnny has to fight
I want to be with him from morning to night.
I want to be with him, it grieves my heart so,
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no. 

Tomorrow is Sunday, Monday is the day
That your Captain will call you and you must obey.
Your captain will call you it grieves my heart so,
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no. 

I'll tie back my hair, men's clothing I'll put on,
I'll pass as your comrade, as we march along.
I'll pass as your comrade, no one will ever know.
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no. 

Oh Johnny, oh Johnny, I fear you are unkind
I love you far better than all of mankind.
I love you far better than words can e're express
Won't you let me go with you?
Yes, my love, yes. 

Yes, My Love, Yes.
_____

I learned this at camp, and there was an additional verse (I have no clue where this came from):

The Cruel War is over and Johnny has come home,
But his head's bowed in sorrow, for he walks alone.
She died in the battle and no one will ever know.
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no.

Sing Along

In a sad book centered a little British girl dying of cancer was a reference to "Ging Gang Goolie."  Of course, I had to look it up:



Since I'm now stuck with an ear worm from hell, I thought I'd share it with you.

Pull Over

Put down your drink before clicking on the arrow:



Giggle of the day?  You bet!

Car Pooling

Here's a little ear worm for a friend who can't shake one of his:



(You're welcome!)

In the Rear View Mirror

Thanks to my least favorite morning drive guy, I've had the most depressing ear worm ever... all damned day:



Even more depressing?  I was around for this one back in the day when it first came out, and it hasn't improved over time.

Roadside Diner

With the big football game (that you can't mention by name without a license from the NFL) right around, thought I'd share this cholesterol bomb of a list of recipes from Thrillist (Why, yes, I do subscribe to a site aimed primarily at men.  You got a problem with that?) for your snacking pleasure.  With recipes like Nacho Daddy's Lasagna and Cheesy Buffalo Pigskin Tots... your arteries may be screaming for mercy, but your taste buds and tummy will thank you!

Road Conditions

How cold is it in Chicago?

Cold enough that I might just have to try this and see if it works:



Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Whoa, Nelly!

What happens when I get half way to the train station and realize I've left both my phone AND my Kindle* sitting at home... and I have NOTHING to read?



Yes, indeedy.
_____

*Love, love, LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite.  Much lighter in weight, adjustable brightness, easy-to-use finger swiping, readable in any light and without the other apps I wasn't using anyway on my Kindle Fire.  If you just want an e-reader, this is absolutely the one for you.

Crossroads

It's the old conundrum:



Me?  I'm avoiding hangovers at all cost (dinner and a movie with an old pal), but NOT via this method... otherwise tomorrow would be... well... like this:



Happy New Year to you and yours, however you choose to ring it in!

Christmas Crossing

Two before I skedaddle out of here for Christmas with my family...



... and...



Merry Christmas, everyone!

Air Waves

Why do I like The Voice so much?

1. They really do their first picks on vocal talent alone.
2. The great chemistry between the judges.
3. They embrace quirky.
4. Better mentoring than X-Factor or Idol.
5. Occasionally you get pure magic like this:

I love every one of the talented artists left in this competition, and will be happy for whichever one takes it all.

Crash and Burn

Saw the sad news that Starz is cancelling Boss after this season.  It's a shame on many levels -- but mostly to the many, many local actors were used in the show who won't be doing future episodes.

Damn.  A darkly beautiful show with one of the most memorable and instantly identifiable theme songs heard in a very long time:



Too bad this wasn't on HBO instead.  Maybe then it would have gotten a wider audience.

Oh, well.  Catch it while you can.

Stuck in Traffic

Why don't the pinheads in Springfield feel the need to reform Illinois' government pension problems?  They must not take it too seriously, and who would?  Good ol' Governor Giveaway's master plan rolled out today is based on a spiffy new mascot Squeezy the Pension Python...

... and the school children of the state with red plastic megaphones to rescue us.



But take heart, citizens of Illinois!

"Quinn went so far as to encourage families gathering at the Thanksgiving dinner table to 'speak to each other' about the pension crisis."

Yep.  Talk, talk and more talk by people who don't have a vote in Springfield. That oughta fix it.  After all, that's the Illinois way.

(Let's hope to God that Obama doesn't end up being inspired to deal with the national debt crisis in the same manner.)

Quick Stop

Yeah, yeah, yeah -- I haven't posted in a long time and then two posts right in a row, but who could resist this silly, silly song?



It's almost as contagious as my all-time favorite -- the dreaded Butt Drugs jingle.

What?

You really didn't need a new ear worm?

Down Memory Lane

This video cracked me up, as it reminded me of the Princess Mom -- saying all the right things, but inwardly...

Quick Stop

Now I don't want to think about it again until the ballots are counted and there's a clear winner.  I'm so tired of ugly I can't even stand it.

Trippin'

Beyond tempting...

Yes, I want this print.  Yes, I want to DO this.

And that brings up this ear worm:

In Memoriam

It's taken a few days to process the news from my Biker Blogson that dear friend Donny "Walrilla" Smith had passed away.  That one took my breath away.

For those who had the pleasure of meeting him at a blog meet, I'll always remember him in the kitchen whipping up two of his down home Texas specials:

A steaming, spicy bowl of Texas red...

... and...

... a sweet and tangy slice of Vinegar Pah (Pie)

A do-rag wearing biker boy with a heart of pure mush, Camp BlownStar will never be the same without him.  

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, who he loved very, very much.

Vaya con Dios, mi amigo.

Thumbs Up

Ear worm of the day, for a variety of reasons:

On The Radio

Blame this little ear worm...



... on my pal from the North Woods.  And blame him if you need brain bleach to wipe those hippy-dippy images from your psyche!

Rubber-Necking

Why don't I discuss politics here as much as I used to?



It's like playing Whack-A-Mole Junior -- just too darned easy.

Life in the Parsing Lane

A National Security staffer noted that "'There is absolutely no plan to release or transfer the Blind Sheikh,' said National Security Staff spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan. 'Reports saying otherwise are completely and unequivocally false.'"  [emphasis mine] in response to news that negotiations over handing blind Egyptian sheikh Omar Abdul-Rahman over to the Egyptian government to finish his confinement with the benefit of being able to visit with friends and family may be currently under discussion.

New Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi has certainly made it clear that he'd like to negotiate a prisoner swap for Abdul-Rahman for "humanitarian reasons,"* and that only "recent incidents around the US embassy in Cairo have delayed efforts in this regard."

A blog post over at RedState points to a Weekly Standard article demonstrating a compelling case that recent attacks on U.S. diplomats in the Middle East have been part of a larger effort to release Abdul-Rahman.

The articles and reports I've seen have not said there is a plan to release Abdul-Rahman -- only that there have been tentative negotiations in that direction underway.  

Hair-splitting is raised to an art form in this nation's capital, and "absolutely no plan" may mean "at this moment".  It does not in any way, shape or form answer the question of whether negotiations may have been or may still be under discussion.  That is the more significant question.
_____

*Such as being allowed visitation with friends and family.  Bear in mind that while under heavy security in  a U.S. prison the blind sheikh was able to pass on marching orders to his network via one of his attorneys until she was caught.  Certainly his visitors and his correspondence would fall under far less scrutiny in Egypt that it would in the states.

Flora and Fauna

For Jihad Gene, who usually posts an "It's Friday!  Let's Dance!":



And, yes -- I was inspired:

Quick Question

Which is the better news today?

1. The NFL finally settled with the refs union? Or...
2. There will be no bacon shortage after all?

That's a tough one...

Hold the Bus!

If you're wavering at all about who to vote for in November, strongly consider this:

Are senior Obama administration officials considering transferring to Egypt a poisonously influential Islamist cleric serving a life term in federal prison for trying to unleash a war of urban terrorism in the United States? That's the impression several officials have given over the past three months, apparently out of fear that if the cleric dies in U.S. custody, American outposts in the Middle East could be overrun by vengeful mobs.

Omar Abdel Rahmen is the architect of most of the large-scale terrorist attacks in recent history:

He served as spiritual adviser to El Sayid Nosair (in connection with the 1990 assassination in Manhattan of Meir Kahane, a right-wing Israeli politician) and to the band of terrorists who carried out the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center that killed six and wounded numerous others (an operation undertaken in part to free Nosair from jail). Abdel Rahman was convicted in 1995 of participating in a seditious conspiracy that included the Kahane murder, the 1993 WTC bombing, and a plot to blow up other landmarks in New York and to assassinate Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak when he visited the United Nations.

Furthermore:

In 1997, members of Abdel Rahman's organization (Gama al Islamiyah, or the Islamic Group, which is designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization) murdered more than 60 tourists at Luxor, Egypt, and inserted notes in the body cavities of several victims demanding the Blind Sheik's release. Also in the mid-1990s, Abdel Rahman contrived from jail to issue the fatwa that Osama bin Laden cited as authorization to carry out the 9/11 attacks. The sheik's confinement was on bin Laden's list of grievances meant to justify that atrocity.

Apparently Obama and his merry band of foreign policy morons learned absolutely nothing from the foreign policy disaster of the release of the Lockerbie bomber  (supposedly on his deathbed), who was made a hero on his return to Libya.  Abdel Rahmen's foul deeds are on a far larger and more heinous scale.  To release him to Egypt would be the equivalent of having Osama bin Laden* in our grasp and then deliberately setting him free to plan jihad on a mass scale.

That members the current administration are even considering this action is madness.

The State Department's spokesperson last week, after the ceremonial "let me be clear," said that there had been no approach on this topic "recently" from any "senior" official of the Egyptian government—an elucidation laden with ambiguity and certain to send chills up the spine of anyone familiar with Abdel Rahman's record and President Morsi's inclinations. 

All of this plays out in the context of an Obama administration that hasn't hesitated to employ executive orders to get around Congress, led by a president who was caught on a "hot mike" assuring Russia's leaders that if he wins re-election he will have more "flexibility" to accommodate Russian demands that the U.S. curtail missile defense in Europe.

_____

*Abdel Rahman should die in prison, then be buried at sea ala bin Laden, thereby refusing his worshipers a martyr's temple.

Road Rage

Giggle Belly Laugh of the Day:



A huge tip of the cap to the Sweetheart of Shell Knob, MO.  That made my day!

In the Rear View Mirror

For a guy who didn't believe in life after death or immortality, Old Crankypants sure manages to manifest his presence on the internet and in the hearts of his friends and other music lovers:



Thanks, Catfish!  What a lovely surprise.

On the Radio

Ear Worm of the Day:



Not a pretty thing at 6:00 a.m....

Full Stop

Fan of Taylor Swift or not, I defy you to get through this video without shedding a tear:



Simply heart-breakingly lovely.

Spit-Take

Quote of the Day: 

"If I ever get a tumor, I'm naming it after him."

Whites is my favorite new source of the giggles.

Flora and Fauna

Giggle of the Day:



(Literally!)

Rubber-Necking

Jim Carrey and Nicholas Cage in the same movie?  Yep.  It's either going to be truly "Kick-Ass"...

... or a complete train wreck.

Whaddaya think?

Batten Down The Hatches

My friend from the North Woods sent me the following:

THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IS ISSUING ADVISORIES ON TROPICAL STORM ISAAC...LOCATED INLAND NEAR MONROE LOUISIANA...ON RECENTLY UPGRADED HURRICANE KIRK...LOCATED ABOUT 1500 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES...AND ON NEWLY FORMED TROPICAL STORM LESLIE....LOCATED ABOUT 1125 MILES EAST OF THE WINDWARD ISLANDS.

Oh, goody.  Someone finally paid attention to just what a force of nature I am...

Roadhouse Rhythm

Just try getting that one out of your head!

Yick!

If the Agony Uncles are a true reputation about how men think, it's no wonder I'm not interested in dating.

Ugh.

Pop Quiz

Roasted red peppers in anything other than roasted red pepper soup - Yes or No?

Whoa, Nelly!

If the Princess Mom had done for my Baby Brother what this creative mom did...

Currently the top post on the front page of Reddit is this heart-warming lamp Redditor, justgrant2009, received from his mom on his wedding day. The lamp was filled with things his mom had found in his pockets whilst doing his laundry growing up.

1. It would have to be a glass lamp base the size of a small dumpster; 
2. It would be rated NC-17; and, 
3. He’d be rich, given all the money he was famous for leaving in his pockets.

Flora and Fauna

Baby goats...

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

... I love them!

Roadside Diner

Delicious noms and affectionate skritchies -- what could be more satisfying?

What A Trip!

I'm not big on seeing a movie after I've already seen the book, BUT...



I'm SO seeing Life of Pi.  If the trailer is any indication, it will be as magical as the book itself.  I don't know if anyone other than Ang Lee could have really done this story justice.

Roadkill

For my north woods pal...



Let that one ping-pong between your ears for a while.

Busman's Holiday

My pal from the north woods is coming to visit again this weekend.  Here's the list of possibilities I sent him:

Here are some things we haven't tried before:

http://www.medievaltimes.com/chicago.aspx  (Discount tix available here: http://www.goldstar.com/events/schaumburg-il/medieval-times-dinner-and-tournament)

http://www.renfair.com/bristol/ 

http://www.arlingtonpark.com/ 

http://starvedrockstatepark.org/ 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-mov-0710-neil-young-journeys-20120712,0,2829469.column 

I'd still like to see "Brave" and/or "Moonrise Kingdom"  http://www.fandango.com/chicago_il_movietimes/ 

Also, I'd see "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" again - http://www.pickwicktheatre.com/nowplaying.asp

Additionally, in random order:

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/million-dollar-quartet

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/lakefront-speedboat-tours

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/freuds-last-session

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/live-blues-music

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/chicago-outfit-roller-derby

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/audience-interactive-roaring-20s-musical-comedy-dinner-show

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/superboobs-a-superhero-burlesque-adventure

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/the-best-of-the-second-city-1

http://www.goldstar.com/events/schaumburg-il/weekend-improv-at-laugh-out-loud

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/late-nite-catechism

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/el-stories

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/chicago-rock-stars-bus-tour

And we haven't been to Buddy Guy's in quite some time!

Also, there is this at Millennium Park:  http://explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/dca_tourism/Grant_Park_Music_Festival.html

And if you still don't find anything that trips your trigger, go here: http://chicago.metromix.com/events

Never let it be said I'm not as flexible as a rhythm gymnast when it comes to entertaining a guest!

Rubber-Necking

Oh, the irony!

"According to IMDB, Fred [Willard] is "rumored" to be in pre-production for a movie entitled ... 'The Yank.'"

Why, you ask?

"According to law enforcement sources, LAPD undercover vice officers went into the Tiki Theater in Hollywood and found the 78-year-old 'Anchorman' star watching last night's feature ... with his penis exposed and in his hand."

Sometimes this stuff just writes itself...

Get Out Your Umbrella

Just saw lightning and heard thunder rumble.



Yay!  We really need it.

Top Off Your Freon Tank...

... because the heat index in Chicago is going to hit around 110 degrees today.

All I can say is...

Rubber-Necking

Only a healthy belch at the end could make this more perfect!

Whoa, Nelly!

Has it struck anyone else that if you plopped a silver wig on his head and dyed his eyebrows (and eased up on the Botox) that this guy:

... would be a dead ringer for this guy?

Creepy, innit?

Screeching Halt

This is wrong on so many levels I can't even begin to count.  It's even worse casting than this...



... and I didn't think that was humanly possible.

Quick Stops

Holy crap!  NBC is gutting the male cast of Smash.  It'll be very, very interesting to see how they 'splain all this away.
_____

Reminder:  Kodak Gallery is closing.  They're shifting all photos stored there onto Shutterfly.com, but any projects you have in process will not be moved.  You must complete your project and order before noon tomorrow.
_____

If you're a home owner in Cook County, you'll want to read this to get a great idea of just what your taxes are going for this year.
_____

I'm off to Ravinia to see this guy:



Sure wish my pal from the Northwoods hadn't missed his flight!  He's going to miss a wonderful show.  (And we're going to miss his company.)

PSA

Do you have photos stored on Kodak Gallery? If so, you need to get 'em off of there this weekend:

Kodak announced yesterday it will close its Kodak Gallery website on Monday, meaning thousands of British families risk losing the digital photographs they have uploaded to the site.

Tell your friends and family, especially if you know they've got a Kodak digital camera.

Farmers Market

My friend El Capitan is bemoaning the fact that he needs to get off the packaged food and onto "rabbit food" again.  Since my last visit to the doctor, I've had to reevaluate my own eating habits, but have come up with a lunch that's not only healthy, but I look forward to every day:

Omnibabe's Yummy Summer Salad:

1 or 2 fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into chunks
3-4" piece of cucumber, quartered and sliced
A couple of green onions, sliced or a healthy handful of chopped sweet onion (Walla Walla or Vidalia)
Salt
Pepper
Feta, bleu cheese or goat cheese crumbles (or a handful of shredded cheese of your choice)
Kalamata olives
EVOO (don't be cheap -- buy a fancy-schmancy one)
Balsamic vinegar (or white balsamic)

Plus any or all of the following:

1/2 a red, yellow or orange pepper, rough chopped (or green pepper if you like 'em -- I don't)
1 small, ripe avocado, diced
Sugar snap peas, rough chopped
Thawed frozen peas
Thawed frozen corn
3-4" piece zuccini or summer squash, quartered and sliced
Handful of fresh broccoli or cauliflower, rough chopped
Chiffonade of fresh basil or oregano to taste
Handful of rinsed canned cannellini, kidney or black beans

And, if you really, really need animal protein:

1 small can of tuna packed in water, drained, or
1-2 strips cooked bacon, crumbled, or
Handful of chopped cooked chicken, or
Handful of chopped cooked turkey

NO LETTUCE!

Line a bowl with tomato, then salt and pepper to taste. Add the cukes on top, and salt/pepper again.*  Layer the rest of the veggies on top. Drizzle the whole mess with a little bit of olive and then a generous splooch of balsamic. Stir, cover and let sit for at least 15 minutes. Stir again, then garnish with a sprinkle of cheese crumbles (and a protein, if you need it -- I don't) and half a dozen olives.

This is seriously yummy stuff, which I now crave more than just about anything. I now keep a bottle of balsamic in the fridge and EVOO in the cupboard at the office and shop either the French Market at my train station, or the local farmers markets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm eating fresh, healthy and TASTY (not to mention pretty darned cheap), and I'm never hungry.
_____

One More Thing:

Forget the low-fat salad dressing (which generally tastes like crap and is loaded with sugar).  Apparently you need a little fat in order to absorb the good stuff in your salad.
_____

*The salt helps release the juices in the tomatoes and cukes and, when mixed with the EVOO and balsamic, helps to make a lovely low calorie salad dressing.

Roadside Diner

Because I love me some dudes...

Dude Cupcakes (that's an oxymoron, I know)...

... and Double Meat Dudewichs!

Mmmmmmmm!

Take a Bow

Just blasted through the last three episodes of season one of Slings and Arrows (which, by the way, is the best television show I've seen in a very long time).  I'll be drifting off to sleep and waking up to this little gem stuck firmly between the ears:



Brilliant!

Rubber-Necking

See you later, alligator!

Deer and cars collide all the time. But how often does a car get T-boned by a 12-foot alligator crossing an interstate?

_____

"Gator! Gator! Gator!"

_____

"The gator went flying, too."

_____

"He was real fat," said Mark Christopherson, 56.

_____

 Sorry, Jimbo. That article was just to rich with gatory goodness.

Drive-Bys

I'm all jazzed up because my favorite book of all time...

...has been made into a movie by Ang Lee, and will be released in November!

No trailer available yet, but the official website is gorgeous and this teaser looks awesome:



(Not sure I'm crazy about the casting of Tobey McGuire, though -- but that's just me.)
_____

Apparently there's an app for everything:

The cell phone came in handy again when they used an app that produces a strobe light to help rescue workers locate them.

_____

For those that despair of kids these days, here's some more good news:

If there's a Disney writer looking for a movie idea that'll make kids pump their fists with joy and leave parents teary-eyed, look no further than the real story of a San Clemente Little League team coached this year by kids. 

The team that couldn't find a coach, finally getting permission from the league to bring in two San Clemente High School freshmen to lead it, concluded an improbable season Saturday by winning the District 68 Tournament of Champions in improbable fashion. 

Coaches Chris Puckett, 15, and Cameron Shelley, 14, guided their crew of 12- to 14-year-olds to three straight victories in the tournament at Beebe Park in Mission Viejo, finishing with a 10-9 victory. 

This was a team that at the outset of the season drew smirks from some opponents because of its youthful coaches who look like they could be playing on the field. The team started with skeptical parents and an 0-2 record. But the players took the two teens' baseball tutelage to heart, improving to 6-4 by midseason before going on a 10-2 tear in the second half.

Well done, gentlemen!
_____

Ear Worm of the Day:




(This has been firmly embedded in my noggin since about 8:00 last night, and there is no sign of shaking it any time soon!)

In the Rear-View Mirror

On Father's Day, some things that remind me of my own Darling Daddy:

• The scent of classic original Chapstick, which he always carried in his right front pocket;
• Cross Pen's Classic Century pen and pencil set tucked in a smart sport coat breast pocket;
• Capper & Capper suits;
• A bowl of nuts in the shell and a nutcracker set on a hearth, next to a recliner;
• The drive from Chicago to Boston and back in a Ford Country Squire station wagon;
• Slide rules;
• Elaborate menus for home dinner parties;
• A snore that rattles the walls;
• Fried bologna or fried salami on white bread with yellow mustard;
• Church ushers;
• Grace Kelly, Veronica Lake or Julie Andrews considered a hottie;
• Cotton handkerchiefs, freshly washed and ironed and smelling of spray sizing, in his left front pocket;
• Blenders full of frozen daiquiris at patio parties in the summer;
• Precise printing and cursive handwriting;
• PGA and LPGA golf on television;
• Church league softball games;
• The scent of Right Guard anti-perspirant;
• A deep, steady heartbeat;
• His favorite song, from his favorite movie:

• The phrase, "I'm just resting my eyes."

I miss him on Father's Day and every day.

Rubber-Necking

The grossest thing I've read about in a very long time?

A 63-year-old woman became 'pregnant' with 12 baby squid after eating calamari, according to a claim in a bio-tech report. 

The real-life 'octo-mum', from South Korea, was eating a portion of cooked whole squid when she felt a sharp pain in her mouth.

The bizarre claim has been made in a scientific paper from the National Center for Biotechnology Information in Bethesda, Maryland. 

The lady told doctors that she could feel something in her mouth which they described as 'bug-like organisms'. 

When examined, the doctors found 'baby cephalopods' attached to her mouth. These are small pods, covered in a cement-like material to make them stick. 

Inside the pods is an 'ejaculatory apparatus' and sperm - with the apparatus expelling the sperm quite forcefully. 

After the victim of the 'attack' was hospitalised, doctors removed the baby cephalopods from her gums, tongue and cheek. It was only then that the pods were formally identified as 'squid spermatophores.'

Eeew! (I'll be having nightmares about this for days.)

In Passing

The boxer who first made me fall in love with the sport has passed away. 

Vaya con Dios, Señor Stephenson...

"And They're Off!"

A gazillion years ago while driving to work I heard a radio ad so funny I should have pulled over because it made me laugh so hard I could barely keep my eyes on the road.

For some reason "And heeeeeeeeeeeeeere coooooooooooooooomes MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANIAC MAN!" ended up romping around in my noggin again tonight. Argh!

I noodled around Google for a while and finally discovered that this was one of several ads in a National Thoroughbred Racing Association campaign called "And They're Off!" I can't find a link to "Golf" (without paying $39 for a month's access to all the ads in the campaign), but I did find this link (scroll down to "Yoga") for the ad that won a Golden Lion award in 2005.

 While I'm at it:

 

Glad to finally be able to prove that I wasn't imagining things.

Engine Knock

Quote of the Day:

"Bitch needs to pull out his payroll sheet and erase the name of the ho who keeps buying his wigs at Leonard Nimoy's yard sale."

Nearly peed myself laughing!

Cuppa Jumpstart

Woke up with this background music to my dream...

Revving The Engine

If Mr. Rogers had to be autotuned, this is a loving and lovely way to do it:



(Yes, a snippet or two in there are a bit creepy, but overall a cool thing.)
_____

Glad to see there's another warm-hearted, generous person who isn't bamboozled by panhandlers.  For example:

"My brother-in-law works at a hospital and EMS there brought in a 'homeless' man that needed treatment for a minor injury. This man placed his belongings in a hospital locker and among those belongings was $2,367 in singles. He was, as he described it, 'A Professional Panhandler.' He made that figure in two days. That's more than what the doctor treating him makes in two days and he's saving lives and Sh#t."

Seriously, be choosy about your generosity.
_____

This story just plain pisses me off.  There's a special place in hell for people who steal pets, and I truly hope that bitch karma catches up with this thief.

If you know someone in the Chicagoland area who has just acquired a red Macaw, keep in mind that Sam can say "Nick!" and "I can talk.  Can you fly?"  If you hear those words, you might just recommend that your friend get the bird checked for a microchip -- they may just have purchased a purloined parrot.
_____

What's the real fallout from the Wisconsin recall election?  According to Peggy Noonan:

"By the way, the single most interesting number in the whole race was 28,785. That is how many dues-paying members of the American Federation of State, County and Municiple Employees were left in Wisconsin after Mr. Walker allowed them to choose whether union dues would be taken from their paychecks each week. Before that, Afscme had 62,218 dues-paying members in Wisconsin. There is a degree to which public union involvement is, simply, coerced."

That's huge.
_____

Precipitation Ahead

If you can watch this entire video without your eyes moistening, you don't have a beating heart:



Matt W. -- my new hero!
_____

Update:  Another hero?  You bet.

Street Views...

... both literal and figurative...

... in Althouse's back yard this weekend.  How'd she miss this?

From the brain trust that led to my most unshakeable ear worm ever:



Don't like it?  Rub a little bacon on it.

(You're welcome.)

Can't See the Forest...

It just occurred to me that I don't have a family tree -- I have a small family forest.  Huh.

Street Music

Need a smile?

 
 
This little guy had me dancing in my chair!

Bus Fumes

I haven't had a haircut I've hated more since the dreaded Mithter Larry (heavy makeup, leopard skin stirrup pants (remember those?), lamb's wool vest (no shirt), Captain Jack Sparrow 10 years before the movie came out and thigh-high leather boots). Who knew he had a (thissor) thister and she was equally dangerous? Urk. I'm cropping it short again. Damn.

Weather Conditions

The thermometer hit 90 degrees for the first time in 2012 here in Chicago. It's actually hotter inside than it is outside at the moment!

Rubber-Necking

Quote of the Day:

[D]ignity is not cheap, apparently

Whoa, Nelly!

How is this whole NATO-in-Chicago thing going?

"There are more helicopters in the air than cars on the ground." - R. Seams

It's a ghost town in my little neck of the Loop.
_____

Another great quote from the Trib's Eric Zorn:

Sounds far-fetched, but done right, protests have been effective. Rallies, marches and demonstrations launched the civil rights revolution, the ACT UP campaign that awakened the nation and the medical establishment to the tragedy of AIDS, and the tea party movement, to name just three modern domestic examples. 

Done wrong, however, protests can impede change by turning onlookers into enemies. 

As one whose job gives him a built-in opportunity to attract attention, I'm conscious of sounding like a condescending "millionaire" dispensing advice to the poor on how to live within a budget. 

But look: Chanting "F--- the police" at Chicago's men and women in blue, as a group of protesters did during a march earlier this week, is going to raise gorges, not awareness of whatever that slogan is supposed to raise awareness of. 

Shattering storefront windows, if that's on the agenda here this weekend as it has been at other gatherings of world leaders, is no way to shatter complacency. 

And you might as well lie down and throw a tantrum as throw rocks and bottles at The Man if your goal is for something good to come out of the news coverage of the NATO summit. 

Be disruptive. Be noisy. Be outrageous. Even those who may not agree with any or all of the various causes you represent will admire the profoundly democratic spirit that you're bringing to these proceedings, and they'll at least secretly be glad for the illustration that we live in a country where groups of angry people are free to raise a mighty ruckus in the streets of a major city so long as they keep it peaceful. 

But be strategic. You will have our attention. Don't squander it.

Amen!

The Music in My Head

Blame it on John Kass.  (I don't know about you, but it'll take me a week to get that one out of my head, and it'll probably pop right back in between my ears every time I see a picture of FLOTUS in the news.)

Screw Loose

You try sitting next to a black guy who treats you to monotone versions of American Pie...



...Tracks of My Tears...



... and My Way...



...in a deep, gravelly, Leon Redbone mumble...



...and those little ditties coming between discussions with invisible people on the subjects of Don McLean, Jon Bon Jovi, the Rat Pack (and especially "The Chairman of the Board" -- "I like that cat."),  and keep a straight face.

Just thought I'd share...

Giggle of the Day:

Quick Stop

Suzette has also ordered the latest Robert Caro biography in the Lyndon Johnson series:

My note to her:

"I wonder if George R.R. Martin is Robert Caro in disguise. After all, they both write about politics, power and characters who display both noble and ignoble characteristics. And they both take for freaking evah to write the next volume of a series.  Hmmmm...."

For those in the know, which one of them said this?

"Nobody believes this, but I write very fast."

Okay, after you've picked yourself up off of the floor and stopped laughing, go here to see.  But really, it could have been either one of them.

On The Radio

Ear Worm of the Day:



I have no idea where that came from.