The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
-- James Taylor
Death has been in news alot lately. David Carradine. Iran. Ed McMahon. Iran. Farrah Fawcett. Ir.. Wait! Michael Jackson?!
Yes, the King of Pop died today. Despite his truly strange antics, he did leave an imprint on the music industry and the world. His influence spanned across people and artists for generations.
There were video games made after him. His videos became a standard for future artists. Does anyone remember Captain Eo? How about the Filipino prison dance crew that danced to Thriller? The cover of Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm is absolutely brilliant. The man became a parody for shows such as Mad TV and Family Guy. Jackson even played a part in the career of one Wierd Al Yankovic, who became well known after making parodies such as Eat It and Fat.
Lets face it. He'll be up there in the tabloids and soon, he will be sighted in a 7-Eleven grabbing a Slushee with Elvis. Then Vegas will be over-run with Michael impersonators, doing weddings and bar mitzvahs.
So instead of the typical tribute song, I opted for something slightly different. Here is a little music reflecting Jackson's influence, not only in the lyrics, but also in the fact that same guy, Wierd Al, directed the video.
Rockin' The Suburbs by Ben Folds
Tomorrow, it will be back to more serious business such as Iran and Korea. For now, its just a trip down memory lane and our little point in history.
Oh Ned, I'm scared. I'm dying. Don't tell nobody. Don't tell my kids, none of the things I done, hear me?
-- william Munny from Unforgiven
Today is Father's Day and while my own father and I dont have a brilliant relationship, he is still the patriarch of the family. I couldnt come up with any great ideas what to get him for this obvious Hallmark sort of holiday.
I thought perhaps this would help.
Well that would never happen so at least he got a consolation prize: a nice paper card. There wasnt much to say in it though.
"Hey Dad. What do you think about your son now?"
Take A Picture by Filter
At least, I included the envelope.
Wendy: Is Mike Hunt here? Has anyone seen Mike Hunt?
Meat: Everybody in town, from what I hear.
-- from Porky's
Today was one of those interesting days. Waking up at 5a and its already over 80 degrees means its going to make for long, hot day. The first MS training ride started at 7:30a and by then, it had already climbed to nearly 90. So when you are pedaling at 20mph, the wind is a blessing and a curse.
Still, it was damn good ride, especially when several of the teams formed large pacelines along the road. Being in a line with 10 to 15 riders makes a huge difference.
Well, that and there was beer at the end of the ride. Beer before 11a. What a concept.
So then add on the Asian Pride Day that was going on downtown. The heat has gotten to 100 by this point and what do you do? You stand out in an open venue with little shade and stand around booths.
I felt bad for the people working the booths. They were sweating up a storm and couldnt really do anything about it. A few of them got even with the tourists though.
They made us stand in line while we waited for the most excellent food, especially for the smoked pig. And yes, thats a full cooked pig. Doesnt it look good?
It tasted really good too.
So no matter how much we complained about the heat, it was nothing to what he felt.
I remember how hard it was when I realized my father was a son of a bitch. I can't imagine what it must be like when you realize you raised one.
-- Jack McCoy from Law and Order
Gran Torino is an absolutely brilliant film. It reminded me of so many things on different levels: how I see my own family, my heritage, today's youth, the generation gaps.
I highly recommend this movie, especially if you arent Asian. Gran Torino is not the action-oriented film that the ads make it appear. Its definately alot more deeper than that.
Gran Torino by Jamie Cullem
Time to man up.
If you shoot at mimes, should you use a silencer?
-- Stephen Wright
Mermaid and I were talking yesterday and from what we've gathered, she is a mime screamer, while her husband does his best work inside the mime box. So to speak.
I have no idea where I am going with this, but after I thought about it more, this song kept popping into my head.
Voices Carry by Til Tuesday
Thats it. I'm definately brain damaged.
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.
-- Shakespeare
I feel bad for anyone who sits by me at the office the past few days. I've been listening to Robert Schimmel and not doing a very good job of keeping the laughter down. Its not uncommon to get the strange look from passerbys as I snicker away, making the vain attempt to get work done.
Schimmel is definately not for the faint of heart or those that cant take a joke. The video is NSFW and make sure the kids are asleep.
Anyone want a popsicle?
I have lived long enough to satisfy both nature and glory.
-- Julius Caesar
Oh. My. God. When I saw this picture, I broke out laughing like a madman. Granted, I do that all the time, but nevermind that.
This reminded me of days gone by, when I had a car where the windows didnt come down, and our group of friends finished having Mongolian bbq for dinner. I was at a point in my life where I had never seen a grown man claw at a window furiously, trying to escape a moving vehicle, screaming madly "Oh dear God! Open a window! Open a window!"
Oh those were the days.
At some point later on, I'll have to tell you the story about Mountasia. Ha!
Being a child at home alone in the summer is a high risk occupation. If you call your mother at work thirteen times an hour, she can hurt you.
-- Erma Bombeck
Summer is coming upon us once more. If it werent for the all the parental type folks around me, I wouldnt even notice. But when the season is here, the song The Boys of Summer always pops in my head.
I know some people will call this blasphemy, but I prefer this version as opposed to the original by Don Henley. It just wants to make you rock.
The Boys Of Summer by The Ataris
On the other hand, the cover by DJ Sammy makes you want to dance.
The Steward
