Castle Shima

Dharma: Honey, are you OK?
Greg: I'm fine. I'm just lying here trying to decide whether your father is a hole surrounded by ass.
-- From Dharma & Greg

::: Tower View :::
Contact Zens
And now for something completely different...

Those who see worldly life as an obstacle to Dharma
See no Dharma in everyday actions.
They have not yet discovered that
There are no everyday actions outside of Dharma.
By Dogen
**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

Merciful Father, I have squandered my days with plans of many things. This was not among them. But at this moment, I beg only to live the next few minutes well.
-- Ibn from The 13th Warrior

::: Tower View :::
Bitter Cold Within
For some reason, I've always liked the accoustic version of this song rather than the electronic, dance version.

Days Go By by Dirty Vegas

**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it.
-- Albert Einstein

::: Tower View :::
State of Confusion
The funny part is probably the only way I could ever remember any of the state capitals.



Hat tip to Adnil.
**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

Colonel James: You never served in the military, did you, Mr Rago?
Bill: No. My military experience is limited to the day that I walked for hours in the rain from Arlington Cemetary to the White House carrying the name of the soldier who died needlessly in Vietnam.
Colonel James: Do you remember the soldier's name?
Bill: Umm... No...
-- from Renaissance Man

::: Tower View :::
Bleed With Me
No matter how you feel about the military, please remember the price for freedom is not free. To the soldier, it isnt about dying for a rag on a pole, but fighting for what they feel is right.


**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

Life is short. Dont waste time worrying about what people think of you. Hold on to the ones that care. In the end they will be the only ones there.
-- Unknown

::: Tower View :::
Days Gone Past
I had forgotten how quirky Colin Hay was back in the 80s. Still, he is one of those original artists whose music has lasted the decades.

Hold Me by Colin Hay

**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

Claudia: You were ambushed by elves?
Sean: Yeah yeah. Santa's elves. The fat bastard sicced them on me.
Claudia: But your dad is Santa.
Sean: Yeah and he's a fat bastard.
-- from Grounded For Life

::: Tower View :::
Aw Damn


**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

The hookers of New York City are offering their "Obama Special." Fifty dollars and you get change.
-- David Letterman

::: Tower View :::
Some Things Never Change
No matter the event or situation, we always seem to haze the new guy.


**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

Don't drop me fellas. I'm worth a million dollars.
-- Shark from Any Given Sunday

::: Tower View :::
Bring The Pain Baby!
I had forgotten about Terry Tate. We need one of these guys at our office. Heh...


**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

Remember in elementary school you were told that in case of fire you have to line up quietly in a single file from smallest to tallest? What is the logic in that? What? Do tall people burn slower?
-- Warren Hutcherson

::: Tower View :::
Light Em Up
I first read this poem back in high school, oh so many moons ago. For some odd reason, it came to mind today.

Fire And Ice by Robert Frost
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

The problem with political jokes is they get elected.
-- Henry Cate

::: Tower View :::
And There's The Crew
I really should have posted this earlier in the week, but it still fits today, especially after the ephoria many were in today.

From Richard Jeni's A Big Steaming Pile of Me.

**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

The next time they give you all that civic bullshit about voting, keep in mind that Hitler was elected in a full, free democratic election.
-- George Carlin

::: Tower View :::
Poll Dance
So today is Election Day or as someone put it, Choose Day.


Yes its very important for every citizen to voice their choice, but sometimes the whole process makes me wonder. For example, check out this video from the debate in Quahog, Rhode Island.

Scott Kurtz from PVP Online has the right idea.
**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

How clever you are, my dear! You never mean a single word you say.
-- Oscar Wilde

::: Tower View :::
Say Say Say
This is one of the best songs that I was introduced to through Rock Band. Apparently for the lead singer, Karen O, this is one of her more mello songs.

Maps by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned for Sega.
-- Brodie from Mallrats

::: Tower View :::
Snoogins!
Kevin Smith's new film Zack And Miri Make A Porno opened this weekend. I hadnt had a chance to catch it yet, but I will see it. Oh yes, I will see it.

So until then, here is a vid for one of Smith's earlier films, Mallrats.

Build Me Up Buttercup by The Goops

**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.
-- from Albert Einstein

::: Tower View :::
Staring Blindly Into Space
I always loved this song. Time to jam!

25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago

**********

************************************************
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand.
Take it all in on your stride.
It is sinking, falling down
************************************************

Steve: You know Teague. He won't take "Go to Hell" for an answer.
Diane: What are you going to do?
Steve: I'm gonna give him directions.
-- from Poltergeist

::: Tower View :::
This House Is Clean
Happy Halloween, all...

more animals

Stay safe. Stay frosty. Stay away from the TV.
**********

************************************************
A little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints
But I can’t help the fact
That everyone can see these scars
************************************************

The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs and ham breakfast. The chicken was 'involved.' The pig was 'committed'.”
-- Unknown

::: Tower View :::
Just Give Me

One Vision by Queen

**********

************************************************
A little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints
But I can’t help the fact
That everyone can see these scars
************************************************

From a certain point of view our real enemy, the true troublemaker, is inside.
-- Tenzin Gyatso

::: Tower View :::
Is It Living Or Just Existence?

The Enemy Within by Rush

**********

************************************************
A little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints
But I can’t help the fact
That everyone can see these scars
************************************************

This has got to be the weirdest day of my life. Well, so far.
-- Mikey from Look Who's Talking

::: Tower View :::
A View Of Things To Come
Family gatherings are typically not my forte. More specifically, gatherings of my family are not my forte. Any reason to have a party and off we go. Tonight was a baby shower combined with a costume party.

I have no idea where they got the idea from, but my cousin, Janey, and her husband Ri (as in Rye) are expecting their first baby in a couple of months. So everyone in the family was invited as well as their church. Thats usually not a bad thing except I always fall into the Giggle Loop whenever one of their pastors or deacons decide to talk. Its gotten to the point where I will stand outside to avoid the blessing of the food (aka the 30 minute speech).

Then, of course, there are the party games my family comes up with. Can you tell me what the frack this is?!


Of course, its chocolate that has been squished in a diaper. There were eight different diapers with different kinds of chocolate. The one that guessed the most won the game. Tasting was recommended.


Jeff Foxworthy said it best: "That's your blood there, ya'll."
**********

************************************************
A little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints
But I can’t help the fact
That everyone can see these scars
************************************************

Stupid is as stupid does.
-- Forrest from Forrest Gump

::: Tower View :::
The Village Idiot Has Relatives
I know this gives unnecessary attention to the stupidity that is PETA, but its funny how PETA is upset about a baseball player's love for SPAM. Not the email type; the pork shoulder kind.

The food stuff that has been around for generations. The kind that was given to soldiers during WWII. The kind that was given to me as a child growing up. And quite frankly I still like it.

So here are some kind words to PETA: Shut the fuck up.

Nugget by Cake

**********

************************************************
A little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints
But I can’t help the fact
That everyone can see these scars
************************************************

Tigers die and leave their skins; people die and leave their names.
-- Japanese Proverb

::: Tower View :::
Hear My Name

Porch by Pearl Jam

**********

************************************************
A little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints
But I can’t help the fact
That everyone can see these scars
************************************************

Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.
-- Nietzsche

::: Tower View :::
Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes
Who watches the Watchmen, indeed.



Yahoo! Video 'Watchmen' Trailer

**********

************************************************
A little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints
But I can’t help the fact
That everyone can see these scars
************************************************

But dreams have a nasty habit of going bad when you're not looking. The sun went down with practiced bravado. Twilight crawled across the sky, laden with foreboding.
-- from Max Payne (The Game)

::: Tower View :::
Driving Into The Night
The Max Payne movie comes out soon and I cant wait. In the meantime, here is the theme for the original Max Payne computer game.

Late Goodbye by Poets Of The Fall

**********

************************************************
A little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints
But I can’t help the fact
That everyone can see these scars
************************************************

God is not on the side of the big battalions, but on the side of those who shoot best.
-- Voltaire

::: Tower View :::
Shoot Straight You Bastards

Over The Hills and Far Away by John Tams


Do your duty until your time is up.
**********

************************************************
I'm not giving into security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
************************************************

I will see you again, but not yet. Not yet!
-- Juba from Gladiator

::: Tower View :::
Sunrise, Sunset
I've posted this before, but when I heard the news that Drummerboy passed away today from his long term illness, it was the first thing that came to mind.

Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park
I close both locks below the window
I close both blinds and turn away
Sometimes solutions aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye is the only way

And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you

And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you

In cards and flowers on your window
Your friends all plead for you to stay
Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye is the only way

And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you

And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you...



I and the rest of The Fallen will see you again, sir. Just not yet.
**********

************************************************
I'm not giving into security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
************************************************

Know how sublime a thing it is - To suffer and be strong.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

::: Tower View :::
Pain And Suffering
This past weekend was the big event of the year; the MS Bike ride. With over 2,300 cyclists participating, its the main event that Team Blue trains for. Its what we hurt ourselves over for and struggle to complete.

And in the end, the accomplishment outweighs the pain.

Then you end up with silly little stories like this one. Apologies must go out to Peter King, the NFL writer for Sports Illustrated, for "borrowing" the title.

The 10 Things I Think I Know -- 2008 MS Bike Ride Edition
1. The predominant cycling announcer, Phil Liggett, has always said that "Cycling is all about the suffering." This probably explains this year's most said comment: "My ass hurts!"

2. The most used high tech device used this year: the plastic freezer bag.

3. This is because its now a requirement that the last 15 miles must be ridden during a huge rain storm of biblical proportions.

4. One rider earned the name "Captain Nemo" for having to take their recumbant bike thru all the flooded streets. It was so bad that there was actually water inside the frame and it had to be drained.

5. If you ever want to have fun, when a cyclist comes into the finish area after riding thru a torrential downpour, ask him if they would like a bottle of water.

6. If you ever need to get your heart rate up, try almost dropping your wallet through an open hole while going over a bridge.

7. I can do without seeing yet another PB&J sandwich until next season.

8. The snowcone flavours were actually kind of bad this year. Root Beer?!

9. The Powerade was an excellent idea for Day One. Too bad we drank it all so there was none left for Day Two.

10. The pain and suffering we go thru for this is nothing when compared to the folks who have to deal with their MS throughout their life. Its no wonder cyclists want to keep going despite crashing across a metal grate bridge.

Cheers, mates.

Time to get ready for next season.
**********

************************************************
I'm not giving into security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
************************************************

I have the right to breathe. Everything else is a bonus.
-- Unknown

::: Tower View :::
Do I Dare

Breath After Breath by Duran Duran

**********

************************************************
I'm not giving into security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
************************************************

Some people say that cats are sneaky, evil, and cruel. True, and they have many other fine qualities as well.
-- Unknown

::: Tower View :::
Stealthy, Fuzzy Bastard


**********

************************************************
I'm not giving into security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
************************************************

One out of four people in this country is mentally unbalanced. Think of your three closest friends. If they seem OK, then you're the one.
-- Ann Landers

::: Tower View :::
Four by Four Relay
Adnil sent this out so this is her fault. She totally twisted my arm on this. Yeah. Thats it. *Cough*

1. Four places that I go to over and over: Work, Gym, Soccer Field, Bike Trail

2. Four of my favorite places to eat: Bamboo Garden, McDonald's, Chun King, Pancintan

3. Four places Where I'd rather be: Las Vegas, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong

4. Four TV shows I watch: Law & Order: Criminial Intent, Bizarre Foods, Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State
**********

************************************************
I'm not giving into security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
************************************************

It needs but one foe to breed a war, and those who have not swords can still die upon them.
-- J.R.R. Tolkien

::: Tower View :::
Choices
Sometimes you dont get a choice in the matter. Sometimes you do what is required, whether you like it or not.


Never forget those that didnt have a choice. Never forget those that choose willingly.
**********

************************************************
I'm not giving into security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
************************************************

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself makes you fearless.
-- Lao Tzu

::: Tower View :::
Live Proud

Fearless (Huo Yuan Jia) by Jay Chou

**********

************************************************
I'm not giving into security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
************************************************

I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.
-- Thomas Carlyle

::: Tower View :::
If I Only Could

Running Up That Hill by Placebo

**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

I am a prison for sperm. Those poor little tadpoles have been sentenced to life in Jeff Murdock's groin.
-- Jeff from Coupling

::: Tower View :::
Swimmers
Parents tend to know when their kids are heading to greatness when they are pretty young. Case in point...


Hat tip to Hoyt for this.
**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window.
-- Steven Wright

::: Tower View :::
Play Time


more cat pictures
**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

Ocean: A body of water occupying two-thirds of a world made for man, who has no gills.
-- Ambrose Bierce

::: Tower View :::
Wetworks

We Will Rock You by Waterboy

**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

::: Tower View :::
The Clouds All Scatter

Sound of Thunder/Hold Back The Rain by Duran Duran

**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and vibrating like a guitar string.
-- Pele

::: Tower View :::
Kick To The Head
Here is a rare photo of the intermural soccer group. There is actually nearly 70 of us, but only a few that can make it for the lunch time games.


I cant wait til the season starts again. Heh.
**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

Death often weighs heavier on us by its weight on others and pains us by their pain almost as much as by our own, and sometimes even more.
-- Montaigne

::: Tower View :::
Panegyric
For Clan Roma

The Pallid Wreath by Walt Whitman
Somehow I cannot let it go yet, funeral though it is,
Let it remain back there on its nail suspended,
With pink, blue, yellow, all blanch'd, and the white now gray
and ashy,
One wither'd rose put years ago for thee, dear friend;
But I do not forget thee. Hast thou then faded?
Is the odor exhaled? Are the colors, vitalities, dead?
No, while memories subtly play--the past vivid as ever;
For but last night I woke, and in that spectral ring saw thee,
Thy smile, eyes, face, calm, silent, loving as ever:
So let the wreath hang still awhile within my eye-reach,
It is not yet dead to me, nor even pallid.
**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

Vincent: You know, I'm getting kinda tired. I could use a foot massage myself.
Jules: Man, you best back off. I'm getting a little pissed here.
-- from Pulp Fiction

::: Tower View :::
Frack Em If They Can't Take A Joke
Ever make a funny or goofy face while someone was taking a picture? I used to do it alot as a kid, even as a teenager.

Supposedly I'm more mature nowadays. Right.








Hat tip to Fury for these great pics.
**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping
-- Chinese Proverb

::: Tower View :::
Trip To Memory Lane
In the past, I've never really cared too much about the Olympics, but I've really enjoyed them this time around.

Perhaps since its in China, that was a natural interest to me. Perhaps its because I'm more into athletics than I was in the past, especially with cycling, soccer, and volleyball. Perhaps its the chance of seeing history in the making. Case in point: Michael Phelps trying to win eight gold medals.

Whatever the reason, there will be some memories that I will carry with me.

Speaking of which, here is an unforgettable ad that the BBC ran just before the Olympics began.

Journey To the West by The Gorillaz

**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.
-- Buddha

::: Tower View :::
Awake And Unafraid

Famous Last Words by My Chemical Romance

**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

He must be very ignorant for he answers every question he is asked.
-- Voltaire

::: Tower View :::
Ignorance Is Bliss
Yeah, some days are just like this.


more cat pictures
**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.
-- from The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams

::: Tower View :::
Explaining Myself
Although I tend to have road rage, its pretty much calmed down over the years. But then again, my stories simply dont compare to other stories out there.

I rear-ended the car in front of me. I admit that. It was my fault.

So, we both pull over to the side of the road, and slowly the driver of the car I hit gets out of his car. . and you know how you just-get-sooo-stressed... and life...sometimes life seems like... suddenly funny?

Well, the driver of the car I hit is a DWARF! He gets out of his car and I get out of my car. He is frowning and scowling and he storms over to me. Right up close to me he looks up in my face and says,

"I AM NOT HAPPY!"

I don't know what possessed me, officer, but I looked down at him and I said,
"Well, if you're not Happy -- which one are you?"

And that's when the fight started...

Good thing this wasnt me. Heh. I would have made a comment about the guy having a short fuse.

Hat tip to Tigress for this.
**********

************************************************
Alone we live and die
We love and fight
Breath after breath
We carry this mortal coil
************************************************

If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on.
-- Lance Armstrong

::: Tower View :::
After The Ride
Things have been pretty hectic lately, but the one thing that I did get enjoy was this year's Tour de France. Personally, I felt this year would have been a farce when Astana, the top team with the current TDF champion, wasnt invited for political reasons.

Despite it all, the Tour was still a most exciting, memorable event. For the first time in memory, there were two top American teams in the Tour. One of them, Team Columbia, won 5 of the 20 stages.

There was John-Lee Augustyn's attack on the highest mountain, only to crash over the side on the decent. The scene of Augustyn climbing back up the side, then peering back over to see his bicycle still sliding down the mountain.

Through it all, Carlos Sastre, the ever quiet, consistent Spaniard took the lead with his attack on the legendary mountain, the Alpe D'Huez. Then with the final time trial, with everything up grabs, the favorite, Cadel Evans, couldnt close the difference between him and Sastre.

So for the second year, Cadel came in second behind a Spaniard.

As much as I enjoyed this year's Tour, there still must be a Lance Armstrong sighting.



Feed the Warrior!
**********

************************************************
Can you see
My eyes are shining bright
Cause I'm out here on the other side
Of a jet black hotel mirror
************************************************

Questions are never indiscreet. Answers sometimes are.
-- Publilius Syrus

::: Tower View :::
Enigma


From Tiny Ghosts.
**********

************************************************
Can you see
My eyes are shining bright
Cause I'm out here on the other side
Of a jet black hotel mirror
************************************************

Michelle: How did a little perv like you turn into such a great guy?
Jim: How did a little nympho like you turn into such a great girl?
Michelle: Well, I'm still a nympho.
Jim: Well, I'm still a perv.
-- from American Wedding

::: Tower View :::
Nuptials
So I had a memorable trip this past weekend when an old friend of mine, Doombringer, got married. We have known each other since the college years when we worked at different video game stores. Then there were the times when I was his wingman when we did the club scene. Those are stories for another time.

He and his bride live in another state so unless I wanted to drive days to get there, I was flying. Especially since they had asked me to be part of the wedding party.

So I was abit irritable when I arrived at the airport 8a Friday morning for a 9:45a flight that was cancelled with no warning. I was offered the standby flight at 2:45p, but there was no luck since it was completely full. It didnt really matter since there were ten of us on standby.

Which left the 7:30p flight and guaranteed that I was going to miss rehersal as well as dinner.

The departure time turned into 8p due to weather from the arriving plane. Then 8:15p. Then 8:30p. Then 9p when there was a mechanical issue with the plane. Then 9:30p. Then 10p. Then 11p.

When the plane finally arrived, we left in just under 20 mins and got to my destination at 1:30a Sat morning.

It was supposed to be a 2 hour flight.

Nevertheless, I arrived and everything went along swimmingly. The typical wedding things occurred just as expected. The bride and her party were 20 mins late coming back from their hair appointment. One groomsman didnt show up, which worked out for me because it let me walk with two bridemaids.


The young ringbearer kept pulling on the young flowergirl because he wanted to run down the aisle. She in turn would pull him back so he wouldnt run. It ended up being a tug of war in the middle of the aisle for a few minutes.


The ceremony went well. The reception was fine with all the dancing, laughing, smiling, and cake smearing.

After the reception, we all went to an Irish pub, which is something I hadnt done in quite some time. It was also ironic that I was the oldest one there, but the one that danced the most. Ahh, the miracle of Gatorade.

The whole trip was an experience. I met some really good people in the brides maids, groomsmen, and family members. It was funny that in each airport, I met a teacher; the math teacher heading out to party with his friends and then Miss Hall out of Knoxville who was going on vacation with her family.

But the biggest experience was getting to be part of a joyous occasion in something as simple as an hour long ceremony. The happiness it generated only proves that there is hope for humanity.

Congrats to you DB and H! Keep smiling and laughing. Let us know when the wee ones are coming. Heh.


**********

************************************************
Can you see
My eyes are shining bright
Cause I'm out here on the other side
Of a jet black hotel mirror
************************************************

The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.
-- Ernest Hemingway

::: Tower View :::
Euology
To the Spike clan, our condolescences and prayers to you.

Too One Shortly to Die by Walt Whitman
    1
FROM all the rest I single out you, having a message for you:
You are to die - Let others tell you what they please, I cannot prevaricate,
I am exact and merciless, but I love you - There is no escape for you.

Softly I lay my right hand upon you - you just feel it,
I do not argue - I bend my head close, and half envelope it,
I sit quietly by - I remain faithful,
I am more than nurse, more than parent or neighbor,
I absolve you from all except yourself, spiritual, bodily - that is
    Eternal - you yourself will surely escape,
The corpse you will leave will be but excrementitious.

    2
The sun bursts through in unlooked-for directions!
Strong thoughts fill you, and confidence - you smile!
You forget you are sick, as I forget you are sick,
You do not see the medicines - you do not mind the weeping friends - I
    am with you,
I exclude others from you - there is nothing to be commiserated,
I do not commiserate - I congratulate you.
**********

************************************************
Can you see
My eyes are shining bright
Cause I'm out here on the other side
Of a jet black hotel mirror
************************************************

Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security.
-- Benjamin Franklin

::: Tower View :::
Independence Day
Remember, freedom is not free and there must always be a price to be paid. Its something that too many have seemed to have forgotten. Back in the day, we were reminded of this, even as kids.

I always liked the Schoolhouse Rock series as a kid. For many, this was the only history they ever knew. Sure it wasnt the complete story, but it was a start.



Hope you had a fun, safe Fourth of July. Mind the fireworks.. Heh.
**********

************************************************
Can you see
My eyes are shining bright
Cause I'm out here on the other side
Of a jet black hotel mirror
************************************************

Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say goodbye. I hate goodbyes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.
-- Snoopy

::: Tower View :::
A Sordid Twist Of Fate
A few of us had gotten into a discussion about the differences between goth and emo, particularly in music. We all had our opinions and since we are arent in the music industry, its all subjective.

This has become one of my favorite emo songs, although its more alternative in nature. Emo songs dont require screaming, but it does help. Ha!

Song To Say Goodbye by Placebo

**********

************************************************
Can you see
My eyes are shining bright
Cause I'm out here on the other side
Of a jet black hotel mirror
************************************************

You called for me, didn't you? And I heard you.
-- Kaneda from Akira

::: Tower View :::
Save Me From The Dark

Bring Me To Life by Evanescence

**********

************************************************
Can you see
My eyes are shining bright
Cause I'm out here on the other side
Of a jet black hotel mirror
************************************************

Kaneda! What do you see?
-- Searle from Sunshine

::: Tower View :::
Blinded By The Light

Leave Out All The Rest by Linkin Park

**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

Eat Your Pie. Pie makes everything better.
-- Marshall from In Plain sight

::: Tower View :::
Kick It Up A Notch
Congrats to Spain on winning the UEFA European Championship. It was a most excellant game.

It made me think of this song, which was the theme for the 1998 World Cup Games.

The Cup Of Life by Ricky Martin

**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

You ever notice that the women who are against abortion are women you wouldnt want to fuck in the first place?
-- George Carlin

::: Tower View :::
Death of The Wordsmith
George Carlin has been one of my favorite comedians of all time and had become an influence on my own humor. His use of word play was legendary, especially for his "Seven Dirty Words You Can Never Say On Television."

I always remembered his rant on being a fussy eater:
Fussy eater is an euphamism for "Big Pain In The Ass." Those are the people that will sit at the table and say "I can't eat that. I don't like that. Did you make that? Is there a picture of it in the cook book? I bet it don't look like that."

Carlin was irreverant, abusive, and never apologetic. No one was ever safe from his insight and commentary. Nor should they be. After all, if you cant laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?

I bet he's looking up at us now and smiling. Heh.

**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

I'm too tall to be a girl. I'm between a chick and a broad.
-- Julia Roberts

::: Tower View :::
What Can I Say?
Its hard to be humble.


more cat pictures
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

'Its okay' is a cosmic truth.
-- Richard Bach

::: Tower View :::
Take A Good Hard Look



**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

Buy a pup and your money will buy love unflinching.
-- Rudyard Kipling

::: Tower View :::
Its A Dog's World





see more dog pictures
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

Nelson: Well, who is better than us this?
Joe: Father and son, together at last.
-- from You've Got Mail

::: Tower View :::
We All Have Our Daddy's Eyes
Happy Father's Day to all you fathers! Here are a couple of tributes to our fathers.

The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics


Running In The Family by Level 42

**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius. Commander of the Armies of the North. General of the Felix Legions. Loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son. Husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance. In this life or the next.
-- Maximus from Gladiator

::: Tower View :::
Lie Still. Close Your Eyes.
Funny how the littlest details remind you of things. I remembered the song from while back, but I had forgotten that the video was directed by Joaquin Phoenix.

Its ironic how "revenge" played a part with the band and the movie Gladiator, which had Phoenix as the mad emperor, Commodus.

Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge


Hat tip to BarbieGirl.
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

She's a footprint on the beach. And the tide is coming in.
-- The Doctor from Doctor Who: Silence in the Library

::: Tower View :::
Spoilers
I've always been a fan of Doctor Who. This season has been pretty exceptional with Catherine Tate as Donna and the mix of old and new stories.

Its going to get even even better.


Damn, I cant wait.
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

Remember, if you support McCain, drive with your lights on during the day. If you support Obama, drive with your lights off at night.
-- from a recent conversation

::: Tower View :::
Random Silliness

1) Thankfully, the office cafeteria is now handled by a different company. While the previous company was ok, we always joked about how they served the local roadkill. I got to visit the brand new noodle bar and got lots of chicken, veggies, and broth. Too bad they forgot the noodles.

2) I've found that I've become one of those obnoxious car owners. Since I got the new car detailed, I've checked the weather report every day to make sure it doesnt rain. I dont want the shine messed up.

3) Overheard the other day: "I am your toilet person." That can be taken in so many ways.

4) Today I was asked by an IT professional if I could log into a database that was taken offline. The sad part it took them several minutes before they realized what they were asking didnt make sense. Some people are just way overpaid.

5) Damn censorship. The DVD version replaces the word gay with the word butt.

**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

I have no mouth, and I must scream.
-- Harlan Ellison

::: Tower View :::
Come Up Screaming

In A Big Country by Big Country

**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
-- Dale Carnegie

::: Tower View :::
Time To Breathe
It was a little hectic this past weekend, but it was worth it.

I got to play cricket for the first time. The best part is that it was on company time as a team builder. We might have to see about getting a cricket league at the office.


Then there was this year's Trinity Ride. At least this year there was sunlight. Last year we had to ride in a tropical storm. But then again, that was an absolute blast and one of my favorite rides.

This year the band actually got to play during lunch.


Finally, congratulations go to Stephie for graduating the college nursing program.


Now get out there and get a job, little girl. Ha!
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

Janovek: It appears the Germans are bad, very bad.
Luz: You don't say! The Germans are bad, huh? Hey Frank, this guy is reading an article that says the Germans "are bad."
-- from Band of Brothers

::: Tower View :::
Thats What They Said


more cat pictures
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

Marie: Because sooner or later, you remember something good.
Bourne: I do remember something good. All the time.
-- from The Bourne Supremacy

::: Tower View :::
So Many Faces
I got hooked on this song after The Bourne Identity.

Extreme Ways by Moby


The Bourne Conspiracy came out today, but its more based on the book rather than the movies. Too bad.
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense.
-- Gertrude Stein

::: Tower View :::
TMI! TMI!
There are just somethings we dont need to know about. Ha!

more cat pictures


Hat tip to Cute Overload!
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

There are no ordinary cats.
-- Sidonie Gabrielle

::: Tower View :::
Ordinary People
Jon Lajoie is comedian out of Montreal who has come up with some pretty great material. Here are his vids on being an everyday normal guy.





Hat tip to Starfury.
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

Sadly, Sheryl Crow and Lance Armstrong have split up. I guess she got tired of riding on the handlebars every time they went on a date.
-- Mike Bianchi

::: Tower View :::
A Rather Blustery Day
This past weekend was the Diabetes Association's fundraiser, The Tour de Cure. 120 miles in 2 days. For fun. Right.

It wouldnt been so bad if it wasnt for the strong headwinds... both days... regardless of the direction... Thank God for rest stops.


Then on the second day, there were seven bridges to go over.. in the wind.. The first 6 bridges were even before we hit 30 miles. My legs felt like they were going to fall off. You end up with views like this.


There was a long stretch of road that was nothing but a wind tunnel. My sit-bones still hurt.
**********

************************************************
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens,
And the voice that made me cry.
************************************************

The caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity
-- George Carlin

::: Tower View :::
The World Is A Vampire

Bullet with Butterfly Wings by The Smashing Pumpkins

**********

************************************************
I'm not expecting to
Grow flowers in the desert,
But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime.
************************************************

Today, you people are no longer maggots. Today, you are Marines. You're part of a brotherhood. From now on until the day you die, wherever you are, every Marine is your brother. Most of you will go to Vietnam. Some of you will not come back. But always remember this: Marines die. That's what we're here for. But the Marine Corp lives forever. And that means you live forever.
-- Gunnery Sgt Hartman from Full Metal Jacket

::: Tower View :::
Immortality


**********

************************************************
I'm not expecting to
Grow flowers in the desert,
But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime.
************************************************

Little Bill: I dont deserve this. To die like this. I was building a house.
Will: Deserve's got nothing to do with it.
-- from Unforgiven

::: Tower View :::
Cause and Effect

I personally think the kid deserved it. A man's got to know his limitations. Heh.
**********

************************************************
I'm not expecting to
Grow flowers in the desert,
But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime.
************************************************

Robbie: Oh great. A truck overturned and dumped 14 tons of Double Stuf oreos all over the road.
Me: All we need now is for a milk truck to crash.
-- from a conversation at work

::: Tower View :::
Cover Me
Michael Jackson may not be the same musical force that he was in the 80s, but he is at least still an inspiration for other musicians. The new cover from Fall Out Boy is not too bad.

Beat It by Fall Out Boy


Of course, Alien Ant Farm did the first alternative cover and did a damn good job.

Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm

**********

************************************************
I'm not expecting to
Grow flowers in the desert,
But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime.
************************************************

Bush said today he is being stalked. He said wherever he goes, people are following him. Finally, someone told him, 'Psst. That's the Secret Service.'
-- Jay Leno

::: Tower View :::
Something I Should Ask About



Weird Al rocks. Nuff said.
**********

************************************************
I'm not expecting to
Grow flowers in the desert,
But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime.
************************************************

Jill: Try to remember that this room is full of complete mothers.
Jane: I dont think thats true. Everyone seems very nice.
-- from Coupling

::: Tower View :::
Soon To Be Mom
I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day. For some odd reason, Mother's Day tends to remind me of the tv show Coupling. Its still a great show.



Seems ironic since the series ended when the baby is born. Good thing it came out on DVD and still being shown on BBC America.
**********

************************************************
I'm not expecting to
Grow flowers in the desert,
But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime.
************************************************