<3 Hank Hill

I just watched King of the Hill "Raising Steaks" and I continue to <3 Hank Hill.

(It's about Hank joining a Co-op and helping to raise cows for his own steaks; which he raises, prepares and eats with loving care.) You can watch it here.


If Hank does something, he does it right, down to the last detail; and he has conviction when it counts.

Open letter to Microsoft Advertising

Dear Windows Advertising Department:

Bad editing is not trendy, hip, alternative, indie, cute, or funny. It's sloppy.

That's where you Windows guys got it wrong- being sloppy. Putting out products before working all the bugs out; but that's a different department.

Sincerely,

Ruth B in Tennessee

Peanut Penpals?

I've ask to sponsor this senior dachshund called "Jasmine" that is being taken care of by the All American Dachshund Rescue.

Turns out the foster parents have been calling "Jasmine" "Peanut" as well. Too cute.

Her tongue hangs out of her mouth because she's missing teeth like my Peanut. Aww, way too cute.
We're going to send her some soft extra chewy treats (because Peanut knows how hard it is to chew without teeth) and make a donation to the AADR for her care in general, and the care and medical bills of other deserving dogs like Ms. Peanut here.

Breakfast.

Wake up and kick cancer in the face.

I start off my day with a half Chocolate Slim-Rite (Kroger brand "Slim-Fast" that tastes better than the name brand) half whey protein shake with 12 delicious ounces of ice cold sweet acidophilus milk.

Mmm Purity.

They just won another award... Sour cream? Buttermilk maybe?

I constantly enjoy the World's #1 Chocolate Milk.

Anyway, the whey protein... it's a by-product, which is great. I love being resourceful/efficient.

And, according to preliminary mice studies, whey may prevent cancer and heart disease. That's always good.

Cute hat, anyone?

So I've been thinking about crafty/personal presents this year, and I made my sister a hat. I'm not sure which one she'll want, but I was thinking I'd let her choose. (Although the pink one would nicely match my pink neck warmer...)

Draft: South Park's f-bomb

South Park really is art. It forces you to think using controversy and pop culture. When they go "too far," it's for a reason (unlike Family Guy, whose shock value is its gimmick; which is really too bad because Seth McFarland is actually very funny with a knock out voice).

When I first started watching the episode "F- word" and hearing "fag" get said over and over again, I thought, "oh South Park, this better be good."

Once again, their message is progressive, and that's what I believe is most important. Although I don't think hate speech is okay in the everyday, no matter who you are hating, I do support South Park and their right to use language and entertainment to promote thought about our society and cultures.

What representatives of the gay community think...

Some sentiments I agree with...

Doing some research because South Park got me thinking...

Today, so far, "fag" has been used 792 times. It's not even noon. Think B4 You Speak.

Want a dog? Find your perfect breed!

NOTE: I think breeding should be highly restricted, especially with so many homeless pets already out there.

However, it is always good to know what kind of dog may best suit you.

That being said, not all dogs are true to their breeds, or, have had experiences in their lifetimes that have had a larger impact on their personalities and perceptions than genetic disposition.

Take the "Breed Match" Quiz: Find out what dog breed best suits you and your lifestyle.

Recycling Is Cool.

So if the idea of reducing waste and creating a more beautiful earth and sustainable lifestyle isn't cool enough for you, how about a hospital that runs on beer?

Hmmmmm what to do

I've felt very unfocused since my guests left. I have no idea what to do, or why I should be doing it. I'm too tired to be motivated. Especially if my only motivation is for me to feel better. Pff. Take care of myself? How boring.

Perhaps Owly can help. I will ask him, but I don't foresee much beyond baking these cookies, which I just did. I should also eat something else. Sugar & sleep, as comforting as they are, aren't helping me move forward.

Visitors come and gone.

Finally had some house guests. Good times, but almost dream like.


Went to DeadMau5, very fun. Limelight isn't so bad. But I'm so much cooler than everyone there. I guess that's fine.

I really just wanted to thank my silent partner(s) at NBC for 30 Rock, Community, and Parks.
And of course My Name is Earl. This is why I still have TV. Well actually I'm glad I can't get broadcasting in my room so I just "have to" watch DVDs or VHS...es... (ha) most of the time.

I find so much television frustrating. And not funny. Eugh and the commercials... I can't do it. I end up wasting so much of my energy on what I don't like and can't change. And there's no reason I have to watch TV. It's not like in school when I had to know because everyone would be talking about it tomorrow and I wanted to be in the loop and share in my own.

There's lots more to share. In different ways. It's a big world.

I like the positive and inspiring way that these programs share and communicate to me.

And thanks especially for the tip of your hat, Community/Chevy Chase, to the benefits of hypnotherapy. I really should become accredited for that. It would be easy and enjoyable for me, and maybe be the right job. I want to go forward with the dog project, but without funding or manpower I can only do so much. I do have time and I will continue to give it for the better.

I will say, I do miss Stephen Colbert & Jon Stewart. As much as I miss your great presence, your power hour of real world events is also too much for me at this time. Although you and NPR are the only ones I listen to anymore any how.

While I'm at it, where for art thou, Dana Carvey and Dan Akryod? You are in my thoughts. (And possibly dreams.)

Annnd Ben Folds. I almost wish I didn't pass your house on my way home from work. Although, I lived in the neighborhood before you did, so, you know... we'll have coffee some time, I'm sure.

Enough, I'm naseuous from thinking. Or a headache. Or poor eating habits. I should really retire for the night.

I do wish I had taken photos this weekend, though.

More positive post.

I keep forgetting to mention Harrison got into Parsons. Yay! He earned/deserved it.

I heard on the radio about Lady Gaga's video for "Bad Romance" and her razor blade sunglasses she wears in it. The video is through and through as insane as wearing razor blade sunglasses.

Actual Post (healthcare)

Oh health care. I am so tired of our hot and cold romance.

I just read why Congressman Dennis Kucinich voted "No" on the health care bill, and I'm afraid I agree with his sentiment. This isn't the solution. As this bill stands, Americans who need the most help will once again get the short end of the stick. The public option is weak. Anti-abortion legislation got tacked on to "appease" conservatives. Big Insurance will gain tons of money without changing their immoral and irresponsible practices.

Liberals are supposed to be in power but we're letting the conservatives and/or MONEY run the show.

Eugh- when can I move to Holland?

Dear Future Dutch Husband,

Please find me so I can find an abandoned farm house outside of Haarlem, squat there for a few months, and then raise our family there.

As much as I love President Obama, I am so tired of the vast amber waves of morons across this country.

Sigh. I guess that's it for now; I don't have anything productive to say.

Cool things (draft)

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A Little Early (and Late) But...

Peanuts Christmas Ice Skating Pond

(and late)
Peanuts Halloween Prowly Pumpkin Patch (...skating pond...)

Thinking about buying Weezer's newest album?

Be sure to take advantage of this offer:

The Weezer Snuggie! (Yes, seriously.)

I couldn't agree more with NPR on this one,
who titled their article "So It's Come To This: A Weezer Snuggie."

It comes with Weezer's latest album Raditude for only 29.99 (plus shipping?)

Watch the infomercial (complete with ENTIRE band each wearing their own Weezer snuggie).

I'm sure that old lady knitting waited by her mailbox for DAYS waiting for her Weezer snuggie :)


UPDATE: Exclusive Zebra Weezer Snuggie? No way!

Professor from my school (one of my program heads) on TLC?

My freshman year at Webster University I took a Non Verbal Communications class with a friend who was a senior. He was taking it because the professor was great, and he highly recommended her courses.

Gina Jensen turned out to be that professor, and the course blew me away. At the end of the semester, I had changed my major to the department the course was from: Speech Communications.

Gina and her husband Scott Jensen run the department together (not to mention the constantly award winning forensics team). They are excellent communicators and masters of socializing; not socializing like throwing parties and mingling, but really listening and understanding others (and yourself) to come to a shared meaning.

Personally, I think just about everyone could benefit from the Speech Communications program. With IMs and texts (and blogs, ha ha) no one speaks face to face, and so much meaning is lost. People forget how to read "between the lines," body language, or even facial expression. They don't realize how much a sound effect or song can completely turn around the meaning of what used to be just text. I realized how important context can be.

Anyway, enough about how great Gina Jensen and her work are; she, despite knowing how others judge so strongly on appearance including clothing, is a less-than-mediocre dresser herself.

Thanks to TLC and Webster's Forensic's Team (I'm sure), she will finally take a week of "me time," away from being a mom and wife and teacher and mentor and super woman, and get to practice what she preaches (as far as clothing goes, anyway).

Here she is on Show Me St. Louis being "ambushed" by Stacey and Clinton (I hope they aren't mean to her) from What Not to Wear. She has yet to take her trip to NYC and spend her $5,000, but the episode is slotted to air in February on TLC.

Good luck Gina, buy nice things for yourself (I'm sure you rarely/never do), and have fun!

Next time I see Gina Jensen, she better have a styling handbag, that's for sure.

Neat-o! I want some of these for art supplies :)

Mmmm stackable drawers...26 drawers

AND

44 drawers




But if I bought these I might feel obligated to buy more art supplies to fill all those drawers :)

Edit: found 22 & 39 drawer units at Home Depot for cheaper:

39 drawers

also comes in 22 drawers.

sidenote: ha! the "classy" tramp stamp

hmm, well I still can't format this blog well enough to get the whole thing in, so read it all here.

I think I'll check this out (when it makes it to my library)

It may not be enticing enough for me to throw down the suggested retail price of $26 for the hardcover copy, but when this book trickles its way to a library near me (or at least a $10 paperback edition), it sounds like a good read.

Here's what NPR had to say about it:

Eating Animals

By Jonathan Safran Foer

The writer of the novels Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close might not seem like an obvious choice to write a book about the ethics and economics of eating meat, but Jonathan Safran Foer found himself examining the issue closely once he became a dog owner. In Eating Animals, he considers the philosophical underpinnings of meat-eating, goes out on visits to factory farms to check out the issues for himself, and ultimately asks readers to consider their own choices against the backdrop of the way modern food production actually works.

I liked it. It's part memoir, part investigative journalism — a departure from what Foer's done in the past. But he still uses a novelist's pen. It's very well-researched; for every four pages I think there's one page of footnotes. Foer studied philosophy, so there's a philosophical tone — a kind of conversation with himself in which the reader is a fly on the wall. But it's not preachy. It didn't turn me into a vegetarian, but it certainly made me think about it.— Guy Raz, host, Weekend All Things Considered

Hardcover, 351 pages, Little, Brown and Co., list price: $25.99, pub. date: Nov. 2

Oh yeah and Harrison's new celebrity link...

So Harrison went to NY a few months ago, nothing new there, but he saw some people from Nashville he used to know, including some guy who he ate lunch with in middle school... turns out this guy is a model now...

... and dating Lindsay Lohan! Pff, Harrison knows everybody :)

YO GABBA GABBA (continued)

Wow, check out this cake!

And the Party in My Tummy video I mentioned last entry...

Speaking of previous posts, I found some more custom Vans (unfortunately not actually for sale)

Not so crafty? Maybe you could handle making these seriously adorable YGG cupcakes!

To complete your YGG party/lifestyle, DJ Lance's Boombox pinata!

Still not enough dance in your life? Then you clearly could use DJ Lance's Magic Dance Hat!

I think I'll play around at the delightfully designed yogabbagabba.com !

I hear MGMT is going to be on YGG this new season, so watch your local programming!

There's a party in my tummy! (So Yummy! So yummy!)

I LOVE Yo Gabba Gabba! Makes me get up DANCE!

I was watching YGG and Sesame Street today... I think I'll ask for DVDs of both for Xmas. I was planning on asking for the "Old School" collection... (but)

...there's a new collection coming out "40 years of sunny days..." in a week, so I'll have to wait for some reviews.

I got this sweet little Jim Henson & Kermit philosophy book; I haven't read it yet but I have a lot of new books on my shelves to be read. I'm sure it will be a wonderful and uplifting book when I do get to it.

Slide Show?

Halloween, last minute celebration.

Hey Seth Green- Happy Halloween!

I'm watching Idle Hands.



I need to get the 1999 film Dick, while I'm back in the 90s.

I never go to shows anymore...

First and most importantly...

Love our Earth. She has given us so much. It's time we start taking care of her.

Give your two cents for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference, Dec 7-18th:

Be a citizen of Hopenhagen.

Now on with the shows...

Wish I was at Limelight seeing George Acosta. Too late for me. That's okay, I've seen him twice before. Plus I'm not sure I want to go to Limelight by myself...

Maybe someone will see Deadmau5 with me on November 19th? $15+ $3 service fee... not bad.

And if I have the funds I'd really like to see Regina Spektor at the Ryman (Nov 16 @ 7:30). It is a great venue; I've seen Ben Folds, Coldplay, and Damien Rice there. Excellent, excellent, excellent.

I'm going to listen to my new Pandora Station

Trance in my Pants (and I need to Dance)

I'd really like a shopping spree at Tower...

Except there aren't any Tower locations in the US anymore... used to be one in midtown Nashville and Opry Mills... no more. Thanks mp3s. Or Limewire, etc. What's the efficient way to pirate music these days? Tangents?

Anyway, I've apparently missed the release of Eleisha Eagle's last four albums (although I don't think I can even buy physical copies of her albums; thanks music pirates that made CDs practically obsolete) and Royksopp's Junior and I need this album (and so do you):

Listen and watch XX by The XX.

Write up from "Rough Trade Shops" (some too cool for school UK music site):

THE XX

xx

Release Date: 17/08/2009

the xx are four precocious 19 year olds from south west london who provide the hushed minimal strokes of young marble giants and early cure but through the minds of a young act obsessed with the r&b turns of ciara and aaliyah, having gone so far as to cover the latter's 'hot like fire' as the b-side for their first single, 'crystalised' and having first been picked up after recording a sensational version of womack and womack's 'teardrops'. having signed to xl sub-label young turks earlier in the year the band began to record with a host of the finest producers going, including brazilian giant diplo and up-and-coming hotshot kwes the four eventually settled with the option of recording at xl's in-house studio, with 'xx' eventually produced by the band themselves. this is an inspired, broken and uplifting record, packed with melancholic charms that recalls the suburban disillusion of the previous burial records and portishead's 'dummy'. this is a remarkable debut record from a remarkable new act.

I haven't heard the whole thing yet but I am digging everything so far. I haven't been able to search for new tunes, and I certainly am not hearing anything on 102.5 The Party (although they do play "Heaven" by DJ Sammy [click for video, pump up the volume and DANCE] as much as I probably would).

I'll spend some time setting up Pandora so I can expand my listening beyond my iPod and NPR. Pandora doesn't have Eleisha Eagle as an artist? I am so emailing them. She has to go on my "Piano Stories" station with Ben Folds and Regina Spektor...

Custom shoes (without busting out the markers)

Harrison told me about this, and it is super fun to play with.

I've been trying to get some pink/grey shoes... so

Ones I made:

Pink & Grey

View and customize this design.

and

Heartz & Grey

View and customize this design.

You can design slip ons or lace ups (classic or "era") for $60-$70. Not bad. I do need new sneakers...

Cooool...

Personal light show? Sign me up!

Introducing the Procyon, a "light and sound experience."

"With special light-bearing sunglasses over your closed eyes and headphones over your ears, you are immersed in colorful dancing geometric patterns and entrancing sounds. The light and sound pulse rate shifts from state to state as the session progresses; mental activity will follow the pulse rate of the machine."

Awesomely features:

• 255 shades of each color (red, green, blue)
• Multiple visual effects (color phase shift, pulse width modulation, etc.) enable complex light-show-like sessions
• Multiple color waveforms (sine, pulse, triangle)
• Each color channel is independently programmable, facilitating the development of unusually subtle and complex states of mind

"Light and sound is an effective tool for anyone who wishes to explore altered states of consciousness, awareness expansion and sensory stimulation, psychedelic-like visual imageray, and those seeking an entertaining path to relaxation."'

At the somewhat reasonable price (compared to video gaming systems) of $299 (List price), it pays for its self after just 30 uses! :)

Although next time I have $300 laying around, I might be sporting these cool new shades.

This guy. Is great.

Meet Wayne Obertone, my favorite "basement league" table tennis player.

His "always be prepared" outlook on pant wear (note the suspenders AND belt) and possible ability to read minds in order to win pingpong games has captured my heart.

Read a little about him, or watch him play.

I know I will.

Something useful on the internet? Get out of town!

My favorite new online spot for inspiration is Colour Lovers: colors, palettes, and patterns.

The colors Duke! The colors!

Not that I was getting a flu shot, but I'd be boycotting them if I was...

When I have an income, I think I will "tithe" some to NPR.

So listening to WPLN, Nashville Public Radio, this afternoon, I was increasingly disgusted by the H1N1 vaccine situation.

Setting aside that I'm not sure so many people should be getting flu/H1N1 vaccines (that's a whole other dialog); there is a shortage of the H1N1 vaccine because not enough vaccine was produced.

Hmm, wonder I, how is the vaccine produced?

As usual, All Things Considered reads my mind and tells me. They use scientific words, but in laymen's terms:

baby chick abortions that have been infected with the flu.

Not only does this have moral implications for the mistreatment of animals, but this outdated process (approved by the FDA 60 years ago) is slow and strength of the virus (and therefore vaccine) varies. The process takes about 2 months and one or two eggs is a single dose of vaccine.

No wonder we're always running out.

Better, more predictable in strength and numbers, vaccine can be made from canine kidney tissue cells. The cells of a single kidney can be (theoretically) multiplied indefinitely. No need to kill dogs (or even abort chickens) to save human lives here. This method takes only a few days, not months, and can't spoil like the egg vaccines.

But why isn't this method being used? I'll give you a hint: it makes the world go 'round. And it isn't love.

Yes, because "the egg-based production of flu vaccines is well established and cost -effective."

Thank you NPR and Robert Belshe, director of the Center for Vaccine Development at St. Louis University, who was enlightening me today.

Here is the actual article from NPR. Read it. Or listen via Podcast.

Hmm, maybe he can use Peanut's kidney when he dies?

Basket Case

Derogatory term for mentally ill person (or poorly run organization); someone in a hopeless mental condition.

Comes from the WWI slang for newly "useless" soldiers that were injured so badly that all four limbs had been amputated, and they now had to be carried around in baskets.