The Bosque

A year ago today, April and I brought home Cleo, my '07 Chevy Cobalt. She was beautiful, and only had 9 miles on her.

Today, she has almost 18,000 miles, and she has suffered a bit of wear and tear...but she's still beautiful. Technically, she turned 2 years old in early January...but this is her homecoming day, so it's like her birthday.

So...happy birthday, Cleo!

I was hoping to find a pretty sunset picture from the West Coast, but it seems to be cloudy from LA up to Vancouver today. So I decided to use this photo from the webcam at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle. It looks kinda grey and blah...which is how I feel today:

From MSNBC: Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter disclosed plans Tuesday to switch parties, bringing Democrats closer to the 60-vote supermajority they need to push Barack Obama's agenda through the Senate.

Has the Earth moved? Well...sorta. Specter's a pretty stubborn independent, but he's always seemed more like a Dem...to me, anyway. At the minimum, it makes the Democrats look more inclusive and the GOP look more confused.

Our laptop screen before repair:



And after:



And I did it all by myself, with some help from a how-to video on YouTube. Total cost: $140. Total time to repair: about 90 minutes.

Whoohoo!

Kennedy playing in my parents' kitchen this afternoon:







She's such a cutie pa-toot! This is the first time April and I have seen her since her birthday in February...she's almost 15 months old now.

Most folks my age know Bea Arthur from The Golden Girls. People my mom's age know her from Maude. The younger folks might know her from Malcolm in the Middle, Curb Your Enthusiasm or the Comedy Central roast of Pam Anderson.

She was rough on the eyes, but damn funny. A good script will only get you so far...you have to be convincing. Bea made you think she really was Maude Findlay or Dorothy Zbornak or Vera Charles. She won a Tony Award for Mame, and an Emmy each for Maude and The Golden Girls.

She passed away in Los Angeles today at age 86...apparently, she had been battling cancer.

Rest in peace...

Here's an interesting article from MSNBC that looks at GM's current problems in light of its history. It's a good perspective that I haven't heard from anyone else. The end of the article sums it up perfectly:

I suspect that most politicians, like the public, don't remember that General Motors collapsed in 1910 and 1920 and nearly collapsed in the Great Depression. It went down three times and came back four, much like our economy. Can you imagine the American Century if we had let GM go back then?

I can't either.

Exactly.

I celebrated Earth Day by farting a lot, driving my car for 12 hours and listening to Depeche Mode.

What did you do?

I feel like Steve Martin in "The Jerk":



Depeche Mode's "Sounds of the Universe" box set: the actual CD, a second CD of b-sides and remixes, a third CD of demos from as far back as 1987, a DVD and some other goodies.

It's beautiful...*sniff*

The article pasted below will appear in today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I've posted the entire article due to the short lifespan of newspaper stories on websites.

I've noticed that St. Louis is more accepting of interracial relationships in recent years, though we still have a long way to go. My concerns of hostility towards Rhoda and I were one of the reasons I decided to leave St. Louis in 1999, though not one of the primary reasons. Hopefully, we'll keep moving towards a "BFD" stance on this issue.

You can read newer comments about the photo here.

Their kiss launched an online frenzy.

This particular kiss wasn't the first for Chris Spencer and his girlfriend, Emilee Murphree. In fact, they are hundreds of smooches into their 21/2- year-old relationship.

But this kiss, captured in a photo April 10 in the Post-Dispatch's Go! section, quickly attracted 350-plus comments on the newspaper's race blog. Specifically, it wasn't the kiss so much as those doing the kissing that created such buzz.

Spencer is black. Murphree is white.

For the young couple, the excitement of posing for a photo spread in the daily newspaper was quickly dampened by negative reader comments at the end of the online story about the best places to kiss in public.

"I started scrolling down and got pretty angry at first," said Spencer, 23. "But I stepped back and gathered myself. I was kind of in shock. Initially, it was like, wow, look what this is stirring up in St. Louis."

Murphree, 25, had linked to the story on her Facebook and Twitter accounts, not knowing that negative comments about a black man and white woman kissing were accumulating.

"Who are the people writing things like that?" she said. "Do I get upset? Do I take this personally?"

The newspaper removed several of the comments, which included racist remarks. But the paper decided to start a discussion about reactions to the photo on its blog A Conversation About Race.

The vitriolic remarks began to pile up fast. But almost as quickly, commenters came to the defense of Murphree and Spencer — and interracial relationships.

'DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL'

Such response was not surprising to Brian Powell, a sociology professor at Indiana University who has studied interracial relationships.

"For a lot of people, it's a 'Don't ask, don't tell' kind of policy. They say: 'It's OK with me, but I don't want to see it,'" Powell said. "The reaction would have been very different if it had been a white man and a black woman. We still hold on to the vestiges of the notion that a black man and a white woman together is taboo, especially in Southern-based cultures."

For the couple, though, such reactions were a surprise.

"I never thought of St. Louis as a Southern town," Spencer said. "It's starting to prove me wrong."

The couple met while they were students at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo. Murphree, from northern California, landed at the small, rural school on a women's wrestling scholarship. Spencer, who grew up in a Dallas suburb, went to the school on a football scholarship.

He graduated with a degree in business administration; she pursued a double major in theater and English.

They moved to St. Louis about two years ago for his job as a consultant for IBM. She works in marketing for the Fox Theatre.

FATHER'S RESPONSE

On campus, Murphree said, there were other interracial couples and same-sex relationships. International students were everywhere. Spencer and Murphree liked the diversity of the student body and never felt as if they stood out. Both families have been supportive of the relationship. During the flurry of blog posts, the couple's friends came to their defense. So did Emilee's dad.

"I am very proud of her participation in this article and am equally proud of her choice in a boyfriend," said Carl Murphree in his blog post.

Emilee Murphree said she was focusing on the good that had come from the brouhaha. "There were two times I came close to crying — once when I read what my friends had said about us, and my dad's comments. If this hadn't happened, I don't think I'd hear those kinds of things."

Murphree and Spencer said they were glad they unwittingly opened a discussion on interracial relationships.

"This issue is definitely bigger than us," Spencer said.

Spencer says it serves as a wake-up call that there is still hate and racism, specifically in the town he feels comfortable living in. Even after the photo flap.

"This is one of the first times it's slapped me back to reality that people like this exist," Spencer said. "It's amazing. I can't believe there are still people out there like this."

A CHANGING VIEW

A Gallup poll taken in 2007 shows that Americans are changing their views on interracial marriages, with 77 percent saying they approved of such relationships. In 1994, fewer than half of those interviewed said they were fine with it. In 1958, when being married to someone of a different race was illegal, fewer than 4 percent said they approved of the relationships.

Until June 1967, some states barred interracial marriages. That's when the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a Virginia law barring such marriages. The decision of the high court also wiped out similar laws in 15 other states, including Missouri.

The equality argument used to successfully make interracial marriages legal is likely to come before the Supreme Court again as gay rights activists turn up their efforts for federal recognition of same-sex marriages, which are banned in most states. Powell says interracial and same-sex relationships often are compared to each other in terms of acceptance.

Approval of interracial relationships continues to grow, but Powell said there was still a passionate minority opposition. But with younger people often being more accepting than their parents, the country becoming more diverse and an increase in interracial relationships, the acceptance will continue to climb, he said.

According to the Census Bureau, 8.9 percent of marriages in the United States are interracial, if you include relationships in which one member is Hispanic.

"The feelings tend to fall into three categories," Powell said. "Those who don't have a problem with it, period; those who, on principle, say 'I'm fine with them' but are still uncomfortable; and those who are flat-out opposed and they're going to let you know it."

All the attention about the photo took away from the story, a feature called "The 7 Best Places to Smooch." As for Spencer and Murphree, they tend to keep their kisses private — except for the aforementioned one.

"I think we are actually pretty discreet about PDA (you know, except for during photo shoots)," Murphree wrote in an e-mail. "We hold hands in public, and steal a smooch when we're out, but I don't like being around people who are inappropriately affectionate, if you know what I mean."

Interesting comments from Jackie Chan in this MSNBC article: "I’m not sure if it’s good to have freedom or not," Chan said. "I’m really confused now. If you’re too free, you’re like the way Hong Kong is now. It’s very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic."

Chan added: "I’m gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we’re not being controlled, we’ll just do what we want."

Some folks may draw parallels with the recent actions of the Obama administration and Congress, though I think that would be apples and oranges.

...and it would appear that the sun is just now setting:

Last Friday night, April and I and some friends went to see The Orbz play at the Firebird, a club in midtown St. Louis. The show was good and we generally had a good time. But that night also became a breaking point for me...one that causes me some sadness, but I have to take this action.

I've decided that I will no longer attend shows at clubs that allow smoking. As smoking in public places is still allowed in both St. Louis City and County, that basically leaves me with only one venue to go to on this side of the river: Off Broadway, which incidentally is my favorite club in town. Unfortunately, the bands I like don't do a lot of shows there, so I probably won't be seeing them much anymore.

When I left the Firebird, I smelled like shit, felt like shit and kept coughing all night. I didn't start feeling better until after I took a shower Saturday morning. And this seems to happen every time I go to a bar or a club now. I don't know if my allergies are getting worse or if my health has deteriorated to the point where it can't handle the environment or what. All I know is that I can't stand cigarette smoke anymore.

I smoked 2 packs a day for 9 years...and I only quit because my doctors detected the beginnings of my heart condition. I fucking loved smoking, and hated when people tried to curtail my right to smoke, especially in a bar. But I guess I'm getting old. I'm all for a smoking ban similar to the one in Pennsylvania now. A bill is supposed to be presented before the City's Board of Aldermen next week...and I suspect that in the not-too-distant future, there will indeed be some sort of restrictions in place.

We discussed a ban on my Facebook page a couple of times in the past week. Some folks are against a ban because they think it will hurt business or will take away the rights of property owners and individuals. Others believe that the dangers of cigarettes supersede property and individual rights, and that smoking should be banned in public places...this is the side I support.

I don't want cigarettes banned and I don't want all smoking banned. And I think there should be some exemptions in a smoking ban (for dive bars, casinos and private clubs). If we're outside or I'm in an exempt place, smoke 'em if you got 'em. But I want to be able to enjoy a meal or a show in smoke-free comfort. Until a ban is enacted, I will take my business to places that are smoke-free...and will encourage my friends in bands to play at smoke-free venues.

Folks unhappy with government spending have been gathering all across the country today to protest the government's recent actions. These types of protests started a couple of months ago, and are known as "tea parties."

Today was the biggest group of protests yet...a Tax Day Tea Party. Appropriate, no? You can read more about them in this MSNBC article.

One particular part of the article caught my eye, though:

"Frankly, I'm mad as hell," said businessman Doug Burnett at a rally at the Iowa Capitol, where many of the about 1,000 people wore red shirts declaring "revolution is brewing." Burnett added: "This country has been on a spending spree for decades, a spending spree we can't afford."

Hmmm...red shirts...rally...revolution. Were Che and Mao and Castro there too? ;-)

You probably know who Harry Kalas is. The name and face may be unfamiliar, but you probably know his voice.



Harry the K was to Philadelphia what Jack Buck was to St. Louis, what Harry Caray was to Chicago, what Marty Brennaman is to Cincinnati. He started calling Philadelphia Phillies games in 1971, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame broadcasters' wing in 2002. He also did voiceovers for NFL Films, working with another Philadelphia broadcasting legend, John Facenda. And he did commercial work for Campbell's Chunky soup. He passed away just before the Phillies took on the Nationals in Washington, DC yesterday...he was 73.

Harry was a freakin' beast...his voice was unmistakable and it was hard not to enjoy listening to games, even when the Phillies just plain sucked. And he made NFL replays seem like epic movies. Now he's reunited with Richie Ashburn, his former broadcast partner and best friend. I best they're having a blast.



Rest in peace...

...but their commercials are funny as hell!

Wow...2 days before another break...I suck.

I only learned of this fine creation a couple of days ago:



Sadly, they do not have a Hello Kitty bass...they have a Badtz-Maru one:

Hey folks!

The Orbz are releasing their first full-length CD tomorrow night at The Firebird in Midtown. The album features tracks that they've been playing to crowds all over St. Louis the past 2 years.

I know all the guys in the band personally, particularly guitarist Ken Adelman. They're good guys and fine musicians, and their music is unique among the 9 billion bands in St. Louis. It's really hard to describe them...when I first heard them, I thought they sounded like Magazine. Now with just one guitarist, they sound more lo-fi or indie. I guess the closest you could come to describing them is maybe post-punk or indie pop.

You can head over to their website and check out 3 tracks from the CD Stop! The Reporters Will See!...including my personal favorite, "Wired."

So anyway...I'd love for them to have a big crowd out for the show tomorrow night, so if you're free, head on down to the Firebird: 2706 Olive, between Jefferson and Compton. It's $7 to get in ($10 ages 18-21), and The Upright Animals and The Takedown are opening the show. Doors open at 8:30.

See ya there!

I broke the streak again...49 days (2/18-4/7)...the last streak was 47. I'll fuck this new one up at 51. Anyway...

Friday April 8, 1994...around 1:30 in the afternoon...I remember the moment pretty well.

I was driving out to Now Hear This, a record store that was in the suburb of Crestwood at the time. I think we were out of school that day...I was a senior in HS at the time. I was listening to 105.7 The Point, when Les Aaron (the afternoon DJ at the time) broke in after a song and announced that police had found the body of Kurt Cobain. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 27.

Nirvana was not my favorite band of the era, but definitely one of my favorites. When Metallica's Black Album came out in the summer of 1991, that was the album that made hard rock my favorite music genre. Not long after, I heard Nirvana's "Nevermind" for the first time...wow. I was fucking hooked...I had never heard music like that before. You could barely understand what the fuck he was saying, but the music just rocked! God bless Matt Monken for introducing me to such awesomeness.

For better or for worse, Nirvana led the charge and changed alternative--and rock--music as we know it. I think it's for the better as a whole. The music was angry and loud and made you feel good...and once you read the lyrics, you found out how witty Cobain was.

I can't believe that it's been 15 years since that Friday in 1994. It's a shame that Cobain couldn't kick his drug habit and deal with the sudden fame that fell upon him. Hopefully, he's up there rocking out with Jimi, Janis, Jim, Bonzo, Layne and all the other great musicians that have left us too soon.

Rest in peace...

From CBC News: The pilot of a single-engine plane that was stolen from a college in Thunder Bay, Ont. and piloted across four states has been charged with transportation of stolen property and illegal entry.

U.S. federal prosecutors filed the charges against Adam Dylan Leon, 31, in what was described by officials as an apparent suicide attempt.

Two military jets chased the Cessna 172 before it landed near a small Missouri town.

Local police said the pilot landed the plane on a dirt road around 10 kilometres west of the southern Missouri town of Ellsinore around 8:45 p.m. CT Monday.

Ellsinore is in southeastern Missouri, about 160 miles south of St. Louis.

First, I didn't know that Cessnas could travel that far...he flew 750 miles and still had a half-hour of fuel left. Second, I'm surprised that he wasn't shot out of the sky by the US Military...but maybe I shouldn't be. I guess if the Cessna was truly a threat, they would have blown it out of the sky.

Obviously, Mr. Leon wasn't thinking that way. He's in jail here in St. Louis right now, waiting to be sent back to Canada.

This is a photo that the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has up on their website right now:



What a great photo! Stan Musial...The Man...one of the greatest baseball players ever...easily the greatest Cardinal ever. And Albert Pujols...El Hombre...arguably the greatest player in the game today...the only player that may possibly eclipse The Man in our lifetime. And they look like they're having a blast on another Opening Day in St. Louis.

We love the Blues, we love the Rams, we love our regional college teams...but none of those loyalties come close to our passion for the Redbirds. We lost today, but this could be a great season...plus we have the All-Star Game here in July.

GO CARDINALS!!!

...it does. From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: A man who fatally shot his five children and killed himself had just discovered his wife was leaving him for another man, authorities said Sunday.

The children, aged 7 to 16, were found shot to death Saturday in the family's mobile home in Graham, 15 miles southeast of Tacoma. The father, James Harrison, was found earlier in the day, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot behind the wheel of his idling car 18 miles away in Auburn, about 30 miles south of Seattle.

I can't help but wonder if there's some sort of Domino Effect in play here..."Well hell, look at what the guy in Oakland did to the cops" or "That guy in Binghamton didn't take no shit...neither should I."

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Three Pittsburgh police officers were killed and possibly two others were wounded after a heavily armed man began firing at them as they responded to a domestic call this morning at a home in Stanton Heights.

The 22-year-old identified as Richard "Pop" Poplawski. who told friends he was wearing a bulletproof vest, surrendered to police about 11 a.m., more than three hours after the standoff began at 1016 Fairfield St. He was taken to UMPMC Presbyterian where his condition was not immediately available, but he told friends who spoke with him by telephone that he had been shot.

City officials this afternoon identified the officers as Stephen Mayhle, a two-year veteran of the force, Eric Kelly, on the job for 14 years, and Paul Sciullo III, also a two-year veteran. Police Chief Nathan Harper said Officer Maley was married and had two children; Officer Kelly was married and had three children; and Officer Sciulli was single. One injured officer was treated at a hospital for a bullet wound, and the fifth officer suffered a broken leg. The chief said Mr. Poplawski will be charged with three counts of homicide. Shortly after 1 p.m., city 911 dispatchers announced that flags in the city would be lowered to half staff and officers were to place black mourning bands over their badges "in honor of our deceased brothers . . . lest we forget."

Wow...people are losing their fucking minds.

Like this:









The total order was 103 pizzas and 6 tubs of salads...$1650. Another driver took the other 40 pizzas and the salads. We split a 10% tip, so $82 and change for each of us...not bad for 2 hours of work.

From KTUU-TV in Anchorage, Alaska: A day after the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would seek to drop all charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens, the Alaska Republican Party is calling on Democratic Sen. Mark Begich to resign to allow for a special election.

A special election would allow Alaskans "the chance to vote for a Senator without the improper influence of the corrupt Department of Justice," said Alaska GOP Chairman Randy Ruedrich in a letter sent early Thursday morning.

Of course, Alaskans are rare birds to begin with...

...you're asked the following question while filling up at a gas station:

"Do you know anyone selling an '01-'03 Infiniti QX4?"

That reminds of a scene from Clerks..."Do you sell hubcaps for a ‘72 Pinto hatchback?"