Having an idea isn't enough. I thought a while ago that it would be neat to print some Butterstick T-shirts and sell them around the district and in DC- or Zoo-centric circles across the country.
After all, I could build the foundation of a vast fashion empire on the basis of my massive international blog following.
Unfortunately, as with many of my ideas, someone else actually did something about it.
Cafe Press is selling some nifty Butterstick T-shirts, and the proceeds go to support the National Zoo, and, for all I know, even to bribe the Chinese government into letting our little cutiewootums stay in the US of A.
At any rate, I thought folks who care might want to take a look.
Free Butterstick!
Friday, October 28, 2005
Back in the Day
Lisa Loeb is playing on WXPN.org
Am I in High School again?
Damn ...
Yes, I've decided to broaden my horizons and set temporarily aside bluegrass and songs about NC that make me homesick for my beautiful blue mountains.
Unfortunately, KCRW is several time zones behind us, and I really don't care how the morning taffic is progressing in the greater Santa Monica region. So no Nic Harcourt for now. His morning show hits here around lunch time.
But the kids at Penn State are doing fine this morning. Nothing spectacular, but some good tunes for a friday as we wait for news of big things to come. And those of you who are waiting know what I'm talking about.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm late for Chemistry.
Am I in High School again?
Damn ...
Yes, I've decided to broaden my horizons and set temporarily aside bluegrass and songs about NC that make me homesick for my beautiful blue mountains.
Unfortunately, KCRW is several time zones behind us, and I really don't care how the morning taffic is progressing in the greater Santa Monica region. So no Nic Harcourt for now. His morning show hits here around lunch time.
But the kids at Penn State are doing fine this morning. Nothing spectacular, but some good tunes for a friday as we wait for news of big things to come. And those of you who are waiting know what I'm talking about.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm late for Chemistry.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Breaking News!
Now, I may be wrong here, but I don't recall in my quarter of a century of living in NC before moving to the Free State ever reading an article about an 8-year-old killing a bear on the first day of hunting season.
Or any other animal, for that reason.
Maybe the Black Mountain News has reported on a similar incident, but never the state's major newspaper (I'll let the Observer and News-Observer people handle the debate on relative circulation sizes.), let alone the local TV news channel. And a quick search suggests more.
So I hope that the next time a Marylander gets the idea to make fun of southerners, and especially North Carolinians, for being rednecks or somesuch, they remember the articles in The Sun and other fine news establishments across Mary Land today.
The pot, the kettle ... you get the idea.
Or any other animal, for that reason.
Maybe the Black Mountain News has reported on a similar incident, but never the state's major newspaper (I'll let the Observer and News-Observer people handle the debate on relative circulation sizes.), let alone the local TV news channel. And a quick search suggests more.
So I hope that the next time a Marylander gets the idea to make fun of southerners, and especially North Carolinians, for being rednecks or somesuch, they remember the articles in The Sun and other fine news establishments across Mary Land today.
The pot, the kettle ... you get the idea.
Unsung Heroes
I was cleaning out my portion of the dresser yesterday when I finally decided to reduce my considerable collection of white T-shirts.
As I did so, seeking out the ones in the proper size(M) and dumping the older, bigger ones from my younger, bigger days, I began to realize just how important these unassuming little shirts are.
The basic white T, bought in packs of three or ten, depending on where you go, really are the workhorses of the American male wardrobe. They absorb our sweat so the more expensive, nicer looking shirts and sweaters on top won't smell. When you paint a room, work on your car, shampoo the carpet, wash the car, or pack up and move, you don't reach for the $30 dress shirt you were roped into buying by the overly aggressive salesman at Men's Wearhouse.
You put on a pair of jeans and one of your trusty white Ts.
After a long life of hard work, protecting you from paint, soap, sawdust and oil, soaking up copious amounts of sweat and getting shoved unceremoniously into the bottom drawer, what do they get? The lucky ones go on to Goodwill, where working class folks and philosophy majors will pick through them, taking them on for a while.
But, in the end, when the fibers no longer hold together in a recognizable fashion: Rags. For oil, for spills, for the dog to chew.
Let us take a moment to remember those unsung heroes of the masculine dresser.
As I did so, seeking out the ones in the proper size(M) and dumping the older, bigger ones from my younger, bigger days, I began to realize just how important these unassuming little shirts are.
The basic white T, bought in packs of three or ten, depending on where you go, really are the workhorses of the American male wardrobe. They absorb our sweat so the more expensive, nicer looking shirts and sweaters on top won't smell. When you paint a room, work on your car, shampoo the carpet, wash the car, or pack up and move, you don't reach for the $30 dress shirt you were roped into buying by the overly aggressive salesman at Men's Wearhouse.
You put on a pair of jeans and one of your trusty white Ts.
After a long life of hard work, protecting you from paint, soap, sawdust and oil, soaking up copious amounts of sweat and getting shoved unceremoniously into the bottom drawer, what do they get? The lucky ones go on to Goodwill, where working class folks and philosophy majors will pick through them, taking them on for a while.
But, in the end, when the fibers no longer hold together in a recognizable fashion: Rags. For oil, for spills, for the dog to chew.
Let us take a moment to remember those unsung heroes of the masculine dresser.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Where America Used to Shop
Why did I go to the Mall, anyway?
It wasn't really raining, just a little drizzly. I had my trusty Nature Conservancy umbrella. But no, I just couldn't hack it in the dreary cold around Lake Winimiwhateverthehell. Not today.
So, is today a school holiday in Mary Land? Did the power go out in the HoCo schools?
Man, damn teenagers. They're everywhere. Wandering around in little clusters, eating fast food. Whippersnappers.
I ducked into the least-cool store I could find, figuring I could at least get something for Dad for Christmas. Unfortunately, the Man Department at Sears wasn't particularly inspiring. Lots of powertools he probably has buried in the garage already, and nothing says "Merry Christmas Dad" like a pint of premium Motoroil.
I guess those days are over.
It wasn't really raining, just a little drizzly. I had my trusty Nature Conservancy umbrella. But no, I just couldn't hack it in the dreary cold around Lake Winimiwhateverthehell. Not today.
So, is today a school holiday in Mary Land? Did the power go out in the HoCo schools?
Man, damn teenagers. They're everywhere. Wandering around in little clusters, eating fast food. Whippersnappers.
I ducked into the least-cool store I could find, figuring I could at least get something for Dad for Christmas. Unfortunately, the Man Department at Sears wasn't particularly inspiring. Lots of powertools he probably has buried in the garage already, and nothing says "Merry Christmas Dad" like a pint of premium Motoroil.
I guess those days are over.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
To all my dogs
A quick word to all my readers, whatever portion of the 5 or 6 of you still do anyway.
The Canine Flu that hit NY and NJ is now in DC and will likely come to Maryland soon.
Unlike the Avian Flu, this only affects the animal for which it is named.
This is especially for you, Baxter. Be careful out there, since there is no cure yet.
The Canine Flu that hit NY and NJ is now in DC and will likely come to Maryland soon.
Unlike the Avian Flu, this only affects the animal for which it is named.
This is especially for you, Baxter. Be careful out there, since there is no cure yet.
Monday, October 17, 2005
A filmstar named Sue ...
Why am I just now hearing about this?
A new movie about Johnny and June Carter Cash? The Ring of Fire writ large across the silver screen?
Joaqin Phoenix? Reese Witherspoon?
Move over Potter, I know where I'll be November 18.
A new movie about Johnny and June Carter Cash? The Ring of Fire writ large across the silver screen?
Joaqin Phoenix? Reese Witherspoon?
Move over Potter, I know where I'll be November 18.
Peaceful Mountain
It's Official: Butterstick's new name is Tai Shan, translated from the Chinese into "Peaceful Mountain."
It could have been worse.
I think I went to High School with a Tai Shan ...
It could have been worse.
I think I went to High School with a Tai Shan ...
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Butterstick update
As of yesterday, our bouncing baby boy weighed in at 12.7 pounds, for a grand total of 50.8 sticks of butter -- and growing!
The rigged election to choose a name for our beloved panda cub has ended, and the winning Beijing-approved name will be announced in a ceremony on Monday. Jugglers, Kung Fu and whatnot. Oh, and crafts for the kids, but that's a given.
Raining in Baltimore
The weather is taking a turn, sliding deeper into the Fall and on to Winter. With the clouds and rain and chilly air, the rundown buildings of this beleaguered city have once again lost the charms afforded them by cheery weather. It's easy to be optimistic in Baltimore when the weather's good.
Now everything is turning dreary again, and the streets seem cold and forbidding.
Time for Christmas shopping!
Now everything is turning dreary again, and the streets seem cold and forbidding.
Time for Christmas shopping!
Friday, October 07, 2005
Jinkies
What is up with the Eastern Shore?
Once you cross that Bay Bridge, man, it's like a whole other state. Flat, spooky-ass place. Like driving into an old Scooby Doo episode. Creepy old farmhouses, roadside stands and a few strip malls, that's it. It's a long way to drive just to get to the beach.
There's no way this is all part of the state of Baltimore, The Wire, NSA and the DC 'burbs. Although, Wallace did have to stay with his grandma on the Shore before they capped him.
If you go, for whatever reason, check out Ollie's Discount Store in Salisbury. The prices are so low because they never turn on the airconditioning. It's a prehistoric Wal~Mart. Concrete floor, hand-made shelves. Mark my words: if Ollie discovers marketing, he'll give the crowd in Bentonville a run for their dirty money.
Damn man.
Did you see that haunted farmhand? Like, let's get outta here!
Once you cross that Bay Bridge, man, it's like a whole other state. Flat, spooky-ass place. Like driving into an old Scooby Doo episode. Creepy old farmhouses, roadside stands and a few strip malls, that's it. It's a long way to drive just to get to the beach.
There's no way this is all part of the state of Baltimore, The Wire, NSA and the DC 'burbs. Although, Wallace did have to stay with his grandma on the Shore before they capped him.
If you go, for whatever reason, check out Ollie's Discount Store in Salisbury. The prices are so low because they never turn on the airconditioning. It's a prehistoric Wal~Mart. Concrete floor, hand-made shelves. Mark my words: if Ollie discovers marketing, he'll give the crowd in Bentonville a run for their dirty money.
Damn man.
Did you see that haunted farmhand? Like, let's get outta here!
Thursday, October 06, 2005
He said, she said ...
It was a glorious few weeks there. The media shouting at officials, questioning responses, doing their jobs. Some of us had hoped it would never end, even after the floodwaters receeded.
Oh well.
It didn't take too long for reporters to stop asking tough questions like: "Is that true?" or "Are you shitting me?" Any story, no matter how controversial, has devolved back into merely quoting offical talking heads, never substantiating or even questioning the statements they parrot back to us.
Instead of simply telling us that the republican said these tax cuts or whatever will be good for the economy and that the democrat says they won't be, how about actually doing some research and tell us who's right? Don't just tell me "And activists disagree," then cut to a commercial. Are they right to disagree? Are both sides wrong? Are there other sides?
Can you even spell Google?
When did reporters go from the most cynical people in the country to the most trusting?
Oh well.
It didn't take too long for reporters to stop asking tough questions like: "Is that true?" or "Are you shitting me?" Any story, no matter how controversial, has devolved back into merely quoting offical talking heads, never substantiating or even questioning the statements they parrot back to us.
Instead of simply telling us that the republican said these tax cuts or whatever will be good for the economy and that the democrat says they won't be, how about actually doing some research and tell us who's right? Don't just tell me "And activists disagree," then cut to a commercial. Are they right to disagree? Are both sides wrong? Are there other sides?
Can you even spell Google?
When did reporters go from the most cynical people in the country to the most trusting?
Monday, October 03, 2005
Bon Voyage
A & D have begun their long trip around the world. A whole year -- something out of a Mark Twain travelogue.
Good luck on your way to the land of California, and all that lays beyond.
Your plants are doing well in their new home.
We look forward to seeing your travelblog.
Good luck on your way to the land of California, and all that lays beyond.
Your plants are doing well in their new home.
We look forward to seeing your travelblog.
Share the Pain
I thought I should clarify my musings on the potential rebuilding of New Orleans, lest folks think me heartless.
The predominantly black Ninth Ward isn't the only low-lying neighborhood in New Orleans. Turns out that some of those others happen to be where the white folks live.
Now, as far as I'm concerned, all of these high-risk neighborhoods should be demolished, and the residents should be given fair compensation to rebuild elsewhere. But my fear is that only the Ninth will go down forever, while the whiter neighborhoods will be rebuilt. Although the folks living there will eventually be washed out again, that still isn't fair.
I hope the leaders of New Orleans will treat all neighborhoods equally when deciding where and where not to rebuild. Some will definitely have to go. No matter how historic, no matter how close people are tied to those areas, they belong to the waters. To rebuild would be too dangerous, and would only delay the inevitable. Demolishing them would be a tragedy, but letting people move in again only to be drowned in some future flood would be a greater tragedy.
The predominantly black Ninth Ward isn't the only low-lying neighborhood in New Orleans. Turns out that some of those others happen to be where the white folks live.
Now, as far as I'm concerned, all of these high-risk neighborhoods should be demolished, and the residents should be given fair compensation to rebuild elsewhere. But my fear is that only the Ninth will go down forever, while the whiter neighborhoods will be rebuilt. Although the folks living there will eventually be washed out again, that still isn't fair.
I hope the leaders of New Orleans will treat all neighborhoods equally when deciding where and where not to rebuild. Some will definitely have to go. No matter how historic, no matter how close people are tied to those areas, they belong to the waters. To rebuild would be too dangerous, and would only delay the inevitable. Demolishing them would be a tragedy, but letting people move in again only to be drowned in some future flood would be a greater tragedy.
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