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Saturday, February 24, 2007

Wince-inducing Words

There are some words in the English/Aussie language that I really dislike. Words that I avoid using myself and that invariably cause me to shudder if someone else uses them in my company. For your own edification, these shockers include:

Frock - generally used by Australian women older than sixty. Means a 'dress', normally made of 100% nylon, multi-patterned and with the sex appeal of Maggie Thatcher wearing nipple clamps. If anyone your age looks you up and down and says, "Gee, I love your frock," they're not being nice: feel free to give them a short, sharp 'henpeck' (dong on the forehead with your fist closed except your middle knuckle) and swan off - at least as well as you can do in a dress that sets off electric sparks when you sashay on carpet.

Slacks - used by the frock-wearing crowd to describe pants or trousers. If someone has bought themselves a "new pair of slacks" you can very safely assume that they have an elasticated waistband for comfort which also leads to what I'll call "Pucker Bum" - the puffy, willy-shape that females get when they sit down; looking for all the world like they've excited themselves by wearing such alluring slacks.

Blouse - We are not French - it's a SHIRT for the sake-of-all-that's-good-and-chocolate-covered. Blouse doesn't make the purchaser or wearer sound posh either - just old and out of it.

Flip Flops - this is what the Poms call our national footwear, known here in Oz as 'thongs'. *Sigh* no not the 'up yer arse' undie type, but the rubber type you wear on your feet. And yes, like the ugg boot, they have never gone out of fashion here. Besides, 'flip flops' sounds more to me like the result of a beachful of British tourists collectively unbuttoning the buttons on their slacks to let their guts out.....

Cardigan - This word and the actual item of clothing immediately conjures up images of spinsters, librarians, nerds (perhaps all three). Even so-called fashionable cardigans give me the shudders - no-one looks sexy in a cardigan. No one.

Phlegm - a word that manages to sound even less attractive than the disgusting item itself. Either that or it's the nickname of your mate down the street who is trying to get over being christened Jasper Cecil Gaylord. I do occasionally use it, but only as an insult: "Put your indicator on, you &^%$ing Phlegm Bag!"

Penis - a clinical, soul less word that like phlegm makes the appendage sound even uglier than it actually is. Which is quite an achievement.

Prick - hate it, hate it! I hate it even an an insult!

Scrotum - why is it that our medical ancestors had to label our fun parts with such un-fun and uninviting names? If it was to help control our lusts and population growth, they failed miserably. Having said that, it certainly hasn't featured as background wallpaper for Microsoft windows, or as the standard wrapping paper pattern.

Mole - not the cute little underground chaps that like to ruin British lawns and feature in kids' books, but the Australian insult used to describe a girl who is either a bitch or a tad on the 'over-friendly' side. Perhaps she should date a 'prick' - then they could both rack off and get out of my life forever.

Puce - admittedly it's actually perfect because it's such a butt-ugly word to describe such a butt-ugly colour. Clothing nightmare - a puce pair of slacks matched with a cardigan only a mole would wear....

De-Facto - this was once a word used quite appropriately to describe a committed couple living together but eschewing the traditional notion of marriage. Sadly, now it tends to feature in news bulletins as: "A woman was found strangled in her housing trust unit in the northern suburbs by her neighbour tonight. Her de-facto husband is now in police custody assisting them with their enquiries. During the removal of the body, a large amount of hydroponic equipment and firearms were also located....."

Basically - the word favoured by the clueless (usually first year uni students) to persuade the old and cynical (uni graduates twenty years previously) that they're intelligent and, like, basically, can, like, basically boil things down, like to the basic issue... A word to all over-users of this word: Like, you can Basically Bugger Off.

Offal - Awful Offal. Why anyone who isn't starving to death and for whom a bowel movement was something they had for Christmas would choose to eat offal totally escapes me. Kidneys stink and pollute the steak or whatever other meat by-product they're stewing in and liver is NOT disguised by bacon. As for crumbed brains, I'd rather chew a chimpanzee's arse cheek.

Sustainable - I am sick to death of this word - it has gone way beyond any environmental meaning and is now used by Human Resources Retards to describe 'sustainable employment options', or PR ponces to sell any kind of manufacturing that closes down local factories and instead meander off to Mumbai to embrace globalisation and remain 'sustainable'. Just spread it on a mattress and cram it up my right nostril, will you?

Brick Veneer - cheap, shoddy, soul less homes dating from the 1970s onwards who are constructed with only one layer of brick and the inner walls of 'veneer'; thus making it possible to hear your brother drop-bombing a couple of picnic bars down the s-bend in the bathroom four rooms away. Hot in summer and freezing in winter, these shockers gulp up electricity and have structural frames that have a 'lifetime' of 20 years. Add the aluminium windows, total lack of eaves and rendering that reveals cracks and the original brickwork underneath a month later, and you have a Brick Venereal. Be safe and avoid buying or renting one at all costs.

Crazy Bargains - these two words should really say 'Crappy Cons'. Why on earth would you ever open up a Persian rug store - they seem to be going out of business and slashing the prices by up to 99% each week here in Oz; not to mention Mr Bankrupt's dodgy seconds underwear store; Repossessed office furniture and any shop with 'Cheap', '$2', 'Chips', 'Warehouse' and 'Superstore' in large letters. Unless you want a plastic dream catcher or novelty cigarette lighter, get the frock out there as fast as your thongs will carry you.

Brave - a word over-used by lazy journalists to elicit sympathy from the 6:30pm 'current day tonight affair tabloid news' watchers in items about kids with ailments, diseases or birth defects. Said 'brave' kid has to be under the age of 18 and just, well, suffer from something. Even if they're chucking a tantrum, spanking the cat or screaming in agony, they will invariably be labelled something like, "Brave Little Ebony Continues Her Fight Against....' whatever. Once you're over 19, you'll feature on the same show or newspaper as a dole bludger or potential Jim Rose Circus employee.

The worst seven words in a sentence ever = 'We have no chocolate in the house'

"Hey Darlin' take your frock off - I've got a pressie for you hidden in me slacks!"

DayByDay4-2Day said...

that was a very ugly mouth!

Milly Moo said... should see the rest of me - and I thought i was being restrained!!!

Tom said...

Milly Moo, that's a great post..I made a feeble attempt at using the words you left me last wednesday in my post today..did I get the fires burning you really went to with this post!! LOL

Milly Moo said...

You sure did inspire me, Tom

LJP said...

Milly Moo, you think like I do. Or I think like you do. Whichever way around it is, it's disturbing.

Hope you enjoy the Gonzo carnival!

Sheila said...

I agree with you on most of your words with the exception of flip-flops which is what we can them here in the American South. I love words that are the sound as in this case.


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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Tha Goodest Spellinkt bloggee Thingo

Helen from Bonding with Lizards nominated me for an 'Awe-Summ award' and Sandi K nominated me for a Kreativ (sic) Blogger award. No hefty cash prizes or bars of gold accompanied the honours unfortunately and really it's just a sneaky way of forcing me to write a meme but it also makes me smile with pride.

Both allow me to to blow my own trumpet in that I have to mention seven things that I'm awesome at - spelling not included.

When I sit here and think about it I realise that it's much harder than I thought. Sure I'm not the biggest loser in the land, but I aint a champion either and there's loads of things that I can claim to do competently (ie fold up the washing, make sure that bottle tops don't get flung into the recyling bin and never buy milk that's less than two days away from the 'best before date') but to be awesome is another level entirely.

The Collins Concise dictionary defines awesome as 'inspiring or displaying awe.' Okaaaay, so we'll look a bit further up the column to awe: 'overwhelming wonder, respect or dread.' Hmm, let's leave the seven dread bits until the very end, shall we?
So let's get the ball rolling on this anal gazing malarkey.

1) Hedonistic Hypocrisy. Picture my morning today, dear reader. The dog and I have just spent a couple of hours roaming the neighbourhood inserting flyers into letterboxes regarding the aims and exploits of our venerable local residents association. The cold winter sun is out and we both feel energised, happy and..... I'll be honest, a bit pleased with ourselves. I see what can only be kindly described as Michelen Man's girlfriend in a pale pink velvet tracksuit shoe-horning herself into her car and think, "She should be walking like us." I then see a Medibank Private employee sucking down on a cigarette so intently her eyes bulge and think, "She should be inhaling the fresh air, like us." Annoyingly justifiable, no?

Less than half an hour later, I'm at San Churro enjoying this as my lunch:

The only savoury thing there is the salt sprinkled on top of the peanut butter truffle and yet I still managed to look disdainfully at two spotty teenagers sharing just a plate of the churros (the phallic-shaped donut sticks) and think, "Oh that's not going to help their skin," before hoeing right into this like a blind basset hound lapping up porridge.

And then, what did I do? Popped into Rebel Sport to get myself a new pair of running shoes.

The other six things I'm good - nay, awesome at are:

2) Working by myself to a deadline. Having a mere four metre commute to work from the kitchen in one direction and the bedroom in the other means that public transport or car crashes can't be blamed for delays and non-performance. Instead my only way of procrastinating actually benefits the family: the house becomes very tidy. No dog fur clinging to the felt squares under the chair legs, no toothpaste splats on the mirror and Milly's butt nuggets are (mostly) removed from anywhere that human feet are likely to tread.

.....which sort of leads me to Awesome skill number 3) Wielding a Chux Superwipe. It's become second nature to have a damp cloth within an arm's length. In fact, Sapphire's first recognisable form of imitation as a nine month old was to cling to the edge of our ancient coffee table, whip off her bib and use it to wipe over the surface. Sure, the magazines went flying and my tea got spilled but she was learning about the importance of having a surface that is less like velcro and more like a top you'd be willing to rest your elbows on.

Now I'm struggling and lucky for me, Sapphire's just walked in. So sweetie-darling-sweetie, what's your old ma awesome at?

"Look Mum I'm really busting to go to the toilet and I only came in here to ask if I could have a muesli bar because I'm absolutely starving and the sausage sizzle before the school's junior string concert tonight isn't until 5:30 and I can't wait that long, so----" She left the room, but not before calling out, "So I'll have a think while I'm on the loo, OK?"

Er, fine. Thanks.

Bless her little heart because she did bounce back several minutes later, still reeking of the loo spray that she squirts liberally around the room so that the next occupant enters a blinding lavender fog, and came up with these ones:

4) "You run really fast." I'm OK, but I'm not that good. Sure the distance isn't shabby (eight kilometres) but at five minutes each I'm not troubling any Olympian - or para-Olympian for that matter. "No but I've seen you and it looks fast and you never give up."

I've been running now for nearly nine years and hope that I can continue for many more to come. I'm proud of getting out there even when I don't feel like it, it's too cold; my shins ache; my shoes rub; my toe nails get bashed, turn black and fall off and my bra cuts into my rib cage and makes me bleed. This has happened more than once but the last time I was wearing a black one so it didn't have the same, um, 'pictorial piquancy' shall we say.

5) "You're actually quite good at singing." WHAT? NO-ONE has ever said that to me before and I sing only when I'm happy and think that I'm alone or safely out of earshot. "I hear you sometimes just singing away to yourself in the kitchen when you think I've got my earphones on or are too far away in my room and you sound quite good." She sees me puff up with pride as I begin to deeply inhale and prepare to burst into ----and says hastily, "But not all the time." Shuddering, she repeats it, "Oh no, not all the time, no." Ah.

6) "You're able to turn boring, everyday things into something I want to hear about and read about." Oh dear, but there's a fair bit in my blog that I don't want you to read or hear or know about just yet. The farting themes alone are a bit too 'out there' for you and.... "No but when you said how you ran up to the stage to get the actor to stop kissing your Mum in the play I laughed a lot. You do swear a bit though and didn't Grandpa tell you - and you tell me all the time now too - that using rude words just means you don't have any imagination to think of anything more clever to say?" Er, yes. So now I'm not sure if this quality now qualifies me as 'awesome' or just rude and lazy.

7) "You're very Motherly."
This one warranted a fair bit of further discussion, revamping and clarification about all the times I've embarassed her by talking to the high school kids on the way to her school in the morning and picking up papers on our way back home and her criticism of my sartorial selections and rushing over to pat any dog that walks within a 200 metre radius of us but this next line she said absolutely word for word: "You do all the things that good mums have to do, but you're like my best friend because you do also things that you want to do for me and we have a lot of fun."

Oh bugger it; I didn't think this Awesome shindig was supposed to leave me in tears....!

River said...

I think you're awesome
1. In the way you keep getting up after being knocked down(bulldog)
2. You've written a book!
3. You make everyone who reads here feel as if they're your personal best friend.
4. You're raising an awesome child.
5. You're not afraid to admit to farting.
6. You are so funny that I get at least one laugh and sometimes many more with each post I read.
7. You get paid to eat chocolate.

ashleigh said...

Awesome: The photo with the pens. Need I say more. So mature.

Cat J B said...

Ha, as above!

And, I think you're awesome because you can straighten your own broken toe. That still makes me cringe...

Miles McClagan said...

I need something I'm awesome at that doesn't involve lime spiders...

I broke my toe once, hurt a bit!

Baino said...

Well I think you're pretty awesome at jut being awesome. And don't think I didn't notice your new sidebar shot, that's pretty awesome!
Thank God you do exercise, I'm getting fatter just looking at the picture! I subscribed to Chocablog but dare not read it!
Actually kudos for being organised when working at home. Clare's very good at it, I get a bit distracted by shiny things. Ah, I remember the bloody bra . .yep, you run with conviction alright. I'm banned from singing in the supermarket although I have quite a good voice, apparently it's loud and still embarassing.
And I share 'motherley' it's the one thing I'm really awesome at. Noice one!
Plus I agree with River!

lc said...

LC's 7:

1. Despite being a lit-buff, you never judge a book by it's cover when it comes to people.

2. The easiest and best person to live with.

3. Your first step is always in the direction of kindness.

4. A sense of humour and a laugh that is brighter than any light.

5. A Friend-mum attitude that is based on an ability to empathise.

6. Ability to make others feel interested and interesting.

7. You smell nice.

Benjamin Solah said...

I really agree with "You're able to turn boring, everyday things into something I want to hear about and read about." which is probably the main reason I keep coming back.

Oh and the last one nearly made me cry, but I'm at work, looking grumpy and as outwardly unenthusiastic about being exploited as I can muster so can't let anyone see me like that.

Jill said...

Jill says:

1. You are the most generous person I know (would give your bloody bra to anyone).

2. You are so funny

3. You are so silly

4. You are the best listener

5. You are a great mother

6. You are the most personable person I know - everyone who meets you just loves you instantly.

7. You are by far the most dedicated exercise fiend I know - you set yourself goals and just keep going.

We all love you to bits! Jill xxx

Kath Lockett said...

Thank you River. Don't underestimate how wonderful it is to have a regular reader like yourself who gives out compliments!

Ashleigh, Maturity + Pens = complete and utter celebration of farting. It's my life.

Cat JB you'll be pleased to know that the toe is a healthier looking pinky purple rather than resembling a deathly black stick of liquorice hiding in a spot guaranteed to make even the biggest liquorice fan lose their appetite....

Miles - Lime Spiders is one, what are the other six?

Thanks Baino. I'm honoured to hear that from you. The only shiny things that distract me are those covering blocks of chocolate. Usually.

lc - it's all due to you.

Benjamin - thank you for both paras - it's fantastic to think that a 'Marxist horror writer and revolutionary' such as yourself feels like there's something here in my suburban blurbs to keep on visiting!

Jill - it's you times eleven.

Helen said...

Yay! youo finally did it!

And for the record, I think you are awesome, besides all the things everyone else has said (which are all true) I think that your adventures of investigating things are truly inspiring!

Anonymous said...

its difficult to put into words how nice, funny, friendly, welcoming and descriptive you all are LC included,

well thats all from a wet Goxhill back to the red wine, keep up the good work remember to make some one smile is bl--dy hard work and as we say here in england you are the dogs bollocks!

nutty notons

franzy said...

"anal gazing"?!?!?!?

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14/10 @ last two weeks of flowering?

Discussion in 'Basic Growing' started by t3chyo, Jun 9, 2006.

  1. t3chyo

    t3chyo Registered+

    I was watching a very infomative video where the guys from the THC Labs show off how they grow all their MJ. Now one the guys there said he always switches from 12/12 to 14/10 on the last two weeks of flowering to get maximum thc content, what do you guys think?
  2. bongerstonerd00d

    bongerstonerd00d Registered+

    Believe it or not.........

    I read the exact same thing at another hydro website this afternoon. I was going to ask if anyone has tried that here myself. I do not remember reading any posts here about that. Would be intersting to know how it worked out.

  3. t3chyo

    t3chyo Registered+

    well the video I watched they cultivate sooo many plants lol, and they are a seed dealer, I would assume they know their stuff. It would be nice to hear from someone who has tried this on these boards, anyone?
  4. LIP

    LIP Banned

    Giving the plant more darkness in the last 2 weeks is very good for the THC production. It's in the last 2 weeks that the THC really starts to form.
  5. Jdog7000

    Jdog7000 Registered+

    I don't know if it makes it have a higher thc content.
    It would speed it up to finish. Ans make the yield a tad smaller.
    But thats pretty much it ,in my opinion. But give it a try and let us know.
  6. bongerstonerd00d

    bongerstonerd00d Registered+

    OK,,,,another thought

    Its good for extra THC, but does it affect yield ?

  7. t3chyo

    t3chyo Registered+

    IMO if i were to guess why it was better(remember I have no growing experience yet...) is that you can force 2 more hours of a light a day on the flowers w/o going back to veg becuase you're already too far into the flowering stage. More light more trichs, right?

    maybe I should take the clip from the video i'm talking about and post it on here, actually i'll do that now. comp is slow so don't expect me to do it fast...
  8. t3chyo

    t3chyo Registered+

  9. HapaPride

    HapaPride Registered+

    what did it say at the end.... the ? was

    "so your finding your getting better yields this way" "i am finding..... cut off
  10. Trivium

    Trivium Banned

    Hey guys, I have never tried this before but I have a firm believing that this guys right. THC forms in the dark, when your lights are off the THC is building, so giving it 2 more hours of darkness I guess would make for a more potent smoke, I must try this some time!!:D. T3ch , you think you're going to give this a go on your first grow?
  11. knna

    knna Registered+

    Im a bit confused: i thing some people answer about 10/14 and others about 14/10 (lights on/off).

    I use both. 10/14 at the beggining and 14/10 at the end. And yes, i note it in the potency. Only slighty more yield than 12/12, but i think it improves THC %.
  12. knna

    knna Registered+

    There was a controlled experiments: clones for same mother, grown at 12/12 and 10/14. The THC content of the 10/14 was 50%:eek: less than using 12/12.

    I ve seen botanic studies wich show that more hours of light not only report higher yield (by more total iiradiance), but it affect to how the growth is distributed: more hours produce more carbon fixation to flowers and less to leaves and stems.

    I upload a pdf of a botany study about (performed with similar plants to cannabis in photoperiod responses).

    Attached Files:

  13. The Grim Reefer

    The Grim Reefer Registered+

    Harddon has a few posts where he recommends switching over to 14/10 to increase potency and production.

    To try the theory out for myself, I went ahead and switched them 2 days ago and noticed quite the spurt in the buds.

    Now granted it's a bit biased because she was in veg only 1 day prior to that so it could be she just had a lot of energy she was saving for the buds and decided to inflate like a beast.

    I'll be sure to try this again on my next grow for some proper results :D
  14. cmorbud

    cmorbud Registered+

    im at that point now. am willing to try but i have new clones in there too.
    how will 2 weeks of 14-10 then back to 12-12.
    any thoughts?
  15. HapaPride

    HapaPride Registered+

    the video link above states 2hrs longer of light so 14hrs of light and 10hrs of dark and to start the flush period at 5weeks.

    i think i am going to try it... i am now at 5weeks and hope for the best, but i wish i was able to do a test
  16. Jdog7000

    Jdog7000 Registered+

    Bro that is so off!
    Don't do that.
    Flush 2 weeks before the buds finish.
    And if you run it at 14 hours of light, it can start to veg again.
    Half this thread is so far off it's scary. lol
    I would never risk fucking up my yield after all that time . To maybe get more thc. Which I don't believe anyway.
    Prove me wrong.
    But I won't be trying this.:thumbsup:
  17. slave2thagroov

    slave2thagroov Registered+

    J-whattup. your hushmail is full. i tried a couple of times. hope everything is goin smooth now!?! :thumbsup:
  18. u.g.u

    u.g.u Registered+

    Big mike from advanced nutes talks about it too I would figure that it would give you overall more weight but he also said it can take an extra week to finish. I have never tried it I have done the reverse of that after 50 days in hopes of getting the trich to finish changing because it was a 70 day strain that I wanted to finish in 60 I ended up getting to pull it 6 days early.
  19. t3chyo

    t3chyo Registered+

    in the vid he says with some strains you can go up to 14/10 at the last two weeks. I know what you mean it would be risky, maybe 13/11 for most strains?
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2006
  20. t3chyo

    t3chyo Registered+

    It's possible, but like he says in the vid some strains can do 14/10, I would probably play it safe and do 13/11.

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text:
How do you use Sensi Grow Part A&B in soil? And more.

Discussion in 'Growing Information' started by Sjapp, Feb 23, 2008.

  1. Sjapp

    Sjapp Registered+

    I just bought Sensi Grow Part A&B and im like 3 weeks in. The plants are not very big.

    I took that picture a few days ago so they are a bit bigger.

    I have two questions.

    Question #1. I have a 1 gallon container that i use to water my plants. How much of each part A and part B do i add to water?

    Question #2. My plants are not very big, thus most of the soil in the pot is "root free". If there are no roots to soak up the nutrients, will the nutrients build up and later, once my plants roots grow more, put my plant into nutrient lock?

    Thank you very much.
    These are the instructions sensi grow gave me. Sensi Grow (Part A & B)

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Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve

Tonight, we took Lilla to her very first candlelight Christmas Eve service.  Well, her first since she's been born anyway.  This is always such an emotional time for me as it was something that I did with my mother every year. She was such a Christmas freak.  As I sit in church holding my baby girl, I can hear my mom's voice singing very very loudly and joyfully.

Today would also have been my father's 66th birthday.  Happy Birthday Daddy.  I hope that you get a real present for your birthday this year, instead of one of your Christmas gifts unwrapped and re wrapped in birthday paper.  Christmas isn't the same without you.

Christmas 1975
8 months pregnant

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text:
You Define Me

Abba, thank you
that I do not have to believe
what others think about me,
say about me,
or even KNOW about me!

Thank you that YOU define me,
not me,
not those I love,
not those who love me,
not those who like me or don't like me,
but YOU.

Help me to believe more and more
what you know
and what you say
about me.

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text:
Thursday, December 20, 2007

'Twas the Month Before Christmas...

A politically correct Christmas poem ... sent by a friend

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas -- no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About shepherds and wise men and angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say --
December 25th is just a "holiday."
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit,
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X Box, and I-Pod,
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanza
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word "Christmas" was nowhere to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears,
You won't hear the word "Christmas" -- it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, now Darden, now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen,
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith,
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded,
The Reason for the Season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "winter break" under your "dream tree,"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say,
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ... not Happy Holiday!

-- Anonymous Author

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

What a sad commentary on what has happened to our country. Hopefully, God has not forsaken us.
Merry Christmas.


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Bob's Basement

Just a short, simple blog for Bob to share his thoughts.

100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time? Not Even Close.

There was a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away where Rolling Stone Magazine (RSM) had an ounce or two of actual journalistic and editorial credibility. Sadly, that time and place is long gone. Each time RSM puts out another list of the "100 Greatest This" or "50 Greatest That," RSM continues to show just how out of date and out of touch its editors really are.

This leads me to my current rant, which is the following article by RSM:

100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time

I realize that these types of lists are highly subjective, and as such no single person will ever be 100% happy with the results - with the notable exception of the guy that made the list. But just the same, here's how I would measure any guitarist's legacy - I use the TOAD elements to gauge their level of impact:

  • Talent
    (And by this I mean technical prowess on the guitar; songwriting skills and vocal talent do not matter here.)
  • Originality
    (Guitarists that make a career out of sounding like some other guitarist aren't worth much in my book.)
  • Affect on other guitar players
    (What influence does this guitar player have on other guitar players?)
  • Durability in the music industry
    (Even a one-hit wonder can still impact future generations, while other guitar players might have an entire catalog of utterly forgettable music.)

With this in mind, I took a long look at the RSM list, and it's really quite pathetic. Most of the guitarists in their list simply don't belong on anybody's list of guitar greats, while many others are badly slighted or given way more credit than they are due.

Here's a few of my thoughts on the top ten, in the order that they appear on the list:

  1. Jimi Hendix:
    I'd have to agree with RSM, more or less. Whenever you create a list with all of the guitarists who have had significant talent, originality, and influence on other guitar players - Hendrix has to be in the top 10. I may not like everything that he did, and he may have acted like an idiot when he was offstage, but few guitarists have had Jimi's level of direct or indirect influence on future generations of guitarists.
  2. Duane Allman:
    You have got to be kidding me. I like the Allman Brothers, and Duane may certainly belong in the top 100, but he should never he be at #2. Sure, Duane was a skilled guitar player, but few people in the past two decades (1990 through 2010) pay much attention, so Affect and Durability are moot.
  3. BB King:
    Mr. King always belongs in a top 100 list; good call. Maybe not always in the top 10, but certainly in the top 100.
  4. Eric Clapton:
    I would more or less agree with a top 10 rank - for sheer volume of work, guitar skills, influence, etc. Clapton always deserves to be on anyone's top 100 list.
  5. Robert Johnson:
    RJ definitely had chops, but Johnson has influenced more guitar players indirectly than directly; his influence is there, but typically as someone who influenced someone else who influenced someone else, etc. I would put him in a top 100 list, but not in the top 10.
  6. Chuck Berry:
    One of the first real showmen on the guitar, Chuck has all of the TOAD elements, and several of his signature riffs are copied to this day. I would always put Chuck in a top 100 list, but perhaps not in the top 10.
  7. Stevie Ray Vaughn:
    Stevie had all four TOAD elements and plenty to spare. As 80's-era guitarists kept branching off into neo-classical styles, Stevie kept mercilessly stomping everyone into the ground with killer blues chops. I would always put Stevie in a top 100 list, if not in the top 10.
  8. Ry Cooder:
    RC is a lot like Duane Allman - a lot of guitar players from the past twenty years ask, "Who's Roy Cooper?" [sic] Ry definitely has chops and probably deserves to be in anyone's top 100 list, but he just doesn't have the lasting impact to belong in anyone's top 10 list. (With the notable exception of lists that are created by Ry Cooder fans.)
  9. Jimmy Page:
    I'd have to more or less agree. All too often I see Page at #1 on these types of lists, and I would never put him there. But Page always belongs in the top 10 for the sheer variety and volume of work, not to mention his influence on other guitar players. Even though it has long since been proven that Zep ripped off a lot of other artists for many of their most significant works, Page still gets kudos from me for his arrangements of other people's songs.
  10. Keith Richards:
    Three words: No Freaking Way. I'm sorry to all of you Rolling Stones fans out there, but Keith just does not belong in anyone's top 10 list - he doesn't have the chops, or the originality, or the influence on other guitar players. Personally, I wouldn't put Keith in a top 100 list if it meant leaving out the scores of guitar players that didn't make the RSM list.

That wraps up my tirade for the top ten, so here are some assorted thoughts for the rest of the list:

  • Kurt Cobain (#11):
    I live in Seattle where KC is still worshipped as the prophet of angry youth and misplaced rage. That being said, no one can argue the point that Cobain had a tremendous affect on other guitarists in his age group as one of the heralds for the emerging grunge invasion. The trouble is - Kurt was attempting to distance himself from the blazing speed metal guitar gods of the 1980's, so Kurt made his claim to fame by being bad at his instrument, somewhat like members of the punk phase did back in the 1970's. So when you look at the TOAD elements:
    • Talent - Kurt was only a so-so guitarist
    • Originality - Kurt was definitely original (although I would go out of my way to not sound like him; for example - by tuning my guitar)
    • Affect - Kurt definitely influenced other guitarists (for better or for worse)
    • Durability - only time will tell
    So in the end, Kurt might deserve a place in a top 100 list, but certainly not at #11. (Maybe at #100.)
  • Dick Dale (#31):
    Yup - Mr. Dale defined surf guitar back in the 1960's. Good call.
  • John McLaughlin (#49):
    I have no arguments with McLaughlin's inclusion - but if you're going to include one jazz player, then where are the others? Where's Al Di Meola? Pat Metheny? Joe Pass? Allan Holdsworth?
  • Ike Turner (#61):
    No way. Never. Nope. Nada. Ike doesn't belong in a top 100 list. Not for what he did to Tina, but simply because he doesn't really measure on the TOAD scale as a guitarist.
  • Vernon Reid (#61):
    Always an underrated artist, it was good to see Vernon on this list.
  • Eddie Van Halen (#70):
    Like him or hate him - Eddie Van Halen defined rock guitar for the 1980's, inasmuch or to an even greater level than Hendrix did for the 1970's. No guitar player of the 1980's was more copied and no rock group name was more immediately recognizable in the 1980's than Van Halen - period. Even if you didn't listen to rock music you still knew who Van Halen was. Eddie has a solid grasp on all of the TOAD elements (with plenty of room to spare), so to see him at #70 is just plain stupid.
  • Joni Mitchell (#72):
    This launches a weird dilemma - Joni doesn't have any chops where great guitar players are concerned, but she is a very skilled singer/songwriter that has all of the TOAD elements if you are willing to look the other way for her technical chops on the guitar. But if you do so, then you need to add Jim Croce, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, and a whole host of other singer/songwriters that may not have had killer guitar skills but have everything else that it takes to be an original and durable artist with plenty of influence on future generations. Personally, I'd rather drop Joni and everyone else that I just mentioned from any top 100 guitarists list, and I'd drop George Harrison (#21) from the list at the same time.
  • David Gilmour (#82):
    Gilmour definitely needed to be on this list, but #82 is probably too low on the list. David's impact on rock guitar is considerably more valuable than the contributions made by the endless barrage of average guitarists that were placed higher in the list. And the fact that David is lower on the list than Joni Mitchell (#72) is ridiculous.
  • Joan Jett (#87):
    In the Runaways it was Lita Ford doing all the dangerous guitar, and in the Blackhearts it was Eric Ambel or Ricky Byrd on guitar during their heyday back in the 1980's. While Joan's music has something of lasting durability, she just doesn't have it where it counts as a guitar player - she doesn't have the chops, or the originality, or any level of influence on other guitar players.

So who got missed? A lot of truly great guitarists. Here are just a few:

  • Joe Satriani:
    The fact that Joe didn't make this list shows just how out of touch the idiots people that put this list together really are. Anyone that knows anything about guitar knows that Joe belongs on any top 100 guitarists list - and usually in the top 10.
  • Ted Nugent:
    The fact that Uncle Ted didn't make this list is further proof that the people who write for RSM are on drugs. When Ted doesn't make the list and Duane Allman gets a #2 slot even though Ted's guitar could single-handedly track Duane through five Midwestern states in a blizzard, then capture Duane and skin him before his heart stops beating is ample proof that this list's priorities are seriously in question.
  • Steve Vai:
    Steve's music is way too weird for me, but look at his credits: Frank Zappa's band, Alcatrazz (replacing Yngwie Malmsteen), David Lee Roth's band (more or less replacing Eddie Van Halen), Whitesnake (replacing both Vivian Campbell and Adrian Vandenberg), and a recurring slot on the G3 tour. Vai has a solid grasp of all the TOAD elements - dropping Vai from this list is ridiculous.
  • Eric Johnson:
    Eric gets nominated for Grammy awards every few years because - let's face it - he's a really talented guitarist with boatloads of originality. The fact that Eric was dissed on RSM's list is a travesty.
  • Prince:
    Personally, I can't stand Prince. He's a pompous idiot and his music makes me want to hurl. But I cannot argue the fact that he has all of the TOAD elements, even if I don't like him.
  • Yngwie Malmsteen:
    Yngwie is probably the most arrogant son-of-a-gun on the planet, but it's undeniable that he has Talent, Originality, and Affect elements to spare, even if Durability remains to be seen. But it's inescapable that he was one of the biggest heralds of the neo-classical rock guitar genre, for better or worse.
  • Alex Lifeson:
    Since everyone knows that RSM hates Rush, it's easy to understand why Alex didn't make this list. But come on people, whether you like Rush or not is irrelevant here - Alex has put out more music with greater originality than probably 90% of the guitarists that made the list. And he did so by not ripping off other artists like Jimmy Page (#9) and George Harrison (#21) did.
  • Al Di Meola:
    The omission of countless scores of great Jazz guitarists from this list is bad enough, but leaving out Al Di Meola, who is probably one of the greatest fusion guitarists ever, shows that this list's creators just don't get it.
  • Kerry Livgren:
    The music of Kansas has an incredible legacy - and generations of future guitarists will still be trying to master Carry On Wayward Son or Dust In The Wind, even if it's just on the latest version of Guitar Hero. All of that music is thanks to one ingenious and soft-spoken guitarist from Kansas named Kerry Livgren.
  • Steve Morse:
    Besides the fact that Steve Morse is probably one of the most talented guitarists in history, he's also been in the Dixie Dregs, Kansas (replacing Kerry Livgren), and Deep Purple (replacing Ritchie Blackmore).

I am, of course, leaving out the incredible number of great classical, fingerstyle, and country guitar players; people like Chet Atkins, Andres Segovia, Leo Kottke, Julian Bream, Doc Watson, Christopher Parkening, etc. Each of these guitarists have talent, originality, influence, and durability way beyond most of the guitar players that made the list. Leaving them out is just as dim-witted as the omission of the other guitarists that I had already mentioned.

So there you have it - Rolling Stone Magazine put out another worthless list, and once again they demonstrated that their editorial staff is so out of touch with musical reality that their journalistic credibility is probably beyond reconciliation with their readers. Perhaps someone should explain to them what a guitar is and how it's played, and then build on that foundation until these idiots people understand what it means to be a truly great guitarist.

Posted: Dec 28 2010, 17:57 by Bob | Comments (8)
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Who is this Santa, Really?

I spent the weekend in Leavenworth, Washington, with my wife, our kids, and my future son-in-law. It was a fun-filled weekend of bright lights, snow-capped mountains, hot apple cider, chestnuts roasting on open fires, and Christmas carols sung by choirs. But the more that I listened to Christmas carols, the more I started to get an interesting picture of Santa Claus.

Like many other people, I grew up with the concept of Santa Claus as a kindly old gentleman that brought gifts at Christmas to all the good children of the world. Santa was like the ultimate grandfather - with a bright red suit, a cheery disposition, a full beard of whiskers, and a sleigh that flew through the air by magic reindeer.

But this year the words to some of the traditional Christmas carols began to really sink in, and I started to see a different Santa. A darker Santa. A scary Santa. Let me give you just a few examples:

  • "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Think about it: "He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake..." Wait - Santa is IN MY ROOM and WATCHING ME SLEEP? Holy cow - I never realized that Santa was stalking me. I don't think that I can match eyes with him in the mall from now own; it's just too creepy.
  • "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - So Santa is breaking up marriages now, eh? Does DADDY know that Santa is spending a little too much time under the mistletoe with MOMMY? How does Mrs. Claus feel about this?
  • "Santa Baby" - That's obviously not MOMMY that's singing those lyrics, so Santa must be two-timing mommy with someone else. And she sounds well-taken-care-of. I wonder how many pretend Mrs. Clauses Santa has scattered around the globe.
  • "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" - All those years of prejudice and abuse that Rudolph had to endure, and what did Santa do about it? Nothing. Santa ignored the whole affair, until a foggy Christmas Eve came around, and suddenly he has a use for Rudolph. That poor abused reindeer is nothing but an opportunistic tool to Santa.

My childhood illusion is finally shattered - this Christmas Eve Santa isn't filling STOCKINGS hung by the chimney with care, he's STALKING you by the chimney with care. That's why he's sneaking into your house like a burglar, and why he has so many aliases around the globe - even James Bond doesn't use as many pseudonyms: Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Grandfather Frost, Yule Man, Sinterklaas, Дед Мороз, etc.

So this Christmas Eve I suggest that you heed the wise advice found in the "Here Comes Santa Claus" Christmas carol: "Jump in bed and cover up your head, Because Santa Claus comes tonight."

Posted: Dec 05 2010, 08:44 by Bob | Comments (0)
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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

My Year-End 2016 Market Report Is Available Now!

My year-end 2016 market report is available now! This issue has my market report for January to December, the Three Sisters, a new Rt 6 Marketplace, and a Seller's testimonial.

This newsletter has been published every month for 14 years. My aim, with this newsletter, is to provide accurate sales and market information about the Eastham housing marketplace, to add commentary and opinion (as appropriate), and to keep it interesting. Download your copy of my February newsletter now.

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5 of the Best Places to Play Golf Locally

If you’re ready to hit the green in Central Indiana make sure you check out these courses for a fun and challenging round.

Prairie View Golf Club

This course is located on 206 acres in Hamilton County. The 18-hole course is surrounded by natural beauty, which provides a challenging course. It features a running stream through the course, with natural wetlands and five lakes placed strategically around the course.

Fox Prairie Golf Course

Fox Prairie is a mature, traditional style course located in Noblesville. The 18-hole course features sprawling trees, water on 14 holes and interesting sand bunkers. It’s a challenging course for all levels of players.

The Fort Golf Course

This course features the best of what Indiana golf has to offer. Located just a few minutes outside of downtown Indianapolis, one can expect the 238-acre and 18-hole course to provide quite the challenge. Players can expect tree-lined fairways, rolling hills and a natural setting.

Brickyard Crossing Golf Course

This course is not for the faint of heart. Located inside of the most famous racetrack in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is this 18-hole course. Race fans can enjoy a view of the entire racetrack on the seventh tee box. Those lucky enough to score a tee time during May shouldn’t be bothered by loud noises.

Purgatory Golf Club

This Noblesville course offers a rewarding challenge for golfers at all levels. The course is 7,700 yards long, making it the longest course in Indiana. It features over 125 bunkers, a greater sense of privacy and “Hell’s Half Acre” where the green is an island in a sea of sand.

Before you schedule your tee time, call your Body One provider to make sure your swing is strong and your golf season is injury free.

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Thursday, April 08, 2010

Bohemia After Dark on WHDD #52

Yikes! Time for another one.

Theme - Oscar Pettiford: 'Bohemia After Dark' from "Another One" (Bethlehem/Avenue Jazz)
Devo Spice: 'Disclaimer' (
Jonathan Coulton: 'The Future Soon' from "Best.Concert.Ever" (W.A.R.)
She & Him: 'This Is Not A Test' from "Volume One" (Merge)
Mose Allison: 'My Brain' from "The Way of the World" (Blue Note)
Gil Scott-Heron: 'I'm New Here' from "I'm New Here" (XL Recordings)
Broken Bells: 'The Mall and Misery' from "Broken Bells"(Sony)
Bear McCreary: 'Apocalypse [Theme from "The Plan"]; Husker in Combat' from "Battlestar Galactica - Razor & The Plan" (La-La Land)
Bear McCreary: 'Delivering the Message' from "Caprica" (La-La Land)
Paul and Storm: 'Frogger! The Frogger Musical' (
Galactic: 'Heart of Steel (featuring Irma Thomas)' from "Ya-Ka-May" (Anti)
Isley Brothers: 'You Still Feel The Need' from "Harvest for the World" (T-Neck/Legacy)
Larry Carlton/Steve Lukather: 'Only Yesterday' from "No Substitutions: Live in Osaka" (Favored Nations)

BAD 52


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Thursday, December 21, 2006

John Abraham turns dress designer

View No Smoking Movie StillsBollywood's latest heartthrob John Abraham brought in his birthday in Bhuj where he was shooting for Anurag Kashyap's "No Smoking" by calling up friends to invite them for his clothes launch.

"I spent the entire time shooting and calling up people in Mumbai to invite them for my clothes launch on Monday evening. But I managed to come back late in the night on my birthday for a private get-together with close friends. Nothing opulent," John told IANS.

His clothes line-up was released just a day after his birthday, which happened to be Dec 17. John is happy that he is being able to use his celebrity status in a different way.

"Few celebrities from the entertainment business get such an opportunity. It's a business venture between me and Vanity Fair, which manufactures denims for a leading international jeans label.

"For the first time in this country we're offering fashion that's on par with anything that's happening in any part of the world. I've two designers from India and Milan. And my designs come straight from out there."

And John is an integral part of the designing.

"I'm a part and parcel of every shirt, cargo pants, jeans and top that are designed for men and women. Every piece of clothing will be accompanied by a note inside the pocket describing the journey and philosophy of the design."

For John, this move into clothing feels like a step in the right direction.

"I've a certain philosophy in the way I wear my clothes. I've a chance now to pass on that philosophy. A lot of hard work is going into each design. These days I speak more about my clothes brand than about myself.

"We, recently, had a fashion preview for fashion editors and clothes dealers. We had manufactured about 12,000 units. And we were sold out in an hour-and-a- half."

Download John Abraham WallpapersJohn looks back on 2006 with much satisfaction.

"It has been a wonderful year. My calendar and my clothes are a first of their kind. The year passed so fast. I'm now looking at next year. And I can tell you what I won't do in 2007. I won't sign too many films. There's no point in stressing myself. I've to look good in front of the camera. I've a good mix of releases."

"I'll be shooting for 'No Smoking'. Right now that's my all-consuming passion."

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Bonanza - the Cast

Bonanza - the Cast
Pernell, Michael, Lorne and Dan - the objects of my quest!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Part 8. A Saloon!

( *** The Story So Far - I've traveled from 2015 to 1972 in order to view the filming of the historic episode, "Forever", only to wind up in an "alternate" time stream in which Michael Landon, not Dan Blocker, has died unexpectedly - and Pernell Roberts has just been arrested for Michael's murder!***)

Having found some available time to update this story, which I started wayyy back in the last decade (see previous chapter), I turned my full attention back to the story ... and was intrigued to note that after poor Lorne Greene had received the shocking news about Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker had quietly sidled out through an unmarked door, stage left - and Mitch "Jamie" Vogel had just snuck out via the same exit!

Hmm, I thought, what's that ugly redhead up to NOW? Since nobody had paid any attention to me during my entire visit, I had no trouble at all sneaking out the same door. The first thing I noticed was that there was a long, dark corridor on the other side.

And yes, it was a little spooky. But I consoled myself with the thought that if "Jamie" could do it, anyone could.

(By the way, in case I haven't made it clear, I'm not a big Mitch Vogel fan. Nothing personal. Just wanted to get that right out in the open!)

Anyway, the corridor wasn't really too long, and at the other end was another door, which led outside. And outside - was Virginia City! Yes, Bonanza fans, there it was in all its dusty glory - the dirty unpaved streets; the sidewalks made of creaky, dusty old boards; the false fronts, making all the buildings look like two-story skyscrapers.

And a saloon.

But not just ANY saloon, my friends! No, this was the Holy Grail for all true Bonanza fans - the (in)famous BUCKET O' BLOOD SALOON!!!

And I noticed the door of that saloon was swinging just a little bit - as though someone had recently gone inside.

Dan? Jamie?

Well, it was too late to chicken out now - I had to find out!

Before I pushed the door open, I stood for a moment to let my eyes adjust to the change in light, so I wouldn't be overwhelmed if it was dark inside.

And while I was waiting there, I heard a low murmur of voices.

I recognized two of them - the ugly redhead, and the adorable big guy.

But wait a minute - there was a third voice. With a high-pitched giggle which I'd heard at least a million times. Throughout three different TV series, and several "Tonight Show" appearances.

Could I be mistaken? Or was it really -

Michael Landon himself????

And if it was - then why was everyone convinced that he was dead?

And if he wasn't dead, why had Pernell Roberts been accused of his murder?

And - most importantly - would I EVER be able to find a cup of coffee in the year 1972 which even remotely compared with my regular daily dose of Starbucks Cafe Latte - Venti? 'Cause the Winchell's just AIN'T cuttin' it!!


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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Do you read yourself to sleep?

I snapped this picture of my two year old tonight. He fell asleep while turning a page in his book (which happens to be Ebb and Flo and the Baby Seal which I reviewed a couple of days ago).

So, how about you? Do you read yourself to sleep? Is it intentional, or does your body just give out on the battle to stay awake?

I have never been able to read myself to sleep. I know many people who have used it as a way to cure insomnia; but it has the opposite effect on me. As long as I am reading, I am awake. If I want to go to sleep, I have to put the book away.

Literary Feline November 20, 2008 at 6:54 AM

I'm afraid I'm like your adorable boy in the photo. I do read myself to sleep sometimes--even against my will. LOL No matter how much I may want to continue reading, when my body decides it's time, my eyes will close and stay that way. I used to be able to pull all nighters. No more. :-(

Holly November 20, 2008 at 10:26 AM

Oh, what an adorable picture! To answer your question, I do fall asleep reading, almost every night (either that or to the television). My husband doesn't understand how I can do it. But I just sort read until my eyes get heavy and then I drift off. :-)

bermudaonion November 22, 2008 at 12:18 PM

That is precious! I have a picture of my son taking a nap with a book over his face. No one believed me, but he fell asleep that way.

Cindy November 22, 2008 at 6:17 PM

What a cute picture. I have to admit on occassion I have read myself to sleep. It doesn't happen often though. BTW I have added you to my blog list. Great Blog.

Dani in NC November 24, 2008 at 3:51 PM

I can read blogs until I'm drowsy. It is difficult with a novel, though. I may have to prop my eyelids up with toothpicks, but I will continue to read until the wee hours of the morning on a good book.

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Winners Announced: My Little Red Book

We have winners for My Little Red Book:

liane66, olympianlady, Valorie, Ann Diana Dinh, and Debdesk.

Congratulations, I hope you enjoy the book! Winners will be contacted by e-mail. If they do not respond within 48 hours, new winners shall be chosen.

Serena March 4, 2009 at 3:17 PM

congrats to the winners

olympianlady March 5, 2009 at 4:15 AM

I replied to your e-mail. Hope you got it okay. Thanks!

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Sunday, December 23, 2012

New Mom Syndrome

It's amazing what changes when you have a baby. Suddenly my 2 year old looks all grown up and just last month he was my baby. In the hospital when Devon cried while I was eating lunch I had to stop myself from offering my food to him. No, he can't eat that yet. Strange little things like that remind me how fast the time goes and how quickly I forget the little moments of Motherhood. Some times I really feel like I am learning it all over again. Maybe I am. I don't feel as if I stopped being a Mom, but that I'm a little rusty when it comes to this newborn thing. Hopefully my memories will catch up quick before I make a serious blunder.
 As I look back on my time as a brand new Mom I just remember being tired all the time. Then I had my second child and I couldn't imagine what I was complaining about with only one child to look after. Now I know why I am tired all the time. I have three to look after and lack of sleep aside, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
From 2012-12-16 family pics

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Devon Thorn

On the 11th of this month at 9:11 AM Devon was born at an astounding 8 lbs 13 oz. He was 19 in. and his head circumference was 14 3/4 cm. The operation went well and Devon is a little dear. The kids are happy to welcome him into our home.

Happy Birthday to Me!

On the 8th I turned the big 32. In honor of this great occasion we drove up to Bremerton to celebrate with Grandma, Papa and the Martins. Jessica made me a spectacular cake!
From 2012-12-09 mom's birthday
 Who's in the cake, you may ask... Why yes, yes it is Merida. A confectionery marvel. We had a wonderful dinner complete with Moo Goo Gai Pan! Yum! Then I opened my lovely gifts and we had cake.
From 2012-12-09 mom's birthday
 Then with the help of my Lovely Sister, Daniel and I went to see:
From 2012-12-09 mom's birthday
 And yes, the dragon did try to eat me. It was Spectacular! I was blown away. We loved it. The pictures are not the greatest, but you get the idea of how amazing it is.

Tis the Season...

From 2012-12-07 gingerbread house
 This year when we went to the Home Depot for their monthly kid workshop, we came home with a gingerbread house kit. So we put it together for Family Home Evening. I think this was the first time that we have ever put one together. It was fun, but a lot of work. I don't know if we will do it again. The kids loved putting on the candy and then taking them off. After a day or so it looked a little ravaged.

And Then There Was Seven

 On September 5th at 6:30 in the morning Daniel and I entered the Legacy Hospital to prepare for my 5th C-section. (Mostly that means waitin...


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Lojo's Proze & Mr Boo's Newz

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

In case you're all wondering... no, we're not under water.

We're fortunate to live about 100 feet above flood stage. We had a little water in the basement due to seepage but otherwise we count ourselves very lucky indeed. Thanks to everyone for their concern - please rest easy.

Boo and I just got back from a whirl-wind 'tour' to SE Wisconsin where we played a couple of new venues and pay tribute to an honored venue of the past.

Friday night was John Harbor's - a beautiful place in a beautiful little town. A bookstore turned coffeehouse/public house with everything from Italian roast to Irish whiskey - my kind of place. The evening started with Malia Lani, a local girl on her way to Hawaii by way of hula dancers...
(I had no idea that Menomonee Falls was a magnet for Big Islanders?)
Big thanks to Jeremy, Erin and their staff for making my evening a most pleasant experience indeed. (By-the-by, the Feckin' Whiskey is feckin' brilliant!)

The next morning we headed south to Racine where we wasted a couple of hours at the 7 Mile Market Fair. Imagine, 7 MILES of flea market - paraphenalia from puppies to cowboy boots and a whole lotta whatsiss in between. You gotta see it to believe it. It wasn't a total waste - I did get a new suitcase.

As I pulled into downtown Racine I found myself looking at a penguin atop the roof of a bar... George's. Ah, yes, George's. A quaint little neighborhood bar where I'd played years ago while on tour with my old record label. Dave, the owner, is a sweet, amazing man with a heart of gold and a passion for music. Unfortunately, after 28 years the music has been silenced but the dream of this man is not. I know the music will come back someday - and when it does, I'll be there! Dave was nice enough to stop by my show at the Yardarm and we talked for quite awhile.

This was my first time at the Yardarm but I noticed it's quite a favorite with the MN crowd. Their Wall of Fame included people like Gerry Rau and my friend Ray Yates. Lori and Lisa were fine, funny, endearing hosts - and Pete was a life-saver. And, the patrons were a hoot! I played everything from Billy Holiday to Steppenwolf - what a magic ride that was!!

Late that night Boo and I headed back to waterlogged Iowa - home wet home.


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Tuesday, 20 January 2009

my small enemy

My hidden mortal enemy,
clunks about, like a heavy doorkey.
Like a highly trained ninja
swinging on teatowels, near and far.
This annoying little toerag,
Eating away through the flour bag.
Nibbling away at crumbs,
added costs, working out the sums.
I can't face setting a trap,
put off by that spine breaking snap.
Damn you, a tiny mouse,
more at home than me, in my house.

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Working On Our Energy Efficiency

BOSTON (CBS) – Today is the unofficial last day of summer! And the school year is about to start.

It always feels more like the beginning of a new year than January first does.

In preparation for the new year folks have been shopping for supplies and clothes for school for weeks. Even adults have begun to buy their fall wardrobes. We begin a new year mentally as we change seasons.

Kids go from the carefree summer fun to settling down in school. I think that carries over to adulthood. Then we have kids of our own and the tradition continues.

I began my fall chore list for garden and house projects this long weekend and then I thought about the personal things I have put off over the summer.

I realized I was creating New Year’s resolutions. First on my list was painting and putting away the porch furniture. Mums and pumpkins were listed next.

Our house has been cool in the morning and I went looking for something warm to wear to church yesterday.

So added to the list was continuing to work on our energy efficiency. Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s website on where to begin.

We have replaced almost all of our light bulbs with LEDs. Now we are looking for the nonstandard LEDs for the bathroom fixtures and hanging lights in the kitchen. I am sure they will go on sale soon somewhere.

Check what you can do this fall to save on energy costs this winter. I don’t want you to be cold this winter but I don’t want you to be broke either. Most of our energy loss is through our attics, windows and doors.

Get an automatic thermostat. Check your attic. Simply laying insulation up there can reduce your heat loss. Are your windows tight? Can you caulk them yourself? Do you need storm windows or new windows?

Check the doors next. Do you need a storm door or weather stripping? Do these chores now before the real cold settles in.

Money Conference Alert!!

On October 11th I will be the key note speaker at The Money Conference which is a FREE one-day event presented by The Office of Massachusetts State Treasury. It will be held at UMASS Boston and the first 500 registrants will get a free copy of my newest book, Money, Your Personal Finance Guide.

There will be afternoon classes on everything from budgeting to buying a house. The Financial Planning Association of Boston will have volunteer financial planners there to help answer questions. You can set up a meeting with a Money Mentor when you register. If you have questions about the conference, contact Sheila O’Loughlin of the State Treasury at (617) 367-6900 ext 615.

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Charter Offers $1.0 Billion Senior Unsecured Notes

Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) today announced that its subsidiaries, CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., intend to offer $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2028.

Charter intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including buybacks of the Class A common stock of Charter or common units of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC.

About Charter

Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR) is a leading broadband communications company and the second largest cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services, including Spectrum TV™ video entertainment programming, Spectrum Internet™ access, and Spectrum Voice™. Spectrum Business™ similarly provides scalable, tailored, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data networking, business telephone, video and music entertainment services, and wireless backhaul. Charter's advertising sales and production services are sold under the Spectrum Reach™ brand. More information about Charter can be found at

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Uponor/Wirsbo proPANEL 212: A3500212

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Price: $4,408.56
Item Number: 41296
Manufacturer Name: Uponor Wirsbo
Manufacturer Part No: A3500212
Uponor/Wirsbo proPANEL 212: A3500212

The Uponor Wirsbo proPANEL 212 features effortless wiring, whether as a standalone control panel or connected to multiple panels in the proPANEL series. A modular communication cable simply attaches one panel to the next. No additional controls or wiring is required. Easy to mount, contractors save time and money.

  • Two mixed temperatures via variable speed injection mixing
  • Reset or setpoint modes
  • Boiler protection
  • Boiler enable
  • Dimensions: 28" W x 36" H x 12" D
  • Weight: 110 pounds

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Monthly Archives: January 2016

All-Weather Seal replacement windows provide quality construction and function with unparalleled distinction and low maintenance performance. Furthermore, our replacement windows are energy efficient to slash heating and cooling bills and enhance comfort in the home. Our highly competent home renovation experts provide free in home price quotes with NO Pressure consumer guidance.

All-Weather Seal offers replacement windows in a broad assortment of designs to match any kind of home layout. Replacement windows varieties consist of double hung, casement, slider, bay, bow, picture or garden windows and a wide range of specialty windows in quite a few different styles and choices including wood grains to grids and glass types.

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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

In my haste to get this blog underway I completely forgot to introduce the ruggedly handsome fellow whose face adorns this page. Heraclitus (535 - 475 B.C.) was the author of the beguiling quotation which gives "The Bow and Lyre" its name. He was an Ionian Greek philosopher of whom little is known, apart from the fragments of his work which have come down to us. He was nicknamed "the Obscure", perhaps because of passages such as this one:
"As a single, unified thing there exists in us both life and death, waking and sleeping, youth and old age, because the former things having changed are now the latter, and when those latter things change, they become the former."
(fragment 88). Heraclitus was apparently trying to reconcile two different (and, if you believe the later philosophers, contradictory) ideas: 1) that everything is in a state of ceaseless flux and 2) that opposites are identical. The former doctrine was famously expressed by the Greek phrase panta rei, or "everything flows". Plato quoted him as having said that "you can't step into the same river twice" (to which some wag replied that you can't even do it once), but this was unfair: Heraclitus only said that the waters were constantly changing, not the river itself. "Everything flows" didn't mean that the universe was inherently chaotic, but that opposites were unified by the transformations that bound them together (hot to cold, wet to dry, etc.) His wonderful line "the way up and the way down are one and the same" (frag. 69) served as one of the Heraclitan epigraphs to T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets", and Eliot echoes the philosopher when he says "in my beginning is my end" ("East Coker", I.)

The other epigraph of Heraclitus used by Eliot for "Four Quartets" comes from fragment 92: "Although logos is common to all, most people live as if they had a wisdom of their own." With this slightly snippy remark, he originated the concept of the logos -- the divine order of the universe -- that would go on to have such a powerful influence on Plato and, later, on the author of the Gospel of John.

Rajeev and I decided to name this weblog "The Bow and Lyre" to express what we hope will be the complementarity of our different interests: his focus will primarily be on economics and technology; mine, on art and society (with politics being shared between us). These disciplines are different but related, in the same way that Rajeev and I manage to maintain a friendship despite living on different continents. In all things, logos -- whether it is taken to mean reason, or the divine order -- is what we are striving towards.

(posted by Neil)

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The Magician (2015)

  • Broadcast period: ??
  • Air time: 00:00
  • Release: 2015
  • Director: Kim Dae-Seung

The Magician (2015)

Joseon Magician, 조선마술사

Movie , Romance , Korean | 122 mins

6.4 2127 10 0

Hwan-Hee is the most sought after magician in the Moorangroo, a popular red-light district area in Uiji of the Joseon Dynasty. Hwan-Hee suffers personally from his abusive childhood. As a child, he was physically abused by Gwi-Mol (Kwak Do-Won), a magician from the Qing Dynasty. Hwan-Hee and his friend Bo-Eum (Jo Yoon-Hee) eventually ran away from Gwi-Mol. To this day, they worry about Gwi-Mol. Meanwhile, Cheong-Myung (Go Ara) is a Princess of the Joseon Dynasty. She travels to the Qing Dynasty to marry the Prince of the Qing Dynasty. She doesn't want to get married, but she had no choice due to her family. On the way to Qing, she stops with her group in Uiji of the Joseon Dynasty. There, she meets Hwan-Hee near a cliff on the mountainside. Hwan-Hee is unaware that Cheong-Myung is a princess, but he falls in love with her. Cheong-Myung also falls for Hwan-Hee's free-spirited ways. The violent magician Gwi-Mol is set to return to Joseon in search of Hwan-Hee and Bo-Eum and a conspiracy is set to take place within the Princess' inner circle.

Go Ah Ra Princess Cheong Myung Main Role
Yoo Seung Ho Magician Hwan Hee Main Role
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Kim Sun Ha Hong Dan Supporting Role
Park Chul Min Supporting Role
Son Byung Ho Supporting Role
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Jang Yoo Sang Meok Soi Supporting Role
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Kwak Do Won Gwi Mol Supporting Role

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FAQ : How does the use of World Class Manufacturing & Just in Time (JIT) vary between mass production and process industries?

World class manufacturing opportunities vary enormously from one company to the next and certainly between one type of industry and another. World Class Manufacturing is not therefore a prescriptive solution but a toolbox of techniques. You should pick the most appropriate of the various techniques to fit the precise situation.

In an industry, for instance, where discrete but basically similar products are built sequentially, the best manufacturing method is likely to be based on kanban control whether it is a process industry or a batch production industry. If each of the products are engineered to order fewer of the world class manufacturing techniques are applicable. Even though a company cannot use kanban for its main production processes it may be possible to supply components such as fixtures fittings, packaging and labels using kanbans. The first stage is therefore to understand the techniques the second, and more difficult, is to learn how to apply them to your business.

Have a look at the checklist at http://www.bpic.co.uk/wcm_checklist.htm for a convenient checklist of the main world class manufacturing techniques.

JIT (Just in Time) is basically the same technique as Lean Manufacturing. Six Sigma embraces many of the Lean Manufacturing and Total Quality concepts. They all come under the general heading of World Class Manufacturing.

For more information you should get a copy of my book Business Excellence. More details and how to order click here

*For the historical difference between MRP, MRPII and ERP see ERP survival guide.


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Lemons have a bad reputation, if our idioms are any indicator. Cars in need of constant repair are called ‘lemons,’ while a person with a poor disposition is said to be as ‘sour as a lemon.’ “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is a familiar proverb, as if lemons were the worst form of adversity one could face. .
Yes, the lemon has a bad reputation – and it is entirely undeserved. Lemons are in fact a power-packed superfood that can protect or improve health in various ways, and if you are not including them in your diet, then you really don’t know what you’re missing.

Now it’s true that most people don’t enjoy eating lemons in their whole, natural form. They epitomize sourness, and as a form of food, they appeal only to a certain segment of the population, specifically those with taste buds acclimated to their severe acidity.

But it isn’t necessary to eat a lemon the same way you’d eat an orange to secure its many benefits. Freshly prepared lemon juice delivers the health-preserving goods just fine, diluting the intensity of the flavor without altering its life-enriching biochemical profile.

A half of a lemon for people under 150 pounds, and a full lemon for those over, squeezed and mixed into a glass of pure water at room temperature, creates one of nature’s most potent elixirs. After squeezing make sure to scoop out the juicy pulp that remains inside the lemon so you can add that to the water as well, since this is densely packed with fibers and other nutrients. Drinking lukewarm lemon juice first thing in the morning, 15-20 minutes before any breakfast, will provide the full-impact benefits that lemons can deliver.

How Can Lemons Help You? Let Us Count the Ways

But wait a minute, you’re probably asking, aren’t lemons loaded with acid? Won’t drinking lemon juice on an empty stomach lead to heartburn or indigestion?

The answer to this question is no; in fact, the opposite is true. Despite the presence of citric acid, lemon juice turns alkaline when it enters the bloodstream. As it circulates through the arterial network, it helps restore the body’s fluids to their proper pH balance. This means it will actually prevent heartburn and indigestion instead of causing them. It even works as a straight-up remedy if you are experiencing either already.


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Ryton Rugby Club Pitch Drainage

Brambledown Landscapes in Newcastle have completed over £125k worth of Grass sports pitch drainage works to Ryton Rugby FC in Tyne & Wear. Brambledown Landscape Services have a specialist sports pitch drainage division based out of our Chester-Le-Street office in Tyne & Wear & were able to carry out the grass sports pitch drainage works for Ryton RFC within the timescales and under budget to a very high Sport England standard. The Rugby pitches have drained very well after the very poor weather experienced in February 2014. The full drainage works included the installation of primary and secondary drainage systems into existing grass rugby pitches at Ryton RFC, along with the upgrading of outfall connection drains. Brambledown completed the works with overseding and fertiliser applications.

brambledown sports pitch drainage

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Brambledown Landscape Services ae recruiting at present. Current vacancies include:Estimator - Very good salary, company vehicle and pension

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Mining Wheel Unveiled As Part Of 150th Anniversary Celebrations

Ashington’s new Mining Wheel Entrance Feature was unveiled by Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery today (15 September). The fully restored mining wheel (con

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Ashington Pit Wheel Memorial

Brambledown are in the process of installing a Pit Wheel memorial and associated hard and soft landscaping surrounding the feature.  The giant P

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Brambledown have created one of the largest Play Areas in almost a decade for Sunderland City Council in Ryhope, Sunderland. Constructed and overseen

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Monday, October 18, 2010

Fall Favorites

Often when I tell people what I do for a living I get this question a lot...
"I bet your house is filled with flowers, huh!?"
Its a very rare occasion when I have flowers that adorn my home.

All of my creativity and time are exerted on my clients are their events. So its a extra special day when i can actually put together something for myself. These next few pieces were something i put together to just for me!

My version of a cascade bouquet. Callas, tulips, amaranthus, roses and trachelium. I wanted to challenge myself to try something that I wouldn't normally compose.

Classic rose bouquet.

I've been doing my darnedest to be a better blogger.
So far I would give myself a B+. Thoughts?

I love getting comments so if you see something you like, feel free to leave me a comment.

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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Croak by Gina Damico

Title: Croak
Author: Gina Damico
Narrator: Jessica Almasy
Series: Croak #1
Length: 8hrs & 16 mins/320 pages
Publisher: Audible Studios February 28, 2013
Rating: 4 1/2 STARS

Description from Goodreads:

Fed up with her wild behavior, sixteen-year-old Lex's parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape.

But Uncle Mort's true occupation is much dirtier than shoveling manure. He's a Grim Reaper. And he's going to teach Lex the family business.

She quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. But Lex can't stop her desire for justice - or is it vengeance? - whenever she encounters a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again.

Will she ditch Croak and go rogue with her reaper skills?

My Thoughts:

               Lexington Bartleby is a juvenile delinquent. Her delinquent behavior and out lashes find home to all those around her without prejudice. In a last ditch effort her parents and twin sister hogtie her to the dining room chair with jump ropes and inform her she is going to spend the summer in the-middle-of-nowhere Croak with her estranged Uncle Mort at his farm. This is unacceptable, but Lex doesn’t really have a choice. When she first meets Mort she knows something is off and when she really takes a look at small-town Croak, Lex knows something is different about her new home. She soon learns that she has been sent to a town that is home to Reapers…yeah as in the Grim Reapers. Lex becomes a Grim in training, but it soon becomes apparent that Lex is no like everyone else. Her differences make her stick out and eventually make her a target. Something is wrong in the Grimsphere and Lex and her partner Driggs are on the forefront. Will she be able to avert disaster or will she join in the chaos?

               The first chapter of so of Croak didn’t really impress me. However, my opinion quickly turned around. Lex is definitely a unique character by any standard I can think of. She is rough, violent, mean, sarcastic, and I absolutely adored her. She says the kind of mean things I say to my siblings, but would never let anyone outside of my family know. Her fierce independence and tendency to follow her own beliefs makes her pretty awesome in my book. Other than Lex, what made this book so special was that each character truly had a life or spark of their own. Croak is the quintessential mash up of personalities that you will find in the not quite outcast, but fringe high school groups. Everyone couldn’t be more opposite, but the all have that one thing that ties them together. Think of Croak as a morbid updated version of The Breakfast Club crew. The last thing that truly sets Croak apart is the macabre subject matter and the way it is handled. This book deals with teens and adults literally being in the moment that first moment of death. As you know and can imagine many people do not go peacefully and Damico doesn’t shy away from these scenes. In addition, when dealing with these deaths the moral dilemma of bringing justice on your own terms to murders… is it the right thing to do? Along this same note, this subject matter can be pretty heavy. They are tastefully done, yet show how brutal death can be. Gina Damico balances everything out with a slightly morbid sense of humor that is absolutely hilarious.

               The narrator Jessica Almasy did a phenomenal job voicing Croak and all of it’s characters. One of the key things when it comes to audiobooks is if a narrator is reading as a 16 year old he/she not sound like they are in their 50s. Ms. Almasy was spot on and was able to convey the perfect level of amped up sarcasm and contempt for Lex. She is definitely a narrator I look forward to listening to in the future. Overall I absolutely loved Croak by Gina Damico and cannot wait to dig in to the next book Scorch. I give this book a 4 ½ STAR rating.

1 comment:

  1. I love Grim Reaper stories and Croak is one of my favorites :) I really need to get to Scorch soon!


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Monday, July 13, 2009

Road Trip

My 17 year old wants to go on a "road trip" so I promised him one this summer. Problem is I've already spent so much money lately and this could get pricey. I worry about what my husband will have to say about it (and no, I haven't told him yet.) I think it's just going to be from Sunday to Wednesday, if I can get someone to cover my shifts at work. We plan on going to Indianapolis first. We can stay at my daughter's apartment, altho she has 3 roommates-- it may be a bit crowded. But it's cheaper! We plan on going to the Imax theatre to see the Harry Potter movie Sunday evening, and then maybe the zoo on Monday. I'm hoping to spend the night again in Indy and then take off early Tuesday morning for wherever. I just haven't figured out where wherever is! A motel that night, some sight seeing Wednesday morning, and back home by evening. It seems so simple, but I'm one of those people who likes everything planned and organized and scheduled. I'm just not very flexible. I so wish I was! I think the boy needs this break so I'm doing it for him. And, in a way, I guess I'm doing it for myself to see if I can! I'm trying so hard to break out of the routine. It's not easy.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Hot and Muggy

A couple of weeks ago--the last day of a 2 week heat wave--our air conditioner quit. It was kind of nice because the days following were nice and the nights were down-right chilly at times, and I love having the windows open, but this week it got a bit warm. My son does not like hot weather and has let me know on a fairly regular basis, but getting an answer from the husband on what he thought we should do about it was not forthcoming. Today he tells me he thinks he knows what is wrong and he thinks he can order the part and fix it. Yeah for him! I just hope he's right because with this rain we've gotten in the last 24 hours, everything in the house is damp. I really had planned on cleaning this weekend, but it's kinda difficult when everything is sticking together!


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Thursday, November 24, 2016

He asked us all to follow him
And follow him we did
We let the devil out of his box
And we can't put back the lid

It appears that someone (or several someones) has downloaded my entire Bandcamp catalog, which means that my free downloads are just about used up for the month. If you are thinking about downloading at this point, please make a cash contribution (even a small amount). It will keep from kicking my albums into automatic pay mode, it will help support my music, and it might do your conscience a world of good. Peace.