CREE TEES

Finally, Something About Mayor Bloomberg I Like

2010-09-20T09:44:00.004-05:00

Mayor Bloomberg, the richest man in New York, only owns two pairs of shoes.

The last time I bought shoes was in June, 2001.

Lice Like Clean Hair

2010-09-14T11:17:00.005-05:00

Who would of thunk it? No perfumed shampoos, no conditioners, no hairsprays.
I have a perfume allergy and I wash with scentless soaps and shampoos. The baby, too, every day.
Then she was sent home, from school.
We shaved our heads, threw out our pillows, washed our clothes, bedsheets and pillowcases, three times, and now I'm sneezing my lungs out because of RID, Rosemary, and Fairy Tales.

Is Blogging Mainly Whining?

2010-08-24T17:12:00.004-05:00

About the context of a story, about the way the story is reported, about the media outlet that published it, about another blogger's treatment of the story? Sure seems that way to me.

Man up and do your own original reporting.

A Very Pretty Kukri

2010-08-03T19:14:00.006-05:00

That belongs to GuardDuck.

He writes, "I like a well used knife, so I really like DirtCrashr's. But just because; here's a pic of my presentation model kukri."

The Advantage A Knife Has Over A Gun,

2010-07-29T13:12:00.004-05:00

if there's nobody you want to shoot, you can always whittle.
From Texas Machinist:

W-2 Brine-Quenched

2010-07-29T09:36:00.003-05:00

One of mine. A Sykes-Fairbairn WWII commando knife.

A Kukri

2010-07-28T12:42:00.007-05:00

that belongs to DirtCrashr.
As always, click on picture to embigen.

A Picture For Anwyn

2010-07-22T13:04:00.003-05:00

When I Am King Of The World

2010-07-21T17:56:00.006-05:00

architects will not be allowed to put pipes under three inches of cement.

What looks like half a donut at the lower left of the upper right quarter is water from a broken hot water pipe.

Took two of us seven hours to break through the cement and stop the leak, and I still have to restore the floor and the wall.

Katana and Gunto (Updated With Saber)

2010-07-08T22:27:00.019-05:00

The top four photos are from Texas Machinist (who has his own site at Texas Machinist, naturally) and writes:

"This was a sword [my father] got in combat. I don't remember what island but the officer was leading his men with a Nambu in his right hand and the sword in his left. One of my father[']s friend[s] knew how to take off the handle and read the date and family name on the shank. It seems an odd length, shorter than a katana but not as short as the normal short sword. I know many were shortened for later military use but I have no idea on this one. The blade is mirror like and the edge is sharp."

These two are mine, of a gunto, a machine-made but still very good sword, that has decorated my daughter's playroom since she was born.
(Some Greek parents put a knife under their babies' cribs as a charm against evil. That's not why I did it.)

As always, click to embigen.

UPDATE: Saber, also from Texas Machinist
Note the Western design with the chrysanthemum decoration on the hilt.

What Do You Do With A Broken Scissors?

2010-06-29T11:06:00.005-05:00

Take the remaining good blade and make it into a knife. The wood is very old pine. Practically fossilized, no sealers necessary.

Terms of Use Reposted

2010-06-14T22:29:00.004-05:00

I'm reposting my terms of use for this site just because I want to:
I maintain this site for my own amusement and no other reason. By visiting you expressly agree that you have no rights or expectations to anything here. If you don't like something, tough titty. Take your snivelling to your mommy and ask her to wipe your nose and give you a great big hug and ice cream.

2010-05-02T16:52:00.001-05:00

Rules For A Swordfighter

2010-04-13T10:00:00.003-05:00

1. Be alert.
2. Get the big picture.
3. Separate hazards.
4. Always leave yourself an out.
5. Learn from your mistakes but leave them behind you.

Easter Eggs

2010-04-03T19:13:00.003-06:00

Done only with onion ~~peel~~ broth and leaves from the yard. No dyes.

Over Chicago On Good Friday

2010-04-03T19:10:00.001-06:00

2010-03-05T18:55:00.001-06:00

It's not that the good die young, it's that the young die while still good.

2010-01-29T10:18:00.004-06:00

2010-01-28T17:34:00.001-06:00

Once upon a time, a Prince asked a beautiful Princess: "Will you marry me?"

The Princess said: "NO!!!"

And the Prince lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and went fishing and hunting and played golf and drank beer and scotch and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.

The End

2010-01-25T20:25:00.002-06:00

Songs of the Dying Earth

2010-01-20T08:55:00.004-06:00

a collection of stories by various writers in imitation of Jack Vance is not embarassingly bad but it is not good. Nothing like Jack Vance and certainly not worth the $90.00+ delivered. I almost gave up at the travesty by Mike Resnick who is a very good writer in his own style. Glen Cook was no better. There is only one Jack Vance.

A Quote

2010-01-19T12:04:00.001-06:00

from Thomas DeQuincy that I like:

If once a man indulges himself in murder, very soon he comes to think little of robbing; and from robbing he comes next to drinking and Sabbath-breaking, and from that to incivility and procrastination.

My Wife Left Me

2009-12-19T18:09:00.005-06:00

for the weekend and took our daughter with her. I have a filet mignon that I can do anything with for Sunday dinner. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Conversation with a filet mignon steak (USDA Choice).

Steak: So are you ever going to defrost me?
Me: Not today, anyway.
Steak: Why not?
Me: I just came back from the grocery store with a package of Vienna Beef franks, Mary Ann buns, and a jar of relish. I have mustard, tomatoes and onions in the refrigerator.
Steak: You are not doing a single darn thing for my self-esteem.

PTA Dad, Halloween Play

2009-12-16T10:00:00.004-06:00

Unemployable With Nothing Better To Do Than Work Out In The Gym All Day

2009-12-14T13:10:00.004-06:00

challenges me to challenge him to a wrestling match. (You need to scroll down to Comment #612 because his site is as screwed up as his mind.)

Yup, a wrestling match, that's what I said. He's a bodybuilder who liked kickboxing but now likes grappling arts. Yup, I said grappling arts. Fun ensues in subsequent comments.

Broiled Lamb And Greek Village Bean Salad

2009-12-13T20:40:00.007-06:00

The hardest part about cooking lamb right is that you seldom get lamb. What you get is "martini", something between lamb and mutton. Trust me, I know. I spent a lot of summers on a mountainside turning lambs into martinis and driving them to market when school started. Now if you're grilling that's no problem, but if you're broiling in your oven it is.

So, you take your rack of lamb and cut it into chops. A cutting board and a slicing knife are good enough. A little olive oil to lubricate your baking pan, sprinkle some salt, pepper and oregano on the chops. Broil until you like the color on that side. Turn them over and broil until you like the color on the other side.

Now, you have a pan of lamb chops and maybe a pint of stuff they exuded. Take pan out of the oven. Take chops out of the pan. Wash away the gucky stuff in the pan. Put the chops back in the pan. Put the pan back in the oven. Broil for maybe five minutes. Now they should be nice and crispy and no liquid or other gucky stuff. Take them out and squeeze some lemon on them. Done. Don't forget to turn off the oven.

The cold bean salad I made tonight is likely more complicated than Greek villagers had time for but it adheres to the same principle. One large white onion chopped. One pint each of boiled red kidney beans, white kidney beans, and garbanzo beans. (They sell those in cans at your grocery store but be sure to rinse them and drain them in a colander.) In largish bowl, mix onion, beans, salt, generous squeezings of lemon, chopped olives, generous pouring of olive oil, pinch of crushed red pepper. Toss/mix well with two spoons.

Good with crusty bread and feta cheese.

A Couple Of Lovelies ... Err... I Mean, Don't They Make A Lovely Couple?... Err ... I Mean, Best Wishes To The Bride And Groom

2009-11-30T09:20:00.005-06:00

Story here.

Loctite's Super Glue Sucks

2009-11-05T18:49:00.003-06:00

Did they change their formula or was I wrong in thinking they had good products?

D. Marvin Jones

2009-11-03T19:22:00.005-06:00

An affirmative action creep who cannot keep it in his pants
proves that he is also an affirmative action incompetent who cannot draft a proper complaint while pretending to be a professor of law.

Personally, I'd Hold Off On The Beheading

2009-11-03T18:31:00.005-06:00

A Saudi court of cassation upheld a ruling to behead and crucify a 22-year-old man convicted of raping five children and leaving one of them to die in the desert, newspapers reported on Tuesday.

I'd just crucify him and let him die of thirst and exposure. Slowly.

When You Look Into A Horse's Eye You See God, They Say

2009-11-01T08:51:00.003-06:00

Click picture to enlarge.

Ain't But Three Things In This World That's Worth A Solitary Dime

2009-11-01T01:25:00.005-06:00

My Halloween started at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon on Friday and just finished (maybe). I was the Phantom of The Opera in the school play and then it was the cast party at my house and my parties always wind up with a sleepover for some of the guests and then it was time for bacon and eggs and pancakes and candy and pizza and munchies and grilled lamb chops and more whiskey and wine and I think I have the DTs and it will take me the next year to sort out which of the neighbors’ wives are mad at me for getting their husbands drunk.

Priorities

2009-10-27T08:14:00.003-06:00

“For a kilo of onion, imported from Germany, I’m paying the equivalent of a bottle of good whiskey.”

I'd rather have the whiskey, too.

Eight Plait Round Braid Quirt

2009-10-24T19:46:00.005-05:00

Click to enlarge.

Smoked Ham Hocks With Red Kidney Beans Soup

2009-10-23T16:52:00.008-05:00

A one-pot meal.

Seven quart pot. A large onion diced more or less fine. Some minced garlic. A 16 oz. can of diced tomatoes. A 16 oz. can of tomato sauce (pureed tomatoes). Two or three bay leaves. A pinch of cumin seed. A teaspoon tip of black pepper. Half a red jalapeno pepper. Two cans of water. Start boiling.

NO SALT. THE HAMHOCKS ARE WAY SALTY ALREADY.

Wash four smoked hamhocks. Put in pot. Add water to cover hamhocks.

Low to medium boil until you can cut through the skin of the hamhocks with a spoon (three hours for me).

Remove hamhocks. Set aside in serving platter.

Into the broth, put in three pounds ( 3 16 oz. cans) pre-cooked, canned, red kidney beans. I don't care about the brand but I always empty out the cans into a colander and rinse the beans well. Low boil until you like the consistency.

Done.

You might want to skip the jalapeno. A little bit goes farther than Yanqui tastes like.

To Sautee Or Not To Sautee?

2009-10-13T18:38:00.003-05:00

I make this thing which is a spaghetti sauce and/or Sloppy Joe, take your choice.

I chop a large onion fine and sautee it in a seven quart pot with a little olive oil, medium heat, until it's translucent, not browned. I add about two and a half pounds of 95% ground meat and brown it gently, stirring frequently, until the blood turns into juice. A 16oz can of tomato sauce, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, nutmeg, two or three pints of water. Simmer for about two hours.

Well, I thought that maybe I should not be sauteeing or browning. We used to call them saturated fats, now they call them trans fats. So I just dumped everything together into the pot and started boiling it. Brought it to a boil, lowered the heat to a simmer. About two hours. We'll see if it's the same thing.

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

2009-10-02T09:28:00.003-05:00

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Who's The Leader With The Peter Eighteen Inches Long?

2009-10-01T10:13:00.003-05:00

Sarkozy!!!

There is no other explanation.

Cleaning Up The Blog Roll

2009-09-24T12:09:00.002-05:00

I do not link to sites that do not allow comments. Jim Treacher has disabled comments for a while now. And Big Lizards purports to allow comments but Keypad will not allow me to sign in.

There Is True Evil In The World

2009-09-21T22:02:00.007-05:00

Woman has fifteen abortions in sixteen years.

The face of evil: Irene Vilar.

Heh!

2009-09-21T18:40:00.002-05:00

Not having plans for Saturday is a religion?

Catapulting Into Sunday

2009-09-13T09:59:00.001-05:00

AT&T Is A Bunch Of Cheating, Lying Assholes

2009-08-31T10:00:00.004-05:00

I ran a speed test on my supposedly DSL line. I get 192 kbps, when I'm paying them for 1,100. I'm dropping them for Comcast. But I would drop them even if the only other service I could get was two tin cans and a string. Cheating, lying assholes!

UPDATE: Switch to Comcast is done. The installation could have been more efficient and elegant, but it was acceptable. The important thing, I have 15,000 kbps download speed right now. At half the montly charge, for phone and internet, that I was paying AT&T.

The AMA On Health Care Reform

2009-08-25T21:34:00.006-05:00

The American Medical Association has weighed in on the new Universal Health Plan.
Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.
The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.
Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted.
Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Pediatricians said, "Oh, Grow up!"
The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it.
Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter."
The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea.
The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say "no".
In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the assholes in Washington.

Genma Holmes, Race Hustler, Serves Up Dish Of Fictional Horseshit To Gullible Bloggers

2009-08-25T17:20:00.007-05:00

This lady falsely claims that she got a rookie policeman to profile and abuse her teenage son so as to teach him a lesson on how to behave around the police.

To put my words into application, I once asked a recent graduate from the police academy to help my eldest son understand that my worries were valid. He assured me he would teach him an unforgettable lesson. Several evenings later, my unsuspecting man-child was stopped by the graduate and was asked a slew of unimportant questions.

Where are you going tonight? Is this your car? Why are you out so late? What do your parents do?

The list was endless. The barrage of inquiries was intended to irritate and distract. As my son started to lose his composure and show his annoyance, the officer became more “aggressive” my son said later.

Consequently, he ended up on the hood of his SUV faced down and was told to address the officer as “Mr. Officer, sir”. After being given a fictional ticket and the fright of his life, he came home shaking with rage. As he tried to explain his terrorizing encounter he experienced, I continued the interrogation by asking about his actions that provoked the officer. I could hear the disbelief in his voice as he tried to repeat the sequence of events. I was not interested in the cop’s behavior but his responses to the cop. I saw the white hot anger on his face. I remind him that his exasperation was what others experienced daily.

This is total bullshit. Recent graduates from the police academy, also known as rookies, do not get to patrol alone. And when off-duty, they do not get to drive squad cars. And the police academy teaches them that violating someone's civil rights while armed with a handgun means a mandatory minimum of twelve years in prison. Mrs. Holmes is a liar.

And I got taken in by her gypsy spiel, too.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

2009-08-09T08:33:00.010-05:00

I could not possibly consider myself professional grade if I had finished the job on time or if 5% did not need to be corrected by "the owner".

What Obamacare Means

2009-08-08T16:01:00.005-05:00

You go to the grocery store. Obama is waiting for you at the door. He asks, "What are you here for?" You say, "Some steak and arugula". Obama says, "Do you have the money to pay for it?" You say, "Yes".

Just then, another person walks up. Obama asks her, "What are you here for?" She says, "I'd like some cans of ChiliMac and a package of Twinkies, but I don't think I can afford it". Obama tells you, "Give her some of your money so she can buy the ChiliMac and Twinkies". You do.

Obama then turns to you and says, "You can go in and buy some ChiliMac and Twinkies, too." You say, "Say what?" He says, "If that's all she's getting, it's fair that it's all you get, too." You say, "But I can still afford steak and arugula." Obama says, "That's fine. Buy that for me."

[This post may be copied and republished, in its entirety, with or without attribution to me, but only in its entirety.]

Don't Mess With A Greek Island-Woman

2009-08-08T08:08:00.004-05:00

A Greek woman set fire to a British man's genitals at a club after he allegedly made sexual advances on her.

"The British man, who police have also not yet identified, allegedly took off his pants there and waved his genitals at a number girls. He is then said to have "forcefully fondled" the Greek woman and asked her to hold his genitals."

"The woman asked the man to stop harassing her, police said, and when he didn't, she poured Sabucco, a liquor that resembles Greek ouzo, on his private area."

"When the man continued his advances, police said that's when the woman set fire to his genitals using a lighter."

"The man is currently at in a Heraklion, Crete, clinic being treated for second-degree burns to his testicles and penis."

Ask

2009-07-19T15:10:00.002-05:00

Don't Ask

2009-07-17T14:30:00.003-05:00

AT&T Sucks

2009-07-12T21:39:00.003-05:00

For the last six months or more, my AT&T/SBCGlobal connection has only worked half the time. Now, I know what the problem is. They have oversold their service and the server will not give me an IP when it gets busy. But the dishonest creeps refuse to admit it. Every time I call them, I get a different story. I have heard at least twenty variations of "it's a line problem". Not bad enough, sometimes I get a little creep in India or San Francisco who tries to dissect my computer.

If you have a choice, avoid AT&T or any of its subsidiaries such as SBCGlobal for your internet service provider.

For Patterico

2009-06-07T08:35:00.002-05:00

2009-05-18T11:12:00.003-05:00

Crooked rivers and crooked men.

Oliver Smithies

2009-05-16T21:01:00.003-05:00

We just got back from Madison, Wisconsin, where a friend of ours graduated from medical school. As a bonus we got to see Dr. Oliver Smithies receive an Honorary Degree and speak at the commencement. The excerpt below barely begins to describe this remarkable man:

Smithies' career has been a series of visionary innovations that have impacted medical science. His work in genetics have earned him many major international awards and recognition. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1971, just 11 years after beginning his appointment as a Madison faculty member. He most recently was honored with a Nobel Prize in 2007. He donated the proceeds from that prize to the academic institutions that fostered his work, including UW-Madison.
His discovery of targeting specific mouse genes enabled the production of "designer mice" with genetic models of many human diseases. Scientists today can't remember research before "knock-out" mouse strains were invented. This groundbreaking discovery advanced research in diseases such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, to name just a few. His research will benefit humanity for many years to come, paving the way for improving the human condition.

He was also the best speaker at the commencement. Intelligent, entertaining, relevant and memorable.

Ain't Nobody Wanna Be A Lawn

2009-05-10T18:34:00.006-05:00

A Little Best Friend Blogging

2009-04-30T19:54:00.004-05:00

Here You Go, AD

2009-04-29T22:07:00.006-05:00

A Picture of Miss California Just Because I Want To

2009-04-25T09:13:00.005-05:00

Via Patterico

AND A JOKE TOO:
A lady goes to her priest one day and tells him, "Father, I have a problem. I have 2 female parrots, but they only know how to say one thing." "What do they say?" the priest inquired. They say, "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?" "That's obscene!" the priest exclaimed. Then he thought for a moment, "You know," he said, "I may have a solution to your problem. I have 2 male talking parrots, which I have taught to pray and read the bible. Bring your 2 parrots over to my house, and we'll put them in the cage with Frank and Jacob. My parrots can teach your parrots to pray and worship, and your parrots are sure to stop saying that phrase in no time." "Thank you," the woman responded, "this may very well be the solution." The next day, she brought her female parrots to the priest's house. As he ushered her in, and she saw that his 2 male parrots were inside their cage holding rosary beads and praying. Impressed, she walked over and placed her parrots in with them. After a few minutes, the female parrots cried out in unison, "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?" There was a stunned silence. Shocked, one male parrot looked over at the other male parrot and exclaimed, "Put the beads away, Frank, our prayers have been answered."

Machiavelli Was Wrong

2009-04-22T19:32:00.004-05:00

It is infinitely better to be loved than feared. The chains of love are a thousand times stronger than the chains of fear although maybe a thousand times harder to forge. Maybe he meant that you are better off if you fear rather than if you love.

The Compleat Robert E. Howard Online For Free

2009-04-19T22:54:00.007-05:00

I read everything Robert E. Howard wrote, starting at age eleven. I was reading Conan comic books at age nineteen. I gave them all to the Salvation Army at age thirty-four. Now they have come back to me online.

"Though he always acted on impulse, he firmly believed that all his actions were governed by cold and logical reasonings. He was a man born out of his time--a strange blending of Puritan and Cavalier, with a touch of the ancient philosopher, and more than a touch of the pagan, though the last assertion would have shocked him unspeakably."

"He was the fool, after all; had he not paused to taunt us, he could have trapped us easily."

2009-04-19T07:39:00.004-05:00

Via Patterico, CNN, Part D~~eux~~ouche:

Christ Is Risen

2009-04-18T21:45:00.003-05:00

Take, receive Light
From the Eternal Light
And give Glory to Christ
Who is Risen from the Dead.

Christ has Risen from among the Dead,
Trampling Death with Death,
And to those Entombed,
He has Granted Life.

What The #$%&?, or, Doing The Chavez

2009-04-17T21:25:00.009-05:00

First this
And then this?
When will they get down to some serious teabagging?

2009-04-16T10:04:00.004-05:00

CNN, just keep on doing your teabagging, and leave our tea-parties alone.

2009-04-14T17:26:00.004-05:00

These were not bought from an FFL.

Cute soldadera, though.

News of the "Say What?"

2009-04-14T11:02:00.006-05:00

In Minnesota, it's a crime to let a pig get fat.

ALSO: Raising Spartans ... not
"The latest episode of HBO's Real Sports, debuting Wednesday, includes a look at school physical education programs aiming to reduce competition and physical contact. Among the innovations: Have children jump rope without using ropes and play tag where you just step on others' shadows rather than tagging them."

AND How did I miss Genital Integrity Awareness Week?

2009-04-11T06:55:00.007-05:00

What kind of commenter am I? A very interesting and entertaining article by Michael S. Malone. I have been on Al Gore's internets since 2005 and, depending on which of my comments at which site you picked, you could put me in most, but hopefully not all, of Mr. Malone's categories.

BONUS for SayUncle readers:
Ostensibly Marine, but could be SEAL, sniper on the USS Boxer.

2009-04-06T20:47:00.004-05:00

We could have had this

and we got this?

Growing Up

2009-04-06T11:06:00.003-05:00

At age twenty-eight, I thought Bruce Sprinsteen was "teh cool". Now, at age 52, I realize that he was never nothing more than a whiny New-Jersey-boy.

Self-deprecating Honesty From Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton

2009-04-02T21:21:00.004-06:00

Asked for comment about this mishap, Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton responded: “A corrected phone number on a press release is probably one of the stupider things [this Administration has done that] FOX News has covered lately.”

More at Patterico's.

March 29, 2009

2009-03-29T12:57:00.009-06:00

UPDATE:

But, Couldn't I Just Have Some Whiskey Only?

2009-03-29T06:25:00.004-06:00

There's a stupid Balkan (no, not necessarily Greek, Jeff) tradition that the guest must drink water. I don't entirely get it, but I think it comes down to either, "Yes, please, a whiskey with water on the side", or "No whiskey just now, could I have a glass of water?"

Don't ask.

2009-03-26T08:20:00.002-06:00

The sky is falling.

What Is Truth?

2009-03-20T19:47:00.001-06:00

Your wife asks, “Does this dress make me look fat?”

You think it does. But if you say “Yes”, you will be a liar. You will actually be saying, “I don’t love you or respect you, the mother of my children, and I don’t care if I hurt your feelings”. If you say, “No, you look great”, that is the real truth. Not the politically-correct truth. The truth in your heart and mind.*

*If you were to say, “I’m not sure. Take it off and come over here while I think about it”, it will be the truth in your glands, as well.

Criminals For Gun Control, or, Talk About A Hostile Work-Place Environment!

2009-03-16T10:53:00.003-06:00

2009-03-12T18:19:00.003-06:00

Fish and tomatoes,
Onions, garlic and potatoes;
Olive oil, salt and pepper,
Help to make the soup taste better.

A recipe is in the comments due to popular request.

Novocaine And Alcohol Interaction

2009-02-19T11:25:00.003-06:00

I leave my dentist's office with my lower jaw totally numb, with strict orders not to eat, but allowed to drink. I buy a bottle of Sake, at Binny's next door. At first, the Sake stays in my mouth and goes down. But as the Sake takes effect and the Novocaine lingers, it dribbles out.

I Cooked Sticky Rice

2009-02-08T16:10:00.003-06:00

For the first time. Like I expected, it's better the day after, but I wonder whether I could not get the day-old texture by using a little less water.

2009-02-03T19:50:00.001-06:00

Click to embigen.

Lamb and artichoke hearts in egg-lemon sauce

2009-01-31T21:58:00.007-06:00

Get a leg of lamb, about five pounds, and trim about three pounds of the leanest meat off in no bigger than three by three chunks. Save the bone and the rest of the meat.

Chop a large onion fine. In a seven-quart pot, put in two tablespoons or so of olive oil and sautee the onion until it's translucent but not burned. Put in the lamb and brown it until it’s not bloody anymore and it’s simmering in its own juice. Add some water to cover it and keep on simmering it. Stir in salt, pepper, some dill (fresh or dry, it doesn’t matter) and keep simmering. The seasonings strictly according to taste. The water is critical. Make sure to add enough as the meat simmers to keep it covered but no more than that. You’re not making soup. It’s going to simmer for at least an hour. You want to be able to cut the meat with a spoon.

Three pounds of frozen artichoke hearts from Trader Joe’s are perfectly fine. Peeling your own artichokes is a big pain and it turns your hands black. Put them in when you think the meat is tender enough. You should not need to add water. Simmer on low heat. They will add their own water. When they are tender enough for you, turn off the heat and keep it covered and hot.

Squeeze out the juice of two lemons. Separate out eight egg yolks. Beat the egg yolks as fine as you can in a largish bowl. Add the lemon juice and keep on beating. Turn the heat back on your pot which should still be boiling hot. Spoon hot broth from the pot into your egg-lemon bowl. Lots. And keep on beating. Spoon in several times. You want as much broth as eggs and lemon and for it to be very warm, even hot. Pour the broth-egg-lemon mixture into your pot, stir in well, and turn off the heat. Done. Eat it whenever. It’s just as good rewarmed.

You have a lamb bone with meat on it, left. I boil it in low heat, skimming off the brown stuff. After a couple of hours I have a wonderful broth. The dog gets the bone and scraps of meat on it and loves you forever. I cut up a couple or three of potatoes, throw in a pinch of salt and oregano, boil till the potatoes are soup-soft, and have a soup. I squeeze in a little lemon, too, on my plate.

Season's Greetings One More Time

2008-12-24T17:01:00.002-06:00

Please accept without obligation, express or implied, these best wishes for an environmentally safe, socially responsible, low stress, non addictive, and gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday as practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice (but with respect for the religious or secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or for their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all) and further for a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated onset of the generally accepted calendar year (including, but not limited to, the Christian calendar, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures). The preceding wishes are extended without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee(s).
Or,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everybody!

More On Chuck Phillips and the LA Times From Patterico

2008-11-24T07:21:00.004-06:00

Patterico has a new post with more evidence of the extent to which Los Angeles Times Reporter, Chuck Phillips, was willing to go into the tank for private-eye to the stars and extortionist, Anthony Pellicano: Chuck Phillips's Letters To A Witness: Merely Suggestive? Or Witness Tampering?

I don't think that I could make a case for sanctionable witness tampering with these letters but it is clear that Phillips is telling Proctor what Phillips wants to hear, how it might be to Proctor's advantage to say it, and that Phillips is not interested in hearing anything else. And that it is all for the benefit of Pellicano.

UPDATE: Patterico obtained an interview with Chuck Phillips and has posted the first part here.

The Ballad Of The Unknown Pirate

2008-11-23T17:57:00.008-06:00

The Ballad Of The Unknown Pirate

Who has ships' captains trembling,
Off the Somali shore?
It's The Unknown Pirate,
An outlaw commodore.

He might command a thousand
Or maybe even more;
But he's the ruler of the sea,
Off the Somali shore.

They say he’s a savage;
His actions they abhor.
He has a family to feed,
And a few thousands more.

They’re jealous of their power,
(And well they should be).
He does not fight for power;
He fights just to live.

“The price of power is struggle.”
How they justify their strife!
He knows a little more than them;
He knows the price of life.

To see his children hungry,
That he will not endure;
He’ll lay waste a thousand ships,
And then a thousand more.

He has ships’ captains trembling,
And fat, soft owners sore;
And they’re not worth a tenth of him,
Off the Somali shore.

Coincidence?

2008-10-27T08:41:00.003-06:00

1&1 Plans to Keep Patterico.com Out of Commission for 7-10 More Days Coincidentally, that will keep patterico.com dark through the election.

Patterico's Domain Name Has Been Hijacked

2008-10-24T10:47:00.006-05:00

He has all the details in this post.

If they can do it to him, they can do it to all of us.

Please also note his temporary address.

UPDATE: patterico.net is now working too.

Gender Politics And Tax Policy

2008-10-20T09:37:00.002-05:00

They held a mock election at my daughter’s school.

My daughter, 6 years, six months, seventeen days, eight hours and fifty minutes old, got into this conversation with a PTA mom, afterwards, explaining why she voted for McCain:

Daughter: I wanted Hillary to be President but now she can’t be so I voted for Sarah because there has never been a girl President. There have only been boy Presidents.

PTA mom: But Sarah is not running for President, she is running for Vice-President. And you know there has never been an African-American President.

My daughter does not know race. She knows only that people look different. But she sees that she is not connecting and switches arguments.

Daughter: I want to have a paper-route. (She pronounced it “root”). And Obama is going to steal all my money and give it to other people.

How The Markets Really Work, A Video Presentation

2008-10-07T16:55:00.003-05:00

Perfectly true and perfectly sad.

“What was stupid was not giving a loan to a person without income, job or assets, it was asking at some point what is that house we took a mortgage on actually worth?”

“Government bailout? No, it’s not rewarding greed and stupidity, it’s saving your pension fund”.

Watch the whole thing. The quotes above do not do it justice.

Not That I Have Ever Felt Like That

2008-10-02T21:38:00.003-05:00

but it's still good advice:

SayUncle

2008-09-14T23:53:00.003-05:00

has his own ideas about what a manstopper is and I have mine:

2008-09-13T15:52:00.003-05:00

Cowardice is the greatest sin.

The Master and Margarita

2008-09-09T11:32:00.006-05:00

by Mikhail Bulgakov is one powerful book. Satan goes to Stalinist Moscow to torment the new Soviet bourgioisie who have given themselves up to him. Thanks again to friend BigLeeH for the recommendation.

~~(I'm at Chapter 16. More to come.)~~

To Paraphrase The War Hero I Will Vote For

2008-09-05T11:09:00.002-05:00

I would rather lose a battle in the Culture Wars than the election in November.

This Election

2008-09-05T11:04:00.001-05:00

1. The catch is, if you vote for Palin, you have to vote for McCain;
2. The catch is, if you vote for McCain, you have to vote for Palin;
3. The catch is, if you don’t vote for McCain and Palin, Obama wins.

Thought For The Day

2008-09-04T18:55:00.003-05:00

If you're hungry enough to eat at a restaurant, odds are that your food will taste good.

Slate Moron, William Saletan

2008-09-04T12:04:00.007-05:00

says that six or seven percent of American women between the ages of seventeen and thirty belong to Presidential or Vice-Presidential families.

Actually, he has no clue about what he's saying.

H/t Ace of Spades.

Pontius Pilate

2008-09-02T11:02:00.004-05:00

has always fascinated me. My religion blames him, solely, for the Suffering and Death of Christ. To me he represents the corruption that the spirit suffers when it becomes matter. Inquiry vs. belief; thought vs. prejudice; strength vs. weakness; justice vs. self-interest.

I'm in a William Blake phase, these days. (Or maybe I'm drinking too much.)

The Etymology of Moulitsas as in Markos Moulitsas a/k/a DailyKos

2008-08-31T22:35:00.004-05:00

“Moulos” is “bastard”. It’s the origin of “mule”.
“Moulitsa” is the feminine, diminutive. “Little bastard girl".
The final “s” in “Moulitsas” can indicate either possessive or grammatical male gender. The possessive is not used for men’s surnames in Greek. They are “the” --not “o’” “de”, “von”, etc.
The best translation is “grammatically male little girly bastard”.

My Obama Anthem

2008-08-29T11:03:00.004-05:00

ARTIST: Boz Scaggs
TITLE: Lido Shuffle
Lyrics and Chords

Lido missed the boat that day he left the shack
But that was all he missed and he ain't comin' back
A tombstone bar in a jukejoint car, he made a stop
Just long enough to grab a handle off the top
Next stop Chi town, Lido put the money down and let it roll

/ A - D - / E - D GC / 1st / E - D E7 / 1st /

He said one more job ought to get it
One last shot 'fore we quit it
One more for the road

/ E D / E D A E / C G /

{Refrain}

Lido, whoa-oh-oh-oh
He's for the money, he's for the show
Lido's waitin' for the go
Lido, whoa-oh-oh-oh
He said one more job ought to get it
One last shot 'fore we quit it
One more for the road

/ C - FEm DmC / G - / F CG / 1st / C Bb / / C Bb F - /

Lido be runnin', havin' great big fun, until he got the note
Sayin' toe the line or blow, and that was all she wrote
He be makin' like a beeline, headin' for the borderline
Goin' for broke

Sayin' one more hit ought to do it
This joint ain't nothin' to it
One more for the road

{Refrain}

Quote Of The Day

2008-08-24T21:28:00.003-05:00

The odds of you having your own DNA may be a quadrillion to one, but I’ll bet you have it anyway.

Daughter Rules

2008-08-20T15:14:00.007-05:00

1. Eat what you want, as much as you want.

2. They do what they do, and we do what we do.

3. You are who you are, not what people say you are.

4. We don't talk business at the table. [I said it once and now she has adopted it and repeats it.]

5. A place for everything and everything in its place.

6. That's why they put erasers on the ends of pencils.