Presidential Candidates - My Early Choices

The Democrats and Republicans held their initial presidential debates over the past two weeks. Mostly, it was political posturing and a lot of dancing around touchy subjects. There were two candidates that stood out to me: former Senator Gravel (D-AK), and Congressman Dr. Ron Paul (R-TX). I would love to have a mixed party ticket with these two guys; they both spoke honestly and took their fellow running mates (and the administration) to task. Why is it that my choices for public office always seem to lose?

Mountainboarding and Mickey Mouse

So, my old buddies in the Mountainboard world have finally broken into Disneyland...and they didn't get arrested for stealing, vandalism or public intoxication!

Great job guys. I hope this gives big exposure to the sport.

Chained-up Bikes in NYC

I love NY. I love bikes.

I also love the fact that people actually ride bikes there.

Here are some of the chained-up bikes I saw during my recent trip to NYC. I personally don't think I'd chain my bike up there; I'd find a safe indoor place to store it.

Blogging

Okay, so I've been quite the slacker about blogging. Actually, work and work travel has been a little overwhelming lately. I promise to do more....starting now.

Country Music in Kenya

From NPR: Country music in Kenya

I just heard on Weekend Edition Saturday that country music is big in Kenya. Who woulda thunk it? They seem to have a special fervor for the genre, and even have their own country artists. I guess the heartached-laced optimism would appeal to a country that has been through so much. This world is so, very small sometimes. I mean "Coward of the County" in Kenya?? Maybe some of my fellow Texans might have something more in common with Africans than they think. I doubt those Texans listen to much NPR though.

My Heroes Have Always Been Outlaws

Billy Joe Shaver allegedly shot a man in the cheek last week, and still was able to make his Greatest Hits in-store performance at Waterloo. I haven't been blogging about the incident because I've been swamped with work, and haven't had time for much anything else. However, Linda over at Still Is Still Moving has done a great job of following the story.

I won't go into the details, but let me just emphasize that I support Billy Joe 100%. I reckon he was probably drinking, but the man he allegedly shot was reportedly drunker than him - and agressively brandished a big-ole hunting knife. Other reports differ and say that Billy Joe was the aggressor, with him saying "Where do you want it?" and "Tell me you're sorry - no one tells me to shut up."

Regardless of whatever comes out in the wash, you don't mess with Billy Joe Shaver - I don't care who you are. He is the true definition of Americana, and a national treasure. Do I think it's right to shoot people? No. Do I think he's above the law? No. But I do think he is an outlaw, and that he'd have to be awfully riled - and have a darn good reason, to pull his piece.

Billy Joe is a bit of a redneck - but so am I, so take that into consideration. As my dad said about the incident - "Aww, that dude he shot is doing just fine - he's not dead." Remember folks, this is Texas. You don't bring a knife to a gunfight.

At the beginning of his in-store at Waterloo, Billy Joe said "It's great to be anywhere". At his performance, he looked haggard, after posting $50,000 bail, but put on a heartfelt and upbeat performance. When he closed, he said "Don't forget to pray for me, and tell your kids to pray for me, too."

I bet there will be more than a few songs written about this authentic Cowboy/Outlaw/Poet.

Copulation in Palmer Park

So, I'm on my morning mountain bike ride at Palmer Park today...and what did I see?

2 deer going at it - the buck had huge horns and looked pissed that I interrupted. The doe looked completely indifferent.

2 birds in the bushes - caught with their feathers down - I almost ran over them. They scared the hell out of me.

2 dudes emerging from the bushes, looking around like nothing was happening.

All of this in 15 minutes time, before 8 o'clock in the morning.

I guess spring has sprung.

Greasel

So, for the past month, I've been helping my buddy Drew convert his Ford F-250 Diesel to a straight vegetable oil system. By helping, I mean I've been there mainly for moral support: drinking lots of beer, carrying heavy things, handing him tools, generally giving him shit, and documenting the hell out of this process. Well, two nights ago he made the final connections - and boy did it smell good - like egg rolls.

Drew is readying himself for a west coast trip that will cost him almost no gas money, and will produce almost no pollution. In fact, for his maiden voyage, he has some of the choicest used veggie oil in town. Drew and his beheamoth of a truck are effectively sticking it to the man, while saving the earth, and traveling wherever the hell they want to go...all because Americans love fried food.

Drew, you rock.

Willie on Colbert!!

Willie rocks...

Cycling in NYC

These guys have skills. I go to NYC probably 6 times a year for work, and I'm always amazed at the people riding bikes in traffic. Talk about defensive riding! I'd probably get squashed like a bug.

Oh, and please forgive the music - or turn down the volume.

Bombing at Baghdad Book Market

Khalid Mohammed/Associated Press
People walked through rubble after a suicide car bomb exploded near the well-known Mutanabi book market in central Baghdad on Monday.

I've worked in books for over five years now. Booksellers are some of the nicest, smartest, and most progressive people I've ever met. I'm guessing that this is probably true across the world. In this Baghdad book district, Shiites and Sunnis peacefully ran stores right next to each other. I just don't understand the extremest targeting in this war...high schools, soccer fields, hospitals, bookstores. The more this goes on, the more I agree with Sam Harris.

From Shelf Awareness:

Sadly a suicide bomber struck the book market on Mutanabi Street in Baghdad yesterday, killing at least 20, wounding more than 65, destroying many bookstores and stationery shops and wrecking the Shahbandar café, "where elderly writers puffed away the afternoon on water pipes," as the New York Times put it.

"There are no Americans or Iraqi politicians here--there are only Iraqi intellectuals who represent themselves and their homeland, plus stationery and book dealers," Abdul Baqi Faidhullah, a poet, told the paper.

Wissam Arif, an engineer and book lover, said, "Those terrorists do not represent Islam. They are fighting science. . . . . Yesterday they killed the prophets and today they are killing the books. But hopefully the just, the science and the light will win. We'll be patient until we achieve victory."

The Band

I am a great lover of music. I listen to it all day while working, and play it whenever I can. In fact, yesterday morning about this time, I even wrote a song - I woke up with it in my head. It is amazing where inspiration will rear itself.

However, recently I was exposed to The Band via their swan song movie The Last Waltz. I was thinking to myself "Geez, that cinematography is amazing - I wonder who the director is." Scorsese, of course. I did just watch The Departed.

After reading everything on Wikipedia and watching a good bit of YouTube, I must admit that they may just become one of my greatest musical influences. What a fantastic group of musicians and songwriters. I cannot believe that that I've gone 32 years without making the connection.

It is amazing how once things come into your peripheral - you notice them all the time.

400 pound, seven year old girl

This poor girl, she's only seven years old, but weighs 400 pounds! Good God. I hope this is a disease, and not her parents feeding her too much. Regardless, this issue needs to be addressed.

Drinking

So, my brother Dave started bar tending last night at Jack Quinn's. Ummm, yeah. I think I was more excited than him.

Oooof.

My wife thinks I was acting a little squirrely.

Bad prose # 1 - Sunshine

2/25/07

Sunshine

It scorches my skin…

My wife tells me how important it is to use sun block.

I am a solar powered humanoid, who’s been cancer riddled before.

So, I should probably heed her word.

She is usually right about such things.

The sun, well, I revolve around it.

Thank God that I live in Colorado

With its 300 plus days of sun a year, I’m doing pretty well.

Though this winter has been too many days of

Snow… and cold.

Blizzards are fantastic,

But not three weeks in a row.

I shouldn’t complain though

We need the water.

Garrison Keillor once joked that they should name the blizzards in Minnesota

Just like they do hurricanes.

I heard that the snow doesn’t melt there.

Until June.

I couldn’t live in Minnesota.

I couldn’t live in New Orleans either.

If I lived in Seattle,

I’d probably blow my head off.

I just couldn’t deal with 30 plus days of rain, and gloom.

I couldn’t live in Seattle.

I remember my Mom…

In the early 1980’s

Sunning herself in the Texas heat,

‘til people thought she was a Mexican

She had lots of Injun in her

So, maybe that’s why people thought she was Mexican.

She was pretty dark.

My skin is naturally ruddy. …but a dark, kinda ruddy.

She said that the best time to get a suntan was when it was cloudy.

I would swim and swim at the apartment’s pool.

Doing my best Bugs Bunny impression…

“I was walking through the park one day…

In the merry, merry month of…May.”

Jumping off the diving board.

While she flipped.

-K2

Mouth-spoon slide guitar

This is so cool.

The Tale is Told in Coffee

Five years ago today, a small part of this small world skipped a beat. The earth didn’t stop its turning, nor did cease the ridiculous ritual that humans perform everyday. Most people went to work, got gas, bought groceries, fucked, picked their noses, and thought about what has happened or what was going to happen. That Tuesday, I developed an ache, an ache so pervasive, that I still can’t shake it.

Here is the last email correspondence that my mother sent. She was positive and loving to the end. I miss her terribly.
- K2

From: ANN Sweetin

Dear Family and Friends,

It's cold outside, but you have love to keep you warm.

I wanted to let you know how I am progressing. The tale is told in coffee. If I'm sick, don't want it, but as am getting better. will begin to drink it again. I'm mot drinking a lot, but I am drinking coffee again. So except for the minor problems that the doctor's are examining, I'm apparently on the road to recovery. However, one big hold back is that my equlibrium is still messed up and I have trouble walking. Haven't haad the nerve to start driving. My reflects are slow.

Did go to Fort Worth for the Southwest Exposition, stock Sjhow and Rodeo. I really wasm't up to going, but when you've promised your three year old granddaughter we would take her, you don't back out. She could even say the name of the whole thing, including exposition, as plain as day! Those big brown eyes just enchant you. We couldn't have asked for a better child. She even picked up all of the stuff that was in my lap when David didn't realize a step was that and promptly dumped me out of the wheel chair. No major damage done. Just thought he was trying to kill me. But I guess not, he's felt guilty ever since. We had a wonderful time with Callaway, Kadyn, Jennifer and Coby. Jut wish we could see them more often.

Kim is getting to be an old man - he turned 27 today. Told him I couldn't be his Mother. I'm only 13!

Mother and Daddy are holding up fairly well. Both just got over a virus. But seem to be doing ok otherwise.

It's cold on this hill, but staying warm. I haven't ventured outside and don't intend to. It will be cold enough when I head to the hospital in the morning for a DNC and a half moon of my cervex removed. Just one more day in the Sweetin household.

Have enjoyed hearing from you. Please send a personal note when you have time.

Oh - I am down to 101 lbs, size four to six, depending how the clothes are made. However, I DON'T recommend losing weight the way I did.

Better get something to eat. Take care and God Bless you

Love, Ann

Support Your Local Independent Bookstore

For almost three years, I worked as a bookseller at the Chinook Bookshop. The store opened in Colorado Springs during the early summer of 1959, and went out of business in the spring of 2004. I had the beautiful opportunity to work two and a half of the forty-five years the store graced downtown Colorado Springs.

Unfortunately, many factors eventually led to the demise of the store. From my perspective, the nails in the coffin included: 9/11, Amazon, the rise of Borders and Barnes & Noble, the Wal-Mart-insta-discount-culture, and the ever persistent gravity of time that nagged the owners until they relented. I don't want to dwell on these things, but want to bring to light the plight, and importance of the independent bookstore; they are one of the last great hopes for democracy in our time. If you don't believe me, you should really read this.

Happy New Year!!

My resolutions are many. Mainly I want to follow the eightfold path to make sure I'm focusing on the right things - this is a good guide:

• Wisdom (Sanskrit: prajñā, Pāli: paññā)

1. Right understanding

2. Right intention

• Ethical conduct (Sanskrit: śīla, Pāli: sīla)

3. Right speech

4. Right action

5. Right livelihood

• Mental discipline (Sanskrit and Pāli: samādhi)

6. Right effort

7. Right mindfulness

8. Right concentration

Here are the specifics of what I'm going to do:

Mind:
Practice guitar everyday
Meditate everyday(though I may seem cool and collected, I'm really a big 'ole stress ball)
Write more, write more, write more...
Ride my bike, ride my bike, ride my bike...
Hike the incline, hike the incline, hike the incline...
Save money, save money, save money...

Body:
Eat healthier
Exersize everyday
Stretch everyday (Yoga?)
Drink less coffee
Drink less alcohol
Drink a shit-ton more water
Cut out sugar in my diet
Drop 20 pounds
Write more, write more, write more...
Ride my bike, ride my bike, ride my bike...
Hike the incline, hike the incline, hike the incline...
Save money, save money, save money...

Spirit:
Quit spending hours on end in front of this damned computer
Love - a lot
Maintain contact with my family and friends
Get above 10,000 feet as much as possible
Soak in hot springs as much as possible
Work hard (but not to the point where it is all I do)
Write more, write more, write more...
Ride my bike, ride my bike, ride my bike...
Hike the incline, hike the incline, hike the incline...
Save money, save money, save money...

I know these are a lot of standard resolutions, but I'm starting to feel a bit worn and old. I want to live life to the fullest, and I'm also really friggin' tired of being poor. I'm going to do something about it before I cannot.

So, to the 2 people who actually read this: Happy New Year!

xoxox

K2

OpenSUSE, Ubunutu on Windows Network

Hooray! I figured it out!! Now, I'm able to print, share files, etc - between the different operating systems on the same network.

I put Ubuntu 6.06 on my wife's laptop because Windows gave her (repeatedly) the blue screen of death. Now she can do everything winblows can do, but better. She's using Rythymbox for MP3 management, Firefox for browsing, GIMP for image management, GPilot for Palm link, etc, etc. This is great for an end user.

I put OpenSUSE on one of my desktops after I had some problems installing Debian. I can share files through SAMBA. I'm still not convinced and might try Debian again, but we'll see.

I know I'm a geek, but what the hell.

K

R.I.P. James Brown

“What James Brown was to music in terms of soul and hip-hop, rap, all of that, is what Bach was to classical music. This is a guy who literally changed the music industry. He put everybody on a different beat, a different style of music. He pioneered it.” - Rev. Al Sharpton

“He was an innovator, he was an emancipator, he was an originator. Rap music, all that stuff came from James Brown.” - Little Richard

“He was dramatic to the end — dying on Christmas Day. ... He’ll be all over the news all over the world today. He would have it no other way.” - Rev. Jesse Jackson

My Brother, the Elf

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=474ff300d9cffdae4fb8f3cG06122304

I just love being a big brother. ;)

...and if you can't make out what he is saying, here it is:

"Hi, I'm David, and I'm an elf. Boogernose, boogernose, boogernose!"

Testing the Draft Machine

"We're kind of like a fire extinguisher. We sit on a shelf" until needed, Campbell said. "Everyone fears our machine for some reason. Our machine, unless the president and Congress get together and say, 'Turn the machine on' ... we're still on the shelf."

I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

From CNN:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Selective Service System is planning a comprehensive test of the military draft machinery, which hasn't been run since 1998.

The agency is not gearing up for a draft, an agency official said Thursday. The test itself would not likely occur until 2009.

Meanwhile, the secretary for Veterans Affairs said that "society would benefit" if the U.S. were to bring back the draft and that it shouldn't have any loopholes for anyone who is called to serve. Secretary Jim Nicholson later issued a statement saying he does not support reinstituting a draft. (Watch why experts think troop levels are dipping )

The Selective Service "readiness exercise" would test the system that randomly chooses draftees by birth date and the network of appeals boards that decide how to deal with conscientious objectors and others who want to delay reporting for duty, said Scott Campbell, Selective Service director for operations and chief information officer.

"We're kind of like a fire extinguisher. We sit on a shelf" until needed, Campbell said. "Everyone fears our machine for some reason. Our machine, unless the president and Congress get together and say, 'Turn the machine on' ... we're still on the shelf."

The administration has for years forcefully opposed bringing back the draft, and the White House said Thursday that its position had not changed.

A day earlier, President Bush said he is considering sending more troops to Iraq and has asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to look into adding more troops to the nearly 1.4 million uniformed personnel on active duty. (Watch how Gates is to report back to Bush with a plan on expanding the Army and Marines )

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, increasing the Army by 40,000 troops would cost as much as $2.6 billion the first year and $4 billion after that. Service officials have said the Army wants to increase its force by 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers and the Marine Corps would like 5,000 more troops.

The unpopular war in Iraq, where more than 2,950 American troops have already died, complicates the task of finding more recruits and retaining current troops. To meet its recruitment goals in recent years, the Army has accepted recruits with lower aptitude test scores.

In remarks to reporters in New York, Nicholson recalled his own experience as a company commander in an infantry unit that brought together soldiers of different backgrounds and education levels. He said the draft "does bring people from all quarters of our society together in the common purpose of serving."

Rep. Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat who has said minorities and the poor share an unfair burden of the war, plans to introduce a bill next year to reinstate the draft.

House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi has said that reinstating the draft would not be high on the Democratic-led Congress' priority list, and the White House said Thursday that no draft proposal is being considered.

Planning for the Selective Service exercise, called the Area Office Mobilization Prototype Exercise, is slated to begin in June or July of next year for a 2009 test. Campbell said budget cuts could force the agency to cancel the test, which he said should take place every three years but hasn't because of funding constraints.

Hearst Newspapers first reported the planned test for a story sent to its subscribers for weekend use.

The military drafted people during the Civil War and both world wars and between 1948 and 1973. An agency independent of the Defense Department, the Selective Service System was reincorporated in 1980 to maintain a registry of 18-year-old men, but call-ups have not occurred since the Vietnam War.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

December 21st is here

The shortest day and longest night of the year. Then it's all downhill from there!

Here is a video from yesterday's blizzard.

December 21

This lack of sunshine is killing me. It's almost eight o' clock in the AM, and the sun isn't fully up yet. Sunset comes right before four o' clock in the PM. Too bad I can't sleep in anymore.

Come on 12/21/06!!

The Black Keys on NPR

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6533258

Steve Inskeep did a great inteview this morning with The Black Keys.

Jesus, this band rocks.

Farm Aid - 21 years old

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6526686

Goddamn, Willie Nelson is my hero.

In my opinion, he's done more for Americans in the last 50 years than the three branches of government combined. NPR's Kitchen Sisters did a wonderful audio documentary today on the 21st annual Farm Aid.

People don't realize that without farmers, this country will crumble. I sure wish that the government would take heed and quit subsidizing farmers to NOT grow things. I reckon that with NAFTA and CAFTA, the powers-that-be don't really care.

"Cultivators of the Earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their county and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bands." -- Thomas Jefferson

These guys will surely rot in hell.

I'm pretty sure the kids running will remember this for a long time. Gotta love where our taxpayer dollars are going. Who says that we're not breeding terrorism in Iraq; start 'em young, teach 'em right. Right? Fuck.

The mud season came and I got fat.

Jesus, it's been almost a month since I last posted. My wife says that because the elections are over, I lost my motivation. Well, yes, this plays a large role in me not writing, biking, eating well, sleeping, etc. I fully admit to too much interest in a campaign in a state that I used to live in; an idealistic idea that something really good could happen in this country. However, it did swing my views a bit towards the middle, in more way than one. Fucking-imagine that. Almost 32 years old and I get off the bike for a month, just so I can round out my views (and my middle). I'm getting old.

To my defense, I have spent two weeks of the last month in New York City, perhaps one of the unhealthiest places on earth. I've eaten a lot of crap and drank copious amounts of alcohol while in the Big Apple. The toll? I'm becoming a big apple. Surely a sign of prosperity.

Well, I rode my normal ride yesterday. The ride was filled with all the exhaust, smoke of NYC, and the grease of many burgers. Fortunately I was expelling, instead of inhaling these things while huffing and puffing. This summer I could do that ride without even breaking a sweat.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow; I shall give thanks and feast regardless of my rotundity.

Kinky Friedman Video

Watch this!!

It is 30 minutes long, but really is a great piece. Kinky is at his ranch with the reporter. She asks few questions and lets the Kinkster just talk. All the while, K's dog keeps coming up to him, wanting K to throw the ball.

Please send this to anyone interested in (or on the fence) Kinky Friedman for Gov. of Texas.

Surprisingly from this is from the Houston Chronicle.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe Shaver

Along with Willie Nelson and some Dead, Billy Joe Shaver is the only other person in all of music that can make me cry at the drop of a hat. You've probably heard his songs sung by Waylon and Willie, but if you reside outside of Texas, I reckon he's not on your radar at all.

Billy Joe's life has been turbulant; he's been a wrangler and a rambler. He lost his Mom and wife to cancer, only to lose his son (his best friend and guitarist) to heroin - in the same year. I implore you to listen to this interview with Terry Gross.

I guarantee you just might shed a tear.

Billy Joe Shaver is pure americana, and his songs are the epitome of the word authentic. He is an american treasure, and he is a treasure to the entire world. I am so fortunate to have seen him play at Willie's Fourth of July Picnic this past summer.

We can all learn something from this man. He's taught me that when "all you do is lose, you better find a way to win".

Billy Joe Shaver Biography

The Death of Habeas Corpus

Check how your Senator voted on the Military Commissions Act of 2006.

Summary: Sidesteps the Supreme Court's 2006 Hamdan v. Rumsfeld opinion that found the Administration's plans to hold military tribunals were unconstitutional. Gives Congress's OK to deny U.S. noncitizen detainees the writ of habeas corpus and to use coerced testimony and hearsay evidence against the defendant. Gives the President the power to name U.S. citizens and legal U.S. residents "unlawful enemy combatants."

This means that President Bush had despotic powers. This means that you can be held without trial, you can be tortured indefinitely. This means that democracy is dead.

Our founding fathers are rolling in their graves.

Olbermann: Death of habeas corpus

‘National yawn as our rights evaporate’

Please watch the above segments from MSNBC's Keith Olbermann. I cannot believe that U.S. citizens aren't picking up pitchforks.

Jesus.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Snow!!!

Watch the debates

One big source of my longing for Texas is:

Kinky Friedman as the next governor of Texas.

I watched the Texas Gubernatorial debates last night. While I can't even vote (I live in Colorado), I have a keen interest in the process and outcome of this election. 95% of my family and friends live in Texas, and the future of the greatest state in the union is at stake.

The format was interesting enough, but a somewhat disjointed. Some of the questions were just plain stupid and some engineered directly for politicians, some to deliberately throw off Kinky.

I'm glad that Kinky's running. I only wish I could be down there campaigning, deep in the heart of Texas.

Here is my breakdown of the candidates:

Kinky
Kinky was the only real human up there, and the only real Texan. He was quick to point out that the three other candidates had a combined 89 years of political experience between them, whereas he wants to throw the rascals out. I think he did quite well considering the limited and controlled atmosphere (15 seconds to answer a question? What is this, UIL?) He only used a few canned statements, but showed real anger and gave us great Texas imagery when talking about the border. Though I don't agree that "The internet is the work of Satan", my dad has said the exact same thing - my dad is politically conservative, and a real cowboy.

Bell
While Chris Bell did impress me with his intelligence and would definitely fit within the political system, he has the personality of a wet paper towel. Bell put me off by referring to all three of the other candidates as "Republicans" (Kinky is about as republican as the piece of lint I just pulled out of my pocket).

Strayhorn
She reminds me of just about every baby-boomer Texas woman I've known in my life - Big hair, great salmon colored jacket. She gave very rehearsed answers, complete flubs on many questions. She claims she's not an political insider, but she's run for goddamned near every position in the state (not to mention that her son is Scott McClellan the former white house press secretary) She took Perry to task on the Trans-Texas corridor, but looked aghast when the issue was brought up that she originally was in favor.

Perry
Greedy, slimy, politician with magic numbers. Period.

So, I'm not physically in Texas anymore. I reside about 5365 feet above Fort Worth sea level, 706.46 miles away, and 2644 days from the land of my home. I've been alive for 998,265,600 seconds, and I spent 24 years, 4 months, and 25 days of those in Texas. The best chili I've had recently came from a can; it wasn't even Wolf Brand.

At this moment, I'm feeling a great sense of longing.