Lost in OK

Up till now, I’ve viewed the debate about the recent 9/11 docudrama (what ever the hell that means) “The Path to 9/11” with great amusement. I found it funny that the right wing now stood in defense of the mini-series when not three years ago they were up in arms about the broadcast of another silly mini-series about Ronald Reagan. I thought it just another futile political infight about the portrayals of national leaders in entertainment television. Or in other words, a much ado about nothing.

I’m an ocasional reader of the Korean Central News Agency of DPRK (KCNA) which is the external propaganda wing of North Korea. It’s a priceless resource for the study of the silliness of political propaganda. One of my favorites recently was an article in which a North Korean woman’s soccer victory was responsible for the increase in the country’s electrical output:

Ri Chol Su, a worker of the Pyongyang Thermal Power Complex, said: “I was greatly excited to hear the news that our girls won the world championship. This encouraged us to achieve an unprecedented high boost in the electricity production today.

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What’s going on Chicagoans? Have you lost as sense of manly honor? First you ban a food that no one eats, Foie Gras. But that one made a bit of sense. I’m sure that all waterfowl in the city of Chicago are registered Democrats and you have to look out for your constituents.

But then I find this quote in an article about the name change of Marshall Field’s to Macy’s:

The Sheppard’s on a rampage. Now we’ve got Bruce Campbell playing Brutus:

Brutus: I got news for you, pal. You ain’t leading but two things right now: Jack and Shit. And, Jack left town. –(Brutus stabs Cesar) Cesar: “Et tu, Brute?” Brutus: “Oooh, that’s gotta hurt! Hail to the king, baby” Cesar: “Klaatu verrata nectu arrrgh”

Sam Raimi rewriting and directing his rendition of Hamlet with Bruce Campbell as Hamlet:

To be groovy or not to be groovy, That is the question baby. Whether ’tis groovier in the mind to suffer the boomsticks and arrows of outrageous fortune, baby Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them? baby. Oh yeah and remember shop smart. . . shop S-mart

Via the brilliant Andy Sheppard.

 So, I finally made it to Monticello.  It is a truly amazing house that is quite stunning and certainly much more tasteful than the other mansion I visited.  It is always odd to ponder the contradictions of this great man, and his house is no exception.  It is a strange thing to think that a man who gave such an eloquent defense of liberty in the Declaration of Independence and even argued for the abolition of slavery in the colonies should have excavations of slave cabins on his land.

Well, I’ve been out of cell phone coverage for a few days now and have just been too busy soaking up the rays and enjoying good friends to post, but I’m back on the road now and getting back to business.

Well, I made my rapid trip back to Oklahoma City.  It was a bit surreal to fly into your hometown as a stopping off point instead of as a destination.  In any case, the service was nice and I was glad I was able to make it back.

Well, it’s been quite a busy trip so far and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon. My travel plans have changed considerably in fact. My grandfather, who had been suffering with a weak heart for sometime, passed away on Friday night. I’m currently flying back to Oklahoma City for the funeral on Tuesday. However, I’m not giving up. I’ll be flying back out on Wednesday to pick up my car and to continue the journey.

Well, after three years of non-stop work, I’m finally taking a vacation and hitting the open road.  It’s an almost indescribable feeling to be away from the office and to know that I won’t be back for a full two weeks.  I’m taking a very long road trip up to Long Island to a friend’s beach house.  On the way, I’m gonna tour the south, see a couple of Tom Waits shows and see how much one person can unwind.  Right now I’m sitting in the Mini dealership in Memphis waiting for my oil to be changed (it’s a long story).  After this, I’m headed to Graceland to get my musical spirit revved up.  Then it’s off to see Tom Waits at the Orpheum.  Not a bad way to start a vacation. I think the car is about ready, so I’m gonna sing off.  I’ll try to post some pictures on the way assuming that I can get a cell phone signal.

This is the most disturbing thing I’ve seen this year. Here’s the new trailer for Fellini’s soon to be released lost classic, 8 1/2 Mile: