This video has been making the rounds lately, so maybe you've already seen it. It's about the 10 thousand previously undiscovered galaxies – not stars, but galaxies – found a few years ago by the Hubble Space Telescope.
It's harder for me now to get worked up about stuff happening on our own little pebble in space.
The greedy, megalomaniacal fucks are still running the show, as they have since the dawn of civilization. But as much as they might like to screw up the whole universe for the sake of a great fourth quarter or NBA season tickets, they'll never be able to.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Allergies
September has historically been my worst allergy month. I'm in the middle of allergy foo again right now. This year hasn't been as bad as some years past, though. Although the rain promotes ragweed growth, it helps keep down the dust in the air.
Nevertheless, I have had some mostly sleepless nights because of allergy attacks.
Nevertheless, I have had some mostly sleepless nights because of allergy attacks.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Another update
Now at the Red Cup. There used to be a regular weekend morning gathering here, but all of its participants seem to have moved on. So I'm out here on the patio by myself.
A smart and very laid-back Black Labrador has been hanging around my house for the past three weeks or so. I would guess he's about a year old. He recently acquired a collar, but has no tags. I think he belongs to someone on the street behind me.
He already knows how to play fetch, and I taught him to sit last week. I let him in the back yard to play with Bailey one day last week, and they had a great time chasing each other around the yard.
You may remember last year we had the stray pit bull wandering the neighborhood. I think this dog may be from the same house, although there are different people living there.
A smart and very laid-back Black Labrador has been hanging around my house for the past three weeks or so. I would guess he's about a year old. He recently acquired a collar, but has no tags. I think he belongs to someone on the street behind me.
He already knows how to play fetch, and I taught him to sit last week. I let him in the back yard to play with Bailey one day last week, and they had a great time chasing each other around the yard.
You may remember last year we had the stray pit bull wandering the neighborhood. I think this dog may be from the same house, although there are different people living there.
Next update
Finished breakfast at Jimmy's Egg. I'm wearing a pair of Dickies painter pants I bought at Westlake Hardware yesterday. I pulled three labels off of them, and thought I had them all. After I left the Egg, a panhandler pointed out I still had a size label stuck to the leg, then hit me up for money. I gave him five bucks.
About the garage... still a work in progress. Certainly won't be done until mid-October, which will be one year after demolition of the old garage.
There was a flurry of activity in the first week of September. The drywall and paneling is up, the windows cased and the plumbing functional (although the shower doors are still uninstalled).
I thought the issues with OG&E had been resolved last spring, but found out a couple of weeks ago they have not been. I assume we will be able to get electricity to the garage, but I don't know specifically how that will happen. Or when.
About the garage... still a work in progress. Certainly won't be done until mid-October, which will be one year after demolition of the old garage.
There was a flurry of activity in the first week of September. The drywall and paneling is up, the windows cased and the plumbing functional (although the shower doors are still uninstalled).
I thought the issues with OG&E had been resolved last spring, but found out a couple of weeks ago they have not been. I assume we will be able to get electricity to the garage, but I don't know specifically how that will happen. Or when.
Sunday morning
I use my iPhone for almost all my computer needs now. It lacks many of the features of my computers, but it makes up for that in convenience.
Right now, I'm sitting in the Jimmy's Egg on Classen Circle, waiting for breakfast. While I'm waiting, I can write this quick post. But posting photos from the phone is difficult, while embedding YouTube links is, as far as I can tell, impossible.
I'm going to try to produce a flurry of brief posts today and perhaps tomorrow to update the blog.
Right now, I'm sitting in the Jimmy's Egg on Classen Circle, waiting for breakfast. While I'm waiting, I can write this quick post. But posting photos from the phone is difficult, while embedding YouTube links is, as far as I can tell, impossible.
I'm going to try to produce a flurry of brief posts today and perhaps tomorrow to update the blog.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Random updates
Time for some random updates.
Here is the Wu-Wei gate I think I previously mentioned. Designed by me, built by Ron Ferrell, who also provided guidance about what can and cannot be done with welded steel.
The garage has been exterior stained and sealed, and foam insulation sprayed inside.
I hope we'll have drywall and electrical outlets installed soon.
I had the gas meter moved a couple of weeks ago so it's no longer in the middle of the back yard.
Meanwhile, I have designated my master bedroom the Very Dark Room and have made it largely lightproof with a combination of drapes, blinds and brown builders paper. During broad daylight, this room is about as dark as a movie theater. I now spend most of the day here. I may turn on a lamp and read, but mostly I sit in the dark and listen to music (as shown at right).
I spend a lot of time on Facebook these days, which fulfills my limited need for social contact.
That's about it. When I'm hungry I eat, and when I'm tired I sleep. I'm a man who has no more business.
Here is the Wu-Wei gate I think I previously mentioned. Designed by me, built by Ron Ferrell, who also provided guidance about what can and cannot be done with welded steel.
The garage has been exterior stained and sealed, and foam insulation sprayed inside.
I hope we'll have drywall and electrical outlets installed soon.
I had the gas meter moved a couple of weeks ago so it's no longer in the middle of the back yard.
Meanwhile, I have designated my master bedroom the Very Dark Room and have made it largely lightproof with a combination of drapes, blinds and brown builders paper. During broad daylight, this room is about as dark as a movie theater. I now spend most of the day here. I may turn on a lamp and read, but mostly I sit in the dark and listen to music (as shown at right).
I spend a lot of time on Facebook these days, which fulfills my limited need for social contact.
That's about it. When I'm hungry I eat, and when I'm tired I sleep. I'm a man who has no more business.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Wednesday, I guess
It's getting harder and harder to think, to organize, to make plans. I don't know if it's retirement that's dulled my wits or old age.
Friday, July 31, 2009
All bowls, all the time
I put together an iTunes playlist consisting of eleven hours of Tibetan singing bowl music. Makes for a very cosmic experience.
Monday, July 27, 2009
It's not just the blog
I know this blog has slowed down a lot over the past several months. And it's not the only thing.
I don't get out as much as I used to. I used to go to the coffee shop every day, and be there for hours, visiting with all the folks who'd come and go. Now, I go two or three days a week, and usually stay less than an hour.
I still eat most of my meals out, but I often eat alone. If I'm with someone, it's probably my friend Kathryn or Ms. HRP, or sometimes DianeC.
The group still meets for dinner on Wednesdays and Fridays, as it did for a decade or more before I showed up. But I drop by for that about once a month now.
There are some friends I used to see daily that I now see rarely. We didn't have a falling out; it's just the natural ebb and flow of relationships.
I don't even check my email much anymore.
I spend a lot more time at home. I sleep a lot. There are a lot of routine household things I could be doing, but I really lack self-discipline for chores.
I don't get out as much as I used to. I used to go to the coffee shop every day, and be there for hours, visiting with all the folks who'd come and go. Now, I go two or three days a week, and usually stay less than an hour.
I still eat most of my meals out, but I often eat alone. If I'm with someone, it's probably my friend Kathryn or Ms. HRP, or sometimes DianeC.
The group still meets for dinner on Wednesdays and Fridays, as it did for a decade or more before I showed up. But I drop by for that about once a month now.
There are some friends I used to see daily that I now see rarely. We didn't have a falling out; it's just the natural ebb and flow of relationships.
I don't even check my email much anymore.
I spend a lot more time at home. I sleep a lot. There are a lot of routine household things I could be doing, but I really lack self-discipline for chores.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
A modern Cold Mountain
The man who lives without money
This link was passed along to me on Facebook yesterday from men.style.com.
Several months ago, I was waxing prosaic about Cold Mountain, the Chinese philosopher/poet who lived an isolated life under a cliff.
Here's a story about a guy doing much the same thing today. As you'll see, a lot of the romanticism is stripped away.
I don't think I ever seriously considered living in a cave. I was thinking more along the lines of Walden: isolated, but not completely cut off. And with running water. And heat and air. And broadband Internet.
This link was passed along to me on Facebook yesterday from men.style.com.
Several months ago, I was waxing prosaic about Cold Mountain, the Chinese philosopher/poet who lived an isolated life under a cliff.
Here's a story about a guy doing much the same thing today. As you'll see, a lot of the romanticism is stripped away.
I don't think I ever seriously considered living in a cave. I was thinking more along the lines of Walden: isolated, but not completely cut off. And with running water. And heat and air. And broadband Internet.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Losing ground
The house looks worse every day. Even the Very Dark Room, which I had pledged to myself to keep tidy, is starting to get cluttered. I care, but I don't care enough to devote a day to house cleaning, which I hate worse than anything. Except the dentist.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Take away the nothing
Imagine that the whole universe is a single empty room with white walls. Now, take away the white. Subtract any concept of color.
Next, take away the walls. In fact, take away the whole room. What's left is nothing.
Now, take away the nothing. And what's left is what I think the universe really is. Or maybe it's what I want the universe to be. But if I take away the 'I,' then who or what wants it?
Fortunately, thinking about this stuff is optional.
Next, take away the walls. In fact, take away the whole room. What's left is nothing.
Now, take away the nothing. And what's left is what I think the universe really is. Or maybe it's what I want the universe to be. But if I take away the 'I,' then who or what wants it?
Fortunately, thinking about this stuff is optional.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Michael Jackson
I try to not get caught up in pop culture stuff, but the dynamics of the Michael Jackson coverage interest me.
My own perception of Jackson at the time of his death was that he'd been incredibly big about twenty-five years ago, and since then had just been fodder for late-night comedians and supermarket tabloids.
Suddenly now (or so it seems to me), he's been elevated to a stature loftier than he ever held in life, and even people who weren't born when 'Thriller' came out are buying in to the Elvisization of Jackson.
My suspicion is that they are simply taking cues from the media coverage rather than thinking on their own. I almost think they'd have the same reaction if Al Yankovich died, assuming the media afforded him the same hysterical, overwrought coverage.
My own perception of Jackson at the time of his death was that he'd been incredibly big about twenty-five years ago, and since then had just been fodder for late-night comedians and supermarket tabloids.
Suddenly now (or so it seems to me), he's been elevated to a stature loftier than he ever held in life, and even people who weren't born when 'Thriller' came out are buying in to the Elvisization of Jackson.
My suspicion is that they are simply taking cues from the media coverage rather than thinking on their own. I almost think they'd have the same reaction if Al Yankovich died, assuming the media afforded him the same hysterical, overwrought coverage.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Random notes
When I was in my twenties, I didn't care about having plants or pets. I didn't want the hassle of caring for either one. Even now, weed-pulling and vet visits are chores I'd rather avoid. But I do enjoy having some animals around, and the collection of plants in my yard makes it seem more tranquil.
My goal is to make my yard - especially my back yard - a sort of sanctuary where I can spend my time. I feel old and tired, and I just want a place where I can sit quietly and have no stress.
It looks like I'm just a few weeks away from having it all finished. The plumbing on the garage has been inspected and approved, so we're clear to install the shower and toilet. The electrical has hit a snag with the city, which I hope will be resolved next week. They'll be putting exterior sealant on the siding this week, and if the electrical issues are resolved, spraying in insulation as well.
There's a small pond in the back that still needs a pump installed. Before we run electricity for that, I'm trying to get some info on moving the gas meter, which sits right in the middle of the back yard. I hope to have that resolved by week's end as well.
I'm having a new section of fence put in between the house and the garage, and that is also dependent on the electrical inspection, since there's a trench for the electric service right where the fence will be, and it can't be filled in until the inspection is complete.
The landscaping has been going on for about a year now, and the garage about ten months. I am ready for things to get back to normal around this place.
I had planned to do some work inside the house as well, and even started part of it, but I'm not going any further with it. I need to conserve my financial resources, and I need to have peace and quiet around here.
My goal is to make my yard - especially my back yard - a sort of sanctuary where I can spend my time. I feel old and tired, and I just want a place where I can sit quietly and have no stress.
It looks like I'm just a few weeks away from having it all finished. The plumbing on the garage has been inspected and approved, so we're clear to install the shower and toilet. The electrical has hit a snag with the city, which I hope will be resolved next week. They'll be putting exterior sealant on the siding this week, and if the electrical issues are resolved, spraying in insulation as well.
There's a small pond in the back that still needs a pump installed. Before we run electricity for that, I'm trying to get some info on moving the gas meter, which sits right in the middle of the back yard. I hope to have that resolved by week's end as well.
I'm having a new section of fence put in between the house and the garage, and that is also dependent on the electrical inspection, since there's a trench for the electric service right where the fence will be, and it can't be filled in until the inspection is complete.
The landscaping has been going on for about a year now, and the garage about ten months. I am ready for things to get back to normal around this place.
I had planned to do some work inside the house as well, and even started part of it, but I'm not going any further with it. I need to conserve my financial resources, and I need to have peace and quiet around here.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The end of the world - again.
I watched the online trailer for the upcoming Roland Emmerich film '2012' the other day. I guess this same trailer is showing in theaters. If you haven't seen it, the gist is that the so-called 'Mayan 2012 prophecy' comes true, and civilization collapses. The Yellowstone caldera erupts. The giant Christ the Redeemer statue crumbles and falls as Rio de Janeiro burns below. St. Peter's Basilica collapses, sending its dome rolling out into Vatican Square. A city which I assume is Los Angeles slides into the sea. Oliver Platt hisses about ensuring 'the continuation of our thpeeeeetheeeees.' Air Force One is swallowed up by a tidal wave. A Buddhist monastery in the Himalayas is washed away by the crashing waves.
And this is just the trailer - which concludes with a tsunami coming up the Potomac River and dropping an aircraft carrier on the White House.
It's a phenomenal trailer, with only a couple of shots that are obviously CG effects.
But, boy am I worn out with these disaster films that are strings of shots of landmarks being destroyed by tidal waves, meteors, aliens, giant mutants, global warming, global cooling, dinosaurs, whatever.
It seems to me we've reached a point where these movies are just a kind of 'disaster porn,' with each movie trying to top the one before it. Millions die, and it's good for a five second shot before we go to the next shot, where millions more die. There's so much death and destruction it becomes impossible to assimilate. On the one hand, I'm fascinated by the awful spectacle of it, but on the other hand, I can't bring myself to actually care about it.
And I don't think I'll spend time and money on something that depressing.
And this is just the trailer - which concludes with a tsunami coming up the Potomac River and dropping an aircraft carrier on the White House.
It's a phenomenal trailer, with only a couple of shots that are obviously CG effects.
But, boy am I worn out with these disaster films that are strings of shots of landmarks being destroyed by tidal waves, meteors, aliens, giant mutants, global warming, global cooling, dinosaurs, whatever.
It seems to me we've reached a point where these movies are just a kind of 'disaster porn,' with each movie trying to top the one before it. Millions die, and it's good for a five second shot before we go to the next shot, where millions more die. There's so much death and destruction it becomes impossible to assimilate. On the one hand, I'm fascinated by the awful spectacle of it, but on the other hand, I can't bring myself to actually care about it.
And I don't think I'll spend time and money on something that depressing.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sartorial error
I trimmed my beard back to a very small goatee this week. It's The least amount of beard I've had, short of being clean shaven.
Big mistake.
Sometime during the 11 years I've had a beard, my chin and neck lost their battle with my jowls. My face now looks like a huge thumb sticking out of my shirt collar.
Big mistake.
Sometime during the 11 years I've had a beard, my chin and neck lost their battle with my jowls. My face now looks like a huge thumb sticking out of my shirt collar.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)