“I blog,” I said. To no one there.*
By Dan on Nov 3, 2008 in Beer, Family, Local, Music, Politics
This was supposed to be posted yesterday. I accidently set my clock back 25 hours.
The Yankees of Trivia Fall
For the first time in memory, we didn’t win the Firefighter’s trivia night. Sure we did mount a late-round comeback to finish in second place. And we did leave several correct answers “on the table”, as it were. But still, second place? We have some soul searching to do before the next event.
My Vicarious Band
Our Sunday Tour of Parks is usually put on hiatus by November, but thanks to global warming we were able to resume activities yesterday. As a change of pace, I took the clan back to Lincoln Memorial Gardens. There was some initial groaning about there being nothing to do (i.e., no swings or slides), but they eventually took to the hike. The favorable rating went up considerably when we came to a small cove and I let them throw rocks and dig for shells in the sand. It was there that I shot this picture:
If you were a fan of indie rock in the 80s and 90s you’ll recognize this as the standard publicity shot for no-glam, guitar-based bands from the Georgia/North Carolina scene. If the kids ever formed a band, I imagine that it would be called Red Eye Trio, a name Victor came up with for his future restaurant. It’s a classic indie band name – vivid and esoteric, with the requisite ironic twist of calling a quartet a trio. (But is it Cool Band Name worthy?)
In the picture, the kids’ expressions and poses suggest some things about their roles in Red Eye Trio:
Victor: brooding guitarist, main songwriter and band visionary. Most likely to call the interviewer from SPIN an imbecile.
Maria: unpretentious bassist and band mom. Most likely to hang out with fans after shows.
Tessie: sassy lead vocalist and sharp-tongued indie diva. Most likely to take a bit part in a Cameron Crowe movie.
Mark: fun-loving drummer, band prankster and occasional brawler. Most likely to need bailed out of jail.
Abraham Lincoln: the selling of the BBD**
Frequenters of the Gardens are familiar with the benches located throughout the grounds for resting with the family unit. Each one has engraved on it a quote from A. Lincoln. One of these quotes has always intrigued me: “It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.” I’m not sure the context in which this was said, but I’m guessing that this particular bench marks the spot where Abe talked Mary Todd into, you know, for the very first time. Man, those great orators always make out like bandits.
I’m Still Not Feeling It
I’m still not sure how I’ll vote for president, if at all. I’m a fiscal conservative and a social moderate-to-liberal, so neither candidate is really speaking to me right now. Truth is, it won’t matter who I cast a vote for. Obama will carry Illinois in a landslide, and will probably win convincingly overall. Still, I’ll go to the polling place because there are some races where I do have a favorite. I like general elections because I can vote for the candidate and not the party.
Does Baby Want a Con-Con
I also want to vote for a constitutional convention on Tuesday, but no matter how many times I refer to a constitutional convention, I will always say “constitutional convention” and not that baby-fied abbreviation, Con-Con. I also don’t like when a no-hitter is called a no-no. I do, however, like the name Mimi.
The Second Coming?
After helping to re-anchor a kitchen cabinet, I selflessly spent the rest of last Saturday morning working a tiller on the lawn of the Habitat house. Alternately pushing and restraining the hulking piece of equipment left me with stigmata on my hands, which I think is befitting.
Endeavoring to Eradicate My Pedantic Tendencies
In the off chance that the former Michelle Mayfield is reading this, I was going to use “felicitous” instead of “befitting” in the previous item, but I didn’t want anyone to take umbrage get pissed off.
Would You Like a Slab of Cheesecake With That?
As much as I enjoy a good beer, I don’t much like drinking beer with a meal. It’s terribly bloating and I find bloatation to be one of the more disagreeable physical sensations of the stomach. Strange then that the one food-beer match that I find to be made in heaven is the old roast beef ponyshoe and Guinness combo. I had one yesterday at the Dublin Pub. Washing down the dead-weight entree with a thick stout would seem to be a recipe for serious cement gut, but somehow, their density counteracts each other and I’m left both satisfied and gastronomically spry.
I Know You’re Out There, I Can Hear You Breathing
Or maybe not. If anyone just read this, please leave a comment. I’m getting the feeling that my audience has dwindled and it would be much easier for me to just think this stuff and not have to write it out and post it on a blog.
Until next week, if there is a next week.
*Not even the chair.
**A first-press edition of the BFS-produced debut album from Red Eye Trio to the first person to identify the truly awful 80s movie that introduced this acronym to popular culture.
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The only BBD I’m familiar with is Bell Biv Devoe.
Anonymous Communist | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
Hilarius band/kid photo and description!
I think your meal at Dublin Pub without unwanted gassification defies the laws of physics or biochemistry or gravity…or something. You should contact the FutureGen alliance to see if this miracle can be duplicated in clean coal projects.
Will | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
I’m here, as always.
Sorry you lost Trivia Night.
Love the band photo. We have a whole collection ourselves.
Abe had game, for sure.
Go Obama!
Your selflessness is outshone only by your humility.
I know a Michelle Mayfield, but I don’t think she’s inclined to wordsmithiness. Maybe a different one?
If the situation demands, I will choke down food with beer.
I read your blog religiously, and check for comments daily.
BBD??????
nancy | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
It is that Michelle Mayfield, she told me how funny you are. She also told me she likes my columns, but gets infuriated when I use words that the average person doesn’t know. She thinks I’m alienating my potential audience.
Dan | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
I blame the theme for our silver medal finish. We don’t do themes. I predict we’ll never lose another non-themed trivia night. *
* Unless Billy Reynolds is also playing, of course.
Russ | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
I agree, Russ. I was useless on the horror movie round, save for Rosemary’s Baby, which I have the Movie Geeks to thank for. Themes are for essays and lame parties, not trivia nights.
Dan | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
I’m sure glad I’m a horror genre geek because it meant……..WE WON!!! ANNNND we drank like 42 beers…..which seemed to make our win all the more impressive.
Mary | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
It’s a beautiful day.
nancy | Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
Nancy,
God, am I glad you got it started.
Yes, It certainly is a great day this November 5th, 2008. All of our problems have been solved! Very soon, we middle class folks should see our lives become what Norman Rockwell envisioned. Peace and harmony, plenty of money and jobs for all. No wars, no pollution, no poverty. Yes, a great day indeed.
Just wondering though, how does a black man get elected president in spite of all that institutional racism that we hear about so often? Something must be wrong with the “screw the minorities” machine unless it was busy puttin a hurtin’ on them Mexicans.
Shouldn’t be too long until President Obama’s limo is continuously being pulled over by the police just because of the color of his skin, right?
When all the giddiness wears off and reality sets in we shall see. Congratulations and good luck.
M.B. | Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
It’s a really beautiful day.
nancy | Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
Maybe she meant the weather but then again I am sure you’ll only tell us winter is coming.
Gish | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
A gusty wind is blowing in from the left, I mean west. The rain is starting to fall. Temperatures are expected to plummet.
Is it November?
Or is it Obama?
Dan | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
It’s November.
nancy | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
M.B., I’m with you, Obama does not get elected without the help of “whitey”. He’s going to have a real hard time keeping all of his pre-election promises, lip service just to get elected. I especially liked the line in his acceptance speech when he said…”and we know that government can’t solve every problem.” Huhh, wait, you said you would. The crowd reaction was great. I especially loved a teary-eyed, race baiting Jesse Jackson in the crowd. Does that FINALLY mean that we’ve seen the last of that clown, I mean, one of his own is the President elect, Jesse has no job now right? No one to blame, no one to point fingers at anymore. Goodbye Jesse, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out pal. Maybe Al Sharpton will go away too. We can only hope.
At least now, after Jan 20 anyway, you can’t blame the problems and ills on the evil, racist, neo-con machine. They’re not around any more. Another hurricane….that’s a liberal problem now.
I just hope and pray that Obama has success, but he scares me, he really does scare me. I just hope you all enjoy a slightly smaller paycheck in the coming years, but hey, there will be no problems at all to worry about anyway so what the heck. As long as MY hard-earned money goes into solving EVERYONE elses problems, I’m cool with that.
Let’s see, liberals are all about “choice”, maybe I’ll “Choose” not to participate in Obama’s little journey for Change.
Chaz | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
Chaz,
I totally agree with the fact that there should be no excuses for any failure with the Obama administration. With a democratically controlled congress and white house it should be smooth sailing. But alas, you can bet when something goes wrong there will be excuses left and right about the residual effect of evil George Bush’s administration. In all fairness I will concede that that may be the case for a year or two. A prime example is Clinton’s handcuffing of the CIA and FBI and how it helped bring about 9-11 even though he was nine months removed from office.
I also loved Jesse’s tears. But I think it was because he didn’t get the chance to “cut Obama’s nuts off” like he said he wanted to. What a joke!
Also loved the hurricane reference.
M.B. | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
M.B. and Chaz
You are two exceptionally special people. Enjoy the beautiful day!
nancy | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
For Novemer, it is a pretty nice day. Watching ObamaPaloosa the other night kind of reminded me of those old, grainy news reels you used to see of the old Nazi Party rallies and all the little, young Nazis getting all fired up for Adolph. I’m NOT comparing it to their ideology, so don’t get your shorts all knotted up. But the atmosphere, the pomp and pleasantries, the blind-faith, the almost god-like presence of the head honcho, a brilliant orator, a supporting cast in the hundreds-of-thousands, the Obama (Hitler) Youth, the endless mind numbing rhetoric being thrown at you day after day, a charismatic, brilliant, manipulative man. Hmmmmm, maybe I’m onto something. Some fairly obvious similarities in style. Plus, old Adolph was trying to pull his constituents out of the depths of a huge financial crisis during his time, the Great Depression. Just like ours. They both knew how to put on a show. (Again, for all of you freaking out about the Adolph Hitler reference, let me clarify…I am NOT comparing their ideologies, just the show). I may lean conservative, but I’m no skinhead racist.
I have nothing against Obama. Hell, I voted for the very first black President back in ‘92. I just see him as all talk, an empty suit…I hear your voice Barack, but I don’t get the message. I wouldn’t agree with his politics even if he was white….or Asian….or Hispanic…or from Bloomington….whatever.
Chaz | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
Godwin’s Law. Chaz loses.
Russ | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
Hope I’m not double-posting - I’ve been ’sending’ e-mail prematurely all week, so call it premature fumblefingers syndrome if so.
anyway, here I am - sorry for the late comment in response to your pleas.
I loved the band pic and description AND name. As unofficial photographer for my husband’s band, that’s the shot I’d love to get but haven’t quite yet. I refrain from calling it the money shot.
occula | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
Russ–Nice!
nancy | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
I’m not real concerned about “losing” here. Oh well.
Chaz | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
When the flier says its a Halloween-themed trivia, that’s what it should be. I’ve been to several “themed” trivias and there is only one category related to the theme, which sucks. I also think maybe you boys are getting a little cocky about the trivia wins. Thar’s a new sheriff in town (at least for the next trivia) and you may see a couple of changes….
Mrs. FFLC Trivia | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
Although equally scientific as Godwin’s Law, I heard a small piece from Howard Stern’s radio show recently. In the piece Stern’s “man in the street” went to Harlem and asked several African-Americans if they were going to vote for Obama because of various policies that he presented to them. But instead of giving Obama’s policies he gave them McCain’s policies and even portrayed Palin as Obama’s VP. Those being interviewed didn’t bat an eye. They all supported Obama and his “policies.”
I believe that is the blind support Chaz was referring to, and it is so obvious it is ridiculous. And like Chaz, before you label me a racist you had better know my past voting record and relationships.
I’m still waiting for an answer from the leftist elite’s on this blog as to how a black man gets elected when we all know (from their past claims and anecdotal experiences) how terribly racist the U.S. is. Do you think I will get an answer?
M.B. | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
Oh Sheila, we kid because we love. SpringfieldTrivia.com says that FFLC is the best trivia night in the county by far….even on theme nights! And our cockiness isn’t actual cockiness. It’s fake cockiness, used as a defense mechanism to hide our insecurities.
Russ | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
I agree with Russ. Behind our veneer of confidence is pure, unadulterated fear that we won’t know the next line to a Zombie’s song.
In our disappointment over losing, I forgot to congratulate Mary and her team on their victory. Worthy adversaries, to be sure. If we tell you that we will crush you the next time, you’ll know that it is just desperate bravado from a team crying out for love.
Dan | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
MB - who said you were a racist? Why such bitterness? I know you’re smart enough to know that racism exists. It always will. So will sexism, ageism, terrorism, and every other ism. It’s human nature.
I also heard the Stern bit. The people that were interviewed were ignorant. There are thousands of ignorant people on every side of every issue.
Ahem… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqcfqiXCX0
Stern could have pulled the exact same stunt with the hillbillies from Ohio, that ‘blindly’ voted for McCain because Obama is black.
But just as there are thousands of ignorant people on both sides, there are millions of informed, educated people on both sides who just have different opinions on a few key issues. Those are the people who decided this election, not the dimwits in Harlem and Ohio.
Some smart dude once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” To a lot of people, including a lot of moderate Republicans like yours truly, it was time to stop the insanity. If the country was in great shape, McCain would have won this thing in a Reaganesque landslide. But the economy is broken, we are in the middle of two wars, our schools are falling apart, and we’ve lost a lot of the respect we used to count on around the world. I’m not one to go along with “CHANGE” just for the sake of change, but I also don’t have the kind of ego that makes me think I’m always right.
Let me localize the analogy a bit. Let’s say we’re at a trivia night and Roy is in charge of the answer sheet. He insists that Sydney is the capital of Australia. He’s 100% sure that the Cardinals have won nine championships. He would bet his life that The Big Three conference was in Malta. And so on, and so on. This goes on through 8 rounds, even though we know all along that it’s Canberra, ten, and Yalta. Would it be so crazy for Roy to stop being so sure he’s right and give somebody else the pen for a couple of rounds?
And the Hitler references are just ridiculous. The melodrama that has come out of this election would be laughable if it weren’t so sad. I promise you that you will live through these next four years. I promise we will not be barcoded and issued brown uniforms. I can say with 50-60% certainty that Target will not begin offering abortions January 20. Can we please take some deep breaths and relax a bit?
Russ | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
Weeeelllll maybe you wouldn’t have lost if two certain someone’s were on your team. Funny you didn’t lose the times we were there… but I digress.
MB I know first hand you are not racist (no one raised in our household could be)… and deep down I believe that people should be informed about who they choose to elect…. But I feel it is unfair to single out any minority that voted for Obama because of that one reason.
I just don’t think the reverse race argument is appropriate here…. voting out of hatred and fear is not the same as voting FOR someone because that person can understand, in even a small way, what it is like to be a minority.
They still share some commonality (is that a word?). Just like women voting for Palin because she is a mother of a downs child… she shares something with them that goes beyond platform.
No sunshine and roses but I am proud that we as American’s took that step. I am excited for change… but I understand it will take time.
I of course am a liberal Chicagoan so I know my opinion doesn’t count for much.
Becky | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
So the fact that Obama won means there is no racism? I think the people on Russ’s link demonstrate otherwise. (Has Obama ever called white people trash???) I have never said the whole country is racist. Does it have to be all or none? The fact that I acknowledge that racism exists is evidently enough to get people pretty fired up. Sad.
I am extremely happy that Obama won the Presidency. I didn’t vote for him BECAUSE he’s black, but I think it IS an important and historical step for our country. I’m not so pig-headed in my beliefs that I can’t welcome progress. I’m not hell-bent on maintaining that racism is prevalent, like has been suggested. I think this is a big step in the right direction and I’d be very happy to see this progress continue.
As for a smaller paycheck under an Obama administration, Chaz, bring it! My family could really use the 250 G’s that would make that possible.
Becky, nice post.
nancy | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
“Although equally scientific as Godwin’s Law, I heard a small piece from Howard Stern’s radio show recently.”
The “although equally scientific” phrase was where I indicated that I was fully aware that there are ignorant people on both sides of an issue. But thanks for the lesson anyway. It’s just what us dummies need.
“So the fact that Obama won means there is no racism? I have never said the whole country is racist.”
I never said that because of the Messiah’s win there was no racism either. Did I? And I never said that you said the whole country was racist. But I do believe I am correct that you have used the term “institutional racism.” To me that means you believe that racism is rampant and wide-spread which I have always refuted. But I guess it is possible I misunderstood what you meant by “Institutional.”
As for you Russell, I am not sweating the fact that Obama won, and I am not speaking for him but I don’t think Chaz is either. What gets to me is the unbridled giddiness and confidence that so many have shown for a guy who in the scheme of things hasn’t done shit. Granted Palin is in the same boat, but she wasn’t running for #1.
In a nutshell my message is; great, your guy beat a stiff, old man. Now can the gloating. We will see what he can do. He might be the best there has ever been. I certainly hope so. But until you see what he can ACTUALLY do a little modesty might be in order.
M.B. | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
Who’s gloating??? Maybe I’m missing something. Now isn’t the time for gloating. It’s also not the time for obstructive ass-hattery just because “your guy’s” message didn’t resonate the way “That One’s” did. So “until you see what he can ACTUALLY do”, a little open-mindedness might be in order.
Russ | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
Russ, I had the gall to call Wednesday a beautiful day, hence the gloating charge.
M.B., maybe you’re used to telling people what to do and they do it, but I’ll gloat as much as I want to, thank you very much. Besides, I’m really not gloating. I’m just happy.
I do sense a little bitterness, but I would never command anyone to “can” it.
nancy | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
Wow, have I been put in my place!
As if I am trying to get specific people to shut their yappers. You really need to start listening to the message and stop focusing on the specific words so much.
“Ass-hattery”?????? I’m not sure what that means or if I like it. But hell, like everything that seems to be happening lately I really don’t have to understand much about something to know I like it…..a lot.
M.B. | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
Now I remember why I don’t talk politics or religion with friends. Dan, how about a post about beer or movies - or movies about beer.
Russ | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
Have a beautiful weekend.
(Words AND message expressed exactly as intended)
nancy | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
So I scanned through. Did I miss it? What is BBD, other than, as AnonComm pointed out, Bell Biv Devoe.
Unpainted Huffhines | Nov 8, 2008 | Reply
Sorry. That should be “What is BBD other than, as AnonComm pointed out, Bell Biv Devoe?” My brain still hasn’t quite wrapped its way around the new blueness of my new state.
Unpainted Huffhines | Nov 8, 2008 | Reply
I’ll let someone else detail the triumphant return to winning form at St. Agnes tonight. Needless to say, we were firing on all cylinders.
Russ | Nov 8, 2008 | Reply
I think all polls pretty much agree that the sway towards Obama was due to the condition of the economy. The irony here is that the state of the economy was caused by the liberal policy of wanting to provide housing to people who could not afford to pay for it. With the 700B payout to rescue the economy, there is no way that Obama can afford to institute many of his ideas without raising taxes substantially on everyone. He has congress and the presidency. There are no excuses now in attempting to implement healthcare, bigger governement, etc……
I fear that there are going to be many “I told you so’s” but here is the difference.
I am not wining nor crying about recounts, hanging chads, supreme court rulings, I, as an independent am going to stand behind my elected president up to the point he puts this country in danger. He will be tested come January, no doubt about it. Let’s see if there is substance behind the rhetoric.
Dave H | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply
Nice win Russ, M.B., Mrs. M.B., et al. Have you ever seen such a HUGE trivia night? All for a great cause, but it makes your win even more spectacular. Congratulations.
nancy | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply
I can’t believe this trivia question caused so much consternation. The BBD? Does anyone remember Scotty Palmer? Rounder? Hunter?
BBD! The Bigger and Better Deal! From the motion picture, Hardbodies. It was horrible, but it aired on HBO non-stop when I was in college and it featured nudity so we never changed the channel.
Oh yeah, did anyone hear who one the election?
Dan | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply
For me, “Hardbodies” was just another naughty-bits VHS tape cover that I knew was off limits.
Unpainted Huffhines | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply
Man, that’s crazy. I know I have seen Hardbodies and the BBD sounds familiar but for the life of me I can hardly remember anything about it. But any movie with a character named “Scotty” has to be good.
M.B. | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply