You know, I own one Ani DiFranco album, and I’ve never been able to listen to the whole thing all the way through. This is one of those things I’ve never admitted to anyone, because everyone seems to think she’s the shit, despite that fact that you never actually hear anyone out just humming one of her tunes. But here I am admitting it, because, hey, I just found out I’m not the only one who’s not a big fan of hers. Well, that’s a relief.
At least they were in France. Americans can all breathe a sigh of relief.
(2014 Update: No idea to what wacky article this link to the Weekly World News was. But, apparently, fuck France. France.)
So, it seems Osama bin Laden really is alive after all: [He’s ba-a-ck!
America’s public enemy No. 1 has suddenly reappeared — and the White House doesn’t care – JOE CONASON]
Considering that we’ve totally fucked up Afghanistan and this ass is still alive, why they hell are we talking about Iraq? Please, please tell me.
From the Book: The Collected Poems of William Butler Yeats
TURNING and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
gyre n.
1. A circular or spiral form; a vortex: “rain swirling the night into tunnels and gyres” (Anthony Hyde).
2. A circular or spiral motion, especially a circular ocean current.
“The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity. ”
That sounds familiar.
(2014 Update: I seem to have posted this poem twice. I must have been REALLY passionate about it.)
New from Rob at cockeyed.com: another science experiment… “How much is in a keg?” I’m pretty sure we did this experiment at one time or another in college, but I forgot what the answer was.
I had a fantastic three-day weekend in which I accomplished a ton of stuff around the house and otherwise, complete with photos.
Photos of all this activity will come shortly.
(2014 update: I swear I was not on crack.)
Some sort of new publicity campaign, for a book, I’m guessing. Apparently something dramatic “will be revealed to the world” on March 8 on this website, which spins a conspiracy theory story, much like the advanced publicity for the Blair Witch Project.
I believe in happily ever after. No I’m not the whole rainbows and unicorns type of person, but I do believe in a loving relationship that can stand the test of time. I know it can happen because I’ve seen it in action. My grandparents have been married for over 60 years. They treat each other with respect and love, and they’ve built a loving home and an enormous, successful and happy family. My grandparent’s house is filled with joy, and has always been one of those touchstones in my life that I can go back to when I’m stressed or unhappy. My grandfather and grandmother are true role models for hard work, respect, love and compassion, and I can’t think of two people that I’d rather be like. I don’t always succeed in being that kind of person, but I’m trying.
Part of the reason I wanted to buy the house I have is because it reminds me of my grandparents house, which like mine is over 100 years old. I want to build for myself the kind of life that they created… the life that created me. That’s a legacy I’d like to pass on. I think that’s part of the reason that I get so bent out of shape when people are trespassing, stealing things, dealing drugs in front of my house, having sex in my yard. They’re intruding on the dream I’m trying to build, and it makes me upset that people are bringing such ugliness into something beautiful I want to create. I’m not going to give up on this house, no matter what, because it represents something important to me. I may never have a 60th wedding anniversary, but if I can only achieve some small part of that, it will be enough for me.
I’ve been thinking about my grandparents since I talked to my friend Lisa on the phone last night. I keep asking myself how they would deal with the situation I’m dealing with. Both of my grandparents are strong people, and neither of them are the type of people to roll over and play dead when faced with a confrontation. I can’t help but continue to think that I’m doing the right thing.
Look at this, I’m blogging on my new PowerBook. This is so extremely cool.
Here’s a fun prank to play on your friends: campaign them for political office without their knowledge. Now that’s funny.