Aardvark to Zymurgy

What the hell happened to Jewel? I just saw her on Kimmel and she looks like she's had more plastic surgery than Joan Rivers. Strange cattle.

Here are some links:

Grown in CA
warkittens
website-101
arubajustice
arubawaves
skulldesac

When I was a younger man I once wrote an epic poem called "oral surgery." It was more or less just adolescent whining about being given the "let's just be friends" speech from a nurse I thought I was dating. As painful and angst-ridden as that time was, I would much rather go through that again than what I have in store for me this afternoon.

As soon as I post this message I'm leaving to go get my lower wisdom teeth extracted. I guess I should just be happy that I didn't name that poem something like, "anal probe." I'm just sayin'.

It’s Easter Sunday and I’m staying in Sacramento at the beautiful Hampton Inn. Actually, it is quite an excellent hotel. Jani and I are here in support of her Uncle Terry, who was being baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Church. What’s this got to do with shuffle play, you ask? Well, hold on. I’m getting to that. Jeez! Anyway, we went to Easter Vigil mass Saturday night, to see Terry get baptized and confirmed. After a seven hour mass, or as I like to call it, Church calisthenics (stand, sit, kneel, stand, sit, kneel), Terry had become one of the newest members of the Catholic Church. Hooray for Terry. I’m still up in the air when it comes to the subject of religion, but my hat is off to anyone who makes a commitment to follow their beliefs; especially, when one does so later in life.


The next day, today, Easter Sunday, Terry and his family were hosting a brunch. As Jani and I were driving to his house, I had my iPod on shuffle play. As we exited the freeway a new song came on. The song has about a thirty second instrumental introduction, before the lyrics begin. I recognized the song right away and started to chuckle. Jani said to me, “what’s so funny.” I told Jani, “just listen to the lyrics.” A few seconds later, an angry man named Rotten began to screech in a British accent, “I am an Anti-Christ! I am an Anarchist….” The group was the Sex Pistols and the song, “Anarchy in the UK.” I looked at Jani and said, “effing shuffle play…. all knowing shuffle play.” Later on that day I had to drive Jani to the airport, as she was flying to LA for business. As we neared the airport Ray Charles came on singing “Hit the Road Jack.” I thought to myself, “now you’re just being mean, shuffle play.”

Link of the Day: www.arubajustice.com

We spent the last day of 2008 driving through the Arizona desert, Jani and I. Our eleven and one half hour drive reminded me of a trip I took cross-country with Evan, of Evan Pilchik Photography a few years back. We were delivering a car, and Nero the dog, to DC for a friend who had recently been relocated there from Oakland, CA. This wasn't the first trip cross-country Evan and I had taken together. In 1992 we moved from the East coast to San Francisco. The two trips were quite different. In 92 we had two vehicles and five people. In 05 it was one car, Evan, Nero and me. In 92 we were young and embarking on a new life, ready to face the unknown. In 05 we were on vacation, with a little less hair and a little more belly. In 92 we wandered up and down the country, camping under the stars. In 05 we stayed at the Motel 6 because of their friendly dog policy. In 92 Evan and I took pictures with our 35 MM cameras. In 05 we had digital cameras that also took movies. In 92 we played mixes we made on cassettes, and would occasionally listen to the farm report or some local preacher on AM radio, just for a goof. In 05 we listened to XM Satellite radio from coast-to-coast. In 92 we would occasionally find a pay phone, pump in a bunch of coins and call home. In 05 we had cell phones, also equipped with digital cameras, and could make calls to anywhere in the world from the middle of nowhere, while traveling at seventy-five or eighty miles per hour.

I know I sound like Grandpa, but when I think about all that's changed since that cross-country trip in 92 I can't help but feel a sense of awe. I also think about the cross-country trip I'm bound to take fifteen years or so from now. How will that trip go? Will I have to stop for gas, or will I stop for hydrogen, or to plug in somewhere? Will I be connected to the Internet the whole way? Will my car drive itself? Hell, will my car fly for that matter? The changes come fast. I know I'm not doing much to dispel the rumors about me being a geek, but I'm pretty excited, or geeked out, about what's coming next.

One last thought... When Evan and I took our trip in 05, we were driving through Nevada, or Utah, or Wyoming, or some other "fly-over" state, and a great Clash song came on the XM. The song was "I'm So Bored With the USA." I told Evan this would make a great video, with the vast nothingness of the middle of the USA, and the Clash playing in the background. So, we shot a little video (I think Evan still has it). Anyway, I was reminded of the video when driving from Phoenix, AZ to Dublin, CA on New Year's Eve, and decided to use today's technology to make a video. So, please enjoy the following:



Oh, and one last, last thought... of all the things that have changed from 92 to 05, there's one thing that hasn't gotten any better. The music back then was just plain GOOD!

Thanks for tuning in.

Today's Link of the Day: crappycommute.com

On December 22, 2005 my father passed away. Three years have rushed by me and a lot has changed in my life since my father's passing. Although I don't have many regrets in my life, I do wish my dad would have been around long enough to meet my wife and maybe some day his grandchildren. I think about my father often, especially this time of year. On the way to my dad's funeral I wrote the following, and posted it to my Myspace Blog. As I read what I wrote nearly three years ago, I find that my feelings have changed very little. Enjoy the read and have a happy holiday season.

It's 6:00 AM, local time, NYC. I'm sitting at the Jet Blue terminal, waiting for my connecting flight to Burlington, VT. Just three more hours to kill. There seems to be an awful lot of wide-awake people for 6:00 AM. But, who knows what time it is to these people.

It's interesting watching people while I tune them out, quite literally, thanks to my MP3 player. Right now it's Lou Reed.... The interconnectedness of all things becomes evident through the magic of shuffle play. I mean, Lou Reed and New York are pretty much synonymous.... for those of you who have seen the movie "Repo Man" will know what I mean when I say, "plate of shrimp." For those who haven't seen the movie... what the hell? Rent it today, it's fucking great. Oh, and by the way, the song now.... any guesses? Van Morrison, "Glad Tidings (from New York)." Yeah.... it's that kind of world, isn't it? I wonder what other delicious, cosmic treats the universe has in store for me. I'm looking forward to the new day.

So, I'm off to Burlington, VT, with an ultimate destination of Jay, NY. The main point of this latest journey East is for my father's funeral. My dad passed away a couple days before this past Christmas. One of the harsh realities of the North Eastern, US is that the ground is frozen.... 'til, let's say April 15thish. So, for the past four months my dad has been.... well, no need to go there. Anyway, we're going to bury my father this Saturday, then have a big Easter dinner Sunday. Kinda funny when you think about it... maybe funny isn't the right word... ironic? Yeah, let's go with that.

So, about my dad. We didn't talk much these past few years. There was no reason for it. That's just the way it was. To the outside observer we may have seemed estranged....but, that wasn't the case. When I saw dad this past summer I saw in his eyes how he felt about me. He was happy to see me.... probably the happiest he'd been in quite some time. He was proud of me... proud of all his kids... even if he never told us in so many words. Sometimes I'd hear stories about myself from people I hadn't talked to. It was obvious that my father had been singing my praises. It was the way he did things.

My father had a 9th grade education, but he was a sage when it came to all things of a practical nature. He could turn a pile of garbage into money to feed his family, and often did just that. He was a survivor, and he taught us kids those skills. Dad valued friends above all else. He was a big, gruff, loud man, but beneath the surface was a pure, kind, and generous heart. Everyone liked my dad. He'd make men laugh, and women giggle and blush.... and children.... he just made them happy.

Dad had a wonderful way of cutting through the bullshit. He didn't play games, and told things how he saw them. He was fearless. He was comfortable with anyone. He could walk into a room full of construction workers, and leave them all feeling better for knowing him.... he could do the same in a room full of college professors.

I've missed my dad for probably the past ten or fifteen years... The time it's been, since I moved to San Francisco, and would see him maybe once every year or two. His passing hasn't really changed much for me. I still miss him, the same as I have these past ten or fifteen years. Oddly enough, though, dad's passing has forced me to think about him more of late. I recall the good times we spent together, and I think about the little things I catch myself doing. I'll spit out a phrase, or tell a joke, as if it were my own original thought. Then, I'll realize it's my father speaking.

I hope as I grow older I can continue to honor my father by carrying on the legacy of the good qualities he gave me. I'll do my best.

Thanks for tuning in. Peace out from NYC!



Today's Link of the Day: Dad

It's been a while since I've done any writing on my blog. Not sure why.... maybe I've been uninspired....maybe I've been lazy. Anyway, I'm going to make more of an effort going forward.....even if it's just throwing up one of my silly, old stories.

Last night I sat down with a smart cocktail and a slice of pizza and watch history in the making. It was a good night for an old leftist such as myself (California's Yes on 8 notwithstanding). Watching the crowd in Chicago when Obama took the stage almost brought me to tears. Shhhhh don't tell my wife. I like her to think I'm a tough guy.... despite all the blubbering at our wedding... but I digress. Anyway, when I saw Jesse Jackson all red-eyed and choked with emotion, well, it was hard not to be moved. I don't care which side of the fence you land on (left or right), you have to admit it was a pretty moving spectacle. And, really this says a lot for our country. Despite the negativity of the campaign, and the fact that racism is still part of our culture, it really says a lot about the people that make up our country. All those who participated in the process should be commended.

The Speeches

I found Obama's speech to be as advertised. My expectations were high, and he did not disappoint. He was positive, moving, inspirational, and somewhat humble. After he spoke I felt good about myself, good about my country, and for the first time in a while good about our future.

I was equally impressed with John McCain's concession speech. He seemed more comfortable than I've seen him in a very long time. His speech was also inspirational and positive. I really think it was a good step toward mending fences between the left and right. This was the John McCain I first got to know in 2000. This was the John McCain I would have voted for back in 2000. Where were you John? When he gave his speech last night, it was as if Karl Rove was no longer whispering in his ear. It reminded me of "Return of the Jedi," when Darth Vadar lets go of all the hate, and throws the emperor into the abyss, and once again becomes Anakin Skywalker. I knew there was good in you all along John.

OK, back to the grind. Got to eek out my meager living. More to come. Oh, and by the way all you fellow lefties..... now that we have the power we have to perform. Now there's no one to blame but ourselves if things get worse.

Cheers!

Here's your link of the day (month): http://www.evanpilchik.com