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Dumbocracy by Marty Beckerman Garcia: A Signpost to New Space by Charles Reich & Jann Wenner Heat by Bill Buford "Tao is the thing that accompanies all other things. Its name is Tranquility amid all Disturbances." - Chuang Tzu   
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Download PokerStars Friday, February 28, 2003
Just got back from a night out with Molly. We ate dinner with Boogie at the Reade Street Pub in TriBeCa, where I had to nearly fight off a group of fabulous patrons to get the last available table. There was one empty table, reserved from someone who had left and said they were coming back. I was irked. My situation was helped when I made a comment to the owner (I didn't know it was him... I was just talking out loud) that all I wanted was to come by for a beer and a cheeseburger. Within minutes, he gave us the table and seated us! The pints were moderately priced at $4. After our meal we walked over to No Moore Bar to see Charlie Hunter play with his quintet. The show was great. He's the shit. Charlie played two sets and the show ended just after Midnight. KK and Judd showed up, as well as a cameo from Ethan, and the night was highlighted by an unexpected, rare, out of the blue appearance from none other than Crunchy Dynamite!! I don't know his real name, but I gave him the nickname "Crunchy Dynamite" (CD) in the winter of 2001, during a ride from NYC to Philly. KK drove Boogie, Ethan, CD and myself as we ventured off to see Galactic at the Electric Factory. CD was tons of amusment for all of us. OK, back to the skinny on tonight... after the Charlie Hunter show we went drinking in the East Village for a late night cocktails. I think that we got the same cab driver twice. He drove us from North Moore Street to the East Village and almost 3 hours later, he picked us up on Second Avenue. Molly recognized his name from before. Very strange I think.Same cab driver? What are the odds? It's rare in NYC with so many cabs! | Permalink | Thursday, February 27, 2003
Check out a: Good Philly Phish Review... which I read on the net, and written by some guy named Bart. Here's a bit: "This band is doing just as they have always done, which is whatever they want to do, ignoring reason and consequences, and along that journey, even at this stage of the game, there are bound to be some pitfalls. They're right where they are supposed to be, onstage, taking chances, both conscious and unconscious, and if the kid in Section 302 throws a hissy fit because Trey couldn't hit the high notes in "Talk", even if he hasn't played it in five years, then too fucking bad. You want to be moved? You want to experience the religion of it all? Then shut your little mouth and take this one like a man." | Permalink | Zobo sent me this e-mail: "Thanks for hooking Jarad up with the tickets for Monday's show! Cincinnati was freakin' incredible. Here is a review of the weekend I wrote up!" and now check out: Zobo's Cincy Phish review I thought both shows were incredible. It is hard to say one was better than the other because they were a little different. Friday night seemed to be all about the heavy hitters (Mike's, 2001, Hood, etc.) and they were played really well. Saturday night was all about the jamming. Friday night's highlights were Frankenstein, Antelope, and the entire second set except All of the These Dreams which I think might be the worst Phish song ever. Mike's was a great set opener and the Free was so funky in the middle. Waste had a nice little jam at the end and 2001 was much better than it was in Hampton. Hood was one of the best I have seen and the jam lasted longer than it did before the break. As they started to build up towards the lyrics at the end, they went right back into the jam for another few minutes and then built up again before finishing. Possum was so much fun and I love when they close a set with Cavern. I don't like Wading as an encore, but it didn't matter because the show was so awesome. After passing out around 5:00 a.m. that night, we were awoken to this Fire! Possibly the worst morning of my entire life. Raf and I were on the 11th floor. We had 10th row seats on the floor Saturday night which added to the crazy excitement. Sloth opener kind of surprised me. Not a big fan of Dogs Stole Things. The show really got going with Piper into Weekapaug and the segue was so seemless, that I didn't notice it was coming until Chad and Raf started going crazy. A lot of people don't like Dirt, but I really enjoy that song because of the harmonies at the end and it was time for a break after the craziness that happened with Weekapaug. Mule was fun with some great stage antics by the boys. Wall of the Cave was ridiculous, great fifteen minute hard rocking jam that had a perfect buildup to the end of the song. I went to the bathroom during Mountains and also missed Sample. Second set was unreal. Tube was one of my top Phish moments ever. So funky and the song is so much fun. I seriously felt like I was in a big tube filled with funk and I couldn't get out (and I was completely sober at the moment). Bathtub clocked in at close to a half hour and the jam never seemed to get lost. Incredible. Friday wasn't too bad, but wasn't good either. Needed to sit down after Bathtub. Bowie was fantastic as usual and I really like Bug because it brings back great memories from the shows I saw in Japan. A lot of people don't like that song, but it was great on Saturday. Suzy encore was a lot of fun as I can always listen to a song about a stupid Jewish chick! | Permalink | The First Attack: NY1 Looks Back At The 1993 WTC Bombing... it's been 10 years since the first attack on the WTC. | Permalink | Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Well I just got back from a day in the city with Molly. Checked out the Museum of Natural History and the new Rose Space and Science Center which I had not seen yet since it opened. Met my brother for dinner near Union Square then shot some pool at Slate for a while. | Permalink | Skippy TV! Check out: Dave Simanoff's TV Spot: MoneySense Report which he did the other day. You'll need Quicktime to view his clip. | Permalink | Danish Pizzeria Bans French and Germans because of their anti-American and anti-war stances. Good job! Sticking it to the frogs... | Permalink | 2:55 am... I just got back from driving all the way from Philly, and seeing Phish. First of all, the last 12 hours have been one rollercoaster of a half of day! Long story short, we almost missed the show due to circumstances beyond my control. Almost. But we made it, just in time... all the way from NYC to Philly, thanks to kick ass directions from Modeski!! So here's the setlist (a review to follow in the morning): 2.25.03 The Spectrum ~ Philadelphia, PA Set 1: Julius, Talk, 46 Days, Taste, Frankie Says, Slave to the Traffic Light, Water in the Sky, Walls of the Cave Set 2: AC/DC Bag, Cities, Theme from the Bottom > Runaway Jim, Thunderhead, Sparkle, Pebbles & Marbles Encore: Squirming Coil, Character Zero | Permalink | Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Professors For Terrorist Al-Arian is written by Jon Schanzer and appears in Front Page. | Permalink | Phish Review: 2.24.03 Continetal Airlines Arena ~ Meadowlands, NJ Set 1: Down with Disease, Corinna, Wolfman's Brother > Limb by Limb, Everyday I Have the Blues (w/ BB King), Thrill Is Gone (w/ BB King), Rock Me Baby (w/ BB King) Set 2: Halley's Comet, Harry Hood, Heavy Things, Twist > Jam >Twist, All of These Dreams, Waves, Sample in a Jar, Chalkdust Torture Encore: Farmhouse Highlights: B.B. King, Wolfman's, Hood, Waves and Sample in a Jar. There was no traffic coming to the show, and we got there rather quickly. While standing in line I met these two guys, and one of them gave me a joint (sprinkled with hash) because he said, "I had a nice smiling face". It turned out that he had been to several of the same Dead shows I was at in the early 1990s, including the infamous Omni, Atlanta, GA show when the Dead opened with Here Comes Sunshine. Gil, Spider, KK and Rachel found us shortly before the show started, and we got to hang out. Just after 8:06 PM the boys took the stage. Molly and I were sitting in the middle of the upper level, at the center of the venue. Not a bad seat at all for Molly’s third show. I was calling for a Carini opener. Instead they busted out Down with Disease. From the get-go, I saw that Trey was on, and having a good time. Mike was a little bit louder than the last time I saw Phish (my only complaint about NYE was that I couldn’t hear Mike). The boys had a nice jam out of DWD. Corinna is a rare tune that they play. Completely unexpected, but a good version. Page’s solo was sweet and made me happy. Wolfman’s Brother is a tune that I had sort of called (I wrote it down on a piece of paper the other day). I was really pumped at first, but after a couple of minutes I realized that I was actually bummed out. I wanted to hear something different. But a couple of minutes into the jam, I changed my mind. The middle of Wolfman’s had a great jam, and it ended up being the highlight of the set. Molly called Limb by Limb. I know it’s one of Fishman’s favorite tunes to play, and I fell in love with Limb by Limb during the Japan shows in 2000. The ending jam is always unexpected, and I usually forget that they pull out some funky ass shit, which they did. That was a close second to the Wolfman jam. B.B. King came out to play the rest of the set. At first I didn’t know who was sitting in. A stagehand pulled out a folding chair and placed it in the middle of the stage, and out walked an older, chubby black dude, with a sleek black guitar. It was B.B. King. I knew it was not going to be just another normal Phish show. They opened up the B.B. King set with the standard, Everyday I Have the Blues. It was sloppy and unorganized, and it almost seemed the boys were slightly hesitant to do their own thing. It was great to hear B.B. on vocals, his old scratchy voice still kicks my ass. The fifteen-minute version had its moments, but again, it was sloppy. The next tune was Thrill Is Gone, and I got a Jerry Garcia vibe. I was thinking about his smoky version with David Grisman that I used to listen to non-stop when I lived in Seattle. Mike was the star of this tune, and the bass at the beginning was the highlight of the B.B. King set. I thought they were going to end the set after Thrill. Phish had clocked an 80-minute set, and I figured that was it, but they boys kept pushing. Parts of the crowd were slightly restless with the B.B. set, and I felt sorry for the nay-sayers, because after all, a Phish show has nothing to do with them… it’s always about the music. Whether it’s a Phish song or not, it shouldn’t matter. And Phish didn’t seem to care. They had a rare opportunity to play with the man who, in some circles would be considered the godfather of modern rock and roll. It was a treat for them and they went with the moment. I admired the fact they said, "Fuck the crowd, fuck the setlist time, we’re playing with B.B. King!" The B.B. King set was solid, and I didn’t mind the distraction at all. His appearance made the night and show special, and in a decade, the show will be referred to as the B.B. King show, when told by me during the occasionally antedote or Phishy story. A rare special treat indeed. The set ended at 9:44 PM (my time) and the final timing was about 1 hour and 36 minutes. One of the longer sets of Phish I had seen in a while. Setbreak came and went, and I wandered into the bathroom, and was thoroughly amused by the comments from the guys waiting in line to take a leak. "Dude, I hear that Avril LaVigne is coming out to play the entire second set." Snickers went all around the Men’s room, until the guy’s friend replied. "Dude, I’m sooooo, looking forward to that, eh?!?!" That’s when I lost it. I also saw the "Mike Gordon look-alike" that I met in Japan. He was standing next to me as we waited to take a leak. "Hey man, I know you from Japan." "Yes, you do," he said. Before the setbreak ended we wandered over to Section 209 to find everyone else. I eventually found Gil, Spider and Rachel and we sat down with them for a few minutes. Gil told me the sad story about how KK lost their smoking apparatus. I laughed, not because it was humorous, just because of the irony of the situation. Eventually KK climbed the steep steps to their seats to join everyone. We got back to our seats just as the lights went down. I was still hoping for a Carini opener, but I heard Trey playa rift or two on his guitar and I swear I heard a Reba tease. Even Molly heard it and she got excited. Alas, it wasn’t a Reba opener, it was a rare Halley’s Comet. I expected them to break it out in Nassau (the last two times they gigged at Nassau they played Halley’s). It was sweet, and the jam was exciting and dark. One of the funnier moments of the night was in the middle of Halley’s when Trey stopped to play, and quickly bent down to tie his shoe, before he ripped into a jam. I wasn’t expecting Harry Hood at all either. Since they recently played it at Cincy a few nights before, I thought they’d save it for the Philly show. Nope. Good too, because Hood rocked. There was a weak glow ring, glow stick war, but that’s OK. The jam out of Hood was sweat, and not forced (like I thought it was on NYE). Molly was excited, super excited. Hood is one of her favorite songs. At a random point in the song I looked over at Page, and at the same time, some kid from the audience threw a glowstick in his vicinity. Page kinda ducked to the side, but kept playing, and all I could think about was Boogie!! And the infamous Boogie glowstick incident at the Nassau show in October of 1999. Heavy Things was the next song, and I usually am indifferent about this song. Sometimes I really like it, other times I could do without it. But during the show, I was slightly disappointed. It was a solid version, but I had hoped for something else. I got stoned during Heavy Things. Twist Around was an interesting choice. The Twist parts were OK, but the jam in the middle of it was odd, eerie, tripped out, and obscenely spacey. I loved it. All of These Dreams was next. Just when I thought they might go the entire show without a new song, but here you go. I know Zobo thinks All of These Dreams is one of the worst Phish songs ever, but I have to disagree. I like it, but not in the middle of that set! At least they didn’t play it as the encore. Waves... I had hoped they would play Waves! And I actually called it and blogged it too! After hearing Waves on NYE (a personal highlight for me) I got hooked on that new tune. Of course Trey went off, and the song Waves is just what’s it’s about. Waves and waves of Phish just hit the back of the arena and rippled back to the stage and it kept going. The yellow lights (great job by Chris Kuroda) were fun, and set the tone for the high needling frantic energy. As I said Trey was going off, and at 11:26 Trey peaked. He hit his high-water mark. I thought that perhaps Waves would end the set. But Trey kept it going with an old classic Sample in a Jar. It was high energy and the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Again I thought this would be the end of the set, but Trey decided that he needed one more song. Chalkdust Torture. Chalkdust is one of Trey’s favorite songs, and I guess he was feeling it that night. It seemed like he woke up a little late, and wanted to pack it all into the last few songs. The second half the Set 2 was all Trey. From the middle of Twist on to the end of the set, he took over and kicked ass. It wasn’t the tightest set, nor the most mind blowing, but in the end, it was splendid. Farmhouse is an old favorite song of mine since I first heard it back in 1997. The vocals were good, and the lights were the best for this tune. I know Molly was disappointed with the encore, and that’s fine. But I walked away happy (I would have been irked if they played Coil, or something I detest, or a cheesy song from Round Room, like Friday or Mexican Cousin… I enjoy both, but not for an encore!) The final set time was about 90 minutes. For a total of nearly three plus hours of Phish. Not too shabby, plus B.B. King’s appearance made the night a special event. | Permalink | Innovation Gives Port Security New Label is an article written by Dave Simanoff and appears in today's Tampa Tribune. | Permalink | I just got back from Phish... and here's tonight's setlist: 2.24.03 Continetal Airlines Arena ~ Meadowlands, NJ Set 1: Down with Disease, Corinna, Wolfman's Brother > Limb by Limb, Everyday I Have the Blues (w/ BB King), Thrill Is Gone (w/ BB King), Rock Me Baby (w/ BB King) Set 2: Halley's Comet, Harry Hood, Heavy Things, Twist > Jam >Tiwst, All of These Dreams, Waves, Sample in a Jar, Chalkdust Torture Encore: Farmhouse I'll blog a review later... but the B.B. King appearance with the boys made the night special, indeed. | Permalink | Monday, February 24, 2003
Ok, so I am about to leave for NJ to see Phish, and of course I'm excited. Took Molly to midtown today for a lunch with Jessica. While waiting for Jessica, a pigeon shit on me. Yep, just my luck. In an eeire coincidence, I sold my two extras to a friend of Zobo's! Small world indeed. Tonight's wish list: Carini, Waves, and Tweezer. | Permalink | Well finally after a 2 plus hour delay, Molly arrived safely just before 10 PM last night! We're off to the first of three Phish shows tonight, in less than... 11 hours!! | Permalink | Norah Jones Sweeps the Grammys! Norah walked away with 8 Grammys in all. Here's a link for some pics of the night's winners. | Permalink | Sunday, February 23, 2003
Molly just called from DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth airport)... her flight to NYC is delayed almost 2 hours!! I hate waiting in airports. I always find myself drifting towards the infamous airport bar, where I sit and wait for my chance to get out of some place I normally have no business being. And after a few, over-priced, watered down drinks and a meaningless conversation on the local sports team (pick a sport and team) I always end up getting handed a business card from a heavyset, scotch drinking, traveling salesman named Wally, hailing from somehwere in the Mid-West, where his second wife, two and a half kids, and a dog named Skippy reside. | Permalink | My Survival Kit is an article written by Thomas Friedman and appears in today's NY Times. Here's a bit: "Having argued that 9/11 was the start of World War III, I would never diminish its significance. And I do not have an ounce of criticism for the F.B.I., C.I.A. or Department of Homeland Security for issuing terrorism warnings at the hint of a threat. They are doing their job. But increasingly I wonder whether we're doing ours — which is learning to live with these dangers, instead of going to excesses that provide no additional security but a ton of additional anxiety." | Permalink | Tyson Afterthoughts... Yes, that Mike Tyson fight sucked! I saw two high school girls get into a more entertaining fight on a subway platform a month ago. I know there was a lot of hair pulling and nail scratching from an heavy set black girl, who held a sizebale advantage over a petitte, yet wiry hispanic girl, who kept calling her "Aunt Jemima". Everyone who had gathered to watch (mostly HS students and a random suit) were hootin' and hollerin' and telling one girl to throw the other onto the subway tracks before it got broken up by transit cops who swooped in from out of nowhere. But shit... that cat fight lasted at least 5 minutes! That's five times longer than last night's circus act. They should have put that subway fight on pay-per-view. | Permalink | Re: Feb Truckin' Cali Jen wrote me this: "I really enjoy your monthly column: Subway Stories. All of them are funny and descriptive, and even if you never rode a NYC subway, you still give the reader an honest feel of what it's like to be there! This month's subway story Fallen Angel was hilarious. Was it true? I hope you keep writing those stories. I look forward to the next one!" | Permalink | Sunday Morning Poem: That's My Chicken The senators laughed at the Bearded lady, when she violently sang An obscure song, only known To a couple of mead riddled Druids, And some random kid in Idaho named Eddie, who downloaded the lyrics onto His new i-pod, after he snagged Several porn flicks involving chickens and Busty blondes. | Permalink | I woke up to a hazy, fog... it rained all day yesterday, heavy at times, pouring down over 2 inches in less than a day. After the mild temps these past few days and all the abundant rain, most, if not all of the snow from Monday's blizzard has melted. And the rest of it has been removed by large orange trucks in the middle of the night. | Permalink | "I stayed up all night and played poker using a deck of Tarot Cards. I got a Full House and four people died." - Steven Wright | Permalink | Saturday, February 22, 2003
I watched the Mike Tyson fight which was a joke... 49 seconds and a shady knockout.... as my brother was quoted about this debacle, "Dude, what a waste!" | Permalink | Mr. Clean... Perhaps? I just finished cleaning my bathroom, which took twice as long as I expected. And I also did a half-assed job on cleaning up the rest of my studio. I was lazy. My entire work space is a mess. I have dozens of stray parts and excerpts from random pages of novels I attempted to write, but decided to delete. I have almost a hundred issues of the Hollywood Reporter stacked up in my bathroom, in the hallway, around my table, etc. for fuck's sake. But I just downloaded the Phish show on 2.18.03 Denver, CO from the other night, from livephish.com. I had that show playing in the background why I casually made lists of things I should be cleaning... instead of actually cleaning what needed to be. Oh well. The reason I'm cleaning is to prepare for a Molly's weeklong visit. She'll be visiting from Texas to see 3 Phish shows with me next week, and she's crashing at the studio. So, the Molly Countdown is... 27 hours. | Permalink | Column: Danny Pearl Represented Us All is written by Judea Pearl, who is Daniel Pearl's father. Here's a bit: "Much has been written on the new challenges that Danny's murder represents to international journalism. But relatively little attention was given to one aspect of the motives of the perpetrators, specifically to the role of anti-American and anti-Semitic sentiments in the planning and execution of the murder. In fact, what shocked and united people from all over the world was the nature of those motives... In Europe, Danny's murder has been condemned as an attack against journalism, while the anti-American, anti-Jewish sentiments were played down considerably. This is understandable, considering the anti-American and anti-Western sentiment echoed in editorials in some respectable European newspapers." | Permalink | Does anyone read my Truckin' stories? From my e-mail inbox, it appears that only a handful of you do so (the same five or six of you). Too bad, you don't know what you are fuckin' missing. I guess everyone's short attention span has been focused on Joe Millionaire. Turn off your TVs and read!! Here's a good review from Jerry Engel on this issue of Truckin': "Yo - that was a crazy issue!!! Señor's article was crazy - he is such a pig fucker - in the best possible way. The story in itself is great, but throw in the fact that I know its Señor's story, makes ot that much better. I really enjoyed your short on The Girl Next Door - well written and it flowed very nicely." | Permalink | Truckin' ~ February 2003 (Vol.2, Issue 2)Welcome to Truckin' my monthly E-Zine. This month's issue includes another subway story from me, a fiction bit from Mona LaVigne, a story from our Southeast Asian contact Señor with a tale from Nepal, and Armando Huerta, our European contact, returns with a Vienna story. Plus don't miss Cali Jen's reality show interview with yours truly! So sit back, relax, enjoy, and spread the word! Thanks for all your support! Be Sweet, McG • Feb Subway Story: Fallen Angel by Tenzin McGrupp They all sat across from me, a family of four, each of them bundled up in winter clothing; mittens, scarves, and woolen hats, protecting them from the Canadian artic air that swept down into the North East, that brazenly unleashed a deep freeze which had last nearly two week... More • Just Your Average Week in Nepal by Señor Entering Nepal was a life long dream come true. Just walking the streets of Thamel, the tourist center of Katmandu, was thrilling. The delightful "namaste" greetings and warm smiles I received from the Nepali people eased all my fears of any trouble that might be lurking... More • The Girl Next Door by Tenzin McGrupp I sold weed daily to Republicans and Democrats, men and women, Yankees fans and Mets fans alike. It didn’t matter, there was one thing everyone I saw had in common, they loved marijuana. And let me say they also liked seeing me... More • Ring by Mona LaVigne I had sold the ring. The answers to my prayers was the cash in hand. I had not eaten in three days, and I had finally given in. Bartholomew would have killed me if he’d known that I’d profited from his grandmother’s diamond, but fuck it... More • Indie Film Review by Tenzin McGrupp Read reviews of: Igby Goes Down, Business of Strangers, No Such Thing, La Fille Seule, and Where the Buffalo Roam... More • Reality Show Craze: An Interview with Tenzin McGrupp by Jen Biaggi I admit I am a reality show junkie. I cannot get enough of Joe Millionaire or the Real World. I am amazed at not just my addiction, but the recent addiction of these shows by America. So I decided to interview a pop culture expert on the reality show craze to find out what’s really going on... More • The Viennese Waltz by Armando Huerta True, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is responsible for the Gabor sisters, but they did balance it out with impressive architecture and grand boulevards... More • Growers by Tenzin McGrupp The disgruntled taxpayers moaned and whined at their local representative in a town hall meeting, where dozens upon dozens of the county’s struggling farmers were being screwed over by the suits in Washington... More | Permalink | Friday, February 21, 2003
Phish played Lifeboy tonight at they're Cincy show. Lifeboy is a song they haven't played since November of 1998... or roughly in about 130 shows. I also heard that they played Harry Hood as well. Thanks to Heather for the setlist update... | Permalink | Heather sent me this link: Phisharchive. And while I was there, I found this interesting article: Phish Catapult in Vegas... a bit from about the recent Vegas shows. | Permalink | Breaking News... an explosion rocked Staten Island about an hour ago. A huge fire is raging at an oil refinery there. More details to come. | Permalink | 11 Questions2.21.03... OK here are the first batch of 11 Questions: 1. What are the odds of the Cowboys winning the next Super Bowl? 2. What is your new novel titled, and what is it about? 3. Who is your favorite artist? 4. J-Lo. Or Gwyneth Paltrow? 5. Will Spree be traded? 6. Which would you rather be, and why: A dolphin or a lion? 7. What is your novel Jack Tripper Stole My Dog about? 8. When did you know you were a writer? 9. What is the lifespan for frogs? 10. If you were an al-Qaeda terrorist, what would your pledge name be? 11. What is your favorite Grateful Dead song? And now the Answers.... 1. What are the odds of the Cowboys winning the next Super Bowl? - Spider, Strong Island, NY 10-1. I hate all the teams in the NFC East except the Giants. But Tuna's appearance in Texas will help your odds. You now need a real QB. I say you'll make the playoff for sure, but that’s about it. Maybe in 2005. 2. What is your new novel titled, and what is it about? – Jen Biaggi, San Francisco, CA The working title is: Untitled 2003 Novel. And I do not discuss works that I am currently writing. You’ll have to wait until it’s done. 3. Who is your favorite artist? – Stephen Adkins, Seattle, WA Henri Matisse. He's the shit. 4. J-Lo. Or Gwyneth Paltrow? – Derek, NYC Wow, you threw an Affleck question at me. For the record, I’d marry Gwyneth, but keep J-Lo. on the side. Jenny from the Block isn’t the type of girl you marry, ya know what I mean? She’s the prefect salsa, something spicy on the side to dip with when your meal gets a little stale. Gwyneth on the other hand, is the type of girl you escape to the suburbs with and have kids, pets, and nice furniture. 5. Will Spree be traded? - Jerry, Miami, FL Good question. Knowing that the Knicks are a second rate organization these days, the answer is: No. Latrell Sprewell won't be traded, and if Layden unloads him, we're going to get the shitty end of the deal. No one wants Spree because the Knicks are asking for too much. The suits at Cablevision and the Dolans, who own the Knicks, should all be rounded up and sent to Gitmo Bay and thrown into concrete cells with the Taliban and random al-Qaeda thugs. Only until then, after the real criminals are locked up, will the Knicks and Rangers be able to thrive and have an opportunity to win championships, and give the fans in NYC a chance to see fresh, new, upcoming talent, that will be here for a decade maybe more. The Knicks need a franchise player. And it seems that unless we cut salary room, there's no hope. 6. Which would you rather be, and why: A dolphin or a lion? - Dave Simanoff, Tampa, FL Sweet question. I would rather be a dolphin. They always seem like they have a lot of fun. Jumping through hoops and eating fish from the hands of little kids. Some sci-fi geeks will tell you that dolphins are a cross-bread between aliens and whales, just like us humans are a cross breed between apes and aliens. 7. What is your novel Jack Tripper Stole My Dog about? - Edgar, Thunder Bay, Canada Jack Tripper Stole My Dog is an odd family story, of sorts, about a man and the women in his life: his wife, his daughter, and his lover. His life is filled with a long history of lying, cheating, gossiping, infidelity, hijinks, rape, incest, war, turmoil, some reflection and eventually unfolding into torture, murder, revenge and redemption. Add to the mix a half of dozen scorned lovers, psycho stalkers, several literate pugnacious lesbians, George Bush bashing, interstate serial killers, the KGB, canine tossing, taxi driving hitmen, one horny Ecstasy popping Hollywood Director, a drug peddling Mossad Agent, Chicks with Dicks porn, Bill Gates and the New World Order, suicides, suicide attempts, date rapists, the Russian mafia, bad hippie jam bands, a bizarre and sick love triangle, East Village junkies and Brooklyn drunks, trick turning Catholic high school girls, broken hearts, a documentary film team, Jesus Freaks, swinging Upper East Siders, Internet lies and disinformation, a transvestite hotdog vendor, John Lennon murder conspiracy, the impending Russian-Chinese War, drunken frat boys and spoiled sorority girls, a corrupt heroin smuggling Reverend, Julia Stiles movies, and of course, the CIA. That makes for a comedic, existentialist journey called Jack Tripper Stole My Dog. 8. When did you know you were a writer? – Jessica, Jersey City, NJ After I saw Resevoir Dogs in college, I decided that I wanted to direct films and write screenplays. I applied, but didn’t get into NYU Film School, and I gave up on writing for the screen. It was easier to quit and think about doing something like finding a different career. I kinda drifted towards poetry and novel writing soon after, just around the time I was a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I wrote everyday, but didn’t consider myself a writer. Being around art and artists all day, fifty hours a week, I knew what I had to maintain a specific level of discipline and dedication and acquired a devoted passion for my words before I dared associate myself with people who truly lived and died for their work. But the first time I called myself a writer is when Hollywood called me the first time in late 1996 to write a pilot for a sitcom. I recall the person who contacted me said, "We are looking for writers." 9. What is the lifespan for frogs? – Modeski, South Orange, NJ The lifespan for most frogs is 5 to 14 years, typically. Although the European Bullfrog has been known to live for up to 40 years. 10. If you were an al-Qaeda terrorist, what would your pledge name be? (i.e. Mohammed the Towel Head, Pinto, Akmad the Baby Killer, Asif the Dyslexic Shoe Bomber, etc.) – Derek, NYC That's an excellent question. I would call myself Kareem Abdul-Ali Abu Mohamed the Ass Bomber. I would walk around downtown Tel Aviv dropping stinky farts up and down Haifa Street, causing hundred of people to gasp for fresh air, all in the name of Allah. 11. What is your favorite Grateful Dead song? – Stephen Adkins, Seattle, WA Cosmic Charlie, how do you do? Eyes of the World is a close second, and throw in Scarlet Begonias, Shakedown Street, St. Stephen, and Row Jimmy for the Dead Song Six-pack. I never saw the Grateful Dead perform Cosmic Charlie or St. Stephen (last time they played it was 10.15.83). The next round of 11 Questions will be out soon. If you would like to ask a question, feel free to send me an e-mail! Thanks to everyone who participated. | Permalink | Heady News Round Up 39 People Killed in Club Fire in Rhode Island at a Great White Concert... after a fireworks display went wrong. Rebels Claimed 3 Kidnapped Americans Were CIA Operatives... after their small plane was shot down in Colombia last week. The Glove Traded to Milwaukee and he rejoins ex-coach George Karl. Of course the Knicks didn't do jack shit. | Permalink | Friday Poem: Ode to Nothing I hastily look up at the Vast cluttered midnight sky And I stop, to pause and wonder Why? | Permalink | Pauly's Pub College Hoops PoolWeek 9 Update thru 2.21.03 @ 8:30 am Team (s) of the Week: TIE (Talkin Trash & Mighty Wankstas!) 7 wins each Pauly's Pub Scoresheet - Week 9 1 Talkin Trash 7 1 The Mighty Wankstas! 7 3 Cali Jen's Sunflowers 6 4 MarvAlbert's Hairpiece 5 4 StrongIsland ShutEmDowns 5 6 BENNY from the Block 4 OVERALL: 1 Talkin Trash (Gil Shapir) 60 2 The Mighty Wankstas! (Derek McGuire) 58 3 StrongIsland ShutEmDowns (Spider McNamara) 56 3 MarvAlbert's Hairpiece (Joe Moore) 56 5 Cali Jen's Sunflowers (Jen Biaggi) 55 6 BENNY from the Block (Pauly) 51 NAME CHANGE: I dropped Jenny from the Block and renamed my team BENNY from the Block. Taking a page out of the TY LOCKHART name change book... in homage to TY, I changed my name. Fuckin J-Lo is jinxing me. | Permalink | Thursday, February 20, 2003
11 Questions... introducing a new TAO Interactive Project I had a dream, where I was sifting through piles of mail, answering random questions from people around the world, and posting the answers to the TAO. I woke up and thought, shit, let's have a new series of blogs (I got bored with the 3 Q's series). My new Tao project is about having a series of Q & A... with you and me. You ask the questions, and I'll answer them in groups of 11, then blog the answers. So feel free to ask me anything. :) You can always ask more than one question. I'll do my best to answer them honestly and more importantly, humorously. (Is that a word?) Let the random questions begin.... who's first? Send me your questions: Here! | Permalink | Jimmy Kimmel has a Bacon Eating Contest on his show tonight. Stay tuned for results. I wish I was in it... mmmmmm.... bacon, ahhhhhhhhhhhhgggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! | Permalink | Wednesday, February 19, 2003
My Early Afternoon Drinking Binge It had been a while since I got shit faced during the day, and although I didn't wake up with the thoughts of boozing it up today, I ended up spending a couple of hours in bars. It seemed like the "unemployed-writer-thing-to-do"... spend money that I don't have self-medicating myself in the NYC daylight. In between appointments with Matt and Bruce, I managed to pop into a few East Village establishments... Bar 81 on East 7th Street (one of Gil's favorite places to drink and shoot pool) and the infamous Cedar Tavern on University Avenue. Fifty plus years ago, the Cedar Tavern was the local hangout for artists the likes of Jackson Pollock, Willem De Kooning, Franz Kline, Philip Guston, and Tony Smith. At the Cedar, I had a couple of pints of Bass Ale and read parts of the manuscript (my new novel) that I had been working on. After about 20 minutes or so, the guy next to me struck up a conversation. Within 15 minutes, he poured out his life story to me. It was slightly comical, and I didn't mind, because after all I was killing time. Normally I would have been annoyed with drunken banter, but I already had a nice buzz, so I welcomed the coversation. By the looks of him, it seemed to me he had been there since the Cedar opened. He was chain smoking Marlboro Reds, which he told me he got cheap at an Indian Reservation on Long Island. Michael C. was his name, and he wondered what I was reading. "My second novel," I told him. He noted that he once tried to write the story of his life, and it ended up a 1,200 page monster. He gave it to Montel Williams, Peter Jennings, and the author of Losing Isaiah (who's name escpaes me). Anyway, he also told me he was on the Montel Willaims show a few years back, after his wife blew $500,000 of his money and left him and their son, and hit the road. I dunno if I felt sorry for the guy, or I was just talking to him for amusement and literary purposes. Here I am, a few hours later, blogging our brief meeting, so I guess that's the real answer. I stumbled out of the Cedar just before 2 PM, with a hearty buzz, and I jumped over pools and lakes of slush before hoping on the uptown No. 1 train. | Permalink | Re: Monday Poem: 152 Peaches Jessica wrote me this comment: "This is awesome. I love this poem, this little story, it read like a dream sequence, scene to scene, linked but not. It's wonderful. I wonder if any of the other Tao readers are geeks like me, who copied and pasted the poem into a Word document, to count for sure what theyalready knew... the 152 lines. You fucking rock, Pauly!!" | Permalink | Boogie Makes Me Laugh... This is an old e-mail from Boogie that I forgot to blog. She sent it a couple of days after Elite's birthday party. WOW!!! What a GREAT night! It was wonderful to see all of you! I was also hungover for two days. Apparently I got into a fight with a candle (wax ALL OVER my jeans) AND I lost a glove. Oh well - bargain price for a TOP RATE evening!" | Permalink | It's a ex-roomie film theme today! First it was my freshman hall roommate from Emory: Simanoff, now read this follow up e-mail from Jason Flowers, who I lived with in Seattle. "I don't know if you knew are not, but I do have a B-horror film at Hollywood video store you can check out called "Death Factory". It's a really bad flick and if you do see it don't judge my talent by it. Warning: There is a lot of BLOOD and TITS. Kinda of a bad ED Wood wanta be flick, but it was a lot of fun to do and some footage for a reel. Later roomie, Jason" More Seattle Roomie News... Now take a look at: Real Change News, a newspaper that another old roommate from Seattle Rachael Myers works at. Here's the jist of Real Change News: "Real Change is a multi-faceted organization that publishes a newspaper, supports cultural projects that empower the poor and homeless, and mobilizes the public around poverty issues. Our programs help create the conditions necessary for homeless and very low-income people to have a real voice of their own. These conditions include a creative and supportive community, a forum for the expression of their views, opportunities for self-help and self-advocacy, and access to influential allies." Rachael Myers writote me this in an e-mail: "I didn't start Real Change, it's been around since 1994. You probably saw it when you were here. It's the street paper that homeless people sell for a dollar. Tim Harris, who's the executive director, started it. I've been working there for a little more than a year. And I do a little bit of everything, except I have very little do do with the newspaper itself. I do the political organizing, and work with the programs--the vendor program (the people who sell the papers), the homeless writers group, the computer lab, speakers bureau, and, until it closed yesterday, the art gallery." | Permalink | Simanoff's Film Debut... It must have been a very slow day at the Tampa Tribune... check out: Fun With Electroencephalography a short film staring Dave Simanoff and directed by Bill Ward. | Permalink | Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Tuesday Night Poem: Fortunate Fool The lagging silence was broken By her percise eyes, and the peering Glances that she shot my Way across the cluttered table. I tried to break the rountine, of me Laughing at bad jokes, and eventually Choking and spitting up Vanilla milkshakes out of my nose. That usually gets a lingering chuckle From the other customers, Who saunter by with encouraging Words and pats on the back. I snarl at their pandering attempts To console me. I silently curse their Mothers And secretly memorize their home Telephone numbers, so I can crank Call them when I am lying awake at 4 AM. The whining bag lady who stood On the empty corner in the middle of the Early afternoon sun shower kept Pointing up at the sky, to no point In particular, Yet a group of Danish tourists Stood, marveled, took pictures, Then got their pockets picked by a Slick midget named Sully. I shrugged my one good shoulder, Tipped the waitress a meager 3%, Then glided out of the unknown diner, With a whispering soul a few steps Behind me, planting small, yet Delicious melodies within my earshot. I walked down the sidestreet And smiled when I saw a young father angelically Kiss his oldest Daughter on her forehead Before she got hit By a speeding city bus. | Permalink | Breaking News... Iranian Backed Forces Enter Iraq... an interesting development and new twist to this saga, as Iran sends troops into Northern Iraq for "defensive purposes". | Permalink | News Updates Oil Hits $37 on Push for UN War Mandate... hitting a 29 month high for crude oil prices. Jewel Thieves Pull Off Impossible Heist in Belguim | Permalink | Re: My Snowman Derek writes: "Your snowman is indeed a little weird... some might say... somewhat disturbing!" | Permalink | Jason Flowers an old roommate of mine from Seattle recently wrote me an e-mail. He currently is an actor, living in LA and acted in the film: The Brink. Hey Paul what's up. Jason Flowers here. I've been meaning to write you for some time now. Your newsletters are great and that script you sent to Greenlight I bet was great too, although you never sent it to me so I can say for sure. I would like to read it though. Never listen to critics they're a bunch of wantabe artists who take the failures out on real artists. They're assholes. Anyway I could go on and on about that but won't. Stay positive and get up the good work. I am still in LA and its OK I guess. Always sunny. I play Todd Mooney in my newest film "The Brink". The film is in post (production) right now, but should be complete in a couple of months, let's hope. When I can, I'll try to send more pics. You can also check out the production web site at www.thunderheadstudios.com. Later, Jason | Permalink | Tao of Pauly Schanzer Interview Postponed... Schanzer wrote me this: "Just got a buzzkill memo from the higher ups at Washington Institute - I'm not allowed to write anything unauthorized for publication (i.e. not a policy piece or an oped for a paper). Looks like we'll have to put this off for a while. Was going to try and make it funny. Maybe next time..." Thanks for trying! | Permalink | Re: Jack Tripper Stole My Dog... a Review Armando wrote me this: "Pauly... Once again, thanks for sending me your manuscript and including me in the thanks page. I was touched. Just finished your novel today and definitely enjoyed it. The wealth of characters is incredible. I found myself wanting to hear about every one that your main character crossed paths with. I also liked how he kept on looking at the time while driving the cab. It added pace to the story. Definitely think he was a complicated character. Well done! Let's see it published and I can't wait for the next!! | Permalink | Snow... It's snowing again (light flurries)... after the Blizzard dumped 19.8 inches of snow on Central Park, which was the 4th largest snowstorm since records were kept. | Permalink | South Korea Subway Fire Death Toll Rises to 120 Dead... police also have a man in custody. | Permalink | Monday, February 17, 2003
Re: My Snowman Comments John Wilkins writes: "Truly a strange looking creature, the snow man that is. Yeah my bro said it was nutty weather - 15 degrees and more snow than a Colombian after hours party." Mona LaVigne suggested: "My dear, the number one rule of snowman making is that you must wear gloves." Stephen Adkins writes: " Stay warm hope you get to make a better snowman..." Cali Jen adds: "You call that a snowman? Looks like you did a half-assed job... throwing a hat on top of a pile of snow, and pathetically calling it a snowman. And it took you 4 hours to build that? Stick to writing..." | Permalink | Breaking News... 10 Dead, 120 Injured in South Korean Subway Attack after an unidentified man set fire to a milk carton, then threw it onto a crowded subway. | Permalink | The Daily Dave posted a picture of my snowman that I made earlier this morning. Of course he added a little commentary. Take a peek! | Permalink | My Snowman Pathetic... I just tried to make a snowman on my terrace. First of all, I haven't constructed a snowman in almost 15 years, so my method was very sloppy. Plus the snow on my terrace was mostly windblown. It's light and fluffy, and not sticking, which was a problem. For a while, my snowman looked like a heaped pile of snow. But I tried my best, and my fingers started to get numb so I stopped. We should be getting another half a day of snow. Perhaps I'll try again later. | Permalink | Last night's Phish setlist... 2.16.03 Thomas and Mack Center - Las Vegas, Nevada Set 1: David Bowie, Catapult > David Bowie, Horn, Guyute, Round Room, Golden Lady**, Poor Heart, Pebbles & Marbles Set 2: Down With Disease > Seven Below > Down With Disease, Anything But Me, Piper > Down With Disease > Makisupa Policeman, Character Zero Encore: Friday ** Stevie Wonder cover song Thanks to Cali Kat for the post show call! | Permalink | Blizzard Socks NYC... it's been snowing for 12 hours now... might take a walk to snap a few photos. Central Park reported of having 12 inches of snow by 8:05 AM EST. I am currently listening to Seven Below by Phish... the music seems fitting for a blizzard. | Permalink | Monday Poem: 152 Peaches To find me sitting In a well lit room, Is to find me staring At the swarthy cracks in the shabby wall. I saw him working, In a small pool Full of blissful frogs and other amphibians But he did not see me Lurking in the faint twilight, When the purples and oranges take Over the sky, and the other colors Must patiently sit and watch Them gleefully dance with each other Their shadows vibrating off The sour terrain below, and I stop to whiff The moist breeze. The alarmed chimpanzee and the hardy zoo keeper, Would laugh at me when I Walked over to them with a Tiny notebook, and a twelve gauge shotgun. He demanded I hand over the notebook, But I let loose two bursts. The chimp died instantly, And the damaged lungs Of the injured zookeeper, whimpered sorry breaths, As I chuckled like a bastard on Prescription uppers, and Spit thrice on the now Bloody ground. The hallow buzz that I Begrudgingly steal from staring into Space, is the identical high A sophomoric junkie accomplishes After religiously shooting Up a handful of freshly cooked Smack. Bought from the slothful man With the idle dog whom Sat in an old flat tire, Chewed on all sides by Adorable puppies. He’s the pimp who sold Fried Peanuts His daily stash. Which he made me fetch for him, As well as a jar of Apple Jam, and poppyseed bagels Four times a week, Sometimes more. The hassle of all hassles, Trying to cop for a desperate addict, Was more than I could handle, So I quit my job, and pawned it off to A comedian in training named Marty. His friends called him Marty Farty Because of all the fart jokes He would tell to the crowds who Dared show up at his Open Mic Performances in the Niagara Falls Area as well as all over Eastern Canada. His savvy talents were no match For his jealous wife’s twin brother. Who longed to tell knock-knock jokes In French, while wearing a Kiwi colored tu-tu. His small, yet capricious Dreams, were hastily pushed aside By Marty Farty’s comedic rants about Passing gas in crowded elevators And stealing bowls of chili from Soup kitchens in the Detroit area. Great laughs for sure, But not when Marty Farty Was poisoned by an ex-girlfriend, A dyslexic stewardess employed by Air Jamaica. Peaches was her name, So her nametag read. And she showed me pictures Of her pet snake named Hamlet, An albino python that she Loved like a regular pet Or a third cousin, a distant Relative that you saw only During weddings and every other funeral. The cheeseburger eating fireman Walked over to the rental car That Peaches had just wrecked. She drove it up onto a Semi-crowded sidewalk And wrapped the Geo Metro around An utility pole, and nearly Hit an express mail mailbox And almost flattened a fragile Collection of rabid raccoons That gathered to pick through The daily garbage left out On the slimy side street by the Pizza shop owned by Greek porn gurus. Her intentions weren’t to mow down A hapless crowd of pedestrians, But Peaches Pulled a Lizzie Grubman, And took a single life. She killed a man. A divorced man, A scum bag lawyer, But a life nonetheless. People cried at his wake. Relatives brought flowers and Pre-cooked Tupperware meals for The reluctant party afterwards and Even his long lost son showed up to Sing a cheerful song. He, a flamboyant dancer from Miami Beach, was secretly living with his Scrappy life partner nicknamed Scooby, A sloppy bartender Hustling in backrooms Each savory night, and he Held a job As a terrible pool cleaner By day. The keen Vietnam veterans That throw multi-colored water balloons at the Catholic school kids walking home Each afternoon, Would pretend that they Are Charlie. And each exploding balloon That wets an up and coming Hearty Christian, is a twisted Game of selfishly acting Out their morbid shell-shocked Nightmares of endless tours in the dismal jungle Cracking branches from leaves The size of small farm animals. The machete men would Shout like lunatics to the insects That landed on their Muscular tattooed arms. Sometimes burning them off with Zippo lighters. The vodka crazed taxi driver showed up And offered me a ride to the airport To get me away from the insanity of my Waking dreams. I try to catch myself And talk to the gloomy walls, Like I used to, When the harsh days were shorter, And the lines to the methadone clinic Were not as crowded Like they were back in the 1970s. | Permalink | Sunday, February 16, 2003
NYC... Blizzard!!From weather.com... Tomorrow night: Periods of snow and windy. Low 27F. Winds NNE at 30 to 40 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulating 3 to 6 inches. Total storm accumulations 12-24 inches. | Permalink | "If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live." - Dr. Martin Luther King | Permalink | Required Reading: Peking Duct Tape is written by Thomas Friedman and appears in today's NY Times. Here's a bit: "I understand you don't want us to be impulsive, but why are you so passive? One more 9/11, one bad Iraq war that ties America down alone in the Middle East and saps its strength, well, that may go over well with the cold warriors in the People's Liberation Army, but in the real world — in the world where your real threat is not American troops crossing your borders but American dollars fleeing from them — you will be out of business." | Permalink | Peace Rally: Report From New York is written by Liza Featherstone from AlterNet. Here's a bit: "This is so unconstitutional!" frustrated demonstrators kept exclaiming, as police kept blocking their passage. Protestors in New York City on Saturday were angry, not only because President Bush was making plans to wage a brutal war on Iraq, but because, five days earlier, a federal judge had upheld the city's right to deny organizers a permit for a march. The city had permitted a rally at the United Nations, but most people never got there because of the police blockades. | Permalink | Karen Godgardt sent me this link: WWW.NOJAZZFEST.COM... which features this year's Jazz Fest line up. | Permalink | Stephen Adkins sent me this e-mail. He attended the Peace rally in Seattle yesterday. Dear McG, Feelin' good. There was a anti war demonstration Sat, 2/15/03 downtown... starting at the Seattle Center, down Fifth Ave. to Pine Street, down Pine to Second then to the Federalies building and ending at the former Assay office, now known as the INS detention facility (in the shadow of the ghost of the Kingdome). I took about 4 1/2 rolls of film and was right in the middle of it (on the corner of 5th and olive in the middle of the street against a monorail post). People streamed by me for 2hrs waving signs, banners and puppets of Bush oilrigs and a huge globe. What a sense of what the world is saying, a sense that all over the globe people are against this schoolyard bully action by the idiot George Bush. Crowd estimates range from 15,000 to more than 30,000... It seemed to me there were about 30,000, as the strees were full of people both lanes for about an hour and forty-five minutes. And in a sea of people, I followed the march, working my way through the crowd as it worked its way down Second to Airport Way... it was a solid sea of people, what a beautiful sight... no property damage, one arrest for someone putting stickers up (if you can belive it!) So it went very well. Heard you had a few folks protesting in NYC. Good to hear. Blog this if ya wanna, its on me. Peace and salukis. Stay warm. Noonan | Permalink | Sunday Poem: Fried Peanuts and Piss Stains My bladder was about To burst all over my pants, And trickle three day old urine Onto her father's rare bearskin Rug, that he bought off of E-bay for $4,500, not including Taxes and shipping costs. I bravely stood, and crossed my Withered legs, as I winced in mortal pain. My obscene thoughts drifted back And forth across the highway median Dodging erratic college kids Quickly driving to Spring Break On South Padre Island, where The mellow days are long, and the Sassy nights are longer... So I'm told, By a bitter junkie named Fried Peanuts, The blind ex-veteran, harmonica player, Who lived next door to my babysitter. | Permalink | Cali Jen sent me the Robert Hunter setlist from the 2.14.03 show at the Warfield. He opened for The Dead. February 14, 2003 - Warfield Theater, San Francisco, CA Robert Hunter: Standing On The Moon > Loser > Silvio > New Speedway Boogie > Standing On The Moon, Mission In The Rain, Reuben & Cherise, Cats Under The Stars > Black Muddy River, Ripple Encore: Boys In The Barroom | Permalink | R.I.P. Jenny from the Block... I decided that my fantasy team: Jenny from the Block in the Pauly's Pub College Hoops Pool is doing so poorly (I'm in last place!) that I need to change my name. In homage to Ty Lockhart and his dozen team name changes in last year's Baseball Pool, I will now be known, for the rest of the season as: Benny from the Block. Eat shit, Affleck! | Permalink | Well it's fucking cold here in NYC. I just took a quick walk, and my fingers and ears are still cold, nearly ten minutes later. | Permalink | Web Appeal Over Mexican Murders is an interesting article that you should check out. Journalists in Juarez have set up a weblog to draw international attention to hundreds of unsolved female murders, totaling over 300 since 1993. Here's their website: Las muertas de Juárez. | Permalink | Phish... 2.15.03 Thomas and Mack Center - Las Vegas, Nevada Set 1: Llama, Wolfman's Brother, Reba, Life on Mars, 46 Days, It's Ice, Frankie Says > Antelope Set 2: Waves, Bug > Ghost > Free, Harry Hood Encore: Sample in a Jar Thanks to Cali Kat for the setbreak and post show calls! Looks like a kick ass show!! I think the last time they played Life on Mars was back in 1997? | Permalink | Phish in Vegas: Night 1 Cali Kat called in tonight's setlist! So far: Set 1: Llama, Wolfman's Brother, Reba, Life on Mars, 46 Days, It's Ice, ???, Antelope More to come... | Permalink | Saturday, February 15, 2003
Saddam Plans Scorched Earth Strategy of Delay and Urban Battle... his plans include: to blow up dams, destroy bridges and ignite its oil fields. | Permalink | Mystery Bug Hits China, Causes Panic Here's a bit: "The friendly staff at the Hualian supermarket in a quiet residential area of Shanghai shake their heads: 'There's no vinegar here - it's been completely sold out because of the danger.' " | Permalink | Saturday Poem: Cheese Fries The anorexic waif ranted "Where's my cottage cheese?" As I stuffed a fistful of cheese fries In my mouth, sideways, As she clenched both fists And pounded on the counter, Attracting pissed off glares and I laughed with my mouth full, Only to spit the glob of Half-chewed food at the shivering Fool with the aqua-green shawl. | Permalink | Osama's Son & Al Qaeda Biggies Spotted in Iran... is a Bill Gertz article from the Washington Times. | Permalink | The Dead in San Fran! Cali Jen went to the show last night and this is what she wrote: "Its been a wonderful and crazy day!! Here's what the setlist looks like from my fuzzy memory. I'm missing some stuff though, will write a review tomorrow! Warren Haynes, Sammy Hagar, Joan Osbourne, and the guy from String Cheese all played with the boys..." 2.14.03 The Dead at the Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA Set 1: Jam > Hell In a Bucket > Aiko Aiko > Lazy Lightning >Supplication > Loose Lucy (w/ Sammy Hagar) > Hard To Handle (w/ Warren Haynes), Casey Jones (w/ Joan Osbourne), Cumberland Blues (w/ Michael Kang), Sugaree (w/ Warren) Set 2: Love Supreme Jam > Looks Like Rain > Sittin On Top of the World (w/ Micheal Kang) > Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (w/ Warren) > Born Cross Eyed > Help > Slipknot! (w/ Warren) > Space (w/ Warren and Kang) > Lovelight (w/ Warren, Joan and Kang) > Slip (w/ Warren Joan and Kang) > Franklin's Tower (w/ Warren Joan and Kang) Encore: GDTRFB (w/ Warren) > Not Fade Away (w/ Warren, Joan and Kang) And this is the press release that the DEAD released regarding their new name change: Seven years ago, when Jerry passed, we made a conscious decision to retire the name Grateful Dead. We did so after some deep soul searching and out of our love and respect for what we had created together. After we played our first shows together at Alpine Valley last year, we were all profoundly affected by a sense of awe and connection that none of us had felt since we played with Jerry. It was a magical occurrence that no one could haveanticipated, yet one we all want to embrace. To us, this was the Grateful Dead- without Jerry. We had stopped being the "Other Ones" and were on our way to becoming something new but at the same time very familiar. Grateful Dead conjures up many different emotions and feelings for all of us; it was a BAND, it continues to be a community, an approach to life, a electrical current, a dream, the list goes on. Whenever and wherever we played this past year, we all knew that we were experiencing Grateful Dead in its multiplicity of forms. We also know that this would not have been possible without all of you joining to support us. Therefore, with the greatest possible respect to our collective history, we have decided to keep the name "Grateful Dead" retired in honor of Jerry's memory, and call ourselves: "The Dead." Please join The Dead and very special guests for a Valentine’s Day celebration. All proceeds will benefit the Unbroken Chain Foundation, the Rex Foundation and the Furthur Foundation. | Permalink | A V-Day Poem from Boogie! Pauly, May there always be work for your hands to do; May your purse always hold a coin or two; May the sun always shine on your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; May the hand of a friend always be near you; May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. Love, Boogie | Permalink | Phish in L.A. Cali Kat called in the setlist from last night's show. Here's the first show of their tour... 2.14.03 Great Western Forum - Inglewood, California Set 1: My Sweet One, Cover of the Rolling Stone **, Chalk Dust Torture, Fee > Taste, Bathtub Gin, Heavy Things, Golgi Set 2: Possum, Walls of the Cave > Spacey jam > Carini, All of These Dreams , Limb by Limb, Oh Kee Pah Ceremony > AC/DC Bag, Prince Caspian Encore: Loving Cup ** I heard this a cover song... Rumor: Cali Kat said that someone ran on stage and grabbed Trey during AC/DC Bag... | Permalink | Friday, February 14, 2003
"The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough is love." - Henry Miller | Permalink | Thursday, February 13, 2003
"Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave." - Rilke | Permalink | Thursday Poem: Ode to Hans Blix The small hands of a blind German girl rang a small bell, Which she held tightly with her Fingers grasping the piece of brass That her grandfather sold to her On his deathbed. Was he an ex-Nazi? That's up for debate, But she had no idea what facism Or what other gossip Would whip up behind her back, When she skipped to school, With her small poodle, Following her down the cobble stone Road to the last feast of the season. | Permalink | "In California, they don't throw their garbage away - they make it into TV shows." - Woody Allen | Permalink | Terror Alert: Flase Alarm?... did we fall for an Al-Qaeda bluff? Was the tip that a dirty bomb to be detonated in NYC, DC or Florida fabricated? | Permalink | Check out: Leftover Phish... which is a collection of outtakes from the Rolling Stone Phish interview. | Permalink | Phish Resurfaces is an article appearing in the next issue of Rolling Stone. Some highlights... • "We had these jam sessions," Anastasio says one night after practice, "where we drank hot chocolate with mushrooms and just played, trying to get in tune with each other, for eight hours." • Fishman, who turns thirty-eight on February 19th, played most gigs during Phish's first two years flying on LSD. "I still play with the feeling I got from those experiences, trying to generate wind and water," he claims quite earnestly. • "We sat there and smoked some pot, drank champagne and cried," Fishman says. "It really felt like the end." ... "I said, 'We're done,' " Fishman recalls. "Trey said, 'Yeah, we're not coming back.' I said, 'All right, I'll see ya later.' We got in our cars and went home." • "A part of what killed Jerry Garcia," McConnell says, "was the bigness of what the Dead became. He couldn't stop touring. It's the antithesis of what I want to happen. I want to create a way for us to continue to be ourselves and make new music all the time. Here's the title page for that article. | Permalink | Re: Jack Tripper Stole My Dog Jerry Engel sent me an e-mail the other day: Hey dude -I read more of your novel last night - and I'm not afraid to say I'm hooked. It is dirty - and I like it. That whole Kelly thing - I got a wood during one scene!! Which reminds me of Ken Follet books, my favorites, because he also has that ability to throw some nice, nasty, REAL sex scenes into the story. It is also awesome that I know alot of your references to things (i.e. Emory). The history of the flask was also very cool. Peace, JE | Permalink | Happy Birthday to The Daily Dave!!!The The Daily Dave turned one year old yesterday! I would like to take the opportunity to thank Dave Simanoff for turning me onto blogger and suggesting I start my own weblog! Without his encouragement, I would never had untaken the hefty task of starting two of my own weblogs! Thanks again SKIPPY!!! | Permalink | Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Have you read the last five issues of Truckin'? • January 2003 • December 2002 • November 2002 • October 2002 • September 2002 The February issue will be out at the end of this week... | Permalink | "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Soren Kierkegaard | Permalink | Wednesday Poem: Porch Song Sometimes there is a small Child who sits on my porch And eats his crusty boogers with His freshly packed lunch Made by his somber nanny from Cuba. Othertimes, there is a medium size dog, Who shits on my porch, after trying to bite my mail man's leg, And that ugly dog howls at odd hours, Always when I am sleeping. I tried to throw small, yet heavy Objects at the tresspassers. Othertimes, I sit and I listen To their heartbeats hum, As I sing my own song. | Permalink | Tuesday, February 11, 2003
The Oscar nominations come out very soon, and I expect once again, NOT TO BE NOMINATED. Which is accurate, since I haven't sold the script or the rights of Charlie's Goldfish. | Permalink | Fuck the French! Declare war on the Frogs! Can we INVADE France? I say, postpone Iraq, and lets invade France first, and shake up their government, institute a "regime change", and then we can continue our role on the world stage. And we know how the French are, they wouldn't even put up a single fight, not fire one freakin' bullet, and probably not even throw one rock in defense of their homeland. They'll bitch and moan, for sure, and hurl anti-American insults at our occupying forces, but fuck 'em. What good are they anyway? They're a bunch of sore losers, with a short-term memory. In all honesty, that country is a bunch of fascist, anti-semetic, lazy, non-showering assholes. No one talks about how their own citizens are getting abused, spit on, and kicked out of the Ivory Coast, where anti-French attitudes run amock, and they can't even protect their own coffee importing-exporting business, so why the fuck should we let them dictate our military and international politics? Who's with me? I'm sick of this anti-Americanism spreading like a bad case of the herpes throughout Europe. Where's the respect? Let's end this crap, now, before we get another Hitler thrust to power by the spoiled Euro-trash, pro-terrorist regimes of Germany, France, and all... | Permalink | Pauly's Pub - Fantasy Fishing PoolUpdate thru 2.11.03 @ 7:12 am EST Phishead of the Week: Salmon Rushweed 293 points Tourney 3 (Lake Seminole) Results: 1 Salmon Rushweed 293 2 Big Sal's Bay Brawlers 292 3 Sexwith Sharks 252 4 I'maGetme SomePhish 187 5 Boo's Ganja Goo Balls 157 6 Llamas With Snorkels 131 7 Mo Lewis's Anglers 129 8 Dank Nugs 4 Your Extra 107 9 Cali Fried Phishychicks 63 10 Laugh&Laughn Fall Apart 9 11 What's That Smell? -20 12 Texas Phishfry 0 Overall Results: 1 Big Sal's Bay Brawlers (Salvatore Biaggi) 622 2 Sexwith Sharks (Spider McNamara ) 437 3 Boo's Ganja Goo Balls (Heather Adams) 407 4 Salmon Rushweed (Derek McGuire) 404 5 I'maGetme SomePhish (Gil Shapir) 315 6 Mo Lewis's Anglers (Jessica Lapidus) 277 7 Llamas With Snorkels (Dave Simanoff) 253 8 Laugh&Laughn Fall Apart (Senor Sheer) 250 9 Dank Nugs 4 Your Extra (Pauly) 249 10 Cali Fried Phishychicks (Jennifer Biaggi) 238 11 What's That Smell? (Joseph Moore) 200 12 Texas Phishfry (Molly) 0 The Skinny: Salmon Rushweed skipped from 11th place all the way to 4th with a solid weekend. Big Sal's still holds the top spot. NEXT EVENT: Feb 20! Do your picks before then!!! | Permalink | Pauly's Pub College Hoops PoolWeek 8 Update thru 2.11.03 @ 7:02 am Team of the Week: TIE (Talkin Trash and Cali Jen's Sunflowers with 7 wins) Pauly's Pub Scoresheet - Week 8 1 Cali Jen's Sunflowers 7 1 Talkin Trash 7 3 The Mighty Wankstas! 6 3 MarvAlbert's Hairpiece 6 3 StrongIsland ShutEmDowns 6 6 Jenny from the Block 4 Overall Results: 1 Talkin Trash (G. Shapir) 53 2 The Mighty Wankstas! (D. McGuire) 51 2 StrongIsland ShutEmDowns (B. McNamara) 51 2 MarvAlbert's Hairpiece (J. Moore) 51 5 Cali Jen's Sunflowers (J. Biaggi) 49 6 Jenny from the Block (Pauly) 47 | Permalink | Monday, February 10, 2003
'Dude! You're Getting a Dell' Guy Is 'Dude Who Got Busted for Pot'... got nabbed on the Lower East Side here in NYC a couple of nights ago for buying weed. | Permalink | Monday Morning Poem: Ode to Michael Jackson MJ dangled a little baby Named Blanket, out an art deco window As crazy Germans gleefully looked on And the world's cameras captured The jittery gloved freak, freak out. And we all watched, With looks of bewilderment As he took little boys And little girls to his world Called "Never Never Land". Perhaps France and Germany Should send Hans Blix, and UN weapons inspectors to MJ's bedroom. | Permalink | It is supposed to snow again today. I stayed up all night and wrote after watching the NBA All Star game which went into double overtime. My second novel is giving me a little trouble, but I expect it's just a "nerves" thing. Believe it or not, I do get nervous and anxious when I work on my projects. Because I'm not working I feel a certain pressure to write a better novel than Jack Tripper Stole My Dog. | Permalink | Vote France Off the Island is an article written by Thomas Friedman and appeared in yesterday's NY Times. Here's a bit: "The French position is utterly incoherent. The inspections have not worked yet, says Mr. de Villepin, because Saddam has not fully cooperated, and, therefore, we should triple the number of inspectors. But the inspections have failed not because of a shortage of inspectors. They have failed because of a shortage of compliance on Saddam's part, as the French know. The way you get that compliance out of a thug like Saddam is not by tripling the inspectors, but by tripling the threat that if he does not comply he will be faced with a U.N.-approved war..." | Permalink | Check out: prisonplanet.com. I was also sent this link: Defining American Terrorists: The New World Order Enters Its Final Phase... which outlines Iraqi involement in the Oklahoma City bombing, and information will be released prior to the invasion of Iraq. Here's a bit: "Why did FBI agents, who were actually serving their country, arrest five members of the Iraqi Republican Guard involved in the Oklahoma City bombing only for their release to be ordered by Bill Clinton? Why were these Iraqis, who were initially trained in the US in the eighties, brought back in by George Bush senior in the early nineties? Why did the FBI declare national security to prevent the release of the surveillance tapes that showed Iraqis crawling all over the OKC bomb scene? Because they were saving it until they were ready to move in and take out Iraq. They could have done it back in 1991 but the terrorism/police state system had to be erected beforehand. They weren't ready. They're ready now." | Permalink | Jewish Targets and Subways Secured Against Possible Terrorist Attack Here's a bit: "Phone intercepts of suspected terrorists indicate a possible plot to attack New York City’s subway system, while other threats are directed at Jewish targets..." | Permalink | Sunday, February 09, 2003
The voice cast of the Simpsons will be appearing on Inside the Actors Studio tonight at 8PM on Bravo. Check your local listings for showtimes! "Trying is the first step towards failure." - Homer J. Simpson | Permalink | Saturday, February 08, 2003
Well, I am slightly hungover after Elite's b-day party last night at Tribe in the East Village. I abused Spider's bar tab, adding several drinks, OK, I added all my drinks to Spider's tab, but he said it was OK. It was nice to see everyone again!! Some of the highlights were: • Gil getting scolded at by the bouncer (twice) for wearing his hat. Supposedly there was a "no hat rule" at the bar. • Although she didn't bring me back a French girl like I requested, Keren did bring me back a nice treat from her recent trip to Paris... a Harry Potter book (en français) called "Harry Potter à l'école des Sorciers". | Permalink | Friday, February 07, 2003
CIA Advertising Campaign Targeting Chinese-Americans is written by Bill Gertz. Here's a bit: The CIA has started a new advertising campaign to recruit Chinese-Americans as spies and analysts, as part of an effort to improve its operations against China... some Asian-oriented publications and newspapers in cities with large Chinese-American communities will run CIA advertisements, which call on Americans of Asian descent to help the agency to stay "true to our global focus." Timed to coincide with the Chinese New Year... the ad features a painting of a ram and the Mandarin characters for "Happy New Year." It says: "Just as the Year of the Ram is centered on a strong and clear motivation for peace, harmony, and tranquility during challenging times, we are equally intent on our mission to safeguard America and its people. You, too, can play a key role in this important responsibility." | Permalink | Re: Michael Jackson Documentary What was more spooky? Michael Jackson's $6 Million Dollar spending spree in Las Vegas... OR the life size mannequin of the Jolly Green Giant that was travels with him? MJ naming his second son Prince Michael Jackson II...OR calling him Blanket? MJ over-estimating his net worth by $700 Million (He said, "$1 Billion." His lawyers said its closer to $ 200-300 M)... OR MJ having kids sleep with him in his bed? | Permalink | Friday Poem: Ode to Tommy Franks Forgotten memories of epic snow forts And little slush balls That I used to hurl at taxi cabs Slowly driving throughout My blanketed neighborhood After the furious snowstorms Left too much snow. Dropping off harried customers Who lost their snow shoes They seem to be nice people... The taxi drivers, Even the foul smelling ones. Now I think most of them Raise money for Al Qaeda That's why I don't tip very well. | Permalink | Check out: THE AL QAEDA CONNECTION written by Jonathan Schanzer which appeared in yesterday's version of the NY Post. Here's a bit: "Today, Ansar al-Islam has all the brutal hallmarks of an al Qaeda affiliate. It operates in fortified mountain positions along the Iran-Iraq border known as "Little Tora Bora" (named after the Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan). Armed with heavy machine guns, mortars and antiaircraft weaponry, it fulfills al Qaeda' vision of a global jihad. The group's goal is to disrupt civil society and create a Taliban-like regime in northern Iraq. It has already banned music, alcohol, photographs and advertising in its stronghold. Girls are prevented from studying; men must grow beards and pray five times daily." | Permalink | Happy 23, Elite!Best wishes to our birthday girl! Enjoy 23, it only comes around once (sometimes twice...)! | Permalink | Snow! It's been snowing for almost 10 hours now.... I don't why the little green men with extra fingers, who used to make those large ornate skeletons for the medical schools in all of Europe, and they decided to go on strike and carry out a massive public relations campaign to bring down the established medical community. | Permalink | Thursday, February 06, 2003
I watched the Michael Jackson documentary tonight, and I've still kinda speechless over what I saw. I guess what's already been said, and what everyone has thought... all ran through my mind. I'm sure I'll have more to say tomorrow. What are your thoughts? | Permalink | "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds." - Bob Marley Happy Birthday BOB! | Permalink | Required Reading: USA Oui! Bush Non! written by Eric Alterman in this week's issue of The Nation. Here's a bit: "Europe has become a smoldering caldron of anti-Americanism, in which even our best qualities are held against us by a jealous, frustrated and xenophobic population led by cowardly, pacifistic politicians. The picture painted in the US media is one of almost relentless resentment. I heard it first about France, where an anti-McDonald's movement had taken hold, and a xenophobic, neofascist Hitler apologist managed to come in second in a national presidential election. Walk into a French bookstore and you will find titles like Who Is Killing France?, American Totalitarianism, No Thanks Uncle Sam, A Strange Dictatorship..." | Permalink | Heady News Update... Feds Have Enough Evidence to Arrest Martha Stewart... read all about the "solid criminal case" on Martha. Hospital Tells Baby to Wear Condom... in a mix-up in Norway! Only in Germany... Artist Plans to Serve Food Made from Urine and Breast Milk Le Bron James Cleared to Play... highschool hoops star will be able to rejoin his team after sitting out two games. | Permalink | Thursday Poem Underneath the cover Of a dark gray sky I can see the faint Trails of a flock of geese Flying westward To a place I never heard of But saw once In an old postcard Sent to me from a friend Who still owes me $56. | Permalink | Wednesday, February 05, 2003
I watched Colin Powell's speech to the UN Security Council, and I have to say, after hearing his strong statements... and seeing his overwhelming convincing evidence, using charts, satellite surveillance photos, and intercepted communications... that if Colin Powell tried OJ Simpson for murder, then today...OJ would be doing 25 to life in a California prison. Powell put forth what everyone has wanted to see. Even the French started backpeddling... but then again, they are famous for thier flawless retreat techniques. | Permalink | Wednesday Poem: Ode to Phil Spector Big fat, soapy rat Sat in front of the Little rusty doorway made By the oily man whom we Used to make fun of By throwing large bricks At his sloppy house, and at His several small adopted children As they quickly walked to school Under the veil of early Morning Darkness, As they sing silly songs Written by dope fiends During lunchtime binges of Oxycontin and vodka. | Permalink | 2 Finalists Selected for WTC Rebuilding Project... you can also take a look at all the plans that were submitted. | Permalink | Tuesday, February 04, 2003
The Daily Dave posted an interesting blog on the Simanoff Theory Of Corporate Stock Performance. Check it out. He obviously formulated his theory before he found out I was no longer employed by JP Morgan. I hope my recent departure won't affect his economic theories. His response: "Any company that fires Pauly McGuire deserved to be mugged by the stock market. You can post THAT on the Tao!" | Permalink | Required reading... POLICYWATCH # 699: ANSAR AL-ISLAM: IRAQ'S AL-QAEDA CONNECTION written by Jonathan Schanzer. Here's a bit: "Ansar al-Islam poses a threat to any future U.S. ground deployment. Moreover, dismantling the group would potentially weaken both Saddam and al-Qaeda -- two primary targets in the war on terror..." | Permalink | Re: Russian Lesbian Duo Top British Pop Charts Sigge had this to say: "Just wanted to tip you off that the Russian lesbians have penetrated (ehh...) Norway's hitlist too. I'm not very familiar with pop music, but TATU (which is their name) is actually quite funny music. By funny I mean not good, not bad, but ok. They're a regular file on my mp3 playlist (with the song: "All the things she said"). In addition, they're every sane man's sexual dreams... :) You don't have to quote me on that last statement, though." | Permalink | Read the latest article from Hunter S. Thompson called Extreme Behavior in Aspen. Here's a bit: ""We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear -- fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, fear of getting down-sized or fired because of the plunging economy, fear of getting evicted for bad debts, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer ... " | Permalink | Monday, February 03, 2003
Señor Update! Señor e-mailed me from Nepal... after he cancelled his trip to Bhutan. He's well and expects to head off to Vietnam for a month or so. | Permalink | Re: January Truckin' Comments Armando wrote me this in an e-mail: "I finally got a chance to read through the whole Truckin' issue. I liked Dream Bubbles. Very poetic." Girtz sent me this comment: "Very much enjoying this issue... I verfied the accuracy of the India story with some Indians who confirmed the conditins described by the author, they did say he was nuts to go to Kashmir!" Molly wrote me: "I just finished Truckin' :). It was a great issue. I thoroughly enjoyed your first story, and while reading the Phish story I felt like I was right there! Also, I saw The Good Girl, and really enjoyed it. Jennifer did a great job, and she's hot. And all of Señor's stories were cute as usual!" | Permalink | Cali Jen sent me this link: Spin Project. Here's what it's all about: "The SPIN (Strategic Press Information Network) Project provides comprehensive media training, intensive media strategizing, and resources to community organizations across the country. SPIN helps grow the capacity of grassroots groups to shape public opinion and garner positive media attention." | Permalink | Ah, Those Principled Europeans is an article written by Thomas Friedman and appears in yesterday's NY Times. It's a very good read and Friedman takes a few shots at the Europeans. Here's a bit: "Power corrupts, but so does weakness," said Josef Joffe, editor of Germany's Die Zeit newspaper. "And absolute weakness corrupts absolutely. We are now living through the most critical watershed of the postwar period, with enormous moral and strategic issues at stake, and the only answer many Europeans offer is to constrain and contain American power. So by default they end up on the side of Saddam, in an intellectually corrupt position." | Permalink | Jon Schanzer Was Quoted in Washington Times... in an article published last week. Take a peek. Here's a bit: "The main evidence against Krekar revolves around the role of Abu Wa'il, an al Qaida money man who has also provided some funding to Ansar al Islam and is believed by the hawks and their allies to be on Saddam's payroll. Jonathan Schanzer, an analyst with the pro-Israel Washington Institute for Near East Policy, wrote in a paper this month that Kurdish authorities had found TNT made in Iraq in a recent raid on the group's headquarters. Qubad Talabani, the PUK's deputy chief of mission in Washington, told UPI Tuesday that there was no doubt about the financial links between Ansar al Islam and Saddam.." | Permalink | Pauly's Pub College Hoops PoolWeek 7 Update thru 2.3.03 @ 7:15 am EST TEAM of the Week: TIE (Marv Albert's Hairpiece & The Mighty Wankstas!) Pauly's Pub Scoresheet - Week 7: 1 MarvAlbert's Hairpiece 9 1 The Mighty Wankstas! 9 3 StrongIsland ShutEmDowns 8 4 Cali Jen's Sunflowers 7 4 Talkin Trash 7 4 Jenny from the Block 7 Overall Results: 1 Talkin Trash (Gil Shapir) 46 2 The Mighty Wankstas! (Derek McGuire) 45 2 StrongIsland ShutEmDowns (Spider McNamara) 45 2 MarvAlbert's Hairpiece (Joe Moore) 45 5 Jenny from the Block (Pauly) 43 6 Cali Jen's Sunflowers (Jen Biaggi) 42 | Permalink | Saturday, February 01, 2003
I asked Jon Schanzer what he thought of the space shuttle incident this morning: "Accident, I think... going to give this one the benefit of the doubt." Gil sent me this quote.... "Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of -- Wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God." – John Gillespie Magee, RCAF, 1922-1941 | Permalink | Phistory: A Long, Strange Trip Started at Nectar's Here's a bit: "There wouldn't be a Phish without Nectar's," said Trey Anastasio, the band's guitarist and lead singer. "It really all started there." Anastasio was reflecting on Nectar's, the bar and its namesake, last week after Nectar Rorris sold the business he started 28 years ago. | Permalink | Happy New Year! It is the Chinese New Year... 4701! Which is the year of the Ram/Sheep. Take a look at this link: Chinese Calendar which explains the history and has links to other types of calendars. | Permalink | From the NY Times... Warnings From NASA on Falling Debris; Bush Calls Meeting Here's a bit: "NASA declared an emergency and feared the worst after losing communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship and its seven astronauts soared over Texas several minutes before its expected landing..." | Permalink | Breaking News... Space Shuttle COLUMBIA explodes Over Texas... aprrox. at 9AM EST. Is this a terrorist attack or just an accident?? The crew included 6 Americans and the first Israeli astronaut. Thanks to Heather who called me this morning to tell me she heard a large "BOOM!" sound just after 8 AM CST, and tipped me off to this story. | Permalink | Bush Approves Use of Nukes in Response to a Bio or Chemical Attack Here's a bit: A classified document signed by President Bush specifically allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to biological or chemical attacks, apparently changing a decades-old U.S. policy of deliberate ambiguity... "The United States will continue to make clear that it reserves the right to respond with overwhelming force — including potentially nuclear weapons — to the use of [weapons of mass destruction] against the United States, our forces abroad, and friends and allies," the document, National Security Presidential Directive 17, set out on Sept. 14 last year... | Permalink | HOME
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