What I'm listening to- Queenadreena Join The Dots.

Snappy Looking Get Away

Big ole snapping turtle from website photo album on Mitchell's Campground in Perrin TX. Been needing a get away- badly with my children and I think I've found it.

Update: reserve your cabin early.

Globeandmail Comments Rant On Pakistan,US and Canada

Wright from Halifax, Canada writes: The destruction wrought by the U.S. in reaction (not response) to 9/11 makes it clear the Bush admistration wants the entire Muslim world to pay.The destructive debacle in Iraq, the complete failure to deal with terrorists hiding in Afghanistan, and the unintentional strengthening of Iran as a major regional power have been the consequences--adding up to a grievous loss of U.S. credibility and influence--not to mention treasure and lives.The irony is that it has been ordinary Muslims' natural response to unprovoked U.S. aggression that has humbled "the most powerful country in the world."Afghans genuinely wanted the West to help them end decades of war and suffering, but the Americans blew their chance through heavy-handed blundering and cultural arrogance.Iraqis might have responded positively to Saddam's toppling, but U.S. aggression, carelessness and stupidity erased what civil society Iraq had, and opened the door to a murderous al Qaeda insurgency--where none existed before.By treating all Iraqi Sunnis as Saddam clones, the U.S. has driven Iraq into the hands of an Iran-supported Shi'a majority, which is only beginning to show its true colours. Iran will soon hold effective sovereignty over a much bigger chunk of the world's oil reserves, and Israel will be even less secure than before "shock and awe".Now the Americans are willing to destabilize Pakistan as well, by putting the weak, neophyte government in an impossible position vis a vis its citizens. I wonder what the U.S. will do when the first helicopter full of its Special Forces troops is shot down in Pakistan. Recent history has taught us to expect the worst.

Monday's Missives

• On June 18 shortly after midnight the state of Utah barring a stay will kill a convicted murderer by firing squad. My first two thoughts as someone whose occupations have involved one way or another a lot of death? This method causes a controversy every time it's used- and I cannot grasp why. Death is instantaneous by this method, was chosen by the condemned himself and dead is dead- there's no good way to die unless it's after a long satisfying life surrounded by friend s and family... Also, don't believe what you read about the marksmen not knowing who fired the fatal shots since one of the five identical rifles will be loaded with a blank- I promise you there's a difference and they'll know even though yeah, it may be more of a Jedi mind trick thing to allow some room for doubt in their minds and to provide plausible deniability if their identity becomes known.




• After I pointed out a Corvette to Zac and told him a little about it he saw another, later model of a different color days later and correctly identified it saying, "Look dad- a Vettecor!"




• Expressions that have gotta go:_______ on steroids and ________ version 2.0 (if not computer related). These are forthwith and henceforth banned from use in the English language.


• Ever wondered- the professor could make a radio from a coconut, a rock and a bit of wire, but couldn't patch a hole in a boat?


• Mary Ann- definitely Mary Ann.

Let Slip The Dogs Of War

Friday's Dispatch

Simmermon twins Twinsburg Ohio

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• Another note regarding the Turner Falls trip: saw one person I vaguely recognized and two I knew while there. Three hours away from home in another state in a 1500 acre park in a swimming hole- kinda notable coincidence- much less their presence aside, just the fact they were recognized in that sea of humanity.


• A Swiss acupuncturist is being investigated for intentionally infecting people with HIV. If this outrageous, ineffective and dangerous practice was outlawed as it should be- this and other problems would never have to happen. People die often from infections caused by this nonsense and in fact as hard as it may be to believe people have died from complications stemming from a punctured lung after undergoing this practice.


• I mean come on- it's 2010- not 1010!


• Just read the Cali girl who is attempting a circumnavigation of the planet is lost at sea. She was attempting to set the new worlds record. Such a brave girl and a very interesting story. I guess there's still hope- she was well equipped and prepared, it's just contact has been lost, emergency beacons have been activated and the nearest ship is 400 miles away from her location.
• Wonder how many people have been lost at sea? I assume it would have to be hundreds of thousands.


• It is unbelievably hot already. If I plant any flowers or new trees will just have to care for same so gardening may be forgotten this year.


• Recent conversation with Zac,"Am I a baby?" "No honey, I think you're more what they call a toddler." "I'm not a tottler! I'm Zachary James Lee!"


• Easy there tiger- have it your way.

Eraserhead Quandary

For the life of me I can't muddle my way through Eraserhead. Click there if you want to try. I'm not sure if I'm just not in the right frame of mind when I try or what and even more importantly unsure if I ever want to try again.

Update: I tried again and zonked out for an awesome nap.