Ain't No Sunshine - Daryl Hall with Finger Eleven

"Bang on the Drum" Todd Rundgren and Darryl Hall

Its hard not to enjoy this. Darryl Hall and Todd Rundgren are great, and all
of the hand drums are awesome. It looks like it was filmed in Hawaii, so the
scenery looks warm. The hula dancer seems a little over the top though, just
look away and chalk it up to the cultural influences of where the song was sung.


 

GoPro HERO2: Cats vs. Laser

Cat's chasing lasers with an incredible drum soundtrack behind it. Incredibleness with
awesome sauce.

Gifts Come From Strange Places.

10:00 pm-My head is thumping like a 24 inch kick drum .

I take two strangely shaped prescription pain relievers with an 

impressive sounding name. After offering my legs as a source of 

heat to the red-headed love of my life everything goes wonderfully grey.

2:00 am-Awakening slowly from a dream of the barely lit truck stop

on the East side of Fort Wayne, I lay in the dark thinking of

everything and nothing in particular.

It’s been so many years since I lived in those wide lonely views

of the West. I never awaken any longer to the snow capped 

Cascades framing my view to the West. Nor have I smelled the morning dew 

on the sagebrush that rolls into the horizon of the Eastern Desert, 

the view dotted by the Juniper trees with their gnarled branches for more 

than twenty years and the painted hills. In a landscape like that, the immense size  

of the world and the palpable existence of divinity walk hand in hand.

But as I lay in the dark watching the colors of black, grey and navy

on the ceiling of my room, morphing with the movement of the

odd branch in the wind or car in the street I feel those same feelings

return that my beloved vistas brought when I was younger.

The utter loneliness of this moment brings a Western-sized peace. 

Even though I hear the breathing of someone next to me and the 

sounds of a world outside, I am as fulfilled as the night I slept under 

the stars on top of a desert mountain. 

We built a fire, listened to ZZ Top as loud as the batteries of my 

JC Penny boombox would permit, yelled into the night because 

no one was within 30 miles to complain and yet the cold silence 

laughed at us and remained as all encompassing as I had ever 

known it in my short 16 years.

Blaise Pascal said that all men’s troubles from not knowing how to 

sit still in one room. I don’t know how, but in my heart tonight I 

have found the vastness of the world still existing in one room 

and the peace of my Saviour making the darkness warm.

Dragon Baby

An Unexpected Briefing - Air New Zealand

Yeah, I'm kind of a big deal.

http://emergencycompliment.com/

Tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney

I hear ya kid...I hear ya.

Simon's Cat in 'Fetch'

P.G. Wodehouse: Life and Works - BBC Documentary

One hour long documentary about one of my favorite British Authors: P.G. Wodehouse.
He was the author of the Jeeves and Wooster books.

Darth Vader and Son -- The Children's Book

Mr. Cat

I love the everything about this, but the bass guitar is very nice.

Geography Lesson

One day two ladies at my office told me they were always confused by
Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. This  really concerned me since they were
the people that sent out my documents to customers. I decided to make
a map to help with their lack of knowledge of Latin America.

Below is what I gave them...

Tom Hanks Performs Slam Poem About "Full House" (Jimmy Fallon)

Frank's Bad Day Part XVII

Mr. M. pulled a small remote control from his jacket and pressed a button that dimmed the lights and revealed a screen in the wall facing the foot of the bed.

M spoke, “Please stop me if something is not accurate…that’s rarely the case with these files, but I still hate to assume.”

Frank nodded, “Go ahead.”

The screen lit up and on it appeared list of facts about Frank-they began to scroll slowly up.

Name: Frank Luis Hernandez Sanchez

Age: 32

DOB: February 23, 1980, 18:00 hrs

DOD: April 3, 2012, 14:30 hrs

City of Birth: Chicago, IL

Nationality: Puerto-Rican/Latino

Primary City of Residence: Chicago, IL

Education: B.A. English Lit., University of Illinois, Rockford, IL

High School Diploma, St. Francis High School, Chicago, IL

Completed Elementary and Middle School, Our Lady of Mercy School, Chicago,IL

Marital Status: Single

No history of an intimate relationships lasting more than 4 months. Frank continues to date different women several times a week, but rarely has more than 3 dates with the same woman.

Family:

Mother and father divorced when Frank was 6 years old. Father was in and out of Frank's life on an irregular basis. Frank has no brothers or sisters. Frank has a grandmother, two aunts, uncles and 6 cousins in Puerto Rico, and an uncle and aunt in the UK. Frank's mother was very lonely living in the USA, but could not afford to move back to Puerto Rico. She wanted Frank to finish school in the U.S. before she would return to the island to be with her family. During Frank's time in school, his mother dated many men, but never remarried. Once Frank would begin to like one of his many "uncles", they would disappear, and be replaced by another the next month. After Frank's father left, his mother continued to try to find love and a new father for Frank, but in the end she would always find herself unable to commit, because she was afraid that another man may hurt her again. Frank took a job at a company in Chicago after finishing college. He did not really intend to move to Puerto Rico, but told his mom he would do it once he made some money so they could get a house. Frank's mother moved back to Puerto Rico without him. Six months later, she remarried a childhood sweetheart, and while Frank did not have anything against his new stepfather, he felt less and less comfortable moving there. This remains a sore point between Frank and his mother; she does not feel like forcing the issue any further.

Work History:

During high school and college Frank had different jobs to make extra money. Frank worked at several fast food restaurants and at a movie theater  He received raises and positive evaluations. Frank excelled at dealing with customers and supervisors, but his coworkers found him somewhat cold and distant.

During Frank's junior year of college he came to work the night shift at Apex Telecommunications as an outbound bilingual telephone sales agent. Frank’s sales levels were superior to others in his department. He soon was able to move up to the

Investment Counselor Division of Apex. In this position Frank was responsible for inbound and outbound sales calls to potential and current investors. Frank stayed in the top 5% of performers. Frank developed a reputation for being able to handle problem customers better than anyone in the department. He received commendations and bonuses on a regular basis. His relationships with co-workers remained cold and impersonal. Frank did not develop any lasting personal relationships with any of the people he worked with. This is where Frank worked until his demise this year.

The words scrolled at just right speed on the screen and seemed to stop when Frank had problems reading. The screen faded to black.  M turned to Frank and said in an unemotional tone, “Do you feel this report accurately represents the facts about your life?”

Frank looked down for about a minute. It felt so odd to see such a succinct summary of all he had done and lived. He would have liked to explain things, add some details, but every thought he put together sounded like a lame excuse. Just from a quick gut check Frank knew it was all true.

“It’s all correct Mr. M…you can proceed.”

“Fine then. Uhh…Well. Not to be too much of touchy feely sort, but I think I felt very similar when I saw my file-almost violated. I actually argued! In those days, it was angels that interviewed you. Imagine that! Arguing with some 12 foot tall gleaming white muscular creature with a Claymore sword as big as you. I guess I thought I was dead already, what more could they do? Anyway, my point is this, you just read possibly the most cold and heartless explanation of your life and accepted it. Bravo Sir…Bravo. There are souls who have been in purgatory for 200 years who are still unable to face who they really were. Not to put too fine of a point on it, but you are a cut above many people in this realm. “

“Thanks…I still feel like crap though.”

“Nothing for it my lad. We’ll press on. Next we have a summary of your life and our plan for you at SMI and the plan of the heavenly host to redeem you from this place, if you succeed. Then we will see the decision of the Heavenly Host to our plan for your redemption.“

The screen came back to life and began to scroll slowly again.

Summary: While Mr. Hernandez values human relationships and has demonstrated an superb ability to motivate, encourage and influence people in a business setting, he is limited in empathy with other`s needs and a lack of demonstrated compassion. This is directly a result of the modeling by his mother. Simply put, he has never been able to achieve a level of intimacy where he can share his heart freely with other people, or ultimately with God.

Course of Action:

SMI proposes a twofold approach in dealing with both Mr. Hernandez’s unique challenges and his special skill sets available for our use. The first phase is a preparation for his ultimate assignment, as well as a valid and necessary task to the Kingdom of Heaven. He will spend time learning to understand people on earth and providing them with empathy and compassion, but not any answers or advice; he will become that resource that is so rare on earth-a listening ear. The second phase of his work here, and hopefully the task leading to his redemption, or graduation to the heavenly realm, is that he will succeed as a fully qualified agent of grace and divine compassion in different arenas of earthly life through use of the SAIP (Spiritual Atmospheric Insertion Program) for as much time as is deemed necessary by the heavenly hosts.

Conclusion and Certification:

I have reviewed this document under the wisdom and guidance

Of the Most High. This course of action is authorized by the Heavenly Host:

Purgatory Division Supervisor - Angel Antonius the Fourth.

Glory to His Holy Name.

Amen.

The screen went black and M turned to Frank…

Party-Saurus Rex

I just can't get enough of this video...


Partysaurus Rex on Disney Video

"Time to Go" by OK, Yeah, Wow Featuring Wax Tailor and Aloe Blacc

Tech Talk - new Iphone 5

BRETON'S GUIDE TO LIFE (in 10 steps) on Vimeo

BRETON'S GUIDE TO LIFE (in 10 steps) from Ariel Belziti on Vimeo.

First World Problems

Boba Fett's Dilemma

Boba had a soft side he rarely showed to the rest of the galaxy. However, when the

glamour shot with his beloved Mr. Snuggles for the Rabbit Fancier Club convention got out, things changed drastically. 

Before, he had commanded fear at every cantina, spaceport and rogue's den throughout the empire. He was a force to be reckoned with. Now...he swore he could hear people snickering, and even smiling at him! Imagine, smiling at Boba Fett, like he was some second rate Chakarr! Instead of letting his cape flow regally, he found himself pulling it around his shoulders to hide himself as he walked quickly through the spaceports. Jabba the Hut had not returned any of his calls for the last 2 days. 

Maybe it was time to finally open that pet store on the third planet in the Dagobah system that he always dreamed of when he found himself alone and magnetically attached to an empire cruiser. 

Check out the rest of the paintings like this:

Laughing Squid-paintings of Star Wars Characters holding bunnies.

Boom, Boom...Meow?

The cats seemed confused by my choice of Black Eyed Peas for my morning music.

Does this mean its time to wash the cat?

A Softer World

A Softer World

A Softer World is a very interesting blog/webcomic.

It feels like Haikus on LSD.

Sometimes its hilarious,  thoughtful and sweet and then sometimes
incredibly inappropriate or vulgar. Not for kids that's for sure.

Here's one I stumbled on today that made me happy.

Right Now...

Right now, a man is kneeling on the ground, filling his tire with Fix-a-Flat he bought from Wal-mart.

His hands are dirty and sticky from the tire and the white foam spewing from a leak in the hose on the can. His wife sits in the front seat trying to comfort a crying baby with an ear infection.

He thought he could make it til payday with the slow leak, but now it won’t wait and the baby needs to go to the emergency room because the fever has been too high for too long.

Right now, a tired man in a charcoal suit returns the keys to his rental car to an employee at the Avis counter at the Atlanta airport. He makes the long walk to the Delta Terminal for his flight home. As he walks, he calls his wife’s cell phone…it goes to voicemail repeatedly. He finally puts the phone away and wonders where she is.

Right now, three teen-age girls are stuffed into a ten year old compact car. They are heading to a movie at the dollar theatre. They scream lines from their favorite song as they miss their exit on the freeway. They scold the driver and then laugh as they turn around at the next exit.

Right now, a man struggles with a bra clasp in the dark while a woman giggles.

Right now, a woman opens the door to her apartment, seeing it’s her ex she turns away from the door and yells, “Brandon, your dad is here!! Hurry up!”. She walks away, leaving him standing in the doorway without inviting him in. He glances to the side like he’s inspecting the carpentry work of the door frame.

Right now, an older couple dressed in their Sunday best sits in a diner enjoying a cup of coffee and sharing a piece of peanut butter pie. She wipes the corner of his mouth with a napkin and smiles.

Right now a college freshman studies evolutionary biology. Why he ever believed in God is becoming a mystery to him. He’s content that his world is finally making sense.

Right now a young man is studying the Bible in his room. He feels inspired, charged up and just plain happy. He’s at peace and has finally got a message to share with the world. He’s content that his world is finally making sense.

Right now a Buddhist meditates in a temple, smelling the incense, listening to the deep chimes and chanted prayers. He feels that greater enlightenment is very near. He’s content that his world is finally making sense.

Right now a withered old man sits on a stool in a cool, dark bar in the middle of a bright day. He thinks of all he has seen and heard in this world. He empties his glass and wipes his mouth on his cuff. He turns to an older woman with bright pink lipstick who is smoking a cigarette on the stool next to him. “Remember when we were young and thought everything in this world made sense?” They laugh long and he orders another round for the both of them.

Right now, a man has been let go after twenty years at the factory.

Right now, a young woman has been promoted to head of marketing.

Right now, a child has been told he has to go to summer school or repeat the fourth grade.

Right now, a single mother finds out she won a full scholarship to a community college.

Right now, the administrative assistant is told that wages are frozen at this time.

Right now people are looking for hope to carry on.

Right now people are looking for something to put their faith in.

Right now people are looking for someone to love them no matter what.

Right now, these three remain—but  the greatest of these is love.

Right now, choose love. 

Ben Folds Five and Fraggle Rock "DO IT ANYWAY" [Official Video]

Any day starting with waffles has increased potential to be a good day. Just sayin...

Tip o' the hat to Jack Kerouac's American Haikus

Laying on my side, I stroke the ear of my purring cat. Almost a haiku.

Happy Birthday William Carlos Williams

Today is the birthday of poet William Carlos Williams (1883-1963). He was a pediatrician at a hospital in New Jersey and a poet. I first read about him in Garrison Keillor's awesome book, Good Poems, and also encountered him in a lovely little Dover Book called 101 Great American Poems that was compiled by the American Poetry and Literacy Project. His style is very unique and reminds me of the "American Haikus" of Jack Kerouac. Here are 2 of his poems that I really like:

The Red Wheelbarrow

So much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chickens.

This is Just to Say

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox


and which
you were probably
saving 
for breakfast


Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold


In Garrison Keillor's book Good Poems there is also a response to this previous poem
from a writer named Erica-Lynn Gambino.


This is Just to Say

(for William Carlos Williams)


I have just
asked you to
get out of my 
apartment


even though
you never
thought
I would


Forgive me
you were
driving
me insane
      

The Sign of a Good Writer

The sign of a good writer is not always that he can tell you something you did not Know. I think that a good writer is one That can tell you something you always knew but were never able to put into words.