Thoughtless for the Day

Friday, December 3rd

Big-Assed Weekend Edition (Just Piss on My Grandfather's Grave, Why Don't Ya'?)


[Setup]

mailbox (20k image)Homoredneckus is a fascinating species. No
matter what you may think about these minor primates' troubled home
(trailer) lives and questionable educational backgrounds ("I done got me
a degree in Creation Science from Bob Jones Uneeversity!*") you have to
admire their ability to hold two contrasting ideas at once within their
"studio apartment" craniums.

For example, Homoredneckus often claim to love the symbols of our
country (i.e. the flag and…um…the flag), but can't be bothered to read up
on our Great Experiment's history - or much else, for that matter.

Homoredneckus is positive that Jesus is coming back "any day now" (Just
like he was in 333 CE, 666 CE, 999 CE, 1000 CE, 1666 CE, 1843 CE, and
2000 CE), yet they feel the need to press for legislation that will affect
their fellow countrymen for years to come. Shit, Luther, Homoredneckus
loves Jesus. Just don't ask 'em any questions about the history of
Christianity.

Personally, I could never understand why Homoredneckus and Homocowardus
(Common name: Al Qaeda) don't get along. Sure, they used to be best
buddies, back when the Soviets occupied Afghanistan, but they seem to have
a falling out sometime around mid September of 2001. That's a shame,
because the two groups have so much in common. Both hate Gays, feel that
the teaching of Evolution should be banned, and want a Government based
on religion, for example. Both groups also pride themselves on achieving
a high level of ignorance.

Homoloserus (Common name: The Taliban), a closely related group to
Homocowardus, considered anyone with more than an 8th Grade education to
be an Enemy of the State. Homoredneckus enjoy nothing more than gathering
around the outhouse and complaining about "Them thar Eastern Liberals
what is always tryin' to educate us.I don't know nothin' an' I'm proud
of my lack of book learnin'."

Now, I was born a Homoredneckus, and still show many of the traits (bad
teeth, an uncontrollable love of macaroni and cheese, and a desire to
collect firearms [I make do with crossbows]) of that group. Everyday of
my life, I strive to make the evolutionary jump to Homoelitus (Common
names: Eastern Liberal, Egghead, Jew Boy, and Race-Mixer). Don't get me
wrong, I'm not ashamed of my working class origins, I'm just ashamed of
how the term "working class" has been co-opted by Homoignoramus (Common
name: Fucktards). The best analogy I can give is how the Klan has ruined
the term "White Pride". If it weren't for those goose-stepping,
cross-burning assholes, we'd be able to have "White Pride Month."
Did you know that Linus Pauling was a white man?

[So, where am I going with this?]

poemap6 (29k image)Yesterday's Thoughtless was, of course, about Michelle Malkin's Christmas
Crusade
. For some unknown reason, Michelle neglected to include my blog in
her Trackback section. She (or her software) did, however, include many
other blogs that referenced her piece (PFMYV). I've spent the last day
looking over these blogs…and, as a result, weeping openly.

This one, for example, proudly displays the inscription on the mass grave
of the Spartans who died at Thermopylae. Yes, the same Spartans shunned
class distinctions and practiced institutionalized Homosexuality. It's
tantamount to having a Right Wing blog that features a picture of Karl
Marx on its masthead.

I'm not sure what to say about this, other than "All saving throws against
petrifaction will be made at -3" This beast actually thinks that Victor
Davis Hanson is deep - probably for the same reasons that 13-year-old Goth
kids think that Anne Rice is a great writer.

The saddest of the bunch has to be, by far, this one. Not that it's poorly
written (or more poorly written than its siblings) or that full of
vitriol. No, what makes me sad about this blog is that it seems to come
from the keyboard of a Military man. This guy should know better.

While my paternal grandfather mysteriously lost his trigger finger on
December 8th 1941 (thus rendering him unsuitable for military service), my
maternal grandfather served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater. The jury
is still out on rather WWII turned my grandfather into an Atheist, or just
confirmed his previous Atheistic leanings. The point is that my Atheist
grandfather fought for this country.

That's why I get so pissed off when I see somebody in uniform pen a "We
need Jesus in the White House" piece. If these people want to fight for a
Theocracy, then they're fighting on the wrong side. My grandfather didn't
serve in WWII so that America could be transformed into Iran with Jesus
swapped for Allah. If you're serving in the Armed Forces with the hope of
someday placing a copy of the 10 Commandments in every public classroom,
then you might as well be wiping your ass with the flag.

_ . _

mailbox2 (17k image)This Just In - Denver's Mayor Wimps Out!

Apparently all of the controversy stirred up by the Parade of Lights has
turned Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper into a 9-year-old-girl. Earlier
today, the Mayor pussed out and stated that the "Merry Christmas" signs
that adorn the cities buildings will stay
(see yesterday's Thoughtless)
. Just a few minutes ago, the Mayor donned his asshat and announced that
religiously themed floats and groups will be allowed to participate in the
total Gay Parade of Lights.

Fundies will be dancing (Or, at least, those Fundies that belong to
churches which allow dancing) in the streets of Denver tonight.
It's time to send the obsequious Mr. Hickenlooper some new cards. How does
"Shame on you for caving in to reactionary zealots" sound?

Gawddamnitt! Now I've got to send off another letter to Malkin.

To: malkin@comcast.net
From: rodney@rodneyanonymous.com
Re: X-mas Crusade

Dear Ms. Malkin,

Due to a recent wimp-out by Denver's Mayor, John Hickenlooper (That name
still cracks me up), I have been forced to send him a new card. Please
link to this photo at http://www.rodneyanonymous.com/archives/shame.jpg.
Once again, I hand-lettered the front of the card because still think that
it's a nice touch.

PS. What are your thoughts about Bush arranging for his girlfriend,
Raylene, to have an abortion back in '71 (two years before Roe vs. Wade)?
Personally, I think that NeoCons should play up the story. You know, to
prove to Lefties that Bush is smart enough to organize something.

shame (34k image)


Thanks to Michael M. for the update and TV's Seven for the link.

_ . _

Hey now! Dean sent me some pics from Monday night's Dave Blood
memorial/benefit show. A.D. Amorosi, the lead singer from Trashlight
Vision, Paul Kircher and me
. Dean and I laugh while Joe broods. Joe and
the Mighty Dan Mapp laugh while Seven and Mrs. Seven brood.
Portrait of
the author as a middle-aged man.
Doc buys his way into Bob Jones
University.
Dandrew contemplates the difference between beer and
"not beer."
Joe (dressed as Carl form Sling Blade) performs.

_ . _

Teh Funny

The Ten Least Successful Holiday Specials of All Time

_ . _

Teh Funny and Teh Scary (Thanks for the link, Dean)

One gulp, and Bush was gone.

_ . _

* "BJU", huh-huh


The ancient Greek word of the day is:
pantaxws - in all ways.

If the above word looks like ippojshit to you,
then you need to go here
and download the SPIONIC font for either MAC or PC. Dude.



The Latin word of the day is:
igitur - and so




Rodney on 12.03.04 @ 06:50 PM EST [link]


Thursday, December 2nd

Cranky Christian Conducts Contemporary Crusade


hohoho (18k image)Hide you shiny objects, kids, 'cuz Michelle Malkin's back in town. As if
to add insult to stupidity, Michelle is on a crusade - A Christmas
crusade
. OK, I can see that some sort of explanation is called for…

It seems that the feisty Filipino is angry at Denver Mayor John
Hickenlooper (Hickenlooper? That's a name that only the villain in a
children's book should have) because he had the phrase "Merry Christmas"
removed from the city building and replaced with "Happy Holidays", and
because he has refused a carol-singing church group permission to march
in the city's "Parade of Lights"

In other words, the Mayor is guilty of the realization that not
everyone is a Christian
. A fact that is not only lost on Black Hole of
Logic, Malkin, but also on Pastor Gary Beasley, of the Faith Bible Chapel,
who said "We can't pretend that Christ didn't exist and Christmas wasn't
about his birthday…"

Oh, can't we? If there's any historic proof of Jesus Christ, I have yet to
see it. Even if he did exist (which I doubt he did) and was the son of God
(which I'm certain he was not), December 25th was almost definitely not
his birthday.

The Western church chose December 25 as God Jr.'s birthday as an attempt t
o ease the transition from paganism to Christianity. As Christianity
Today
helpfully poits out December 25th "already hosted two other
related festivals: natalis solis invicti (the Roman "birth of the
unconquered sun"), and the birthday of Mithras, the Iranian "Sun of
Righteousness" whose worship was popular with Roman soldiers. The winter
solstice, another celebration of the sun, fell just a few days earlier.
Seeing that pagans were already exalting deities with some parallels to
the true deity, church leaders decided to commandeer the date and
introduce a new festival."

Shit, Luther, toss in a few more pre-Christian symbols like the evergreen
and mistletoe, and you've got a Pagan Holiday on your hands. Damn, I can't
believe Christians aren't boycotting Christmas.

Anyhoo, Michelle is urging he mouth-breathing readership to send lumps of
coal to the Mayor. She also encourages her knuckle dragging fan base to
take a photo of their "creatively designed" packages, and she promises to
link/post to the photos.

Here's what I'd like you to do. First, make a Thank You card for
the Mayor. Next, before you mail that card, e-mail me a photo of you and
your card (Just like the one below). I'll make sure that Michelle gets to
see the photos.

Here's Mayor Hickenlooper's (Mayor of the Enchanted Isle of Lost Toys)
address.

Mayor John W. Hickenlooper
Denver City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street, Suite 350
Denver, CO 80202

Michelle can be reached at malkin@comcast.net

To: malkin@comcast.net
From: rodney@rodneyanonymous.com
Re: Christmas Crusade

Dear Ms. Malkin,

Attached please find a picture of myself along with the card which I sent
to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (Gotta love that last name. Straight
outta Dr. Suess, eh?). I hand-lettered the front of the card because I've
always thought that was a nice touch, don't you agree? It may not be the
sort of thing that you had in mind, but you can rest assured that your
Christmas Crusade was the inspiration behind it. You can link to the photo
from here: http://www.rodneyanonymous.com/archives/thanks.jpg

Thanks and keep on rockin' in the Free World!

Rodney Anonymous

thanks (32k image)


The ancient Greek word of the day is:
protrepw - urge on, impel.

If the above word looks like ippojshit to you,
then you need to go here
and download the SPIONIC font for either MAC or PC. Dude.



The Latin word of the day is:
cucullus - hood





Rodney on 12.02.04 @ 02:15 PM EST [link]


Wednesday, December 1st

KenJen vs. TV's Blair


natas (18k image)Sports fans, when not partaking in the sort of moronic mouth-breathing
rants that would shame a toddler, enjoy engaging in lively debates of the
"what if" nature. For example, "What if the '69 Jets fought the Nazis?"
or "What if Mohammed Ali wrestled an anaconda - in zero gravity?" So,
since sports fans suck, let's talk about Jeopardy.

Ken Jennings' loss last night will mean that Jeopardy fans will get to
see their "what if" dreams ("What if KenJen took on the cop from New York
or Baboo?") come to life during the next Tournament of Champions.
Personally, my dream KenJen game would be to have the Mormon Maelstrom
(How can a guy be so smart, yet believe that God lives on a planet called
"Kolob"? ) go up against Ralph Nader and Dalai Lama.

Technically, since his 74 game streak has tuned him into a celebrity,
KenJen should be forced to participate in the week-long shamefest that is
Celebrity Jeopardy. Hmmm…What if Jesse Owens had competed in the
Special Olympics? Wouldn't you love to see KenJen take on that guy
from Everybody Loves Raymond and Lisa Whelchel (AKA "Blair" from
TV's The Facts of Life) ?

Speaking of Lisa/Blair, today is the first day of December which means
that Lisa/Blair has sent out her November E-Letter. If you thought that it
was impossible for Lisa/Blair to top the poop-filled madness of last
month's E-Letter
, then you better gird your loins, because you ain't seen
nuttin' yet! Let's get right to the craziness:

November E-Letter

I hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving with lots of food and
family - a winning holiday combination! Does your family go
around the table, taking turns, telling what they are thankful
for this year? Ours, too. This year, like every year, I have
so much for which I am grateful. Of course there are the
serious things like health, happiness, home, etc. And then
there are the frivolous pleasures like "Honey Baked Hams" and
discovering "The Dinner Station" in time for Thanksgiving
dinner.

Why yes, Blair, my family did go around the table, taking turns, telling
what they are thankful for this year. It seems that we were all
thankful that we are not washed-up Honey Baked Ham eating child stars who
have found Jesus. We were also thankful that none of us have even the
slightest idea what the fuck a "Dinner Station" is. You should stop by,
next year.


I have to confess that, quite possibly, the thing I am most
thankful for is getting to meet Beth Moore. Okay, maybe not the
thing I am mostest thankful for, but at least the most excited
about…

OK, first, "mostest" is not a word. If I used a made up word (like
"shamefest", for example) it's funny. When Blair does it, it's just plain
retarded. Second, here, gentle reader, is some must-read info on Beth
Moore. Sweet mother of Crap, she really loves Jesus…


…I wrote about this momentous occasion in one of my "Coffee Talk" journal
entries and I thought I would share it with you during this season of gratitude.

recycling your shit, eh Blair? Hey, I also do that every time I have
some space to fill. Only I preface it with "Sorry about recycling my shit"
not with "I wrote about this awkward sexual encounter in one of my letters
to Penthouse and I thought I would share it with you during this season of
ingratitude."


Here goes:

"I had dinner with Beth Moore last week! Can you believe it? [Oddly,
I can]
I'm telling you, I was more excited about this meeting than
going to the Presidential Inauguration, shooting hoops with George Clooney,
singing on The Emmys, or having Tom Cruise show up in "The Facts of Life"
rehearsal hall.

Um…Blair, I happen to know George Clooney, and I also happen to know
that he hates your fuckin' guts. It's not like we're best buds or anything,
but, whenever we get together over beers, he never fails to thank me for
helping to expose you as the screaming nutjob that you know, deep-down
inside, that you are. He also says that you can't shoot hoops for shit and
that your singing sucks.


Oh, and thanks for giving me yet another reason to hate Bush. So
assbreath invited you to his Inauguration, did he? Well I hope that Laura
runs a red light and kills your family.


Blair, if all those rumors about Tom Cruise being Gay (Not that there's
anything wrong with that. Unless you're no good at it - like Tom Cruise)are
true than I'm sure that catching a glimpse of you as you "blossomed into
womanhood" is the reason he started pounding butts.


From the time I found out the meeting was really going to happen I would
randomly offer to anybody and everybody who would listen, "I'm having
dinner with Beth Moore on Thursday." I was downright obnoxious all day
Thursday. From about 9:30 in the morning I would end every conversation
with, "I'm sorry, but I have to run. I must get ready for my dinner with
Beth Moore tonight."

I was supposed to have dinner with her last year before the Houston MomTime
Get-A-Way but our family was offered the chance for an all-expense paid
trip to Walt Disney World and I was afraid my children would just not
understand if I tried to convince them that Beth Moore was mightier than
the Mouse.

Please, please, kill me

That's okay; this past year has only made our eventual meeting last week
that much sweeter and deeper. I can't believe that I am finishing up the
last of the Bible studies she has written. What am I going to do now?
[I have a suggestion. Of course, it depends on rather you can fit your
Bible up your ass or not
] I know there are many other wonderful Bible
teachers but this will be like having the friend you met for coffee or a
jog every morning move out of town. Sure, you'll find a new exercise
partner or donut cohort but it just won't be the same.

Huh? Look people, I just post this shit. I don't pretend to understand
it.


Let me back up for just a minute. There may be a few of you who don't know
who or what I'm talking about. This may sound mind-boggling to anyone
living in the South [Kinda like Evolution…or indoor plumbing] but
coming from California I can attest to the unthinkable fact that not every
church-going woman on this planet has heard of Beth Moore or her remarkable
Bible studies. [Translation: there is still some, slim, hope for
mankind
]

I was one of these unfortunate unenlightened until our family took the
motorhome trip around America. Over and over again I heard the name "Beth
Moore" when speaking in various churches. While on the trip I also
discovered "LifeWay Christian Bookstores" which is where I purchased my
first Bible Study of Beth's. It was the one on the life of David, "A Man
After God's Heart."

Way back then I wrote a journal entry about "meeting" Beth through her
Bible Studies and for the first time really understanding what women meant
when they would write to me and say, "I feel like you're my best friend
and we've never even met." [The rest of us use the term "stalkers"]
I felt that way through reading Beth's books and opening the Bible with her
every morning through her studies. That is why I was so excited about
really getting to meet her in person.

Let me tell you all about the big night. Well, we were in Houston at a
MomTime Get-A-Way again. The weekend retreat was held at the Westin
Galleria- a beautiful hotel and an extraordinary mall. Beth's assistant
sent me an email and suggested that I meet Beth at "The Cheesecake Factory"
in the mall at 6:00 on Thursday night.

Hey, Blair, maybe Beth's assistant took one look at your photo and just
figured that you'd be hanging out at the Cheesecake Factory anyway. Just
a thought.


Before I walked out of the hotel room I took the things I thought I might
need out of my purse and put them in my camera bag. (I thought it would
look too fan-atical [No more made-up words, OK, Blair?] to carry my
purse AND my camera.) I put my room key, some lip gloss and the business
credit card in with my camera. (I meant to bring her one of my books but
I forgot.)

Oh, for the Love of Hubbard, admit it, Blair - you didn't bring the book
because you can't read. Either that or you mistook it for a
cheesecake and ate it.


I arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early and waited near the hostess
stand. Beth showed up just a few minutes late and walked into the
restaurant apologizing profusely, gesticulating wildly, hugging liberally,
while passionately drawling, "I'm just HORRIFIED that I'm late. I so
wanted to be here early to welcome you. There was an accident on the
freeway. If I hadn't left early I still wouldn't be here. I'm horrified!"
"An accident on the freeway"? If there's an older Bullshit excuse for
being late, then I'm completely unaware of it. She should've said that
she was delayed by a blinding vision of Christ, or something.


So much for the awkward reserve of a first meeting. She made me feel
relaxed and special from the very first hug. I was so grateful that she
had agreed to meet with me that it had not crossed my mind that she might
also be looking forward to our dinner. She quickly informed me that her
husband, Keith, was out of town setting up his deer land and she was
hungry for some good cheesecake and female companionship
.
Wow!

Isn't this the set-up nearly every Lesbian scene ever filmed?

Let me just talk "girlfriend" with you for a minute. She wore a hot pink
sweater that was adorable. Her hair was pulled back and it showed off her
big, bright eyes and beautiful laughing smile. She looks younger,
prettier, and even tinier than she looks in her videos. (If I didn't love
her so much I would hate her.)

Oh, just shove your tongue down her throat, for Christ's sake! Michele
Jackson has love letters form Cub Scouts that aren't nearly as Gay as that
last paragraph.


We enjoyed a delightful conversation, a delicious meal, and split a piece
of sugar-free cheesecake [That's obviously Lesbian code for oral
sex
]. We mostly talked about our families, a little about ministry,
and wee bit of business. Many times throughout the dinner I would have an
"out of body" experience and continue carrying on a dialogue while
thinking in my head, "I'm sitting across the table from Beth Moore."
[While Beth was thinking "Sweet Lord, this cow can really put away the
cheesecake. I wonder if she's picking up on my Lesbian innuendo."
]

You are not going to believe how the dinner ended [Food fight!].
We fought over the bill but I won [Girl fight!]. We stopped
talking mid-sentence long enough for me to hand the waiter my credit card
and then continued squeezing in as much conversation over one meal as
possible. Guess what happened next [Plague of locusts?]. Are you
sitting down? My credit card was declined! Is that just the worst thing,
or what!? God certainly knows how to humble the proud, doesn't He?

OK, Blair, God punishing you for your flabby pride is not the reason
why your credit card was declined. Your card was declined because you have
a $5,000-a-day cheesecake and poop-filled brownie habit. Face it, you're
an addict! Now drop and give me 20!


The waiter was very sweet [Gay]. He said, "Ma'am, it appears your
credit card is expired. Do you want to try another one?" Everything
suddenly got very fuzzy [this is too easy]. I remember looking at
the card and seeing the expiration date as "06" [06/06/06] just as
plain as day. But I couldn't reconcile that with the fact that the waiter
said it was expired. I thought, "Oh no, Steve didn't give me the renewed
card." I later realized that the waiter was simply being a thoughtful
gentleman and giving me a gracious out.

Later that evening I finally found out what was the real problem. I though
t I was being Miss Smarty-pants business woman by paying with the MomTime
credit card. Steve gave it to me a long time ago but I had only used it,
maybe one other time, at the office supply store. What I didn't know was
that Steve closed that account [after all of those unexplained massage
pallor charges appeared
] a while ago and forgot to tell me.

Once Beth realized what was happening she cleverly jumped in, "I think
this is God saying that I'm supposed to treat you to dinner." I fought
back, "No, I think this is God saying you are supposed to meet my husband,
Steve." [Threeway!] I was already dialing his number on my cell
phone so I asked him to grab a credit card and my friend, Melanie,
[orgy!] and come downstairs to the restaurant.

Now, Melanie is even crazier about Beth than I am. She is a Bible teacher
herself and whereas, I enjoy Beth's Bible studies, Melanie really knows
how to appreciate all the hours she pours into their preparation. The two
of them immediately started talking about Bible software, translations,
and original languages. It was all Greek to me. (And, a little bit of
Hebrew.)

I was just wondering if any of you are still reading this. I know I stop
twenty minutes ago.


All in all, it was a fabulous evening (notwithstanding the brief
humiliation.) I must confess that I did struggle for the next couple of
days wishing I was more like Beth Moore [You know, "out of the
closet"
]. As I was walking around the ballroom the next day praying
for the conference, I told God, "I want to be that deep into Bible study.
Better yet, I want to be that deep, period." Next to the obvious intensity
of her relationship with God I felt downright shallow.

Over the next couple of days, God gently chastised me by reminding me that
we are all individually called, unique parts of one body [Guess what
part of the body I think Rick Santorum is! Come on, guess - damn you!
Guess!
]. God showed up at the MomTime Get-A-Way and refreshed the moms
through laughter, chocolate, gifts, massages, cozy sheets and a full
night's sleep[WTPFMYV?]. He wrapped His Abba arms around His little
girls and told them that He saw how hard they were working, the sacrifices
they were making, the sleep they were losing, and the little lives they
were changing.

I understood that that these moms would leave the Get-A-Way having been
touched by God [Bad touch] in a different way than if they had
attended a Beth Moore Living Proof conference. I also realized that
sometimes we need a "separating bone from marrow" touch and sometimes we
need a "soft stroke with the back of the Hand on a teary, weary cheek"
kind of touch.

Friend, I hope you never wish you were me [Wish granted], because
then we would lose you, and the world doesn't need another me, or even
another Beth Moore [We've found common ground]. This exact moment
in this specific generation God created you for a job that nobody else
can fill. I can't love on your neighbor, or forgive your husband, or
adore your children. There are people that God has chosen to touch
through you alone. It may be a touch that ultimately reaches millions or
it may be a single touch that no one else can reach but you.

You know something? I can't wait to meet you. It thrills me to think
that someday I'm going to get to sit across a piece of cheesecake with you
in heaven (and it surely won't be sugar-free!) and make a new friend just
as special as Beth Moore. It will be my treat. (Unless my credit card
"expires" when I do.)"

It's really hard for me to comment on this section, since I gauged my
eyes out fourteen paragraphs ago.


Crazy, huh? Now listen, if you have not "met" Beth Moore then you must
immediately surf over to www.LivingProof.org or www.LifeWay.com [I'm
sure that my readers will
] and purchase one of her Bible studies.
Come next Thanksgiving, when it is your turn around the table, it will be
one of the things for which you are most thankful!

By the way, I'm so thankful for you!

Lisa

PS. Don't forget that there'll be another Patriots Against Senator Santorum
meeting this Friday night at 7:00p at Fergie's.

Superdooper puppy Love,

Lisa

The ancient Greek word of the day is:
qauma - wonder, marvel.

If the above word looks like ippojshit to you,
then you need to go here
and download the SPIONIC font for either MAC or PC. Dude.



The Latin word of the day is:
semper - always




Rodney on 12.01.04 @ 04:42 PM EST [link]


Tuesday, November 30th

The Written Word is a Lie


note (34k image)I'd like to take a minute to discuss how shit goes down in the Ghetto.
Unfortunately, despite watching every episode of HBO's The Wire, I
have absolutely no idea by what process shit goes down in the Ghetto (I
do, however, know that you should never, under any circumstance,
mess with Omar). So, instead, I'd like to discuss Illuminated Manuscripts.

[Backstory]

After ten years of searching for a language to speak at home, Vienna and I
recently settled on Latin. OK, I'm picturing the looks on your faces, and
those looks are screaming "Why the Hell don't you just speak English?"
Good Question.

First of all, everyone should have a language that they speak, almost
exclusively, at home. And that language should be as obscure as possible -
if, for no other reason, than sometimes you need to say things in front
of visitors that they hopefully won't be able to understand. Secondly,
English is a rather limited language. Some concepts from other languages,
the German word "schadenfreude", for example, just fail to carry over.

Speaking of German, it's a language that I love and am very comfortable
with. So why don't Vienna and I speak German at home?
Lebensmitteleinkaufen. That's the German word for grocery shopping. It's
also the last German word that I attempted to teach my wife. While there
are some words that don't carry over from German to English, there seem
to be many more that fail to make the jump from English to
Italian-American.

"It's a very long word. Why don't they just say 'shopping'?"

"German's don't shop. Well, that's not exactly true. They shop, but they're
very specific in their shopping. They don't just shop for the sake
of shopping…"

"That's just plain wrong! What the fuck is wrong with those people?"

"Hey, 'those people', whom I may remind you that I am one of,
aren't like Italians. They have work to do. Those Jews aren't just going
to round themselves up, you know."

And thus, did my family's flirtation with the language of my ancestors end.
"Then," you might ask "why not speak Italian at home?"

Another fine question. First, neither I nor my wife speaks Italian. In
order to have a successful "Home Language" one party should be fluent
enough in the language to teach it to the other party or parties. Second,
your Home Language should be as obscure as possible. Less than four
blocks away, in South Philly, live thousands of people who speak Italian.
Third, I just don't want to speak Italian.

I do want to speak Ancient Greek and try my best to do so. Technically,
Ancient Greek is the perfect Home Language. After all, what could be more
obscure? Aramaic? The problem is that it's easier to read and write
Ancient Greek than it is to speak it. So, we settled on Latin which I had
briefly studied in college. The "tipping factor" being either that Henry
VIII and Catherine of Aragon spoke Latin at home (it was the only language
they had in common), or the fact that Dean and Melissa gave me a Pope
Innocent III action figure
(just the other day I had him excommunicate my
Major Matt Mason for claiming that the Earth revolves around the Sun).
Moving right along…

[Getting to the goddamn point]

This renewed interest in Latin has necessitated the viewing of many old,
illuminated, manuscripts which, in turn, has lead to the realization that
history is just a series of trade-offs - and not, necessarily,
trade-ups.

When we traded candles for the electric light bulb, we lost a potential
fire hazard but we also lost lighting that made us look good enough to get
laid almost anytime of day. Do you think Casanova could get his wick
dipped in today's harsh, florescent lighting? Oh, and our homes
still catch fire, by the way.

If you were to release Punch and Judy (AKA "I'm a fuck you up Philly Style,
bitch") as a video game, you'd be lucky if the worst thing that
happened to you would be if you were brunt in effigy by some organization
with the word "Womyn" in its name.

Stewardesses used to wear mini-skirts and go-go boots. Today they know CPR
. Call me a Luddite, if you must, but that's not progress.

The trade-off of handwritten books for moveable type, then typewriters,
then the word processor, then - finally - Brain-O-Write was another bad
bargain. Back in the days of rampant illiteracy (OK, the other days
of rampant illiteracy) words meant something. They had power, a power that
many considered magical. The very act of writing was seen as a sacred
undertaking. Monks used to bless their writing tools before putting them
to paper.

As our thoughts have become more abstract, our way of putting them down on
paper has become more concrete, but far less appealing. People, we need to
buck this trend. I've already fired the opening salvo by giving my printer
a rest and hand lettering everything I can. Trust me; the $5.98 you plop
down for a set of multi-colored calligraphic pens may be the best
investment of your life. I'm actually at the point where I get a rush from
finding an A-3 flat nib on sale.

penbox (23k image)

Last Night's benefit concert at Bar Noir…

raised close to $300, which will be split between Mental Health Association
of Southeastern PA and Musicians for Mental Health. Special thanks go out
to Doc for workin' the door and to A.D. Amorosi for organizing the event.
If you were there, thanks for turning up. If you weren't, here's what you
missed:

Needles Jones (accompanied by a "reader") performed a touching Karaoke
version of I'm a Junkie, So What?

Janet Bressler just flat-out kicked ass. At the end of her set, she
collapsed onto the floor and had to be forcibly removed. I must go see her
again.

Butterfly Joe (AKA Joe Jack Talcum) was wonderfully subversive. He
preformed an assload of Milkmen tunes acoustically - ending his set with
a sing-a-long version Life is Shit

Jukebox Zeros fuckin' ruled. But you knew they would, so that's not news.
How 'bout this, the Pope has begun beatifying them.

You also probably knew that Live Not On Evil were gonna be gawddamn
incredible, but you might not know that they're new CD, Next Time,
Nail It Shut
is one of the best chunks o' music that I've heard in
years and is required listening for all RATYHTL readers. You will be
tested on this material, folks.

What can I say about Trashlight Vision other than Holyfugginshit!.
Imagine if the Dead Boys had grown up in the shadow of Three Mile Island.
Get the picture? Simply amazing.

If anybody snapped pics last night, please send 'em to me.


The ancient Greek word of the day is:
fqanw - anticipate.

If the above word looks like ippojshit to you,
then you need to go here
and download the SPIONIC font for either MAC or PC. Dude.



The Latin word of the day is:
seape - often





Rodney on 11.30.04 @ 02:10 PM EST [link]


Monday, November 29th

Chuck Schlumsky: Catholic Handyman


oneday1 (26k image)Announcer: Good afternoon, Altoona. Well, it's three o'clock on Wednesday
afternoon here on WEEN, and I think we all know what that means. Yes, it's
time for another edition of Catholic Handyman with your host Chuck
Schlumsky.

Chuck Schlumsky: Well, hello, Altoona! I'm Chuck Schlumsky and this is
Catholic Handyman, the show that does it's darn best to provide you
with household tips and solutions from a strictly Roman Catholic
perspective. OK, I see that our phone lines are all lit up - looks like
we've got a slew of anxious homeowners out there. Let's get the ball
rolling with our first caller.

Maria Theresa: Hello, Chuck? My name is Maria Theresa and first I just
wanted to say how much I love your show and how important it is for all of
us to pray for the health of Our Holy Father.

CS: Thank you, Maria Theresa. Is there a particular problem that you've
been having around your home or convent that the Catholic Handyman
can help with.

MT: Yes. My husband recently purchased one of those satellite dishes, from
Radio Shack, so that my mother, who's also named Maria Theresa, would be
able to watch Sunday Mass on EWTN, and no so we could watch filth like
The Sopranos which - along with the you-know-who's - is ruining our
society. Anyway, long story short, my husband hooks the thing up, but we
don't get no reception - just a bunch of snow.

CS: Have you called "Tech Support" yet?

MT: No, Chuck I haven't.

CS: Good, because they're just going to give you a bunch of mumbo-jumbo
about wires, and connections, and paying for service. There's also a good
chance that the person on the other end of the line might be a Hindu and,
therefore, unclean in the eyes of our Lord. No, all you really need is the
divine intervention of Saint Clare of Assisi.

MT: Oh, I can't believe I didn't think of St. Clare. I feel so foolish.

CS: Don't be so tough on yourself. Most people tend to think of Saint
Clare of Assisi as just the patron Saint of laundry workers, but
she's also the Patron Saint of television and telephones. So give it a
try and, remember, if it doesn't work - you're not praying hard enough.
And our next caller is…

Maria Theresa: Hello, Chuck? My name is also Maria Theresa and I'm dealing
with a pretty intense plumbing issue.

CS: Well, looks like someone should be invoking Saint Vincent
Ferrer
, Patron of plumbers and construction workers.

MT. Now that exactly what I thought, but I wanted to check with you first,
because the problem is that I dropped my wedding ring down the sink and
just can't seem to retrieve it.

CS: Whoa, Maria Theresa, that's a whole 'nother ball o' wax, entirely.
You'll need to call upon Saint Catherine of Siena.

MT: But isn't she the Patron Saint of the sick…and of Allentown,
Pennsylvania?

CS: Yes, she is indeed. She's also the Patron Saint of firefighters and
those afflicted with sexual temptation. Now the reason I'm recommending
that you pray to Saint Catherine for help in recovering that ring is
because she once had a vision in which our Lord, Jesus Christ, presented
her with his foreskin as a wedding ring.

Hello? Maria Theresa are you still on the line? Well, I guess we'll move
right along to our next caller…

John: Hello, Chuck? This is …um…John. Yeah, that's it - John. Long time
listener - first time caller. I just wanted to know if you were, like,
making…oh…say…a bomb - you know, to like blow up an abortion clinic, or
something, would you use a timer or a mercury switch? And I'll take my
answer off the air, if you don't mind. I've got a lot of work to do.

CS: Oooh, that's a good question. Definitely a timer. The big disadvantage
of a mercury switch is those nasty unexpected detonations. Either way, I'd
want to make sure to put in a prayer to either Saint Barbara or Saint
Erasmus
before I got started on the project. I hope that answered your
question. Next caller, please…

Robert: Hello, Chuck? My name is Robert and I was kinda wondering if your
show is just for Catholics. I'm a Protestant who's planning to do some
major remodeling over the next month and was hoping that you could offer
me some advice.

CS: I'm glad you called, Robert. Even though the show is called Catholic
Handyman
, we like to reach out to Christians of all denominations.
I personally believe that our commonalities outnumber our differences, and
that's why I suggest that you get yourself a picture of Pat Harrington...

R: Excuse me, but I'm not quite familiar with… Pat Harrington is it?

CS: Yes, Harrington, with two 'r''s. He's best remembered for his excellent
portrayal of Dwayne Schneider, the building super, on TV's One Day at a
Time
. You can probably get a picture of him off the internet. Do you
have a pencil handy?

R: Sure do.

CS: Good, because you'll want to jot this down. Now, take that picture of
Pat Harrington and fold it in half three times. Got that?

R: Got it. Then what?

CS: Then shove it up your ass, heretic. Next caller…


The ancient Greek word of the day is:
xairw - rejoice.

If the above word looks like ippojshit to you,
then you need to go here
and download the SPIONIC font for either MAC or PC. Dude.




Rodney on 11.29.04 @ 11:48 AM EST [link]




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