February 07, 2005
Super Bowl
It wasn't exciting, it wasn't thrilling, it wasn't a blowout, it was just a game. How dull. Even the commercials were uninspired.
I've got to give Owens his due, when it's time to play, he brings it. Someone explain to me again why McNabb is a great quarterback?Posted by: Ted at 05:56 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
A Valentine Series - 1
Saint Valentine's Day. Cupid, cards, and heart shaped bits of chalk with sweet words on 'em. In honor of the holiday and the ones we have feelings for, Rocket Jones is proud to present a series of classic Hollywood moments.
Spankings, not just for birthdays anymore. (in the extended entry, and safe for work)Posted by: Ted at 04:21 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
February 06, 2005
Matters for thought
It's not all rainbows and puppies here at Rocket Jones, and even though I don't often delve into deep subjects (this is my happy place dammit!), that doesn't mean that I'm not out there reading and listening and contemplating. No, really.
A couple of recent posts have given me grist for the ol' mental mill. Debeye describes herself as "A Fierce American in Toronto, Ontario". I'll go further and say she shares some valuable insights about our northern neighbors from the American point of view. She's not all about putting down the Canadians, but she calls it like she sees it. Her post titled "Events Catch Up To Pretensions" is one of the best explanations I've ever read for the Canadian attitudes about themselves and towards the US. Even then, that itself is just a small part of what she touches on. There are so many passages I'd like to quote for you, but I'll settle for the following about the Iraqi elections, and urge you to go read it all for yourself.As for some others up here ... If they're examining their souls and wondering how they could have so misjudged the situation in Iraq then I'd advise them not to wasteOn a deeper philosophical note, Daniel Moore offers up his thoughts on transhumanism, which has been discussed recently on both Instapundit and Transterrestrial Musings (Daniel has the links). He quotes Leon Kass, but here's the opening teaser:too muchtime on guilt or shame but pledge only to open their minds to the possibilility that if a stopped clock can be right twice a day, then Americans too might occasionally be right.
Nothing humanly fine, let alone great, will come out of a society that is willing to sacrifice all other goods to keep the present generation alive and intact.That single provocative statement leads down some interesting paths of reasoning. Daniel touches on a couple, and I'm enjoying some quiet time chewing through the implications myself. Next up on Rocket Jones: Perky Puppy meets Princess of the Rainbow Kingdom! Starring Bela Lugosi. Heh.
Posted by: Ted at 10:34 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Terrell Owens and the Super Bowl
The Eagles must have had T.O. sign a waiver for the game, absolving them of responsibility and possibly spelling out penalties on T.O. if he reinjures his leg. The other possibility is that the Eagles or Owens took out an insurance policy for this one game. Terrell Owens is too valuable in the long run to risk a longer term injury, even for the Super Bowl. Him playing without being cleared by the doctors is just stupid, and even though he claims to be ready, his judgement over the years has been less than sterling.
Owens claims that God told him to play. What if God is a Patriots fan?Posted by: Ted at 09:05 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Who? Dr. Who, that's who!
An image archive site for all things Dr. Who. Lots there besides pictures too.
Posted by: Ted at 12:29 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
February 05, 2005
Someone's in the Kitchen With Dinaaaahhh!!!
This one is about as simple and plain-jane as can be. Down-home country cooking at its best.
Ham and Beans Right off, I need to mention that in our family, this has always been called "Ham and Beans", no matter what kind of meat is used. You can use cubed ham, or better yet a ham bone with some meat left on it. Sometimes I use a nice chunk of salt pork or fatback, and even thick-sliced bacon will do nicely. Now, for the beans, you can use whatever kind you like best. For me, I prefer navy beans, though great northern beans are almost as good and in a pinch I'll use pinto beans. It's all good. Pour the dry beans into a big bowl and cover them with lots of fresh water. You can put 'em in a strainer and run cold water over them if you want before you soak them. So, big bowl, plenty of water covering beans. Leave it alone overnight. Next morning, drain the beans and then take a few minutes to pick through them and make sure there's no little pebbles or pieces of bean stems mixed in. It doens't happen often, but nothing sucks worse than chomping down on a rock. Flash back to your college days and pretend you're cleaning your stash. Toss the beans into a big pot and cover with cold water again. Don't put the heat on yet, because you want all the various flavors to blend in, and that works best when everything heats together. Chop a half onion into small pieces and throw it into the pot. Like onion? Use more or less to suit. If you want, a stalk or two of celery and/or a carrot can be chopped and tossed in with the beans. Add the meat. If it's a ham bone the meat will shred off as it cooks, anything else you can cut into bite-size pieces. Once it's all in there, turn on the heat. I like to add a bay leaf and a fresh sprig of thyme (be sure to fish 'em out before eating). I also add a generous amount of fresh-ground black pepper, it's hard to use too much pepper for this. Might as well throw in a pinch of salt and a couple shakes of red pepper for heat if you want. A small splash of liquid smoke has been known to make it into the pot once in a while. Bring it to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat and simmer for hours, stirring occasionally. The longer the better. After four to six hours the beans are done enough to eat, but I like to let it go at least eight. You can remove the cover for a while or use a little cornstarch disolved in water to thicken it up if you want. Believe me, this is one of those simple pleasures I talk about. A good side for this is cornbread. Before baking, I like to mix a chopped green chilie (or a small can of) into the batter for a little zip. I automatically put aside a big bowlfull for the freezer. It keeps well and makes for a nice treat on a rainy day or the perfect lunch if you're attending the opera that evening.Posted by: Ted at 09:03 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
There's no escaping the long arm of the music industry
Gertrude Walton has been named as the sole defendant in a lawsuit filed by the music industry in their latest shot in the battle against music piracy. The lawsuit claims that Walton, under the screen name smittenedkitten, made available over 700 rock, pop and rap songs for sharing.
Couple of problems with that. According to her daughter, her mother objected to having a computer in the house."My mother was computer illiterate. She hated a computer," Chianumba said. "My mother wouldn't know how to turn on a computer."Another problem is that Gertrude Walton died a month ago, at age 83.
"I believe that if music companies are going to set examples they need to do it to appropriate people and not dead people," Chianumba said. "I am pretty sure she is not going to leave Greenwood Memorial Park (where she is buried) to attend the hearing."An RIAA spokeman said that obviously, the lawsuit would be dismissed. That *pop* sound you hear is someone pulling their head out of their ass.
Posted by: Ted at 12:27 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Two strolls through the park
First up, Cindy promises pictures of a new exhibit in New York's Central Park, called Gates. Brought to life by the artist who wrapped the German Reichstag in fabric and planted thousands of umbrellas in California and Japan, this new work has taken many years to arrange.
...7,500 gates that will frame the pathways of Central Park for sixteen days. Each of the gates is sixteen feet high, secured to a heavy metal base and trailing a swath of bright saffron-colored fabric, all of which, together in the wind, will create a shimmering river of color.A lot of folks deride these types of works, but for the most part I think they're imaginative and exhilarating. He finances them himself too, no public funding is used. Next, Fred at The Eternal Golden Braid gives the heads up to a new dinosaur exhibit in the American Museum of Natural History, also in New York. This sounds wicked cool.
A major highlight of the exhibition will be an enormous, 700-square-foot walk-through diorama of China's Jehol Forest—the most detailed re-creation of a prehistoric environment ever attempted. Visitors will get a chance to stroll back in time through the forest as it existed 130 million years ago during the Mesozoic era and come face to face with the creatures that lived there. Considered one of the most important fossil areas in the world, the Jehol Forest, which existed in northeast China's Liaoning Province, has yielded an abundance of new discoveries, revealing a rich diversity of specimens that have been exceptionally well-preserved. For the Jehol Forest diorama, the Museum is creating multiple scientifically accurate, fleshed-out, life-size models of more than 35 different species of dinosaurs, reptiles, early birds, insects, and plants, including several species never before reconstructed, ranging from a pigeon-sized feathered Confuciusornis to a formidable six-foot-tall feathered Beipiaosaurus. The Museum is also developing several interactive computer simulations and animations, as well as a number of videos offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of fieldwork as well as a series of discussions among leading scientists currently investigating the mysteries of dinosaur biology.After it's run in NYC, the exhibit will be appearing at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (July 2006); the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (October 2006); The Field Museum, Chicago (May 2007); and the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh (December 2007).
Posted by: Ted at 07:44 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
February 04, 2005
Not as controversial as the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time
Then again, maybe it is.
The Top 50 Wide Receivers in Pro Football History. Computed all scientifical and stuff too. Let the indignation and outrage commence! Thanks to Off Wing Opinion for the pointer.Posted by: Ted at 07:17 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Ossie Davis dies at age 87
Always dignified regardless of the role, Hollywood lost a major star today. Go read the article, it has an excellent summary of his life and body of work.
Davis, who wrote, acted, directed and produced for the theater and Hollywood, was a central figure among black performers of the last five decades. He and [wife and actress Ruby] Dee celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998 with the publication of a dual autobiography, "In This Life Together."He was also more than an entertainer. Ossie Davis was a civil rights activist from the earliest days, and he delivered the eulogy at the funeral of his friend Malcolm X.
Posted by: Ted at 02:27 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Going to Mars on one gallon
One gallon of paint, that is. For an intriguing new take on an old idea, check this out.
Thanks to Transterrestrial Musings for the pointer.Posted by: Ted at 12:02 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Rocket Jones is a very naughty place
Jay Currie has a blog devoted to Library Internet Filters, and he performed a simple experiment.
How Ugly is Sonic WallTwo things jumped right out at me. First, that I'm linked to by Instapundit. Second, that Rocket Jones is in that list with many other well-known blogs. Farther down, Jay explains why:
This ugly:
I went to InstaPundit, and, starting at the bottom, clicked on his links and wrote down which ones were blocked by SonicWALL. Here, then, is the list, along with a few more I was able to find by clicking around from other blogs.
I am sure this changes from day to day, depending on what you have posted about. The problem is, dumb software like this does not distinguish between discussion of something and advocacy of it. So, if you merely talk about cults, guns, nudity, racism, gambling, pornography, weapons, or drugs, your blog will be censored.Damn, what's left? It's an interesting site, and well worth a look. He describes his motivation thusly:
Frankly, I think the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the Children's Internet Protection Act case was wrong.He also provides links to more information about Internet Filters. Gotta run, I'm working on a new series of posts about a fun-loving but misunderstood cult of nude gamblers who decide that guns are the only way to deal with a group of racist drug lords. Oh yeah, it's gonna have pornographic illustrations too, if I can draw the stick figures sexy enough.
It is virtually always wrong to censor information, especially in a library. But that is how the law in the United States stands at the moment and if a library accepts federal funding it must install internet filtering technology on all of its internet enabled computers.
Posted by: Ted at 11:41 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
February 03, 2005
Just what the doctor ordered, unless you're afraid of doctors
There was a time when people were eccentric. Nowadays there's a term for every little quirk in one's personality, and if it can be described medically, then someone somewhere is going to figure out how to use that to sue someone else for money.
Direct from California -- the state that in 1986 created a task-force to promote self esteem -- comes Winokur's "Encyclopedia Neurotica," an irreverent guide to the world of neuroses, phobias and a slew of other conditions just waiting to be chronicled in the next best-selling "addiction memoir."I don't need a book to tell me what my major malfunction is. I'm a grouch. Just ask my family. By the way, the link on the book title goes to the Amazon page, but if you do a search there of "neurotica", the results are some rather disturbing offerings. Good thing there's a word for those folks, just so we can keep an eye on them.
Posted by: Ted at 05:27 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
February 02, 2005
The Secret Method of Billy Joe Jim Bob's Beer Brewing Method
Alrighty, here's the deal. There's nothing that warms an ol' rebel's heart more than an afternoon in front of the TV watching NASCAR (God Bless Dale Earnhardt) and pouring down a few cold ones with your buddies.
'Cept, you know, them beers get a might expensive buyin' 'em all in one batch, and it's downright embarrassing when your girlfriend's rugrats bitch about how all their friends get milk on their cereal and not tap water. But a man has got to keep his priorities straight. 'Sides, you like the little ankle-biters ok, but it ain't like they's yours, right? So a while back, while engaged in some comfortable spectatin' with my neighbors Lee and Bobby, I got to ponderin' the situation. Spurred on by the fact that Lee can suck down the suds quicker than a dee-hydrated camel at the waterhole, I think I've come up with a solution that's so simple it's a wonder someone hasn't already made a million dollars from it. I tried, believe me I tried. After figuring out all the angles, I wanted to get some legal advice 'cuz I was thinking that I could sell the process on TV like one of those late-nite hucksters (fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, I'll learn. Fool me four times, well, eventually). Not knowing a real lawyer, I talked to my girlfriend's cousin's brother-in-law. He ain't exactly a lawyer, but he's got all kinds of legal knowlege on account of going to the police acadamy almost all the way through twice before getting blind drunk one weekend and getting busted for throwing a brick through the window at the local Stop'n'Shop 'cuz he was dying for pork rinds at 4am. It's a good thing the silent alarm went off, 'cuz when the cops showed up he was sitting on the floor inside, stuffing his face, and there's this puddle of blood spreading around him from almost turning hisself into a gelding trying to get through that busted window. Anyways, he says that in his opinion, my process ain't sellable on TV. That's good for you, because instead of having to pay one of my standing-by operators $29.95, you gets it right here for free. I'll jes' have to settle for the happiness of knowin' that I helped others (and if that makes you feel bad, there's a tip jar over on the right). So what the hell am I talking about? My process (don't "process" sound more scientific than "plan"?) is 
Sleazy? I don't see how. I prefer to think of it as winning all around. You're getting what you want, and your friends are getting what they want. Now excuse me while I work on my secret recipe for a new product: "Dick Trickle's Hard Lemonade". Maybe, just maybe, this one will be good enough to be on TV.
Posted by: Ted at 05:06 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Hang on a second while I get into my robes
I've had an eternal fascination for all things Stonehenge (talked about it here and here - links and more), and now Alan has come up with what might be the perfect explanation for Silbury Hill on the Salisbury Plain.
It was obvious to a Surveying Engineer that to lay out Stonehenge accurately required at least 3 observation points on the horizon. Now Salisbury Plain, where Stonehenge is located, has some good sites, high ground near the horizon, except in one direction: that of Avebury. So you need a hill, just high enough to be visible on the horizon from Stonehenge, in the close vicinity of Avebury. Finding just such a man-made hill, made as a Ziggurat from easily workeable earth, and exactly the right height, would seem to be more than just a coincidence.Go. Read. It's cool and isn't even the main point of his post, that being archeology and ancient astronomy and history and other things I love so much. Despite what my kids say, I have no first-hand experience of those days, and 'elder statesman' only takes you so far back.
Posted by: Ted at 12:02 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Munuvians on the move
In other words, "getting things done".
annika is holding another haiku contest, this time inviting one and all to come and wax lyrical about the music group KISS. There are some strong entries there, go on and give it a go. On the other side of the world, Simon announces that the New Blog Showcase is turning itself into a Carnival. I've already applied for the job of sideshow geek (and sent in a video of me biting the head off of a live chicken). Seriously though, this is an excellent way to discover some great new blogs that are just starting out.Posted by: Ted at 07:21 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
February 01, 2005
Crap, I need to think up a title too?
From Susie, who passed the torch to me, knowing full well that torches and I do not get along.
Ten random CD's from my collection*: Bonnie Raitt - Nick of TimeChicago - Night & Day
Diamond Rio - IV
Head East - Flat as a Pancake
Little Richard - Greatest Hits on Vee-Jay
Mariah Carey - Music Box
Sammy Kershaw - Politics, Religion & Her
Various Artists - Time/Life Rock Collection - 1976
Various Artists - Salsa Sensacion
ZZ Top - Deguello I have an eclectic taste in music, plus I DJ'd for Family Dance Nights at our local American Legion for quite a while, so my collection is broad and shallow. * No, I'm not at home, I have them listed in a spreadsheet on my iPAQ. Why? Because I'm a dork. Duuuuh. On to part 2... 1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer? Almost none on my home PC. I rip them to CD and then delete them. My iPAQ has not quite a half a gig on a storage card, but I haven't winnowed out the crap yet, so that quantity will be going down as well. 2. The last CD you bought is: Genuine Houserockin' Music, vol. 2. 3. What is the song you last listened to before this message: Little Feat - Let It Roll. On the way to work this morning. 4: Five songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you: Blood, Sweat & Tears - You Make Me So Very Happy. "Our" song.
Blood, Sweat & Tears - And When I Die. To be played at my funeral.
Jim Croce - Time In A Bottle. That "drinking song" played at our wedding.
Chicago - Call On Me. My favorite Chicago song ever.
Molly Hatchet - Dreams I'll Never See (cover). The ultimate air-guitar song. 5. Who are you gonna pass this stick to (five persons and why)? Dawn - it ain't a booty call, but if you do three quick shots of tequilla and squint real hard, you can use your imagination and make it one.
Catt - because I owe her an email and haven't forgotten and in the meantime this'll give her something to do.
Rich - hiding behind that boy-next-door face is the soul of a thrashpunk, I bet.
Rob & Big Hair - I mean, how could I not ask the keeper of the L&R Favorite 100 Guitar Players of All Time list? It's sacred. It's blasphemous. It's both!
Mookie - just 'cuz, peeps.
Posted by: Ted at 12:02 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Rocketing Around the Blogosphere
Buy stock in Rolaids, because I have a feeling there's gonna be some bile rising on Oscar night!
Citizens United thanks Hollywood for inadvertently helping to reelect President Bush with billboard advertisements. The advertisements feature the faces of liberal Hollywood icons Ben Affleck, Chevy Chase, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Moore, Sean Penn, Martin Sheen, and Barbara Streisand. There are two versions of the billboards "4 more years" and "W. Still President." According to Human Events, Citizens United has purchased the use of three billboards near the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards.Go see California Yankee for pictures of the actual billboards. LMAO. Chris Hall is, among other things, an avid motorcyclist. Were I a biker as well (sorry, I expended my mid-life crises on crack and hookers - that's a joke for anyone at work who's reading this), I'd want to join Chris on some of his rides. Check out this article he's posted for his motorcycle club. Kin is playing host to this week's Carnival of the Recipes. If you haven't seen this one, it's worth a perusal if'n you're gastronomically inclined. In related news, Rocket Jones will be hosting the Carnival in the near future. We've all been there. You have a question that's just burning a hole in your mind, but dammit, there's never a negro around to ask when you need one. Glen sees a need, and fills it with his charm and good humor. That last bit is funny if you know Glen. Anyway, head on over and ask your question. G'wan, you know you wanna. Courtesy of Matt, we get a link to a great flash animation poking fun at
Posted by: Ted at 05:39 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
January 31, 2005
USS San Francisco and her valiant crew
If you've been visiting Rocket Jones for a while you already know that my son is home after serving in the US Navy. You also know that he was a crewman on an attack sub, the USS Philadelphia.
That boat is the sister ship to the USS San Francisco, which just had the high-speed run-in with an uncharted underwater mountain. The crew performed bravely and heroically and managed to save their boat. That scenario was my worst nightmare as a parent, and I'm thankful that the accident wasn't worse. A.E. Brain has been keeping up with this, with pictures and news, both before and after. Plenty of links too. Please, follow those links and be horrified at the damage sustained and be amazed at the ability of the crew to maintain and make it home again. The training and professionalism of the US military is second to none, although we tend to hear most often of the Army and Marines. The tsunami-relief efforts of our carrier groups got some attention lately, but the actions of the crew on board the San Francisco demonstrates that the Navy, like the other branches of our armed forces, are second to none.Posted by: Ted at 12:01 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Like a universal hub for oddness
Joe DeRouen's Weird Web Sites is updated weekly, and features such as:
Bible-Approved Underwear Have you ever wanted to dress Bible-friendly but just weren't sure how? While this website won't tell you much in terms of dresses, skirts, and blouses, it does cover (no pun intended) what's underneath. The site shows examples of what bras, panties, and girdles are approved by the Bible, and which undergarments will send you straight to Hades.Links to all plus an extensive archive make this the perfect place to lose yourself for an afternoon. Or two.
Posted by: Ted at 11:46 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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