Alarming News from the Scientists

People should listen to the scientists. Here is what they have to say, courtesy of Reuters:

OSLO, Norway (Reuters) -- Humans are damaging the planet at an unprecedented rate and raising risks of abrupt collapses in nature that could spur disease, deforestation or "dead zones" in the seas, an international report said on Wednesday.
The study, by 1,360 experts in 95 nations, said a rising human population had polluted or over-exploited two thirds of the ecological systems on which life depends, ranging from clean air to fresh water, in the past 50 years.
"At the heart of this assessment is a stark warning," said the 45-member board of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
"Human activity is putting such strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet's ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted," it said.
Ten to 30 percent of mammal, bird and amphibian species were already threatened with extinction, according to the assessment, the biggest review of the planet's life support systems.
"Over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable time in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel," the report said.
"This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on earth," it added. More land was changed to cropland since 1945, for instance, than in the 18th and 19th centuries combined.
Getting worse
"The harmful consequences of this degradation could grow significantly worse in the next 50 years," it said. The report was compiled by experts, including from U.N. agencies and international scientific and development organizations.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the study "shows how human activities are causing environmental damage on a massive scale throughout the world, and how biodiversity -- the very basis for life on earth -- is declining at an alarming rate."
The report said there was evidence that strains on nature could trigger abrupt changes like the collapse of cod fisheries off Newfoundland in Canada in 1992 after years of over-fishing.
Ecosystems and the services they provide are financially significant and...to degrade and damage them is tantamount to economic suicide.
-- Klaus Toepfer, head of the U.N. Environment Program
Future changes could bring sudden outbreaks of disease. Warming of the Great Lakes in Africa due to climate change, for instance, could create conditions for a spread of cholera.
And a build-up of nitrogen from fertilizers washed off farmland into seas could spur abrupt blooms of algae that choke fish or create oxygen-depleted "dead zones" along coasts.
It said deforestation often led to less rainfall. And at some point, lack of rain could suddenly undermine growing conditions for remaining forests in a region.
The report said that in 100 years, global warming widely blamed on burning of fossil fuels in cars, factories and power plants, might take over as the main source of damage. The report mainly looks at other, shorter-term risks.
And it estimated that many ecosystems were worth more if used in a way that maintains them for future generations.
A wetland in Canada was worth $6,000 a hectare (2.47 acres), as a habitat for animals and plants, a filter for pollution, a store for water and a site for human recreation, against $2,000 if converted to farmland, it said. A Thai mangrove was worth $1,000 a hectare against $200 as a shrimp farm.
"Ecosystems and the services they provide are financially significant and...to degrade and damage them is tantamount to economic suicide," said Klaus Toepfer, head of the U.N. Environment Program.
The study urged changes in consumption, better education, new technology and higher prices for exploiting ecosystems.
"Governments should recognize that natural services have costs," A.H. Zakri of the U.N. University and a co-chair of the report told Reuters. "Protection of natural services is unlikely to be a priority for those who see them as free and limitless."
Copyright 2005 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Wednesday Do-Over

Yesterday I typed a whole blog, and then it wouldn't let me publish so I got mad. I hope this works today. It sure is a nice day, so when I finish I think I will sit on my porch with the nice freshly painted floor and drink my coffee before I have to go to work. Kev has gone to help some Habitat for Humanity people build a porch. I am fully in favor, as Jimmy Carter is a big player in that organization. I told Kev to see if he could find out how wimpy girls like me could help.

Here are some fun facts:

• There are enough Lego on the planet for every person to have 30 pieces.
• Ukulele is the Hawaiian word for "jumping flea." (In yesterday's failed blog, I told the whole story of the uke, featuring Portuguese sailors and songs of thanksgiving and Hawaiian kings. Too bad it wouldn't publish).
• Songbirds like the wood thrush have two voice boxes, so they can sing two different songs at once.
• If you square any odd number except one, and then subtract one, you will always get a number that is divisible by eight. Example: 7 x 7 = 49, 49-1=48, 48 is divisible by 8. Try it!

It is migration time, so if you pay attention you might see some interesting birds passing through your neighborhood. Audubon society is sponsoring a whole month of nature activities for Dallas area people. For a calendar of these activities, go to www.destinature.org. A lot of them look really fun, and would be extra good if you have kids.

Hey, how does everybody think the Rangers are gonna do this year?

Enjoy the sun today. Here goes my attempt to publish...

Javier Returns!

As I type, Kev is outside painting our front porch. He has been working on it all day. I looked out the window at him a minute ago, and guess who else I saw! Javier! This is good and bad. I am so glad to know he is OK, but feel terrible about having to tell him we no longer need him to do our lawn. Kev, who pretends to be all tough usually, must have felt bad too, because he told Javier he could do some edging for us since we don't have an edger. Anyway, the funny thing about all of this is that half-way through Kev and Javier's conversation, Kev comes in the house and starts going through the CD holders in the living room. I said,"What's going on," and Kev said, "Javier wants one of our CDs." Weird, huh? Apparently, Javier noticed our guitars and started telling Kev how he plays guitar too, and bass, durms, keyboards, and vocals! So I think Javier might end up coming over sometime to jam with the house pants band. I wonder if Kev told him he needed housepants. Speaking of the band, we got a fan-mail! Here is what it said:


Hello K and T,

Welcome to the Freedom Exchange. I have to tell you, I just listened to three of your songs. (the ones you pointed out which had vocals) "Song For Poncho" had me almost in tears... and laughing at the same time. Great, great song, with wonderful vocals and really good musicianship. I think you folks are doing amazing things. Your music, and obvious talent, stands out in all these songs. Kudos all the way around. I've bookmarked you site, to go back and listen more. Most of all it sounds like you're having a great time doing it. That's what music should be about! Good job. I encourage anyone on the FE to go give a listen to the "Palo Pinto House Pants House Band"!!!

The freedom exchange is a website where Kev put our songs to get help with recording advice from home recording geeks. Kinda like the great Nowhere Radio. So, pretty good review, huh? I must make sure Julie and Rob see it.

It has been a rough and busy week for me at work, and I am happy the weekend is here at last. I think we are going to plan a trip to stay in the woods in a cabin by a lake with a canoe as soon as possible. This is a good cheap relaxing type of vacation. Just what I need. My silver hairs are multiplying exponentially (that spelling doesn't look right) lately, and I have noticed an increasing need to lie down flat on the floor (a big sign of Tara stress). Hopefully, all this stress will pay off with many new clients, leading to mo' money, leading to an Alaskan adventure or a new hybrid car.

Political update: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has not yet responded to my letter, fax, call, or email. Kev is worried that the FBI has started a file on us.

Have a very happy Easter, if you celebrate it. Don't eat peeps...they are bad for you.

Ruby Crown of Ruby Crowned Kinglet (Male)

Ruby Crowned Kinglet 

Bird of the Day

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

This morning, there was a ruby-crowned kinglet splashing around in the bird-bath in our back garden. RCKs are very cute birds who can't seem to sit still. Their wings constantly flicker. They are tiny birds, smaller even than chickadees. The one in my yard is getting ready for his journey to Cananda, or maybe even Alaska, to spend the summer. I wish I could spend summer in Canada or Alaska. I reckon we're gonna have a hot one this year. Anyway, if you live around here, pay attention, and maybe you'll see a ruby-crowned kinglet in your yard.

Melodicas For All! 

The Melodica: Portable and Fun!

Here is what www.melodicas.com has to say about melodicas:

Melodica is the name given to a wind instrument created by the German company Hohner in the late 1950’s. Variations of this keyboard have since been manufactured by numerous companies in different regions of the world, each giving the instrument a different name i.e. pocket piano, blow accordion, melodeon, diamonica, melodyhorn, wind piano, keyboard harmonica, pianica, cassotto, etc- enough to give this little instrument a massive identity crisis requiring an orchestra of therapists. This sites mission is to educate, sell & promote unusual keyboard instruments.

So thanks to Larry Feathers for the info. It is possible that the melodica is the instrument for me. I wish I could rent one for a couple days to try it out. I think it would add a lot to the PPHPHB sound. Kev says it's just another one of my phases.

Right now I am listening to the latest Elvis Costello CD. It is great. I forgot to tell you one more cool thing about the show. See, he had to be finished by 11:00pm. So instead of leaving and coming back for encores, which is silly if you think about it, he just played straight through, allowing time for at least two more songs during time that would have been wasted with the whole "if you clap and yell loud enough, I just might come back and do "Alison" " game. I hope this is a trend that will catch on.

I am about to meet one of my kids and his family for an afternoon of bowling to work on his social skills. Remind me not to complain about my job.

Elvis Costello and Good Mail

Greetings and Happy St. Patrick's day and happy birthday to my aunt Kathy, and happy wedding day to my cousin Crissy. I am still feeling pretty bad about yesterday's blow to Alaska, but in an attempt to be positive, here is some good stuff:

First of all, I went to the Elvis Costello show at Nokia Live in Grand Prairie with my brother on Tuesdsay night. This at least the 5th Elvis Costello show I have seen, and it was great as usual. Elvis Costello has my very favorite singing voice...nobody else sounds like him. One of the best parts of his show is when he goes off-mike and just sings. It's pretty amazing. His band was awesome, especially the great Steve Nieve who this time had a theramin among his various instruments. He was smart enough to use it effectively and sparingly. Too much theramin is not a good thing. Anyway, more proof that Elvis Costello is still good and still relevent. Go to see him if he comes to your town, and you will have a good time. Plus it's fun to watch a lot of white-people dances. Thanks to Jeff for the ticket.

Nokia Live is a pretty good venue. Our seats were great (center stage, about 15 rows back), and it seemed like pretty much any seat in the place was good. The people who worked there were friendly and seemed to like their jobs. My only complaint is the ridiculous 12 dollar parking fee. People should really revolt against that. As long as we keep paying it, they'll keep raising the price of parking.

The other night when I got home from work, I was happy and surprised to see I had received a package from Team Earth! Remember when I was talking about wanting to be on Team Earth? I guess some of their members read my blog, because they sent me a Team Earth flag, as well as an Ecology flag! It really made my day. I will admit I didn't know what the Ecology flag was, and searched the internet with no luck for about 20 minutes. When I left for the concert, Kev got on line and figured it out in about 2 minutes (of course). Anyway, thanks to the NY chapter of Team Earth for the cool and thoughful gift. I will post pictures of the flags soon.

All this steroid stuff is making me so mad. Oh wait, this is a blog of positivity, so I will skip the steroid talk.

Band news: I am excited to report that Rob and Julie have agreed to do some vocals for the PPHPHB once again, this time helping with the back-up to Blue Christmas. And Steve Nieve has inspired me to learn a new instrument, which is a small keyboard that you blow into. I don't know what it's called, but it sounds like a cross between a harmonica and an accordian. Kev has put his foot down, and won't let us get a sitar. I guess that's ok. Too much sitar is kinda like too much theramin.

Name that Axeman

Here is something fun to do if you like, or if you ever liked rock. I got 23 correct with Kev's help on a couple. Not sure if that's a good thing or not.

www.jbonamassa.com/heads.php

Thanks to Kev for the fun time-waster!

We lost the Vote.

Dear Tara,

Today the U.S. Senate voted by a razor-thin margin to take the first step towards drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as part of the Federal Budget Resolution. A bipartisan group of Senators attempted to safeguard this national treasure and the native people and wildlife that depend on it, but 51 Senators voted against an amendment to strip Arctic drilling revenues from the Budget Resolution.This obviously is a disappointment, but many hurdles remain before the budget is adopted and signed into law. The Sierra Club will continue working at every step along the way to keep this pristine wilderness from being despoiled forever.We owe our thanks and heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has helped with this fight by signing our petition, calling their Senators, and supporting the Sierra Club. We promise to keep you informed as the situation unfolds and to let you know when and how you can help in the future. We have lost this round, but the fight to save the Arctic Refuge continues. You can still make a difference by staying involved.

Thank you,
The Sierra Club

Received this from the Sierra Club today. Thanks to everyone who tried to helpby calling the number yesterday. It sucks, but it ain't over 'til it's over. If you want more info, check out sierraclub.org.
I immediately fired off an email to Texas senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who voted against the amendment to stop the possibility of drilling. According to her website, she feels this is a matter of national security. What a bunch of baloney. Our other senator (Cornyn) voted the same way. Sometimes I really hate Texas. Please forgive me. I'm just really mad. Tomorrow when I am not so mad, I will blog about the great Elvis Costello, and cool mail I got from Team Earth.

Important! Action Alert!

Hello to all of you who like reading the LRHS. I would like to ask you to do me a giant favor. Please take 5 minutes to call 1-888-894-5325, and enter your zip code, so a fax will be sent to your US Senator asking them to oppose drilling in the Artic Refuge in Alaska. If drilling occurs, it will destroy a lot of pristine land, and endanger a lot of wildlife. The President and his administration claim drilling will reduce dependency on foreign oil, however the US Geological Survey has reported that there is only 6 months to a year's worth of oil in that region anyway. I am sorry that I am not very good at conveying how critical it is that no drilling occurs. I am bad at politics. But this is REALLY REALLY important to me, so I hope you will all make the quick call. At the end of the call, if you want to make an even stronger point, they will connect you to your senator's office so you can tell them yourself. You don't have to do this part, you can just hang up after the fax is sent. I was kind of nervous about talking to a senator, but I did it anyway, and only had to talk to the receptionist. All you have to say is,"I am calling to urge the Senator to oppose drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge." But again, even if you just send the fax, that will be awesome. Please do this. It only takes a couple minutes. Thank you thank you thank you from me and the birds, polar bears, caribou, and other critters. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! Please do it ASAP...the vote is this week! Thanks!

My New Friend 

Blue Christmas Recording Session 

Quiet Time

Back at work after a big weekend. Kev's parents head back to NY tomorrow. I hope they have had fun. We have done a lot...Arboretum, Fort Worth Zoo, shopping, eating, recording. I am having some quiet time right now. I have a break right now between clients, and I just wanted to report that at 3:15 I left the building to do an errand, and there was the smokey lady. Got back at 3:55, and guess what. Smokey lady. I also saw one of the Kestrels in the parking lot. It had some kind of prey, and did not like it when I got too close, so it flew away.

Props to the Fort Worth Zoo. I got to commune with birds. I will post a picture or two later. Still, I have mixed feelings about zoos, and wanted to set the animals free. The gorillas seemed particularly depressed. I won't tell you what one of them picked up off the ground and started to eat.

I will be going off food for a while after Kev's parents leave. Popcorn and ice cream have been big players this weekend.

Kev's dad recorded the vocals to Blue Christmas for us. He did a regular Floyd version, and one where he "Elvis-ed it up." I reckon we'll put it on Nowhere radio as soon as Mixmaster K is through with it.

Special note to John: Kev bought a mower. Our yard looks nice now.

A very very special shout out to any LRHS readers on Long Island and their good boxer dog. Come to Texas. We will give you all the biscuits and gravy and barbecue you want.

Tomorrow night is the Elvis Costello show. I am very excited. The problem is that my brother never received the tickets in the mail, so we don't know what's gonna happen when we get there.

We took Kev's mom and dad to Uncle Calvin's to see Lowen and Navarro. Their music is very singer-songwritery, and about 2/3 of their songs were about rain. I'm not exaggerating. The best thing about Uncle Calvin's is coffee and pie.

I hope everyone had a good weekend and took advantage of spring weather. Too bad it won't last. Go Mavs.

One More Quick Note

Crazy Michael Jackson went to court today in his housepants.

The Smokey Lady

There is a lady who works in my office building who I call the smokey lady. Any time of day, she can be found just outside the front door smoking. I just went down the hall to the restroom, and there she was, smoking. I don't know what her job is. I think her job is to smoke. She is always there. Smoking. It is a little sad.

Last night I went to the Sierra Club meeting. First of all, I have to tell you that they have the meetings at the Greenhill School in Addison. I think I would have liked going to this school. It has a nice courtyard, and when I walked through said courtyard last night, I'll be damned if there weren't two giant peacocks and three pea-hens just walking around like they owned the place. They were so cool looking. Then they started talking, which was a little creepy, as their call sounds very much like a little girl saying, "help me, help me." The courtyard at my high school only had grackles.

The meeting was interesting. There were three speakers. A very pompous dude from the EPA ( I think all the Sierra club members were suspicious of him), a nice geo-physicist man, and an environmental lobbyist named "Smitty." Most of their talk was over my head...a little too science-y. But they did make their point very clear. We are headed toward a very bad, very real energy crisis if we don't do something quick-like. This isn't left-wing propaganda, or hippy tree-hugger mumbo jumbo. This is science. So I am on board. Renewable energy is the way, and I have some letters to write this weekend to some State Senators and so forth. I was happy to learn that the wind turbine people have been working closely with the bird people to design windmills that won't hurt the birds. You see, most of the wind in East Texas comes in from the Gulf Coast, so they have to put the turbines there, and millions, maybe billions, of birds migrate back and forth on the same path. Anyway, the scientists have it all figured out, how not to hurt the birds. Guess what else gets blown into DFW via the Gulf winds? Smoke from something like 30 (or did he say 130?) coal plants between here and Houston. Coal is bad for people. It is dirty. Wind, which I admit I have personal difficulties with, mainly because of my hair, is good for people. It is clean. So, support wind and renewable energy and hybrid cars! And turn off your lights and stuff too.

Two nights ago, we watched Super-Size me. We were both disturbed. Kev was so much so that he went to the kitchen and got us a big bowl of grapes to eat while we watched it. Then, the next day, I ate at Bennigan's and he ordered a pizza. How quickly we forget. I do have to say, though, that I only ate one wedge of my Monte Christo sandwhich. I won't tell you how many slices of pizza Kev ate.

Probably this will be my last blog for a while. Kev's parents are due to land at DFW in about 20 minutes, and we have a full agenda while they're here. There is going to be lots of fun, and maybe even pie! See you next week.

American Kestrel...N. America's smallest falcon.  

Wednesday Night is Activism Night

After work I am going to another Sierra Club meeting. This one is all about renewable energy. We have been considering changing over to Green Mountain energy at our house, and I am hoping tonight's meeting will give me some insight so we can make an informed decision. I am really tired though, and I have had a non-stop headache since I woke up this morning, so I hope I can pay attention.

Bird of the Day: Most of the birds that hang out on the wires near my office building are pigeons, however there is also a pair of American Kestrels that must be nesting around here. I saw them today in the parking lot. American Kestrels are COOL. They are very small birds of prey with interesting markings. Very pretty birds. I will try to post a picture from home later.

Here is something that bothers me, and since I am lately very irritable, it has been bothering me even more. It is when people say the word "is" twice in a row, for example, "The thing is is that..." That can't be grammatically correct, can it? If it is, somebody please set me straight. Otherwise, people need to stop saying it. I also hate the words "dollop" and "unfurl." I am shuddering now at the thought of those horrible words. A fun word to say is "bedraggled." My friend Bryce hates the word "compote." It is fun to say that word around him. My other friend Ken is freaked out completely if you put your mouth on an empty paper towel roll tube and blow like a horn, or even just talk through it. He runs screaming from the room. Today when I woke up with a headache, I told Kev that my Kryptonite is dust (which is what I think caused the headache), but he said I already have too many Kryptonites and I can't have any more.

Cedar Waxwing 

Javier is Missing

Javier is a nice man. He has been our lawn care-taker for three years. He takes the winter off. Now it is spring, and Kev's parents are coming, and the lawn could use a nice mowing. So Kev called Javier. And Javier is gone! I am sad. I hope Javier is OK. If he went back to Mexico, I hope it is because he wanted to, and not because he had to. I thought things were going well for Javier last fall. He just bought a new truck. I will miss Javier. And now we have a family dilemma. Should we find a new lawn man? Should we buy a mower? What to do? Plus the yard looks pretty bad, and we have company coming in two days.

I was thinking of trying to take advantage of the latest reality/designing trend and start a show about cubicles, where people who work really hard get surprised a team of designers to help them make over their boring cubicles into fabulous cubilcles and it makes them happy and is good for company morale. Who's with me? I am taking suggestions for the name of the show. The cornier, the better, I say.

One thing I hate about my office and most offices is flourescent lighting. It makes my eyes hurt and makes my skin look green. All the people on my new show would get natural lighting lamps in their cubicles.

Bird of the day: The cedar wax-wing. This is the Fonz of the bird world. Look for them in large flocks in high trees. They are small and yellow-ish, with a black mask and a crest (like a cardinal or blue-jay). They have a shrill and quiet "song." They like berries, and will come down lower to eat them. When I get home I will try to find a picture of one to post. A very cool-looking bird.

A Case of the Mondays

I watched Office Space again last night. So funny. And according to Kev, not really that far from the truth. Sometimes, I wonder if I would be happier if I could just sit in a cublicle all day generating TPS reports. A nice mindless task. If I had a cubicle, I would decorate it with cool stuff. Probably a Tibetan-style cubicle...lots of orange, maybe some shiny pillows. Are candles allowed in cubicles? Or maybe I'd go Asian. A Feng Shui cublicle. Lot's of light green and bamboo. Hmm...

I am blogging at work, which is risky as it usually causes my computer to shut down. But I was supposed to be having an evaluation now, and it had to re-sched because the kid is sick, and I have a conference soon that I am nervous about so I am blogging to keep from nervousing.

Question: What has become of Blogalicious? Gone to horseheadfairyland, I suppose.

On behalf of Kev: Ultra-Pointy-Toed shoes are bad.

What I learned on the weekend: Sometimes even pancakes can't make one happy. Gardening requires using muscles different from those used in every-day life. There are ladies out there who consider themselves part of the amateur "pie circuit." They have names like Phillis and Nadine. Kev likes lemon meringue pie. I never knew that.

Bird talk: Migration is nigh upon us!

Band talk: The Blue Christmas song has taken a Hawaiian turn. Should be fun to record.

Well, enough stalling. Better go prepare myself for this conference. Happy Monday.

Hey Mambo!

I usually try to avoid going to Central Market on the weekends. Especially if I need anything from the butcher or fishmonger. It's a beating when the store is crowded. But sometimes, like this week, my schedule dictates that the only time I can go is on Saturday. I have found that if you get there before about 9:30, it isn't too bad, and that was the case this morning. Not crowded at all. So, I got my coffee and enjoyed my shopping. My only complaint about CM is that for some reason, they put the meat and fish near the beginning of the path. I think it should be at the end. Today I had to get chicken and shrimp, so I felt like I had to hurry through the rest of the store. I got to go through Mambo's line today. He is my favorite checker. He is from Africa and he is very nice, plus his name is Mambo. I think that is cool. He always makes me think of the "Hey Mambo" scene from Big Night. I am very curious to know Mambo's back-story. He seems kind of sad. I always help him bag the groceries. I like doing it. I think maybe if I had a past life, I might have been a bag-boy, because I am good at it. Mambo isn't so good at it. He mixes things that shouldn't be mixed.

The other night I watched a show about this wacky American Explorer guy who decides he is going to canoe the length of the Limpopo River in southern Africa because of a Rudyard Kipling story he read when he was a kid, and because he likes saying the word "Limpopo." So he hires a guy from Zimbabwe named Bonus to be his guide/translator, and they set off, but since the American guy fears the summer heat and malaria, they go in winter, which is the dry season. So they end up having to walk and carry the canoe a lot because the river is dried up in many places. They get to see cool stuff like hippos and rhinos, giraffes, elephants, crocodiles, and lots of cool birds. But they are pretty beaten down. I learned that in Africa, some people eat stew made from chicken heads and feet. The stew is called "Scratchin' and Talkin'". At the end, Bonus gets to finally see the ocean for the first time in his life. That part was good.

Today I learned from my bi-lingual shampoo bottle that the Spanish word for "daily" is "diaria." How do you think Peggy Hill would pronounce that word? (Uh-huh-huh.)

On the way to CM, KERA taught me about a film they used to show in elementary schools in the 1950's to promote science. I will paraphrase the script for you:

A typical 50's family is camping.
Son: (looking up at the stars) I am going to learn about science. I am going to go to the moon. My sister doesn't have to learn science. When she grows up, she will hook a guy.
Daughter: What's wrong with that?
Mother: Nothing, dear. You don't need science to be a home-maker.
Father: But what if Mr. Right doesn't come along right away? If she learns science, she could be a dental hygeinist or a nurse!

Oh, the lofty ideas of the 50's!

Enjoy the weekend.

Blah Blah Blog

Greetings. A week has gone by since my last blog, and it seems like only a day. I am actually really busy at work, which I am not used to. Don't get me wrong, it's good that things are picking up. It's just a lot of extra paperwork and prep-time, and I was used to just sort of coasting thru each day. Anyway, things will settle down again soon, and I will be able to turn off the constant thoughts of autism and stuttering and so forth that are constantly going through my head lately. And I can get back to thinking about birds and Alaska and other pleasant things.

Note to Sirius radio programmers: "Bring on the Dancing Horses" is not Echo and the Bunnymen's only song.

Skunk smell update: Albert is smelling good these days. When I got to may parents' house this morning, he greeted me with such genuine excitement and enthusiasm that I almost cried. Albert is good.

PPHPHB update: If you want to hear our latest effort, you can check it out on Nowhereradio.com. It is called three piece suite (part III), and features Kev's new accordian. I play cello, which you probably won't notice, and violin (pizz.). Everything else is Kev. I like the song. It reminds me of some kind of Audrey Hepburn movie theme. Our next project involves Kev's dad, who is coming to town next week. We think we are going to have him sing Blue Christmas. We are probably gonna need the help of our previous guest vocalists for some back-up, but the arrangement is still in the works. Thanks for continuing to support the PPHPHB!

Bird update: The grackles and cowbirds are in charge. Tip: Grackles don't care much for safflower seed, but it is a little pricier than the sunflower mix. Last night I had a dream about some big puffy blue birds. I wish they were real. They were cool.

Oscar talk: The show was very boring, Chris Rock was mediocre, sweaty Antonio Banderas was HORRIBLE, and Beyonce didn't need to be marched out there three times. Best part was Yoyo-Ma, and that Morgan Freeman and Jamie Foxx were winners. I recommend documentary nominee "The Story of the Weeping Camel" to people who like good movies, because it is good.

I am looking forward to the weekend. Maybe, just maybe, there will be pancakes.