It is here. My mid-month monster. That phase of the moon wherein, having bled money profusely for two weeks in an attempt to appease at least the greater share of creditors, I run bone dry in the checking account.

Every month. Same time. That dreaded and painful financial menstruation that ravages me and therefore those in my physical vicinity ( Read more... )

We, mainly I, have been spending this first full day of 2009 watching the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction on Speed Channel.

I’ve never thought of myself as a Car Guy.  And certainly compared to those guys I’ve known who are Car Guys, I’m not.  Aside from a bitchin’, Lotus Green “Baby Vette” Opal GT I owned, and cosmetically restored, then ( Read more... )

Ever since my return to life as a ground dweller, I have been alternately terrorized and infuriated by the animal sounds that all too regularly bellow, bark and bray their incessant way through my bedroom’s black air night after nearly sleepless night. And I’m not [just] talking about the Daisy’s kids.

I’ve lived in two-story homes in closely built ( Read more... )

BAGHDAD- The manufacturer of the shoes so famously thrown by Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi at President George W. Bush says business “has never been better.”

Shoe stores all over Iraq and neighboring countries are selling out of the model, originally called “The Carpet Cutter” but now unofficially re-christened as “Bush Beaters,” at a rate ( Read more... )

“A man is judged by the company he keeps.”

An old and, provided you’re in the mood for unbiased wisdom, very true adage. Imagine it thusly: of the many individuals you have known, including even those you had been "in love" with for any period of time, how many would you want to speak at your funeral?  Or your wedding?

Did you just shudder?

I sure ( Read more... )

How this for a headline? US Special Forces mistakenly kill 6 Afghan police officers. "Coalition forces deeply regret the incident of mistaken fire," said Col. Jerry O'Hara, a U.S. military spokesman. "Initial reports indicate this was a tragic case of mistaken identity on both parts." One civilian bystander was also killed in the exchange, ( Read more... )

So once again it’s the annual throw-down between Christmassy Christians and Aggravated Atheists, each group vying for its “rightful” holiday display area in some courthouse lobby in Washington State while the Jews-who seem to know what real problems look like- just plug in their electric menorah and leave to do better things.

Apparently this ( Read more... )

There were two very young brothers who lived on their family farmstead. One day they were out playing and exploring an overgrown field a few acres away from the house and, as 5 and 6 year olds are prone to do, wandered further away from the back door than their mother would like in the process.

They were each engaged in what child psychologists ( Read more... )

So another birthday has come and gone, and all-in-all even I must admit that things could be worse.  After all, things were worse for a few weeks this past summer, and now things just sort of moderately suck.  Nothing too dramatic; just the subtle, ever burning pilot light of suck.

Just like your own life, I’d imagine (even if you wouldn’t).

This ( Read more... )

As will be unsurprising to anyone who has been remotely familiar with this journal over the years, or even anyone who read the last, terse post, the holiday season is for me an emotional killing field.

Here, “Black Friday” has nothing to do with shopping and everything to do with a Thanksgiving hangover that will last, at least, until January 2nd.  ( Read more... )