A Lesson In Defiance

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A lesson in defiance courtesy of the ninja linemen of Bangkok and Dayton's very own Guided By Voices:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWdNPWfmX8s


Always Crush Me
(Robert Pollard)

Full head of nothing
Fail to see the difference
Fail to feel the mercy
Off to join the flagstaff

Always crush me
Picture my amazement
When it doesn't always pain me
And I will reproduce faster

Commitment trailblazer
Your trail is quite a puzzle
And you are such a daredevil
And you are such a collector

Always crush me
Picture my amazement
When it doesn't always pain me
And I will reproduce faster



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ANDREW & THE PRETTY PUNCHERS CD RELEASE UPDATE!

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I was able to confirm at a business luncheon/meeting today that the remixing of the last six songs of the new album will be completed by mid-March.

The people have spoken and the powers-that-be are listening.

We will all be dancing in no time!



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"Hold On Hope" Indeed

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Here's a pretty damn good drunk video caught on security camera for your viewing pleasure.

I think one of my favorite parts is about 1:30 into the video when the guy is down for the count - nothing is happening - and he starts rubbing his ankles together like a cricket. What the hell?!

So without further delay, I present to you, a true American anti-hero:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnMqOznv8B4

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Here's the deal: You guys release the new album or . . .

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Cody Matherson borrows a feelin'.

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Release the new album or . . .

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we let The Ministers Quartet touch your special place(s).

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Release the new album and . . .

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Shane MacGowan goes to the dentist.

The ball is in your court, my friend.

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Release the new album or . . .

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we take out the other eye.

It's that simple.

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Release the new album or . . .

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the giant needle dick invades Argentina.

It's that simple.

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Release the album and . . .

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we re-attach the head.

It's that simple.

Won't you help Tommy . . .

today?

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"Paging Andrew & The Pretty Punchers! . . . Paging Andrew & The Pretty Punchers!"

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Release the new album, or the baby cries.

It's that simple.

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A Call To Arms

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The time has come for all good men and good women to light a fire under the collective asses of the powers-that-be so that the world can be blessed with a collection of nine new songs from Dayton, Ohio's premier rock and roll quintet, ANDREW AND THE PRETTY PUNCHERS.

Many individuals and their loved ones reported that the quality of their lives increased as much as tenfold upon hearing the band's first album, "Goodbye Ohio." We have no doubt that the new album will have a similar affect on each of us and therefore demand that it be released.

FIGHT THE POWER!

IT'S ONLY 9 SONGS!

FREE THE ANDREW AND THE PRETTY PUNCHERS 9 *NOW*


[Please note: If you have a facebook account please subscribe to the group WE DEMAND THE RELEASE OF THE NEW ANDREW AND THE PRETTY PUNCHERS ALBUM *NOW*]

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US Beats Canada In Hockey, But Canadians Have Last Laugh . . .

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Stupidity and Self-Serving Self-Righteousness (REVISED VERSION 2.0)

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"My name is Andrea Fay Friedman. I was born with Down syndrome. I played the role of 'Ellen' on the "Extra Large Medium" episode of Family Guy that was broadcast on Valentine's day . . .

I guess former Governor Palin does not have a sense of humor. I thought the line "I am the daughter of the former governor of Alaska" was very funny. I think the word is 'sarcasm'.

In my family we think laughing is good. My parents raised me to have a sense of humor and to live a normal life. My mother did not carry me around under her arm like a loaf of French bread the way former Governor Palin carries her son Trig around looking for sympathy and votes."


Game, set, and match to Ms. Friedman.

But I still have these four questions:

Question #1 - How is the statement (by an animated cartoon character with Down syndrome): "I am the daughter of the former governor of Alaska" making fun of the 2-year-old son of the actual former governor of Alaska? Please be specific.

Question #2 - Why is no one discussing that the episode portrays a young woman with Down syndrome as a fully functioning human being in a fairly typical teenage relationship? As far as I know that is not your standard TV fare.

Question #3 - Why is the brilliant ending to the "Family Guy" episode being overlooked? When "Chris" (Ellen's love interest) explains to her that he wants to break up because he thought that people like her were "different" but she is really just like everyone else. Oh yeah, that's some pretty evil stuff to be saying about the poor, poor Down syndrome-afflicted people . . . that they are normal and just like everyone else. How dare those "Family Guy" writers get away with spewing such evil and hate?!

and finally:

Question #4 - Why is no one discussing that "The Family Guy" powers-that-be employed an actress with Down syndrome to do the voice overs for the character of Ellen? For that matter, why isn't Sarah Palin applauding that hiring decision? Open-minded and inclusive decision-making like that would seem to bode very well for her 2-year-old Trig's future.


It would appear to me that the former governor of Alaska was so self-absorbed with the "former governor of Alaska" line from the show that she couldn't see the forest for the Trig. Or more specifically, she simply couldn't resist cashing in once again on the little guy's built-in "political headline grabbing/fund raising/vote generating" potential. When it comes to her best interest, Sarah Palin always seems to have her finger on the Trig.

From my perspective, that half hour of "The Family Guy" did more to pave the way for Sarah Palin's son Trig to have a "normal" life than any of her self-serving and self-righteous speeches. And I know what some of you may be thinking right now: "Kevin? Why are you even paying attention to this woman?" The simple answer is this: She wants to be President of the United States and millions of people would love the opportunity to vote for her. Granted, ten or so million votes may not get you elected, but it does give you considerable political capital.

I am in complete agreement with the February 14th editorial comment from Leonard Pitts regarding Sarah Palin and her supporters:

"I am tired of being asked to pretend that stupid is a virtue"

The irony of all of this is that the God that many of those supporters believe in - and who I remain "on the fence" about - states that "man will have dominion over the animals."

Well, I want my dominion back.

It is God's will.

And if branding some of the zombie-like followers of a seemingly brain-dead politician as "stupid" or "animals" smacks of elitism, then so be it. I am an elitist. I mean, let's be truthful here - it's not like these folks have set the "elitist" bar that high.

So then - I am an elitist. With a functioning God-given brain that is capable of simple critical thinking skills. And I have God on my side.

I can live with that.




http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/19/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6223381.shtml

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Valentine's Day 2010

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. . . . . . . . . . . . Valentine's Day 2010




[FYI: The tray consists of 26 miniature cheesecakes from "Mystical Retreat Cheesecake" in Bainbridge, Ohio. The home of "quite possibly the world's greatest cheesecake." Please click on the photo for a more detailed look.]

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The Milkman Of Human Kindness

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The Milkman Of Human Kindness
(Billy Bragg)

If you're lonely,
I will call
If you're poorly,
I will send poetry

I love you
I am the milkman of human kindness
I will leave an extra pint

If you're sleeping,
I will wait
If your bed is wet,
I will dry your tears

I love you
I am the milkman of human kindness
I will leave an extra pint

Hold my hand for me
I'm waking up
Hold my hand for me
I'm waking up

Won't you hold my hand for me
I'm making up
Hold my hand for me
I'm making up

If you are falling,
I'll put out my hands
If you feel bitter,
I will understand

I love you
I am the milkman of human kindness
I will leave an extra pint


please listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWRE-1K84o8





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excerpt from "Aiden's Guide To Successful Infant Living" (Simon & Schuster, 2010)

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Dear Aiden,

Q: What should I do when my Mom gets bored waiting for the doctor to come in and exam me, and so she puts my pants on my head and takes a picture?



A: Why, you "flip her off" of course.



(This excerpt is taken from "Aiden's Guide To Successful Infant Living" (Simon & Schuster, 2010). Please stay tuned for additional guidance from . . . you guessed it! . . . AIDEN!)

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GOD BLESS THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS!

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I would like to place my man crush on Peyton Manning on the back burner for a moment so that I can say:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GREAT CITY AND THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS!





Show us the way to go home, Satchmo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA

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THE WHOper Bowl!

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GOD BLESS THE WHO!

Leave it to Pete to make the much dreaded "medley of songs" actually work!



"Da 'oo!!!"
(K. Smith)

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The Kissing Life

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"And I adore,
.yes I adore,
.The Kissing Life"
.(R. Pollard)





[photograph: "Couple Kissing" by the great Elliott Erwitt. For more of Erwitt's work, see my March 9th, 2009 blog entry titled "INTERMISSION"]
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