:: Archipelapogo ::

:: 21.11.03 ::

Live from Media Central

Well, it took awhile, but the media frenzy is finally here. There haven't been that many tourists though, which I think is kind of freaking out the museum folk. I did meet some very nice middle aged ladies yesterday who followed me from the train station to Dealey Plaza.

It's pretty cliched, but everyone will tell you that they remember where they were when it happened. I know it's burned in your brain and all that, but I really don't care that you were in third grade with Mrs. Beasley and blah blah. When they have the 40th or 50th anniversary of the OKC bombing, if I go to downtown OKC, I'll try my best not to regale my tale of hearing about it to strangers unless prompted.

Some of you may be interested in the Dealey Plaza Cam, which is broadcast from the reconstructed sniper's nest on the 6th Floor. You can't see much but a tree and some cars driving, but on that road (Elm St.) there's a White X where the motorcade was when Kennedy was shot.

I'll update this post if anything crazy happens before I leave work today. Tomorrow will be the big day, but I'll be painting Denise's apartment back to white. I'm kind of glad I don't have to be down here.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Goings-on in the World

..:: Just in time for Thanksgiving, you can get rid of your own turkey neck via an inserted plastic sling under your chin. That's disgusting. I imagine that now we're not too far off from having permanent boob-shelves and girders installed in our bodies. ::..

..:: Anyone that doesn't yet think that AIDS is a very serious global problem needs to check themselves. Fortunately, the government of South Africa (where more than 12% of the population is HIV positive and around 600 people die per day from AIDS-related complication) is getting off of their asses and doing something about it. ::..

..:: You've probably heard about the Mayor of London's damning words about President Bush. This trip is starting to look more and more like a PR disaster and giant waste of money. Tomorrow is supposed to be the largest day of protests, with over 150,000 people gathering to voice their disapproval. ::..

..:: This little latin index site is a handy bookmark for when you're reading something and someone tosses out a laudationes eorum qui sunt ab Homero taudati. ::..

..:: The Highpointers are the official organization of people that want to visit the highest altitude in all fifty nifty states. They even are following the request of their founder to have his ashes spread at all 50 apexes. Strange stuff. ::..
:: Scott [+] ::
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Relief

The GRE is done. The score is fairly well, so I won't need to take it again. Time to apply to grad school and (hopefully) get out of this cubicle farm.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Veterans Day: A True Story

The scene: Morning commute on train last Thursday

I climb on the train and take a seat next to an older man in a bomber jacket. He smells of alcohol, but is very amicable.

Older Man: How are you doing this morning young man? You look tired.

Me: Yeah, I'm not morning person.

OM: I've been up since 6:30 working on a report.

Me: Nods. Pulls out book. Begins to read.

Three train stops later, an even older gentleman boards the train, sitting across from OM. He looks up at the map of stops. Obviously, he's not quite sure where he's going.

OM: What stop are you looking for?

Confused Older Man: I'm going to the VA. I'm not sure if this train is going all the way down there or not, though.

OM: No, you need to get off at Union Station and wait for the Blue Train. Then it's three or four more stops down the line. You a veteran?

COM: Thanks. Yeah, I served in WWII. I've got an appointment at the VA.

OM: The South Dallas VA? I served too. Got captured in SE Asia.

COM: Yeah. I like the Arlington VA better, but my appointment's in South Dallas.

OM: I don't like the Arlington VA. The Ft. Worth one is nice though. Too bad they're closing it down. Closing down the Arlington one too.

COM: Yeah, I heard about the Ft. Worth one. Hadn't heard about Arlington though.

OM: Voice rising I can't believe they're closing those down. We got a President that's sending folks off to serve but he's cutting our funding. I can't believe that shit, man.

COM: Obviously uncomfortable. Yeah. I knew some POW's. Had tattoos on their hands and everything.

OM: I got one of those. Pulls back sleeve, displays hand for viewing. Spent four years in a POW camp in Asia.

COM: Oh, wow. So you say I need to get off at Union and catch the Blue Train?

OM: Yeah, I'll tell you where to get off. Grumbles. I cannot believe they are cutting the funding so much.

Me: Exits train. Walks to building.

Happy Veterans Day.
:: Scott [+] ::
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'Tis Monday

I saw the first of many television crews coming into the building this morning. With the 40th anniversary of the Kennedy Assassination coming in twelve days, everyone is bracing themselves for a media frenzy. I've already heard about two evening/night national news shows and one morning show slated to broadcast from either the building or the Grassy Knoll. Should be interesting. I'll let you know if I convince Katie Couric to inspect my colon.

Elsewhere, the newest Latinobarometro poll is back in. The Economist has a good summary here. The official site of the poll is here, but I can't get it to load right now. It must be getting hammered.

The results are fairly mixed. Trust in institutions and the United States is slipping. But faith in democracy doesn't seem to be taking as large of a hit as many anticipated. It's a bit irritating that they put all of Central America in one group for many of the results (at least in the Economist print version that I read the other day) as I'm sure there's quite a bit of discrepency between the citizens of Costa Rica and El Salvador, for example.

If that doesn't tickle your fancy, maybe a Red Hot Weiner in a Bunk Sock for dinner is what you need. Or a different roadie recipe.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Links

:: Bush takes quiet aim at 'green' laws. From the Christian Science Monitor ::

:: Eat Wild has links to hundreds of dealers of grassfed beef, pork, poultry, and dairy producers (here's a quick link for Texas). Here's why it's a good thing to consider. ::

:: Old Car Brochures is a great site. Personal favorites include The 1935 Auburn, 1942 Hudson, and 1953 Packard. ::

:: Sean has started an autobiographical reminscing blog. Entitled My childhood in Iowa, it begins with stories of corncob fights and three-wheeler accidents.::

:: Finally, Plep is in Nepal and is doing a travel journal. In true plep fashion, it's full of extremely interesting items. A favorite so far is Banknotes of the modern world which has images of currency from all over. Sweet stuff.::
:: Scott [+] ::
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Songs in the key of Biatch*

Sunday night I went to go see the fabulous Drums & Tuba at the Gypsy Tea Room and was treated to an opening performance by a modern one-man band, That One Guy.

A probably bastard child of Frank Zappa, Les Claypool, and the Blue Man group, That One Guy uses a host of instruments to bang out quirky tunes about badgers, weasels, and the moon being made of cheese. The music winds up being an amalgamation of industrial/techno, folk, rock, and other genre-bending beats and tunes that will have you staring in wonder and shaking that ass. He even covered "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on a saw and played a little bit of Iron Man on his crazy pipe thing.

Yes, the crazy pipe thing, or, as That One Guy puts it, his "magical pipes". I don't know how he rigged up this contraption or how he gets it to make the noises that it does, but it's interesting. He'll play it slap-bass style, with a bow, or just by smacking it in various spots. Combine it with a looping machine, a snare drum, and a couple of kick pedals that smack various objects, and you get some strange stuff.

He's got some QuickTime videos on his website if you want to check a sample. I haven't seen them since I'm at work (and don't have a soundcard on my computer here anyways) so I won't vouch for the quality of them. I will however vouch for his live show. Check him out if you get the chance.

*the title of this post is supposedly the name of his unfinished-yet-to-be-released sophomore album.
:: Scott [+] ::
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