Friday Fiver

1. What year were you born? 1966

2. Who do you like to hug? kshandra

3. Do you runaway or face your problems? Face them. That's the only way they get solved.

4. How much cash do you have on you? Not a dime. Wallet is still in the bedroom and my pockets are empty. There are, however, three stacks of laundry quarters on the desk in front of me.

5. Friday fill-in:
I know exactly how to ____. Set the headspace and timing on a M2HB heavy machine gun. Haven't done it in years, but I could still do it in my sleep.

Haven't done that in years...

Last night Kirsten went out to karaoke to meet up with a whole cast of characters. I begged off, knowing that I was tired and would soon turn cranky and antisocial.

Went to bed around 1000, only to have a ring side seat to our downstairs neighbors engaging in a spirited discussion of their mutual failings as humans, with digressions into the moral and genetic failings of their respective family lines. The debate was punctuated by the gentle "thud" of thrown objects, included couches and an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Amusingly, most of this exchange was in English. The "lady" of the house refuses to speak English when I complain about the noise.

This of course woke up the DD kid downstairs, and the 3 boys who live next door to me. I was left lying in bed really, really wanting a shotgun.. or the ability to call in an airstrike. I called Kirsten a couple of times (she had put her phone into her purse and couldn't hear it) to suggest that we go out for an early breakfast, since I was craving French Toast.

She got home, and we went to Denny's. Damn it's good to have an appetite again. The eggs were perfect, the bacon just the way I like it (not overly crispy) and the sausage was okay. They managed to do a poor job on the French Toast though. Had I been able to, I would have gone through five glasses of milk. Just what I needed. We managed to have a nice chat before the Drunken Moron Frat Boys came in. I swear, if people could see films of themselves toasted, they'd give up drinking the next day. We finished up, and came home, where I was finally able to get to sleep.

I'm not a night owl, but that was a fun little break in our schedule.

Had my doctor's appointment yesterday. Everything looks good. Did another blood draw, and if that is equally positive I can go back to work! I made an appointment to have a mole removed from my back and need to find out where the vision center is because I need new glasses. Got to spend some more quality time with my mom, hearing more stories of Kylie the Wonder Kid. She's taking after her Unk Douglas.. she loves spicy foods.

Finished up Pushing Ice. Very good book. Manages to be both Hard SF and reasonable Space Opera at the same time. Like all good stories, it is about the people with the setting and technology supporting the plot. In the end, this was a novel about trust. Very good, I give it 4 Penguins.

Today, I'm resting. Still feel a bit worn from the con, and the temptation to do everything since I have energy again has tripped me up. I may watch either Titanic or Blazing Saddles later (or maybe The Matrix... can you tell I'm in a real decisive mood?) and collect a couple of loads of laundry. Grabbing a nap is on the schedule.

The Giants traded Benitez! There was much rejoicing.

Freaking wonderful

Just heard from Doctor C. Potassium is down to 2.7. That almost a full point in two days. I'm now on supplements.

I'd really like to know what is causing this.

In honor of Fred Lewis' first career Grand Slam, we present 80s Music Video Friday

In the 2nd inning of tonight's Giants game against the Philadelphia Phillies rookie outfielder Fred Lewis came up with Omar Vizquel, Matt Morris, and Randy Winn on the bases. He lifted a 3-2 hanger over the right field wall for his first career Grand Slam. He's having what you might call a good year.. hits his first career home run a few weeks back, hit for the cycle that same night, playing strong defense, hitting .258. I like this kid.

So, in his honor, a little John Fogerty.

I have no idea if this is the official video, but it rocks. Oh, Lewis is our lead off batter next inning.

I'm in my happy place right now.

Top of the 6th, Giants up 13-0. Matt Morris pitching a no-hitter through 6.. and I have beer.

Sorry Doc, I was planning on tuning in, but my G-men are kicking butt!

Now this is interesting

Like most people, I'm still given to Walter Mitty flights of fantasy about fame and fortune. Along with idle dreams of being of being Command Sergeant Major of the US Army Infantry Center and School or being a brilliant planetary astronomer (before anyone asks: my math skills are far too weak to pursue that seriously) I've alway dreamed of being a rock star.

Thing is, I rarely picture myself as the big star front man. I'd prefer to be like Lars Ulrich or Steve Harris... writing songs, not really a huge stage presence. Often times when I;m listen to live metal on my iPod I'll indulge my fantasy, trying to feel what it would be like to go out on tour, living the rock'n'roll life even as a 40 year old drummer/bassist/whatever.

Which is why I found this article so interesting. The Police have, of course, started their much anticipated reunion tour. Things are not going especially well...

The crowds have been ecstatic, but Police drummer Stewart Copeland has been anything but impressed so far by the band's reunion concerts.

Copeland trashed Wednesday's concert in Vancouver, British Columbia, in a posting on his Web site the morning after. "This is ... lame. We are the mighty Police and we are totally at sea."

His recollection of events — or, rather, band bloopers — is both scathing and comical. For one thing, Copeland noted, he failed to strike a gong at the right time, ruining "the big pompous opening to the show."

The rock trio of Copeland, singer-bassist Sting and guitarist Andy Summers flubbed their performance of the song "Message in a Bottle," said Copeland, who didn't hear Summers' opening guitar riff. Sting then missed his cue from Copeland — "so we are half a bar out of sync with each other. Andy is in Idaho," he wrote.

That misfortune extended into the second song, "Synchronicity II." They couldn't "get on the good foot," said Copeland, before going on to criticize Sting's footwork during the set.

"The mighty Sting momentarily looks like a petulant pansy instead of the god of rock," he wrote.

The disorder continued "for song after song." But afterward, he said, they fell "into each other's arms laughing hysterically."

"It usually takes about four or five shows in a tour before you get to the disaster gig. But we're The Police so we are a little ahead of schedule," he said.

Fascinating to see the dissection of a disastrous night from the perspective of the guy keeping time. I was also amused by the acknowledgment that the "disaster show" is lurking somewhere on the tour. Reminds me that at the heart of all the flash and screaming, these are professionals up there, with all the concerns that any craftsman has.