11.30.2003

what am I listening to..?
the whistling of the wind...


that's strange...

i thought i posted something last night... now it's gone... no matter.
i just finished up hanging the holiday decorations on the outside of the lair. white icicle lights around the front porch; wreaths on the porch posts; garland and white lights around the front door; and i got the cutest little santa hats for the gargoyles that sit on the north and west eaves of the house... for the most part they're hidden from the general public by the huge spruce trees that flank the front of the lair, but once you notice them, well, you can't keep your eyes off of them. i have noticed a drop off in the number of religious solicitors knocking on the door since i put them up, though.
the house is back in order following the thanksgiving festivities, all the good silver has been cleaned and put away, the hand thrown pottery dishes, bowls and such have survived another year and been put back into the corner hutch. soon it will be time to hang the solstice greens in the house and bring in this year's yule log.
only three weeks until the midwinter celebrations, the bonfire, the ale, the music and the dance. i can't wait.
Blessed be, friends.

11.27.2003

what am I listening to..?
the bird sizzling in the oven and the Lions and Packers on tv...


it's 2:35...

and i've got half a bag on... the turkey smells great, the table is set, the house is clean, just awaiting the arrival of friends and family to begin the feast...
dog is sleeping on the living room floor in front of the coal stove, the cat is curled up on the chair next to the stove, and, as I'm writing, our first guests just arrived, so, off to have some fun!
later and Blessed be!

11.26.2003

what am I listening to..?
the sounds of Thanksgiving preparation...


happy thanksgiving...

I hope you have a safe, happy and plentiful thanksgiving and that you are surrounded by those you love.

11.23.2003

what am I listening to..?
myself yawning


i;m whacked...

up at seven today, after being up until one thirty... ran some errands then got back into the painting. Got the final coat of paint on everything, built the valance for over the sink, reinstalled the runners on the drawers and in the cabinets. I put the new depression glass hardware on the drawers and hung two doors so I could see the overall effect. It looks like the cabinets were made in the twenties, which is just the look we're going for. I will hang the rest of the doors tomorrow and that will be it until after the Solstice Holiday.
One thing that I found interesting today is that, for the past few days, I've been totally out of touch with what's going on in the world. No television to speak of, no radio, except for time spent in the car running around, no newspapers or even checking the news online. And you know what? I didn't miss it. I immersed myself in my tasks with only music on to keep me company. I need to do this more often. And I will.
Blessed be, friends, and good night.

what am I listening to..?
The Lilac Time - "Black Velvet"


yawn...

I've been up for twenty three hours. I painted all day, except for the time I spent installing new under cabinet lighting in the kitchen, washing dishes, doing laundry and helping the Mrs. put groceries away. I took a few hours off to go watch the opening game of Rutgers University's basketball season - a real nail biter against Lafayette. Rutgers managed to pull it out in the second half for the win. I got home around eleven and put one more coat of paint on the doors and drawer fronts. I should be able to wrap up the painting tomorrow and then rehang the doors and install the drawers on Monday and put on the new handles and knobs. I have to build a valance to go under the front of the cabinet over the sink to hide the new light as it is blinding when standing right in front of it.
I was just outside looking at the stars. It's in the low forties and dead still out there. A beautiful night, I wish I wasn't so tired, I'd go for a walk in the woods... but, it's time to visit the land of Nod, so I bid you good night and Blessed be.


11.22.2003

what am I listening to..?
Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra - "Shiva Station"


i'm blotto...

right now. I came home from work with a blinding headache and, having to tackle the task of painting the doors for my kitchen cabinets, I dropped a Tylenol with codine I had left over from my recent root canal work. It certainly took care of the headache. It also made painting oh, so much more fun than usual. I am not big on taking drugs, whether over the counter, prescription or of the street corner variety. I got over the idea that being stoned = fun about thirty five years ago. If I need a buzz, there's always vodka, or really strong coffee or some unfiltered Camel cigarettes. I'm actually having a difficult time typing this, as my arms feel like they are about five feet long and made of rubber. I guess I'll never understand how someone could become addicted to stuff like this, it really doesn't do too much for me. Mind you, I'm not preaching here. If turning on is what, well, turns you on, have fun, just don't hurt yourself or anyone else in the process.
Let's see, what else is new? Well, I've been contact with a fellow in the UK over the past week, we're considering trading bagpipes. I have a set of vintage highland pipes that I really don't play much anymore... they are like a mistress - they require constant attention and maintainence. This fellow has a set of Scottish smallpipes, which can be played inside without deafening anyone and can suffer through bouts of not being played now and then, unlike mine.
Yes, I play the pipes... didn't know that, did you? One other advantage of the smallpipes is that they can be converted to being bellows blown, like the Irish Uillean pipes, so not only can I annoy everyone with my playing, I can also sing along! OH, the humanity...
Thanksgiving is looming ahead. I know that sounds like I dread the fact, but it's quite the opposite. It's actually my second favorite holiday, right behing the Forth of July. I have to tell you, the Mrs. cooks up one hell of a bird, and it's so great to be surrounded by so many people I love, all stuffing themselves and having a great time. Which leads me to something I was thinking about not too long ago - what would it be like if turkeys happened to be in short supply on that mythical first Thanksgiving day? What if the only thing that could be readily had for the feast was, say, squirrel... or rabbit... or fish? Can you imagine what it would be like to put a platter of roasted squirrels on the table? Or a big pile of roasted carp? This got me going onto some other things, like products named after their inventors... What if Henry Ford's last name was Schnitzenheimer? "Have you driven a Schnitzenheimer lately?"
That name wouldn't even fit on the front of a car... How about Alexander Graham Bell... what if his last name was Volemeister? "Volemeister Telephone Company!" What if Thomas Lipton's last name was Zaplinski? How about a nice hot cup of Zaplinski Tea? Maybe it's better not to think of such things... sorry.
Boy, you know, I really don't like the effect of these pills, but they sure free up the mind and the fingers, don't they? Of course, I'll probably read all this blather tomorrow and feel like an idiot! No matter...
Well, folks, I think I'm going to make a pot of coffee and put another coat of paint on the doors before I finally crash out... as always, thanks for stopping by and having a read.
Blessed be, friends.




11.21.2003

what am I listening to..?
the wonderful silence of an empty house...


everyone is asking...

where I got those cool pictures I posted recently (the kid at the blackboard and the little hottie in the pink shirt). Here's the link:
http://www.aboyandhiscomputer.com/churchsigngenerator/index.php
Explore the links at the bottom of the page, you'll find them. Have fun!

11.20.2003

what am I listening to..?
not a damned thing...


hey, Karine...

check out the comment now!

what am I listening to..?
the sound of my gnashing teeth...


this is a test...

this is only a test... if it was an actual blog entry, it would be only mildly more interesting...

11.19.2003

what am I listening to..? the sound of a waterfall... really it's just the rain spilling over the edge of a clogged gutter...
i'm getting tired of complaints...


about my comment section not working, so i've switched to Haloscan. Check it out, let me know what you think...


what am I listening to..? Brian Eno and the Winkies - "The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch".
take heed, kiddies...


11.18.2003

what am I listening to..? King Crimson - "Three of a Perfect Pair"
there's less than...


one hundred clicks to go before i have 2,000 hits on this sorry excuse for a blog. if you are the one that trips the meter, i'd like to know who you are. no prize, sorry.
later

what am I listening to..? King Crimson - "The Power to Believe".
whoo-ha..!




11.16.2003

what am I listening to..?the beating of my black little heart...
two coats of paint to go...

and all of the cabinets will be done. All that's left are the drawers and doors. I should be able to get that wrapped up by next weekend.
Then it's a break from remodeling until after the Winter Solstice.
One of these days I'll get the blog remodeling done as well.
I had a great dinner of grilled turkey breast and grilled potatoes, washed down with a couple of glasses of Beck's... mmmmmmmm!
Let's see... nine hours of sanding and painting, belly full of good stuff... I think it's time to chill.
see you later.

11.14.2003

what am I listening to..?the sound of paint drying, what else...
i'm confused...

about just what this blogging thing is all about. I've been laboring under the impression that it was a way to throw your thoughts out there, maybe have someone take a read now and then, maybe even talk back to you. I didn't realize that the blogsphere was so stratified... or that it was a popularity contest. I really don't care how many beautiful people you hang out with and I especially don't give a rat's ass about the trials and tribulations of shoe shopping or your latest haircut.

11.12.2003

what am I listening to..? The Church - "Priest = Aura"
I'm getting tired...

of painting. Only two more kitchen cabinets to go. I still have all the doors and drawer fronts to paint as well. I used to enjoy this stuff.
I'm hungry and tired. I'm going to go eat something, follow it up with a Dewars on the rocks and a cigarette and then go visit the Land of Nod...
later.

what am I listening to..? the rain on the roof...
so long, Ed...


I was saddened to learn of the passing of the great talent Art Carney yesterday. He will be forever in my mind and the minds of many, the lovable everyman he portrayed on The Honeymooner's, Ed Norton. We should all be so lucky as to have a Norton in our lives...
Rest in peace, Art, and thanks.


11.11.2003

what am I listening to..? some goth stuff on i-tunes... and the Bloodhound’s wry wit over the cubicle wall...

and just what...


are the boy scouts learning if the little girl scouts are learning this ???
so, do you have the same disgusting thoughts that I do when you read the words "girl scouts", "skin" and "beavers" in the same sentence..? I thought so, you stinking little perv...


11.10.2003

what am I listening to..? Caterwaul: "A Portent Hue".

i'm beat...


I'm taking the night off... no sanding, no painting. I'm going to sit my ass down and listen to some more music, have a bite to eat and crawl into the coffin and crash.
There's a new link in the "special souls" section to the left, my new Norwegian friend, Karine. Please visit her blog and put your little icon on her guest map. She's really cool.
Also new is the "what am I listening to..? thing. Maybe it will stay, maybe not, it's up to you, just let me know.
Other than that, nothing new... Morpheus calls, so I'll see you later.
Blessed be, friends.

11.09.2003

that was fun...


I managed to get the two final coats of paint on the insides of all but three cabinets today, and the first coat of primer on the outside of the same cabinets. I'll tackle the remaining three during the week, since they are base cabinets that can easily be moved outside to be sanded. I still have to paint the drawer fronts and doors, however, before I can do the doors, I have to fill the holes for the current handles and drill new ones for the fancy new hardware I bought. The drawers will still have pulls, but they will be faceted green depression glass, the doors will now have single knobs of the same glass.
It looks like I'll have to wait until after the Thanksgiving holiday to start the next phase, which will probably be the counter tops. After that, the new paint on the walls and finally the floor and the ceiling. I've been taking pictures of the before and during stages to post on here, maybe I'll do a photo essay on the project for your amusement.
Well, I definitly need a shower, something to eat and a few beers.
Blessed be, friends.


11.08.2003

the moon...


is about one third into the eclipse right now. I just went out to take a look after cleaning up my painting tools for the night.
I wish I was at a Full Moon gathering tonight, but alas, I shall have to celebrate by myself, in my own way. I need to find a local coven to hang with on special occasions, although I prefer to attend to my solitary rituals, I guess I'm a bit antisocial in that way and, anyway, I think that magik is too personal to perform in a group, I believe that there are too many distractions and too much misdirection of power unless the circle is very, very tight. No matter.
I hope you enjoy this special event, go out and bask in the glory of the Goddess and work some magik of your own, in your own special way.
Blessed be, friends.



hack, cough, wheeze...


I'm just taking a break from doing the final sanding of my kitchen cabinets in preparation of painting them. When I finally drop dead and they do the autopsy on me, my lungs are probably going to be coated with sawdust... the stuff is so fine it infiltrates any mask. I have two more weekends after this to finish the painting and get the kitchen back in order for Thanksgiving... maybe we can stuff the bird with sawdust - I'll bet you'll never see anything like that on the Food Network!
Well, back to work.
later.

11.06.2003

wuzzza...


codine is a wonderful thing...
anyway, I noticed something this morning when driving to work; I think one of the most astounding things this time of year is how the vista changes as the trees loose their leaves. The world goes from being a soft, enclosed womb of greenery, to being more wide open as the view increases through the bare limbs. The world becomes visibly more barren, far off hills can be seen through the skeletal woods, hills that normally are hidden by the foliage. Everything seems more stark and less inviting. It's like the difference between being in a cozy little cottage and a cold, empty manor. It just doesn't seem right. Maybe that's why winter always seems colder and harsher than it really is...
maybe I'm just rambling in my drug addled state... or do you know what I mean?
whatever. I'm going to go crawl into bed and listen to The Last Dance's "Tragedy" cd.
later.

owwww..!


I just came home from the dentist... I cracked a molar a little while ago and was hoping that it could just be bonded, but I had to have a root canal... the other choice was having it removed, but I really don't want to loose a tooth... at least I got some nice drugs for when the novacaine wears off... la, la, la, land...
I'll be back later with an observation I had whilst driving to work this morning.
later.

11.02.2003

i caught a new act last night...
the Oswalds...
they rocked!

11.01.2003

Hyggelig å treffe deg...

to all my new Norwegian friends! Thank you for visiting!