LYNN'S SPACE - LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE - WELCOME!!!!

ANOTHER FULL MOON & I NEED TO LAUGH

Thu, 22 May 2008 20:06:27 GMT

Picking a presidential candidate is just too much of a process, so let’s simplify if: Can we get to the bottom line with each candidate by an analysis of three random quotes, will such an analysis reveal the essence of each candidate so we can make reasonable decision? Let us try.

1) Hillary Clinton:

“All of us have to recognize that we owe our children more than we have been giving them.”

ANALYSIS: “We owe”? You telling me I am not doing good enough????? Who are you to judge me! So evidently she is one of those over achiever that tries to push the guilt button in others. Thus, she will likelycome up with a program in which Americans will have to suffer for our own good. She is your basic punitive candidate. Of course this makes total sense if you think of the punishment she gave Bill after the Monica Lewinsky event. Poor Bill is not getting enough attention from Hillary, so he goes for a young feminine bimbo. What is the punishment factor from Hillary? She wears a pants suit that is a bit more professional than Elen DeGeneres. What is the implication? She punishes Bill for the sin of looking for some feminine attention by taking on the most busy position in the world and making herself look like a dyke! Thats how she works on her marriage? Do we really want someone who acts like that as president? A punishing vindictive bitch??? Ok we got her bottom line figured out.

2) Barak Obama

“Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself, because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.”

ANALYSIS: I think that it is safe to assume that the “making the buck” guy is a reference to the rich. Lets just choose one rich guy, Mr. Microsoft: Bill Gates. the quote is directed towards potential voters, but in actuality he is comparing himself to Bill Gates. Bill wants to collect dollars and Barak wants to collect votes. He is basically making people feel good about themselves by telling them “it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential”. So lets do a reality check: What is he saying about the Bill Gates prototype? If you attach yourself to Bill Gates getting richer, you are connecting to someone who is seeking more dollars, thus the person that you are helping has a “poverty of ambition”. Now what is he telling people to do about that. If you attach yourself to me, you will realize your true potential, that has an abundance of ambition (as opposed to poverty of ambition). What is Barak’s ambition? It seem obvious that he wants to become a successful politician by becoming president of the United States. So Barak really seems to be saying the following: People who want to become president have more ambition than people that want to make a great living for themselves by making a lot of money. If you attach yourself to me then you will be a part of my greatness. and this will make you feel good about yourself. So What is the analysis summary?: Barak knows how to use people to furthur his political career and he makes them feel good about themselves by letting him exploit them. So what can we expect from his presidency?: That when he screws us in the butt with tax increases, he will make sure it feels good as possible by supplying a lot of K-Y Jelly????

3) John McCain

And, if we lost, then who win? did Al Qaida win? When on the floor of the House of Representatives they cheer – they cheer – when they pass a withdrawal motion that is a certain date for surrender, what were they cheering? Surrender? Defeat?

ANALYSIS: This quote seems to be all about keeping a secret the withdraw date from the terrorist. So let me get into the shoes of an Iraq terrorist: “I want to start bombing innocent people as soon as possible. I have some bombs. The United States will not tell me. When are they going to withdraw? I do not know when I can start bombing. What should I do? Maybe I should hide my bombs and when they go, then I can start bombing innocent people. If the United States keeps the withdraw date a secret; then, it will be a surprise when I can start bombing. How will that make a difference? I will not be able to mark it off on my calendar ahead of time.” So do we give them a date to look forward to or do we give them a surprise to look forward to? - So McCaine is focusing on something totally irrelevant! Is he a bit clueless???? Maybe we need an additional quote to figure him out.

“But please know, whether you believe campaign contributions are speech or property, that I learned to love very dearly the right of free expression when I lived without freedom for a while a long time ago.”

ANALYSIS: Evidently there is some stupidity about characterizing financing free speech for your favorite politician as actual “free speech. He is pointing out that paying for free speech is not the same as actually taking freely. All I gotta say is that most of us can figure this one out without having had to loose our freedom. However, he is saying that with his experience in a Vietnam prison: he has personal experience that allows him to know the difference between money and speech. He is basically asserting that this issue should be a no brainer. Even for an old person such as himself he knows the difference between talking freely and paying to get a good place to make such a speech. He is basically telling the spin doctors that they are full of shit!!! So what do we have with McCaine? A possibly old and confused guy with irrelevant considerations at times but he is a guy that knows Bullshit when he experiences it!

ONE FINAL QUOTE TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: Does George Bush really need to be replaced?

Quote from George Bush:

“A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there’s no question about it.”

ANALYSIS: He is basically saying that life would be easier if he could just be a dictator. This is an easy analysis. Who is the most recent example of atotal control freak dictator, that did not have to answer to anyone? It has to be Adolph Hitler. Bush is envious of Hitler? Is George Bush the type of guy that could get used to: “Heil Bush!!!” OK - so it is a no brainer - Our current president needs replacement because he is a fan of Adolph Hitler.

SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES to replace: George Bush – (Fan of Adolph Hitler)

Hillary – Punishing and Vindictive

Barak – Uses you and tries to makes you feel good about yourself for it.

John – A little brain damaged but knows Bullshit when he experiences it!

So far, I am pulling for the no bullshit brain damaged guy. That is over the one that wants to punish me vs. the one that wants to manipulate me.

Now that I got it with the analysis down to each of their bottom line essence all I can really say is:

“What a choice! Good Luck America!”

MINESTRONE SOUP CAJUN STYLE

Thu, 15 May 2008 19:21:49 GMT

Fill up a very large cooking pot with

90 oz. Water. Put the burner on High heat and the add

2 Heaping Tbl. Diced Garlic. The following list of items are to be cut up into bite size pieces and then toss them into the heating up water. Items that need longer cooking are listed first:

2 Large Potatoes Diced.

1 Celery Stalk: Toss out the outer six stalks and cut off the bottom and dice up the inner stalks along with the green leaves in the center.

10 oz. Package of Julian Carrots: Dice up even smaller.

1 Large Onion Diced.

1 Pkg. Frozen Chopped Spinach. Just take the frozen block of spinach and dice it up even more.

2 Cans Diced Tomatoes.

2 Cans Progresso Cannellini White Beans.

2 Medium Zucchini Diced.

½ Cup Chianti Wine.

Just keep the heat on high until the water starts a simmering boil, then reduce the heat accordingly. Then add the following seasonings:

2 Tbl. Pickapeppa Sauce.

Salt to Taste

Tabasco – About 12 Dashes. As this dish continues to heat up and then simmer, prepare the meats. Add about

FRESH OYSTERS APPX. 10 oz. CONTAINER – Should be anywhere from six to a dozen oysters (depending upon size). Rinse and put into soup. Then rinse and clean approximately:

1 ½ Pounds FRESH SHRIMP – Depending on size of shrimp cut in half to make them bite size. Toss into soup mix. Take a skillet and heat up about

3 Tbl. Olive Oil. Then put in

1 ½ Lbs. of Fresh Cajun or Spicy Sausage. Cut into manageable links. Fry and turn, stabbing with a fork to let out the grease. After about 10 minutes of frying add enough water and let boil about 6 more minutes. Drain and cut links lengthwise. Then cut up the half links into slices and add to the soup. After 30 minutes of simmering taste one of the potato cubes. Keep simmering until potato is done. Serve in a bowl with starch and drink of your choice. My choice was Club wheat crackers and the rest of the bottle of Chianti wine.

SCIENCE FICTION Vol. 2 - Ed. George Mann (Review & Quotes)

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:16:01 GMT

I admit it has been a while since reading a collection of Science Fiction short stories. The integration of the communication revolution, artificial intelligence, there is so much fresh technology to feed the imagination. There were only two disappointing stories & you can decide for yourself if you have to read them: "iCity" and "Modern Times".

I did make comments after some of the stories three of those comments are as follows: The Line of Dichotomy – "cool Cultural Relativity story". The Eyes of God: "Science Fiction for the Social Sciences." Book Theatre, Wheel – "Back in the Day Science Fiction".

Here are a few quotes to get a feel for some of the qualities in this collection:

"And are the soldiers in the Green Standard and the troops of the Eight Banners not given bonus payments when they are particularly successful in combat? When they kill more of the enemy than is typical?"

Yao drew a ragged breath, the right side of his chest throbbing with pain. "Yes, I suppose," he said at length.

"If that is true," Thien said sadly, "then at least Blue-green Feather’s people kill to honor their gods, who they believe sustain the world, and not just for a larger payment."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

They spent millions finding the universal triggers. Honeysuckle reminds you of childhood; the scent of pine recalls Christmas. They can mood us up for Norman Rockwell or the Marquis de Sade, depending on the product. Nudge the right receptor neurons and the brain builds its own spam.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the old days I could have wished I was a psychopath. They had it easy back then. The machines only looked for emotional responses: eye saccades, skin galvanism. Anyone without a conscience could stare them down with a wide smile and an empty heart. But S-Wank inspired a whole new generation. The tech looks under the surface now. Prefrontal cortex stuff, glucose metabolism. Now, fiends and perverts and would be saboteurs all get caught in the same net.

Doesn’t mean they don’t let us go again, of course. It’s not as if sociopathy is against the law. Hell, if they screened out everyone with a broken conscience, Executive Class would be empty.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Pshaw! The Commonwealth doesn’t even bother to send out ships to collect taxes any longer," said Mother Tho. "And when the taxman doesn’t call, you Know the government is in disrepair."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Overall this book gets an A-. It is a new century and science fiction, fiction has changed accordingly. Check it out!

NETFLIX MOVIES REVIEWED APRIL 2008

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:53:32 GMT

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – 2007 – Crime – Drama – A Hunter finds $2 million dollars among a bunch of dead bodies out in the desert in what is obviously a drug deal gone bad. He takes the money but there is a tracker with the cash and a quite interesting psychopathic killer is on his trail. This movie is an art film and it has an ending the point of which is "make a statement to the audience". Thus it may let some viewers down in that it is not a classic "a-b-c" plot! Each scene plays with impact and it is on the explicit violent side. Keeps you on the edge of your seat at times, from the makers of Fargo. ****

CIVIC DUTY – 2006 – Drama – Peter Krause (from six feet under) plays an out of work attorney that begins to believe his neighbor is a terrorist. Watch as his obsession with this neighbor unfolds. Has good tense moments. Fine entertainment. ****

NOTES ON A SCANDAL – 2006 – Drama - Repressed old Dyke Judi Dench is enamored with fellow teacher Cate Blanchette, who is having an affair with a student. This movie held my interest as the manipulative Dench does her obsessive thing. Did not imagine it would be good, but it was like a page turner novel in a "What will happen next sort of way." ***

LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD – 2007 – Action Fantasy – Bruce Willis goes through his paces again with entertaining dialogue and interesting plot along with excessive explosions. Adequate entertainment of the moment. ***

SIMPLE GENIUS by David Baldacci (Quotes & Book Review)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:59:42 GMT

This is another page turner mystery, murder, political intrigue novel by David Baldacci. Baldacci has no problem delivering a page turner novel in which some of the evil elements involve government officials:

******************

"There are four acknowledged ways of meeting your maker: You can die by natural causes including illness; you can die by accident; you can die by another’s hand; and you can die by your own hand. However, if you live in Washington, D.C., there is a fifth way of kicking the bucket: the political death. It can spring from many sources: frolicking in a public fountain with an exotic dancer who is not your spouse; stuffing bags of money in your pants when the payer unfortunately happens to be the FBI; or covering up a bungled burglary when you call 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home."

******************

"Now you’re talking some kind of major conspiracy."

"So what? They happen every day. If the stakes are big enough the conspiracies tend to grow large enough to accommodate them. And by the way in D.C. they’re not referred to as conspiracies, they’re called policies."

*******************

The man nodded curtly. "But the actions you’re talking about at Camp Peary (The CIA turf); some of them will stop. Mr. King, indeed some of them already have. But I cannot promise that all of them will. Yet I can assure you that these activities are absolutely essential to preserving the security of this nation."

"Isn’t that what you always say when you want to piss all over someone’s rights?"

**********************

There is an investigation of the death of a scientist who works at a private code breaking facility across the river from Camp Peary. The dead scientist has a daughter who happens to be a simple genius:

"He has a daughter, She’s sort of, well, she’s special. Super-bright, I mean things she can do with numbers, even I can’t do. But Viggie is one odd bird, though. Guess what she collects?"

"Tell me?"

"Numbers."

"Numbers? How do you collect numbers?"

"She has all these amazingly long, numbers she keeps in her head. And she keeps thinking of new ones. She labels them using letters. You ask her for the ‘x’ number or the ‘zz’ number and you get the right one every time. I’ve tested her. It’s astonishing. I’ve never seen anything like it".

This is a classic Baldacci page turner. An entertaining read. I rate this one (A-).

ANOTHER FULL MOON & I NEED TO LAUGH (April 20th 2008)

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:06:45 GMT

Mandi Hamlin states that she was "Humiliated" when she had to remove nipple rings with a pair of pliers before she could board a flight from Lubbock to Dallas. It is best to just get a reality check on this one and check the Wikipedia definition of Humiliation: "Humiliation is the process of being made humble in the extreme. It is usually brought about by some discipline or punishment involving sharp pain, mental or physical". It seems to me that when she mutilated her nipple by initially having someone pierce her nipple that was the real "intense sharp physical pain". Here is the deal, if you get attention that you don’t want because you pierced your nipples, it is less pain (mental or physical) than the initial piercing. So get over it already! In addition, she was willing to show her pierced breast to a female worker. How humiliating for that poor worker to be flashed by someone that wants to show their mutilated nipples! Who wants to look at that! (I know who wants to look at that but this is just an expression of empathy for the poor airport security workers) What we gonna flash next, labia or clit rings? What about homosexual guys – will a straight guy have to view their down below jewelry? Would not some gay self mutilator wanna get off by flashing a straight guy?

*****************

Chelsie Clinton campaign’s for her mother and tries the "It is a family matter and none of your business" answer regarding the triangle involving: 1) Her mother & former First Lady Hillary Clinton as well as a current presidential candidate. 2) Her father, former president of the United States Bill Clinton. And 3) Former first slut Monica Lewinsky. The real problem here is that reporters are basically sensational and stupid. They need to ask appropriate questions, not something that allows for a "it is none of your business" response by Chelsie! Therefore, the following questions are suggested: "Chelsie, in that your mother cannot handle her own husband how can we as citizens of a nation expect her to handle the members of her cabinet and foreign leaders?" Another variation may be as follows: "Some believe that your mother will do and say anything to become president. In that she did not take charge and leave Bill’s sorry ass for the public humiliation, how can we expect her to take charge of this country?" OK just one more way to get at a decent point regarding this topic: "Some would like to know your stand on right to life issues; so, How do you feel about your potential little half brother or sister being splattered on Monica Lewinsky’s blue dress?" The problem with reporters, is that they do not know how to ask the real questions! OK, I lied – but this topic is just too good to let go, so one more question for Chelsie: "Don’t you think that Janet Reno would be a more natural looking match for your mother as a first husband than your father?"

******************

The following is the best forward joke of the last month - This one is from Roseymoon

Three men were sitting together bragging about how they
had given their new wives duties at home.

The first man had just married a woman from Iowa and told her that she was going to do the dishes and the house cleaning. It took a couple days, but on the third day, he came home to a clean house and dishes washed and put away.

The second man had just married a woman from Illinois . He had
given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes, and
the cooking. The first day he didn't see any results, but the next day
he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the
dishes were done, and food was on the table.

The third man had just married a girl from Louisiana . He told
her that her duties were to keep the house clean, dishes washed, lawn
mowed, laundry washed and hot meals on the table for every meal. He
said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see
anything, but by the third day some of the swelling had gone down and he
could see a little bit out of his left eye, just enough to fix himself a bite to eat and load the dishwasher.

ON OFF by Colleen McCullough (Book Review & Quotes)

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:01:22 GMT

From The Thorn Birds to her series about the life and times of Julius Cesar; McCullough has her reputation in historical fiction. This time she takes her historical fiction to a 1965 serial killer murder mystery. Although it is almost modern time, you become quite aware of the change in police technology since the 60’s, as the investigation needs information on another murder from across the state:

“Things have taken a turn, Abe. Call Bridgeport, Hartfort, and New Britain back, and tell them to send us copies of those files as fast as a siren can travel.”

Yes, it was a time before fax machines. The plot involves the finding of body parts in a refrigerator that usually stores dead experimental animals that are to be incinerated. Thought, an unexpected event, the method of disposing of bodies by the serial killer is discovered. “Jimmy” was a research monkey, thought dead. He woke up in the refrigerator and this is a recap on the discovery of “the body parts”.

“Jimmy?”

“The monkey Dr. Chandra thought was dead, an’ put in a bag in the fridge last night. Jimmy really found her – tore the place apart when he woke up in the dark freezing his buns off. When Otis – he my assistant as well as the handyman – went to empty the fridge, Jimmy came outta there screeching and yelling. Then Otis found her, an’ he was outta here screeching worse than Jimmy. I looked, an’ called the Prof. I guess the Prof called you.”

The plot of this story also has that classic “who done it” factor with a bunch of University research scientist professors. The following will give you a peek into part of the investigation into one of these characters:

“And you think, because I paint what I paint, that I’m a psycho with a basement soaked in blood. Look where you want, I don’t give a fuck,” she said, and walked into what he realized had once been a second bedroom, but now was her studio.

Carmine (lead investigator) took her at her word, prowled around the basement to find nothing worse than a dead rat in a trap; had he liked her, he would have removed it for her, but as he didn’t, he didn’t.

Her bedroom was very interesting, black leather, black satin sheets on a bed whose frame was stout enough to take manacles, a zebra skin on the black carpet with its head intact and two glowing red-glass eyes. I bet, he thought, walking about quietly, that you’re not on the receiving end of the whips, honey. You are a dominatrix. I wonder who is being flogged?”

This book has great dialogue and interesting characters. The unfolding of the story is well done. It does have an interesting unexpected twist at the end. McCullough did fine for her first recent historical murder mystery. It gets an “A”.

NETFLIX MOVIES MARCH 2008 - Summary & Recommendations

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:40:36 GMT

KNOCKED UP – 2007 – Comedy – The girl who is on track with a career promotion goes partying and meets a goofball guy. By the title: you know what happens. This movie will make you laugh. It has many layers of humor. ****

THE KINGDOM – 2007 – Action – Drama – FBI agents (Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner etc.) provide assistance to the Saudi’s after an attack on American company in their country. Deals with obvious cultural issues in a crime drama. Good tense action. ***

ANOTHER FULL MOON & I NEED TO LAUGH (March 21st 2008)

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:25:16 GMT

^{Geraldine Ferraro obviously misspoke when she made the comment about the presidential candidate Barak Obama. She asserted that the only reason for his success as a presidential candidate was because he is "black". She misspoke. What she meant to say was: "He is only successful as a presidential candidate because he is tall darkie and handsome!"}

******************

Dumb Ass of the Moon Cycle Award goes to: Kathy (golf course vendor) on the show survivor. To quote her she said: "It is completely different from when you watch this show at home and when they show the rain, they show it for, like, 30 seconds. They do not show that you are standing in the rain or trying to sleep when you are being rained on for five or six hours straight, non-stop".

If it rains six hours a day for three days to show that accurately, 25% of the show should show rain. That is 15 minutes of a one hour show! Why does she not feel betrayed about not showing them sleeping (assuming six hours a nights) for another 25%? That would be 30 minutes of each episode if we combine the rain and the sleep. Did she ever notice that the show zero percent of taking a leak and or taking a dump?????

*******************

This wins the favorite fast forward email joke for this moon cycle:

Tea Time For Dad

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge. I was maybe 1 and a
half years old.

Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a gift and it was one of my
favorite toys. Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening
news and my brother was playing nearby in the living room when I brought
Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of
tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home. My Dad made
her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because
it was 'just the cutest thing!'

My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of
tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up, then says, 'Did it ever
occur to you that the only place that baby can reach to get water is the
toilet?"

THE WEALTHY INLAWS - Lord Conor - Ye Renaissance Advisor (Solving modern problmes with back in the day advice!)

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:43:47 GMT

Lord Connor please give me ye wise council.

My wealthy in-laws have once again offered us money to finish another part of our unfinished house. I appreciate their offer, but feel as an adult, both my husband and I should be able without their help to financially support ourselves and our two children. My husband expects them to pay for a variety of things he wants and depends on them to bail him out of financial situations. This is an area where my husband and I strongly disagree. I would rather not accept their money (knowing that if we truly had a crisis, they could be a possible resource). My husband and I usually butt heads over this matter. Am I just being stubborn? Should I graciously accept their offer and let it go? Or should I stick to my guns and encourage my husband to be a responsible, independent adult?

Malady you characterize those in-laws as “wealthy”. You also characterize your husband as “irresponsible”. In addition you point out his lack of quality as a true lord and master of his domain: “My husband expects them to pay for a variety of thing he wants and depends on them to bail him out of financial situations.” Ye proposed several questions which need addressing.

“Am I just being stubborn?” The real question here is “Should I force standards upon my husband that allows me to feel a sense of respect and dignity?” If a woman cannot respect her Lord because he continues to Leech from his parents, then what is a Lady to do? What is the point of continuing to “butt heads”? You may be choosing to nag him but that is only so you can maintain a sense of self dignity while benefiting by living with your leech of a husband.

“Should I stick to my guns and encourage my husband to be a responsible, independent adult?” Encourage? That is a word ye use to vent your worries in a most impotent manner. Malady you have choices: Accept the choice you have made in life and embrace it in totality. No matter what you say to feel good about yourself, you have thrown in your lot with a man that is not a true lord over his own domain. His ineptness is encouraged by his parents. In that they have never taught him to wipe his own arse, all the “encouragement” in the world from you will not avail him that skill.

Thus, Malady you are at a crossroad: Ye first choice is to drop your stubbornness and embrace the lack of dignity that goes with living among the leeches and control thy tongue.

However there is a way out of your sad plight! Have at least one bag packed for yourself and one bag each for your children. The children are to be playing out on the manor, out of hearing but within sight. Stand firm, hand on the hilt of Ye Dagger and make the following announcement to him:

“I have suffered enough over the indignity of your ineptness in providing for me and your offspring. How will our children be able to make their way in the world if they behave in a manner such as Ye! Are thou not teaching them the skills of a common street beggar? We are off to seek our own fortune and as for as you, a letter from an attorney will be forthcoming. This is an announcement not a discussion. If ye keep your mouth shut, then I assure ye, I will not be tempted to draw my dagger. Then grab your children and go!

Now for Ye to understand the real test: You have given him one last opportunity. It is most unfortunate, but likely that he will resort to his true nature. Since his parents always bail him out “of financial situations”, let this natural process unfold one more time in your favor. Divorce the Leech, let them foot the child support and alimony bill and use that as a springboard to start Ye life anew!

However, if he takes responsibility and pays for the cost of loosing you himself – then you know he has changed and you can take him back.

So be it!

Lord Conor

THE LAST VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS by Martin Dugard (Book Review & Teaser Quotes)

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:12:03 GMT

This book in written with a back in the day style in that it is descriptive of events and lacking on modern page turning dialogue. The book does have a subtitle just like books written back in the day. This is a cool subtitle:

The Last Voyage of Columbus - Being the Epic Tale of the Great Captain’s Forth Expedition, Including Accounts of Mutiny, Shipwreck, and Discovery.

The fun part of this story is that Columbus is a true adventurer here is a peek into the character of Columbus:

"The explorer will always remain something of an enigma. He was Italian, yet claimed the New World for Spain. He was a compassionate Christian, yet considered slavery a viable form of commerce. He was a man of great charisma whose passion sometimes turned others against him…The only certainty about Columbus is that, for better or worse, he chose to live a bold life rather than settle for mediocrity."

Here is a peek about the stress of shipboard life after weeks at sea:

"The barrels of salted beef and fish packed in the hold at the start of the journey were long gone. The ship’s biscuits were so soggy that they could be consumed only by throwing them into a stew pot and boiling them into a weevil-infested porridge."

This book well integrates the politics of the time – The Spanish Inquisition – The Rule of Ferdinand & Isabella – The pressure to bring back spices & gold – A short cut to Asia – Cultural Clash – Spanish and American Indian Tribes. There is a great story of Columbus performing magic for the local Indians when he was shipwrecked on Jamaica. This resulted in their thinking he had great powers & insured the safety of his crew from attack. No hint about this you just have to read it (or email me if you really want to know). And finally there were the shipworms. Basically they would eat through the wood and ships would gradually take on more and more water. Bailing out was a never ending increasing cycle.

This is a fun read if you want to appreciate the time and the events and lifestyle in the age of the Spanish first settling and discovering the New World. This book gets an A-.

Here is a final quote just for fun. As you will be able to tell some aspects of perception never change!

Columbus’s mathematical third – voyage observations about the North Star’s odd position in the sky were so acute that he was certain it was making a smaller earth orbit in the southern latitudes. Based on that, Columbus theorized that the world was not actually round, as history would so famously remember him believing, but "something like a woman’s breast."

BLAZE by Stephen King (book reveiw & teaser quotes)

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 02:12:10 GMT

This is written in th 70's by Stephen King using his pen name: Richard Backman Overall Steven King always delivers a good read with his style of writing. He maintains a good take on his characters as they go through life paces.

The basic story is about Blaze (brain damaged & retarted like) who was taken in by George, a petty con man. George dies before that "big score". George's great idea was to kidnap a baby for ransome. The thinking was that a baby would not be able to identify the kidnappers. The concept is good in that you take the idea from "Of Mice & Men" and you add on a little bit of a Frankenstein Monster (in the character of Blaze) & you have a basic kidnapping horror story. Here is a bit of the horror factor as Blaze thinks about the need to escape and cut his losses:

"...the police were close and getting closer... And the kid would slow him down if he left here in a hurry - George (Blaze hears Georges voice - like an auditory hallucination as he problem solves) was right about that, too. His job now was to collect that fuckin ransom and then hide out someplace. But killing the kid? Killing Joe? It suddenly occured to Blaze that if he did kill him - and very, very gently - Joe would go right to heaven and be a baby angel there. So maybe George was right about that too."

Blaze is retarded & he did make a mistake on the phone as he made a collect call to the parents of baby Joe. This is funny / cool in which King allows Blaze to muse on a bit self insight:

"They knew who he was. He had been stupid and given that operator his real name, right down to the Junior on the end. He had thought he was being smart, but he was being stupid. Again, Stupid was a prison they never let you out of, no time off for good behavior, you were in it for life."

It is typical Stephen King and the good aspect of this book is horror without some fantasy monster. He takes the horror that can happen in real life. It is a fine read and gets an "A-".

CATFISH & ASPARAGUS STUFFED HAM ROLL

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:29:59 GMT

Dice up

10 oz. Pkg. Pepperoni. Add to frying pan with

1 Tbl. Olive Oil. After the Pepperoni starts sizzling add.

2 C. CREOLE CHOP VEGGIES (if not in store chop up celery, onion, green pepper, green onion) Add to the Pepperoni and cook down. Also add to the mix

1 HEAPING Tbl. MINCED GARLIC Once cooked down turn off heat and stir in

½ C. KALAMATA OLIVES. Heat up oven to 350 degrees. Get a baking pan appx. 13 x 9 and spray with olive oil. Prepare the following ingredients to roll up in

9 THIN SLICES DELI HAM- slice size appx 5"x 9" Make shure it is sliced thin enough to easily roll up. The following ingredients will be placed in the ham for rolling up:

3 CATFISH FILETS the cat fish will be cut into appx five inch strips length by about a half inch wide. Also drain

15 Oz. CAN ASPARAGUS SPEARS – EXTRA LONG. Place two of the spears in a row along with the fish strips on one end of the ham. Then spread across the top the cooked mix of Pepperoni, Chop Veggies & Olives. Then sprinkle on top cheese from

1 Pkg. CHEDDAR / JACK SHREDDED CHEESE - Roll up all the ingredients in the ham and place each roll in the baking dish. Take the remaining Asparagus, Cheese, and Pepperoni & chop veggie / olive mix and smash together. Sprinkle this mix on top of the ham rolls. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Once out of the oven drain off liquid build up. Serve.

NAPOLEON'S PYRAMIDS by William Dietrich (review & teaser quotes)

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:43:15 GMT

This book gets a B. It is a good read escape novel but it will be forgettable.

The historical setting is Napoleon’s early career in which he went to Egypt. The main character (Ethan Gage) an American who worked for Benjamin Franklin, gets into trouble in Paris and escapes as one of Napoleon"s scientist (Savants). He has a medallion which he won in a poker game. This may unlock the secrets of the Pyramids.

This is back in the day science / mysticism. There is a major secret and there is a discovery. Some of the action is typical escape literature and the basic love story was not given enough attention (beyond the fact that – me male – you female & historical circumstances threw us together).

If you like fiction in historical context: This novel puts Napoleon vs. Lord Nelson & Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt as the background for this story.

Here are some teaser quotes from the book that may give you a feel for its entertainment quality:

"Was it any wonder that I’d taken the risk of returning to Paris? Who cannot love a capital that has three times as many winemakers as bakers?"

******************

"I need an honest lawyer."

"As easy to find as a scrupulous deputy, vegetarian butcher, or virginal prostitute," Taima replied.

******************

She wore bracelets, anklets, and an ankh at her throat, and was so breathtaking it was hard to think clearly. Nonetheless, I must.

"Why did he call you priestess?" I said without preamble, sitting next to her.

"Surely you didn’t think my interests are limited to cooking and washing for you." She said quietly.

"I knew you were more than a serving girl, But priestess of what?"

Her eyes were wide, her gaze solemn, "Of faith that has run through every religion fo ten thousand years: that there are worlds beyond the ones we see, Ethan, and mysteries beyond what we think we understand. Isis is a gate to those worlds."

"You’re a bloody pagan."

"And what is a pagan? If you look at the origin of the word, it means country dweller, a person of nature who lives to the rhythm of seasons and the sun. If that is paganism, then I am a fervent believer."

*******************

Napoleon displayed his calculations. "Look, it is absurd. With the stone in these pyramids you could build a wall two meters high and one meter think around all of France."

*******************

But Egypt must be ruled by the people who live here, Ethan not pink-skinned Franks."

"Can’t there be a collaboration of both?"

"I don’t think so. Would Paris want an Arab on its town council, even if the iman had the wisdom of Thoth? No. This is not human nature. Suppose a god came down from the sky with answers to all questions. Would we listen, or nail him to a cross?"

"We all know the answer to that one…"

******************

Again it is a great escape especially if you go for historical fiction. This one is a set up for a follow up novel! The book cover tried to describe him as a back in the day Indiana Jones. Instead of a musket he carries a Kentucky Long rifle and a Tomahawk.

NETFLIX MOVIES: Summary & Recommendations - February 2008

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 03:03:52 GMT

INNOCENT VOICES – 2004 – Foreign – Drama – Action – It is the 1980’s in El Salvador. There is a civil war between the army and the Guerrillas. Once a boy becomes 12 years old he has a choice: Run away to join the Gurrillas or be forced into an army training camp. This is a dramatic / action representation of one such boy that lives in a village caught between opposing forces. Having to take cover on the floor of their home as raging gun battles happen and your older friends are taken off or run away. You care about the characters & it is a realistic portrayal. ****

THE ITALIAN – 2007 – Foreign -Drama – Tension – A 6 year old Russian orphan is set to be adopted by an Italian couple. An event occurs in which another child after being adopted has his mother show up looking for him. She commits suicide. The 6 year old decides to go find his mother. The staff wants him back because it will ruin their reputation if he is not adopted out. What an adventure for a six year old! This movie understandably won a few international awards. ****

INFAMOUS – 2006 – Drama – Biography – Toby Jones does the character of Truman Capote with great flare. The focus is on his involvement with the killers of a Kansas family which resulted in his most famous book "In Cold Blood". Capote was something of a real life character with personal demons along with personal wit. Dramatic & Funny. ***

MR BROOKS (2007 – Thriller / Mystery – Kevin Costner is a serial killer who has been discovered by a photographer who wants to take part in the next killing. Quite a few unexpected twists. He thinks that killing is an addiction but maybe it is an obsessive compulsion? A good psychological thriller! ***

THE DARWIN AWARDS - 2005 – Comedy – Funny skits involving concept of dumb things people do which eliminates them from the gene pool by dying stupidly. Basically a series of funny skits. There are good cameos by a mix of stars. Think of it as a movie variation of Jackass the Movie. ***

THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY (2006 Drama – Historical – won Cannes Film Festival Award – It is 1920 and shows two brothers caught up in British domination over the Irish as it affects two Irish brothers on different sides of the conflict). ***

Lord Conor - Ye Renissance Advisor - Solving today's problems with back in the day advice!

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:31:14 GMT

FORMER LOVERS

Dear Lord Conor I need Ye wise council:

What is your opinion on maintaining contact with former lovers after marriage? I've never doubted my husband's devotion, yet it still bothers me when he sends birthday cards, "keep in touch" letters & occasionally telephones several women that he's at one time been sexually intimate with. He says he understands my feelings, but then says he doesn't like to feel restricted in his actions. This makes me feel resentment & I wonder if my feelings of jealousy stem from my own insecurities or if his actions are inappropriate for a married man. I should say that I have no such feelings regarding his platonic women friendships and that my husband (of 3 years) is truely a caring person & not on the prowl. Thanks very much.

Ye, like many a folks that seek advice have a clutter of confusion in your mind with little organization. I will break down the issues for you sentence by sentence.

What is your opinion on maintaining contact with former lovers after marriage? = It depends upon what level of contact and the quality of the marriage. Is his marriage to you due to exploitation (such as you are the one of wealth) or obligation (a child)? It may be simply that “former lovers” are better lovers. Thus, it is my opinion about the idea that some men may have motivations to maintain sexual contact with former lovers. Yes.

I've never doubted my husband's devotion, yet it still bothers me when he sends birthday cards, "keep in touch" letters & occasionally telephones several women that he's at one time been sexually intimate with. = Actually you are doubting him simply by writing this letter. What you really mean is that you have accepted being impotent in asserting to him that he has not adequately kept you on a pedestal. Another point you have not addressed is how much attention he gives you as compared to them. What is the quality of his letters to his former lovers? (It seems appropriate for him to write “love letters” to ye only. So I guess the letters to those other women are “former lover’s letters”?) What about the men in his life. Maybe his persuasion is really to his own sex? Maybe it is just a matter of catching up with the girls? Does he have adequate passion in his rutting with you? So lets understand something YOU HAVE TOTAL DOUBT! However the problem is that you are just Inadequate in expressing yourself!

. He says he understands my feelings, but then says he doesn't like to feel restricted in his actions. = Understanding is a mental activity. Aye, he does understands. The fact is that he simply does not give a shit about those feelings enough to restrict his actions. Ye are a second class citizen in Ye marriage. Maybe you would be better off as one of his concubine (code word for “former lovers”). Maybe ye should let some other stupid wench worry about his loyalty.

This makes me feel resentment & I wonder if my feelings of jealousy stem from my own insecurities or if his actions are inappropriate for a married man. = We have already established your insecurities are causing you to be impotent and inadequate, so lets not review that issue again. Married men cheat. Married men do not cheat. The truth about your concern is that his behaviors are inappropriate for a man who should treat you like a Lady that is the love of his life! There is some bible blah blah about Let him put no other before Ye! – So much for that!

I should say that I have no such feelings regarding his platonic women friendships and that my husband (of 3 years) is truely a caring person & not on the prowl. Thanks very much. = So it is OK and ye are not jealous of the women he did not diddle, but yes to the ones he did diddle? So you have just said that you are jealous of his “not platonic women friendships”? Here is what Ye need to understand: He comes first. If the contact is “occasional” then why even bother? You want to be on a pedestal and adored. As it should be.

So here is what you need to do: When he comes home you need to be standing there as if you mean business (It is ok to put one hand on the hilt of your Dagger; but, Ye need not, and will not have to draw it). This is called standing as if you really mean business. Say as follows: “I expect my Lord to give me the respect I am due! I am the Lady of this manor and those cows you used to rutt with will not be paraded in front of me! Weather Ye still get milk or not from those cows makes no difference. So if ye insist on being with cows then the barn is where ye can find your rest and comfort!”

So be it!

Lord Conor

PAELLA (SPANISH RICE ) - CAJUN STYLE

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:03:18 GMT

This is basic Spanish Paella using south Louisiana ingredients. Prepare the following ingredients:

Lg. YELLOW ONION – diced bite size.

RED PEPPER – diced bite size.

14 oz. CAN ARTICHOKE BOTTOMS – drain & cut into bite sizes.

CAN ROTELL TOMATOES – drained.

8 oz. CAN GREEN PEAS – drained.

Lg. LEMON – thin sliced. Then heat up a skillet and fry

4 SAUSAGE LINCS – Cajun or fresh spicy sausage that may be available. Everything will be fried in about

4 –Tbl. OLIVE OIL. Fry sausage, turn over, stab with fork to let out grease. After doing this a while before it gets too burned add water and simmer till done. Cut in half to see if done. Then drain and slice sausages once cooled off and set aside. Then again add more olive oil and fry

1 Lb. MEDIUM SIZE SHRIMPS – After about a minute add

10 oz. FRESH OYSTERS – Cook until partly done. The pan will fill with fluid and the shrimp and oysters will adequately shrink. Drain and then stir fry in olive oil

3 CHICKEN BREST - Cut up into bite size pieces and once browned drain and set aside. Now with the same wiped down skillet heat up the following:

2 HEAPING Tbl. MINCED GARLIC. – In

4 Tbl. OLIVE OIL. Once the garlic starts sizzling add the diced Onions & Red Pepper. Cook down and then turn down heat and add and mix up all of the cooked meats. Then add in and mix the Artichoke bottoms, tomatoes, and lemon. Then add the following seasonings:

SALT – To taste.

PAPRIKA – To taste.

2 Tbl. PICKAPEPPA. Mix up all the ingredients. Then add

4 Cups WATER – bring to a boil. Then Add

16 oz. YELLOW SAFFRON RICE – then stir in the peas (they can break up easily so add last with the rice) along with the rice and let boil for one minute and then simmer until done. You can start checking to see if it is done in about 20 minutes. Goes well with wine.

PAN SEARED TUNA WITH SALSA TOPPING

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 07:53:04 GMT

mix up the following ingredients which will go on the top of the cooked tuna.

BASAL 2 TBL.

CILANTRO 2 TBL. CHOPPED

THYME 1 TBL.

2 GREEN ONIONS CHOPPED

6 KALAMATA OLIVES CHOPPED

CAPERS 1 TBL CHOPPED

1 TBL. LEMON JUICE

SALT TO TASTE

PAPRIKA TO TASTE

BLACK PEPPER TO TASTE

2 SUSHI GRADE TUNA STEAKS - filet the steaks length wise once or twice (will be less cooked

on inside if thicker). Then heat up the following in a skillette.

OLIVE OIL 2 TBL.

BUTTER 2 TBL

GARLIC - DICED - Once garlic sizzlin toss in tuna steak filets. add a dash on top of each tuna steak

SOY SAUCE. Cook from 15 to about 40 seconds on each side. Since soy is on top again with a dash

once flipped. Flip again for a few seconds to cook in the soy.

Goes good with zinfendale rose wine.

POTATO & VEGGIE SIDE DISH

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:32:42 GMT

2 TBL. GARLIC - diced added to pot of water for boiling potatoes & vegitables. Then add

SALT - to taste. Then as the pot of water continues to heat up add the following:

1 MEDIUM ONION - diced

1 JALIPINO PEPPER - diced

1GREEN BELL PEPPER - diced

1 SMALL ZUCCINI - diced

4 RED POTATOES - diced. Boil for about 30 minutes until potatoes taste cooked. Then drain and in a bowl for storage add to the mix

1SMALL CAN GREEN PEAS. Mash up the cooked vegitables and potatoes and serve as a side dish. For a variation - use same vegitables / seasonings used in the main dish. Vary the vegitables for endless variety of this dish.

SHRIMP & BLACK BEAN ENSALADA

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:09:27 GMT

2 Tbl. OLIVE OIL - heat up in skillet along with

1 HEAPING Tbl. DICED GARLIC - then add

1 Lb. SHRIMP DICED - stir fry until cooked and add

SALT - to taste & also

BLACK PEPPER - to taste - after cooked drain and set in refrigerator to cool - then add the following in a bowl.

1/2 CUP WHITE CORN

1/2 RED ONION - diced

1/2 GREEN PEPPER - diced

1/2 RED PEPPER - diced

4 GREEN ONIONS - diced

1/4 CUP CILANTRO - diced

24 Oz. BLACK BEANS - drained the also add the diced shrimp.

ADOBO SALT - to taste

3 Tbl. SHERRY

3 Tbl. DEJON MUSTARD

PINCH BROWN SUGAR - mix well and cool down in refrigeratior. goes well with

CLUB CRACKERS - & wash down with

WHITE ZIFINDALE - or rose wine of choice.

Photo Album: ART OF THE WEEK ARCHIVE

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:01:52 GMT

ART OF THE WEEK ARCHIVE

ENCHANTER MERLIN & FAIRY VIVIEN IN FOREST OF BROCELIANDE by Gustave

SEASIDE by Miguel Dominguez

PARISIENNE by Ron Di Scenza

OBELISK OF CLEOPATRA by Dominique Denon

L'ESCALIER by Nancy Delouis

WOMAN COMBING HER HAIR by Edgar Degas

PENTRE by Michael Davies

ABSTRACT NIGHT by Bea Danckaert

THE GHOST OF VARMEER by Salvador Dali

INVISIBLE FACE BY Salvador Dali

More Photos...

Photo Album: FEATURED ART OF THE WEEK

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:58:10 GMT

FEATURED ART OF THE WEEK

LA TOILETTE by Dothy (for more art & photos click below)

Photo Album: SPRING 08 PHOTOS

Thu, 15 May 2008 01:47:02 GMT

SPRING 08 PHOTOS

daylilly one

daylilly two

daylilly three

CAJUN PASTORAL SCENE

ARTIFACTS & BOVINE

Early Morning Statue

Mushrooms at Firestation

Flur De Lis @ Spring Art Fest

Destrahan Plantation - Art Under the Oaks

Destrahan Plantation Spring Art Fest

More Photos...