A little Hank Williams: "You Win Again"

As you may know, I’ve been playing around with an Autoharp for several months. At the same time, I’ve fallen in love with Hank Williams, Sr. He recorded lots of music. His themes seem to be confined basically to:

• Lost, Unrequited, or Spurned Love
• His Mother Dying
• Gospel Music

I’ve played a few gospel numbers for various church and community gatherings. I’ve not had a chance to play anything else, really. I recorded myself playing “You Win Again” tonight. It’s not terribly bad, I think, but I’m not a professional . You can have a look at the lyrics by visiting the LyricWiki page for “You Win Again”.

You can have a listen to my version here:

So, I think I don’t need to be on the road. Still, it was fun! What do you think of Hank Williams or my rendition of his song/

Technorati Tags:Hank Williams, Autoharp, Recording, You Win Again

Lucky letters? Ha!

Last night I was talking to a friend of mine and, knowing my penchant for crossword puzzles, she recommended I try Pat Sajak's "Lucky Letters" online game. It looked pretty neat. Pat Sajak was explaining to me the rules and then he offered my first slate of "Lucky Letters". The image to the right is a screen shot showing the letters I had to choose from. Click the image to enlarge -- I've highlighted the relevant part.

Now, I would like to believe that this was a completely random occurrence. I don't know, really. Perhaps some programmer some where was having a good time -- or perhaps some programmer somewhere forgot to put a filter in. Nevertheless, I laughed. My friend laughed (when I sent her the screenshot).

So, should I send this to the game people? What do you think about my "Lucky Letters"?

Technorati Tags:Pat Sajak, Lucky Letters, Flash Games, FUCK, Funny, Screenshot

Leading birth control 1930 to 1960: Lysol?

Lysol (cleaner) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"In the US, from around 1930 to 1960, vaginal douching with a Lysol disinfectant solution was the most popular form of birth control. US marketing ads printed testimonials from European 'doctors' touting its safety and effectiveness."

Wow. I like Lysol -- it makes my house feel clean. But BIRTH CONTROL? I never knew this. It's so bizzare!!! How in the world did someone decide that was a good idea? What woman would use Lysol in such a way? Wow.

Technorati Tags:lysol, birth control, bizzare, wikipedia

Plum tuckered out...

The heat is getting to me. The drought is getting to me. Life is getting to me.

I need a vacation and so I will have one. The waves breaking, the sand between my toes, the fish in my belly... Destin, here I come.

I will celebrate my birthday on the sugar-fine sand beaches of the Emerald Coast. If you're gonna be around Destin the week of August 27, let me know!

My father is somewhat upset, however, that I will miss HIS birthday while I'm gone. In retribution, he's making plans to attend B.B. King's concert in Tunica. That's almost enough to make me stay -- but not quite. He also claims that he's going to play golf -- again, to see my father in the heat of summer on the golf course is almost enough to keep me in our small town. My mother tactfully asked him how many holes he plans to play. My father replied, "All of them!" "How many days will that take?" my mother asked... He responded with a scowl.

Loving your neighbor

Justin asked a question on his Facebook a couple days ago, "What one thing have you learned today?"

I answered that question: "The way we treat the people we like the least is the best measure of our character."

If you're a Christian, you've probably heard Jesus' take on this issue: "Love your neighbor as yourself," and "Whatever you do unto the least of these you do also unto Me."

That second suggestion is really only relevant if you're a Christian and believe in putting Jesus/God first, of course. There's also the Golden Rule, "Do unto other as you would have them do unto you."

I dunno. I've been reminded lately, both at work and in my personal life, that we need to treat everyone with the love and respect that we hope to receive. Just because we *can* treat someone like crap doesn't mean we should -- even if there are no consequences (but you know, there are consequences and repercussions to every action). Just because we are set above someone or hold some power over them doesn't mean we should use it, it doesn't mean we should take the opportunity to demean or degrade them.

One of the most innocent and truly good and simple people I know in this world (other than Samuel) has been seriously abused this last few weeks by someone in authority over them. It's not fair, it's not right, and there's not a damn thing I can do about it. It breaks my heart, it makes me want to weep, but I'm powerless here (I think). I keep thinking time will make this just "go away", but this abuse, this demeaning condescending attitude that's directed toward this simple and good person keeps rearing its ugly head. I want to fix everything, but I can't -- I know, I know.

How sweet... wait.. easy girls?

I found this image on the web this evening and thought it was terribly sweet. What a wonderful visual poem addressing how the "best" and "good" girls are harder to reach. It explains why "good" girls may be waiting... And then... I read it again...

Does this mean that those girls I've pursued who've chosen assholes and dipsh*ts (instead of me, the perfect man) have been "easy" and "rotten"? I don't know whether to be relieved or disturbed. What does this say about me?

Technorati Tags:women, bad apples, good, relationships

Import a Skunk? 30 days and $50

70-4-208. Unlawful importation of skunks — Penalty. —

(a) It is unlawful for any person to import, possess, or cause to be imported into this state any type of live skunk, or to sell, barter, exchange or otherwise transfer any live skunk, except that the prohibitions of this section shall not apply to bona fide zoological parks and research institutions.

(b) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

[Acts 1974, ch. 622, § 1; 1982, ch. 738, § 31; T.C.A., § 51-514; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.]

A Class C misdemeanor in Tennessee is punishable by "not greater than 30 days in jail and a fine not to exceed $50".

HELP HELP, I'M BEING REPRESSED!!!!

Why in the world can't I import a skunk into the great state of Tennessee? What if I just lure a skunk into the state -- say with some peanut butter or something? I can see the headline now: "Local alderman jailed for transporting pole-cat across state lines"...

I thought this was hilarious when I found it the other day while searching for animal cruelty laws. "Seriously," I thought, "why would it matter?" Apparently, skunks are common carriers of rabies and our General Assembly in its wisdom decided to outlaw the importation of this dangerous feline. I hope they didn't spend long on this law.

Technorati Tags:skunk, Tennessee, dumb laws

The day turned dark

I’ve been dealing with some pretty serious crap lately (literally). I won’t elaborate, but it suffices to say that I’ve been stressed. Don’t fret about me though, I’ll be okay. It’s not bad stress, just lots of it. I’ve been pretty much at peace lately. Hoo rah.

My day had been full yesterday. I’d worked at my desk much of the day, trying to finish projects that never seem to get finished. Trying to empty my “in” box even as Judy was shoving more stuff on top. The end of the day came and I was tired.

I find myself sitting on my couch just after 5:00 and the phone rang. It was Justin and he asked me where I was. His tone was curt and cold and I wondered what was wrong. “It’s distinctly possible I’ve pissed him off,” I think to myself. I’d talked to him earlier in the day, but one never knows. I screw up all the time.

No. Justin wasn’t mad at me. He was calling to tell me that a student at Gibson County High School had collapsed on the field during football practice. They’d rushed him to the hospital but he’d been unresponsive and in fact had passed away just minutes before Justin called.

As Justin told me this, matter-of-factly, as he told me who it was, I was shocked. I was amazed. I didn’t weep or cry. I said, “Oh God”. That was pretty much it.

The day turned dark.

This young man was the younger, baby brother of a guy, John, who graduated from High School with me. He was almost exactly a year younger than Samuel. John and I had baby brothers at the same time. I remember offering him advice when his brother was born; babies were new things to 8^th graders.

I called my parents last night. My father said nothing for a few moments and then quietly told my mother. Over the telephone I could hear her sobs. I told my father to take care of my mother and that I’d be over shortly.

I won’t laud the young man, though he probably deserves it. He was a good kid; a genuinely good kid, so far as I know. I was always pleased to see him.

I am reminded that life can change in a moment. We can be snatched away from our loved ones in the blink of an eye. They can be snatched away from us in an instant. Death is no respecter of age, health, position, power, or wealth. We must cherish our friends and family. We must love them and let them know we love them. We must love and accept love.