Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Hungry Like the Wolf
I'm not sure how deeply I actually believe in such things as "spirit animals" but I've long advocated that mine would be the wolf. Guess I was right...
Your result for The Spirit Animal Test...
The Wolf Spirit
You scored 58% Creativity, 53% Compassion, 52% Strength, and 50% Intelligence!

Don't forget my two other spiritual tests:
Sitakaliism Test Paganism Test, my political test:
The Fruity Commie Pinko Liberal Test, and my Biology Test
I'm Free
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday's Lyrical Adventure
1. Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
2. For a taste of your whiskey, I'll give you some advice The Gambler by Kenny Rogers, guessed by Fred
3. I take pleasure leisurely, even when I kiss
4. We could have barbecues at nights Anna by Hello Saferide, guessed by Fred
5. It'll cost you just a nickel Would You Like to Buy an "O" by Ernie and Lefty, guessed by Llyra
6. You’ve got me rockin’ and a-rollin’ Barbara Ann by the Who, guessed by Fred
7. They sent us Playboy, they gave us Bob Hope Goodnight Saigon by Billy Joel, guessed by Fred
8. Help yourself to a bit of what is all around you Martha My Dear by the Beatles, guessed by Fred
9. I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag
10. Now she thinks that I love her, because that's what I said
Good luck!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Sunday's Lyrical Adventure
1. I sold what I could and packed what I couldn't I'm Moving On by Rascal Flatts
2. And the music he had in him, so very few possess In My Time of Darkness by Gram Parsons
3. May we never be called to handle all the weapons of war we despise Callico Skies by Paul McCartney
4. I search for the time on a watch with no hands These Dreams by Heart
5. They don’t give a shit Keith Moon is dead Jools and Jim by Pete Townshend
6. So the graduations hang on the wall, but they never really helped us at all Allentown by Billy Joel, guessed by Fred
7. Paranoia strikes deep For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield, guessed by Fred
8. He’s had a few too many tonight Do You Think It's Alright by the Who, guessed by Llyra
9. I get so tired of working so hard for our survival In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, guessed by Fred
10. And I began to pray as my water fell on the floor Gimme Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Good luck!
Friday, July 03, 2009
Oh, If Only This Were True!
Your result for Which fantasy writer are you?...
J R R Tolkien (1892-1973)
-11 High-Brow, 3 Violent, -15 Experimental and -21 Cynical!

Congratulations! You are Low-Brow, Violent, Traditional and Romantic! These concepts are defined below.
J R R Tolkien could easily and accurately be described as the most influential fantasy writer of all times. His great, epic work, The Lord of the Rings (1954-55), set the standard for the genre, provided inspiration for fantasy writers for several decades to come and his influence can still be seen today. This influence of a single author does, of course, have its negative sides. People who don't read fantasy sometimes judge the whole genre by their opinion on The Lord of the Rings, thinking that Tolkien's less favourable attributes, such as his sometimes over-traditional prose, represent the best one can expect from the genre. Those who see Tolkien's great assets, such as his ability to stir powerful emotions, his grasp at telling a tale of truly epic proportions without losing the perspective of the (sometimes literally) little people or his skill at conjuring an entire fictional cosmos and making the reader believe in it, might, on the other hand, be disappointed when they look beyond Tolkien and find his less talented imitators.
Nonetheless, to ignore Tolkien is to ignore what amounts to the birth of fantasy as we know it. Literally millions of readers have travelled with hobbits through the grim world of Middle-Earth at the end of the Third Age and marvelled at how such a grim and violent world may still hold such beauty.
You are also a lot like David Eddings.
If you want something more gentle, try J K Rowling.
If you'd like a challenge, try your exact opposite, Philip Pullman.
Your score
This is how to interpret your score: Your attitudes have been measured on four different scales, called 1) High-Brow vs. Low-Brow, 2) Violent vs. Peaceful, 3) Experimental vs. Traditional and 4) Cynical vs. Romantic. Imagine that when you were born, you were in a state of innocence, a tabula rasa who would have scored zero on each scale. Since then, a number of circumstances (including genetical, cultural and environmental factors) have pushed you towards either end of these scales. If you're at 45 or -45 you would be almost entirely cynical, low-brow or whatever. The closer to zero you are, the less extreme your attitude. However, you should always be more of either (eg more romantic than cynical). Please note that even though High-Brow, Violent, Experimental and Cynical have positive numbers (1 through 45) and their opposites negative numbers (-1 through -45), this doesn't mean that either quality is better. All attitudes have their positive and negative sides, as explained below.
High-Brow vs. Low-Brow
You received -11 points, making you more Low-Brow than High-Brow. Being high-browed in this context refers to being more fascinated with the sort of art that critics and scholars tend to favour, while a typical low-brow would favour the best-selling kind. At their best, low-brows are honest enough to read what they like, regardless of what "experts" and academics say is good for them. At their worst, they are more likely to read what their neighbours like than what they would choose themselves.
Violent vs. Peaceful
You received 3 points, making you more Violent than Peaceful. Please note that violent in this context does not mean that you, personally, are prone to violence. This scale is a measurement of a) if you are tolerant to violence in fiction and b) whether you see violence as a means that can be used to achieve a good end. If you are, and you do, then you are violent as defined here. At their best, violent people are the heroes who don't hesitate to stop the villain threatening innocents by means of a good kick. At their worst, they are the villains themselves.
Experimental vs. Traditional
You received -15 points, making you more Traditional than Experimental. Your position on this scale indicates if you're more likely to seek out the new and unexpected or if you are more comfortable with the familiar, especially in regards to culture. Note that traditional as defined here does not equal conservative, in the political sense. At their best, traditional people don't change winning concepts, favouring storytelling over empty poses. At their worst, they are somewhat narrow-minded.
Cynical vs. Romantic
You received -21 points, making you more Romantic than Cynical. Your position on this scale indicates if you are more likely to be wary, suspicious and skeptical to people around you and the world at large, or if you are more likely to believe in grand schemes, happy endings and the basic goodness of humankind. It is by far the most vaguely defined scale, which is why you'll find the sentence "you are also a lot like x" above. If you feel that your position on this scale is wrong, then you are probably more like author x. At their best, romantic people are optimistic, willing to work for a greater cause than themselves and inspiring to their peers. At their worst, they are easily fooled and too easily lead.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
It Makes Me Sad and Angry
Ok, first of all, snakes don't strangle anything. They constrict and suffocate their prey by tightening their coils.
The snake was put away in an aquarium in a bag: Well, obviously it was not a secure enclosure. And the only reason I can think of to put a snake in a bag before you put it in an aquarium is because said aquarium has no lid at all.
The kid had bite marks on her head. Now, an 8 foot python is perfectly capable of overcoming a 2 year old child. But it wouldn't be easy or immediate and I really can't believe the baby didn't scream or cry. What the hell were the parents doing that they never heard this going on?
It's a tragedy. Yes, it really is. And completely preventable. Another example of some yahoo getting a pet python because it's cool and not bothering to educate himself or take responsibility for keeping a potentially dangerous animal. Now a little girl is dead and the media is sensationalizing the story and slanting it to cast an evil, malicious pall on the snake which was only following instincts (8-foot family pet python slithered into crib to slay two year-old) to give the snake phobics ammunition. It's just lose-lose for all involved.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Go figure
Sunday's Lyrical Adventure
1. Well it’s a long way to Richmond, rollin’ north on 95 Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde by Travis Tritt
2. He smiled so I got up and asked for his name I Love Rock and Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, guessed by Fred
3. I bet you know beef jerky has an aftertaste Just a Song About Ping Pong by Operator Please, guessed by Fred
4. I love him carnally Eric the Half-a-Bee by Monty Python, guessed by Fred
5. There'll be smooth sailin' 'cause I'm trimmin' my sails Steppin' Out With My Baby by Tony Bennett
6. The kids are losing their minds Blitzkrieg Bob by the Ramones
7. The groom is nervous, he answers twice Makin' Whoopee by Jennifer Ward Leland, guessed by Old Ei
8. Lovers break caresses for me, love enhanced when I've gone by Sensation by the Who
9. You’ll find what’s left of us in a cloud of dust on Highway 4 Bye Bye by Jo Dee Messina
10. When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel, guessed by Fred
Good luck!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
I'm Back, Baby!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Day the Music Died
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Pip pip cheerio
Which I did, wholeheartedly. Oliver! was, I think, the first musical I ever saw and I have a nostalgic fondness for it. And the songs are undeniably catchy. The cast was great - very enthusiastic and there were some interesting things done with the dance numbers, as well as setting and blocking. Ricky Graham is THE local theater star in the city - I've never seen him in a production but after this I'd say his reputation is well deserved. He was a masterful Fagin - incredibly comedic and yet he managed to bring a subtle humanity to the role that I've never seen done before. Definitely stole the show - not easy to do as the kid playing Oliver was adorable and talented.
I used to be a theater hound in Penn State when I ushered and got to see all the plays and musicals for free, but I've strayed away from it in recent years. This show reminded me just why I love it.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Have I Mentioned I Hate Windows?
Back in hell now - looking at 3 months of 90's and high humidity every day. But the real hell is, my windows did an automatic update right before I left, and apparently something went screwy because now my computer refuses to boot up. Naturally, I have a 40 page document sitting there on the hard drive just waiting to be lost forever. I ordered Spotmau and once it comes in hopefully it will fix whatever issue this is and at least let me get to my files. In the meantime, I'm left with limited computer access at work and evenings twitching in withdrawl because I can't get online. You really don't know how much you rely on something until it's gone.
Macs are looking better and better all the time...
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Sunday's Lyrical Adventure
1. But I think that you'll slow down, when your turn to hurt comes around Fast as You by Dwight Yokum
2. She likes to drink Old Grandad and her shoes do shuffle around Whiskey Rock a Roller by Lynyrd Skynyrd
3. Can I handle the seasons of my life? Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
4. Hey, those kids are grown and that rounder knows you cannot cage your wife Ford Econoline (from Rachamid a Bhean Bheag) by Nanci Griffith and the Chieftains
5. You look dapper from your napper to your feet Any Old Iron (from Rachamid a Bhean Bheag) by Roger Daltrey and the Chieftains
6. You see you can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself Garden Party by Rick Nelson, guessed in cooperation by Llyra and Fred
7. No one had the guts to leave the temple I'm Free by the Who
8. No global warming fills this soul, for hell it freezes what it stole Punch Drunk Grinning Soul by Flogging Molly
9. I said, “Mr. Devil, she is so refined” Uneasy Street by Pete Townshend
10. There must have been a lot of magic when the world was born Off the Ground by Paul McCartney
Good Luck!
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Well, Duh
Temporary Insanity
Sunday's Lyrical Adventure
1. Too much pain and too much sorrow, I guess I'll feel the same tomorrow The Last Time by the Who
2. I'm losing my mind, everything's fine Mother Mother by Dilana
3. Brother, let your heart be wounded and give no mercy to your fear Run to the Water by Live
4. Nights when we sang like a heavenly choir Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney, guessed by Llyra
5. Cleanse the soul of me dirty from sin Cold Water by Simon Townshend
6. You flash your bedroom eyes like a jumpin' jack Armageddon It by Def Leppard
7. When a mirror speaks, the reflection lies Cult of Personality by Living Colour
8. Light these candles in a daze ‘cause I’ve found God Lithium by Lukas Rossi
9. How can you just walk away from me, when all I can do is watch you leave? Against All Odds by Phil Collins, guessed by Llyra
10. Can it get me over her quickly, zero to sixty? Speed by Montgomery Gentry
Good luck!
Monday, June 01, 2009
So Very Wrong
Big cats, especially tigers, are unpredictable and even the most well trained animals can snap (Siegfired and Roy, anyone?) So having someone that's utterly terrified and doing things they have been told repeatedly NOT to do, like throwing the bait stick and turning their back on the animal, work with a full grown tiger is really ignorant in my book, and highly unprofessional. This was just a bad idea all around. I wouldn't let anyone outside the department fool with venomous snakes in any capacity, let alone someone who was phobic about them. It's common sense people...
Another Reason Not to Have Children
How foolish the young are. Our cardinal rule in the "dare you to eat this" game is to make sure you get enough money from the bet to cover your ER copay. A lesson well learned from Shelia and the banana slug incident...

