Prince of Themyscira!

HA!

"Are you with me?!!?"

Cowboy Mouth did an hour and a half set outside the P-MAC (Pete Maravich Assembly Center) at 10:00 this morning, before the LSU/Arkansas game. I actually got up early, got dressed, and drove myself down to LSU in time to park and walk to the P-MAC for the show. And I don't know if it was the late night, the early morning, or the fact that I miss home so much, but I left there at 11:30 feeling like I'd been hit by a truck - in a good way. Cowboy Mouth did not disappoint. They brought it. If you haven't seen a CM show, I feel kind of sorry for you. They're not the most technical band in the world, nor the most poetic, but what they certainly are is 100% kick-arse rock and roll. I'm convinced that this country would not be so dependent upon foreign oil if we could somehow harness whatever it is that Fred LeBlanc has got, and gives to the crowd at a CM show. He's got this ability to get even casual fans and introverts up off their feet, and screaming at the top of their lungs. Pure energy. It really is a sight to see. It's actually kind of like church. Actually, it's indescribable. Everybody that's ever been has described it the same way - you can't understand unless you've been there - and it's true. The name Cowboy Mouth is from a play by Sam Shepard, that he co-wrote with Patti Smith, but the phrase first appears in a song by Bob Dylan. Today they played covers of The Who's Won't Get Fooled Again, Bruce Channel's Hey, Baby!, the state song of Louisiana - You Are My Sunshine, and Milkshake by Kelis. Come to think of it, they are kind of a cross between The Who, Governor Jimmie Davis, Tony Robbins, and the Tasmanian Devil. If you ever have a chance to check them out, you should - at least once.

After the show, I hooked up with my aunt and uncle, my cousin, and some of his friends because they had my ticket to the game. We tracked down one of my aunt's business partners, who helped get us the tickets, and they twisted our arm until we promised to tailgate with them. I stood there under the walkway of the P-MAC, and lo and behold, who should walk by but Fred LeBlanc, drummer, lead singer, and motivational screamer of Cowboy Mouth. I told him they had played a great show earlier, and shook his hand. Really nice guy. Then he stopped to tailgate with us for a while. It's difficult to be starstruck around somebody who's so normal, and is big and fat and has a plate full of barbecued chicken fingers and hot sausage in front of them. Oh - and a freakin' Diet Coke. Please, Fred. Please. Eventually, all three other members of the band had come by, and I had fallen completely in love with their new bass player chick. She's hot, dude. And she's in a band. Billy - this is like that time at the thing with the Wonder Woman, you know? Exactly - love at first sight.

Anyway, LSU played - and won, of course. Now we are the SEC West Champions. Next step in our quest for total nationwide league domination: defeat Georgia in the Georgia Dome next weekend. Our Tiger Shaolin is stronger than their Bulldog Shaolin. Flawless victory.

"So the devil will know who sent you."

Happy Thanksgiving, gang!

As usual, the Thomas family (minus Casey, who spent the holiday with Juan and his family at Disney World) slept in, and rolled up in Picadilly at about 1:30 p.m. for the annual Thanksgiving feast. I had Turkey and "dressing", Mom had pork chops in praline sauce (yes, pralines), and Dad had chopped steak. After overindulging ourselves, we played everybody's favorite Picadilly game, and looked on the check to see whose meal cost the most, and whose cost the least. Then, Casey called from Orlando and we went around the table, each announcing what we were thankful for.

There was some difference of opinion regarding this year's Thanksgiving movie. Since none of us is really a Harry Potter aficionado, and since I had seen Jarhead already, it really only came down to one of two movies. Walk The Line, playing everywhere, and The Legend of Zorro, playing at the crappy oldest theater in town without stadium seating. Dad used his veto on Walk The Line for pretty much no reason at all, so Zorro it was!

I must say - even though this movie was almost universally panned by critics, I found it very entertaining. I absolutely LOVE the Zorro character. Sure, nobody buys the whole "if you just put on a mask, nobody will recognize you" bit, and a person could probably fight a lot better, and more efficiently without doing a bunch of flips and somersaults and stuff, but anybody can do that. I wanna see a dude fight, and be acrobatic, and swing on stuff, and crack wise while he's doing it. It's no big secret that Zorro was much of the inspiration for Batman - a hero in black, an urban legend among the people he helps, available at a moments notice when summoned by a previously agreed upon signal, a flawless fighter, and a tragically flawed individual. In the Batman mythos, Bruce Wayne and his family were actually leaving the theater after having seen "The Mark Of Zorro" when his parents were killed. Coincidence? I think not. My awe of the character must be similar to the same awe that Bob Kane must have felt when he created Batman way back in the day. So - the critics hated this flick. So, maybe it's not as good as its predecessor. So what. I don't need Zorro to win Oscars, I need him to best 10 men at once in a sword fight, jump off of something high and land on his feet, outrun a train on his horse, pound the bad guy into oblivion, carve a "Z" into his chest, and say, "So the devil will know who sent you" before tying him to the front of aforementioned speeding locomotive (loaded with nitroglycerine) as it speeds into something solid. Is that too much to ask? I don't think so. This flick delivers. It's a good time. Rent it.

So, on the way out, I'm chatting with mom and dad as we walk along the sidewalk... I turn and walk backwards as I talk to them behind me, and as I turn back around, something stops me dead in my tracks. You know how some people act like they've been rendered speechless because it's funny, or makes a point, or whatever? As far as I can tell - this is what they're pretending to do. I seriously forgot to keep talking and walking when I saw this:




That's right- it's a BATMAN MOTORCYCLE. Is it possible that someone could be more of a fan than me? Is it possible? Or is it just possible that someone who is an equal fan has more money than me. Friends, I think it is the latter. I looked around for the owner of this beauty. Then I asked around for them. When I couldn't find them, I tried to steal it... but I don't have a bike license, nor have I ever actually ridden a motorcycle, so I figured it wouldn't do me any good. I'll just have to paint my car, is all.

Anyway - to cap off an already wonderful day, I got a call from Dustin. She is here in B.R., away from her family for Thanksgiving, so I took her to see Walk The Line, which I was secretly dying to see anyway. That's all the excuse I needed to make it a double feature day. LOVED Walk The Line. Loved it. Go see it. And sing out loud, it's okay. Especially if you're in the same theater as Bill.

How was yours?

iPod Meme

RIPPED! from Jamie's blog... for your reading pleasure - the soon-to-be-famous iPod meme.
Take the top 25 most popular songs on your iPod... type in the first lyric... cross them out as readers guess correctly.

1. I've got another confession to make... I'm your fool.**Jamie**

2. I know it sounds funny but I just can't stand the pain. Girl, I'm leavin' you tomorrow. **Krysten**

3. A man walks down the street - he says, "Why am I soft in the middle, now. Why am I so soft in the middle. The rest of my life is so hard." **Krysten**

4. Boys speak in rhythm, and girls in code (doot do-doot-doo).**Jamie**

5. Am I at the point of no improvement?

6. It's been a long year, since you've been gone.

7. Whenever I'm alone with you, you make me feel like I am home again. **Krysten**

8. I woke up to the sound of pouring rain. Wind would whisper, and I'd think of you. **Krysten**

9. Everybody loves a rose. Will you be thankful for the thorns?**Krysten**

10. I may not always love you, but long as there are stars above you, you never need to doubt it.**Jamie**

11. Now sit right back as I bust a rhyme, I got the freshest beats, and I'm always on time. I'm the baddest of the best, yeah, I'm the king. Word.

12. You're softer than a cannon blast - but your effects much longer last.**Jamie**

13. Well, my daddy left home when I was three, and he didn't leave much for ma and me, 'cept this old guitar, and an empty bottle of booze.**Danael**

14. Living on the road, my friend, is gonna keep you free and clean. Now you wear your skin like iron, your breath as hard as kerosene.**Tanya**

15. Free to turn away - SAY GOODBYE!**Shane**

16. Her name is Noel, I had a dream about her.**Shane**

17. The grass looked greener on the other side, and so I tried - to snatch myself from your hand. **Krysten**

18. I'm in love - never been so sure of anything.**Jamie**

19. I wanna trip inside your head, and spend the day there.

20. In the howling wind... comes the stinging rain.

21. It was a clear, black night - a clear white moon.

22. Shorty get down, good lord, baby got it workin' all over town.

23. They took the whole Cherokee nation - put us on this reservation.**Danael**

24. Just a castaway, an island lost at sea-O... another lonely day, there's noone here but me-O.**Krysten**

25. New boy in the neighborhood, lives downstairs and it's understood - he's there just to take good care of me - like he's one of the family.**Jamie**

Do your worst!

678 Square Feet

The cable guy just left. Now all is right with the world. I've got my superfast internet. I've got my digital cable with way too many channels. I've got the DVR *SIGH*. A guy from the church gave me his son's old PS2 and some games. I rented NCAA 2005, and am right in the middle of a dynasty season in which LSU is 6-0, and ranked number 2 in the nation (so far). I am this close to staying in Houston for the Thanksgiving holiday and just laying in front of the TV. Seriously - I'm trying to imagine something more fun than this.

I can't.

I wondered if I would be miserable in a tiny little apartment all by myself. I thought I might be lonely, or that I wouldn't have enough room. Well, 678 square feet is plenty of room for me. Of the 5 nights I've spent here, I've had company for 3 of them - and there was plenty of room for them, too. Also, there are distinct advantages to living all by myself. I can wear or not wear whatever the heck I want. If somebody eats all of something, I know exACtly who it was. When somebody forgets to flush - same thing. I can stay up as late as I want, and if I fall asleep with the TV on? Nobody cares. Heck, nobody even KNOWS. Somehow, the darn thing always ends up turned off in the morning. And no, it's not a sleep timer - it's the elves, or something. I've got a sweet new coffee table and matching end tables, 3 new lamps, a fake plant for the little nook above my bar, and a cool-looking brand new phone that's not turned on yet.

I just got up to drink a little bit of milk. Straight out of the jug! That's just how I roll. I can do that now. When you come to my house, and want some milk - you better ask first. Just in case. Anyway - when I did, I noticed something. Obviously all milk has an expiration date, and it's not a hard and fast rule, just a guideline blahblahblahblahblah.... whatever. Drinking milk past its expiration date is not a chance I am willing to take. Even if it's just the next day. Heck, even if it's the same day - I'll actually stop to think about it. My milk has an expiration date of November 28. People are always like - "What? You think that on November 27th it's good, but at the stroke of midnight, it sours and curdles immediately?" People think they are sooo funny. No, I do not think that's what happens. I think it's more like 8:21 PM, and here's why -

IT SAYS SO ON MY MILK.

I wouldn't mess with you about something so serious. My milk not only has an expiration date, it has an expiration time. I wish I had a picture. Mock on, you scoffers! What comment have you naysayers on THAT!?

So yeah. I hadn't really planned out this post or anything, so there's no real beginning, middle or end. So...

Donde esta Carmen San Diego

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

Let's Get It On

Your Seduction Style: Sweet Talker

Your seduction technique can be summed up with "charm" You know that if you have the chance to talk to someone... Well, you won't be talking for long! ;-) You're great at telling potential lovers what they want to hear. Partially, because you're a great reflective listener and good at complementing. The other part of your formula? Focusing your conversation completely on the other person. Your "sweet talking" ways have taken you far in romance - and in life. You can finess your way through any difficult situation, with a smile on your face. Speeding tickets, job interviews... bring it on! You truly live a *charmed life*

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

Krysten and Jamie - for the love of all things good and holy!! Cease and desist!!

"I must blake you..."

J.T. is a Giant Ant that eats Metal, has Black-and-White Stripes, an Extra Head and a Long Neck, and picks up Cars and Throws Them. Strength: 4 Agility: 4 Intelligence: 10 To see if your Giant Battle Monster can defeat J.T., enter your name and choose an attack: fights J.T. using Strength Agility Intelligence

Blogthings

Your Superhero Profile

Your Superhero Name is The Silver Engineer Your Superpower is Piracy Your Weakness is The Moon Your Weapon is Your Gas Sling Your Mode of Transportation is Kite

What's your Superhero Name?

In a Past Life...

You Were: A Greasy Astrologer. Where You Lived: Saudi Arabia. How You Died: Hung for treason.

Who Were You In a Past Life?

Your 1920's Name is:

Garvin Ardell

What's Your 1920's Name?

You Are 60% Weird

You're so weird, you think you're *totally* normal. Right? But you wig out even the biggest of circus freaks!

How Weird Are You?

H-Town: Day 2 - Houston by the numbers

Woke up: 8:20 a.m.
Arrived at work: 9:05 a.m.
(SEE. He can do it.)
Cost of BBQ Lunch (it is Texas, after all): $9.24
Cost of a new AC power cord for Dell Inspiron 9300: $80.00
(I left the real one on my couch in Baton Rouge.)
Exchange period for new AC power cord: 90 days
(Better believe it's going back.)
# of songs lost from iTunes after computer guy set me up on the network: 2,472
(8.2 days, 9.17 GB)
# of songs recovered from iPod, extracted to external hard drive, and manually dragged and dropped back into iTunes: 2,468
(Don't ask me what the other 4 were, or where they went.)
# of students and/or parents and/or coworkers names I actually remember: 5?
(Are we talking real names?)
Date I was supposed to be able to move into my apartment: November 10, 2005
Date that Lisa, the apartment lady, called and told me I could move in, instead: November 5, 2005
Date that I can realistically move in, financially speaking: November 15, 2005
Left work: 5:15 p.m.
Total work hours today: 8 hours 10 minutes
(But who's counting?)
Gas at Copperfield Exxon #60399: 10.464 gallons at $2.389/gallon = $25.00.
(I swear the pump stopped itself right there. I took it as a good omen. Okay - I took it as inspiration to write this post.)
Dinner at Boston Market: $11.12
(Exact change. A ten, a one, two nickels, two pennies.)
Smallville: 7 p.m. CST on Channel 36
Survivor: 7 p.m. CST on Channel 12
CSI: 8 p.m. CST on Channel 12
# of times the freakin' DirectTV lost signal tonight: 4
Average length of lost signal: 5 minutes
Is it currently on the fritz for good? Yes.
Percentage of Sunday morning's High School Sunday School lesson complete: 0%
Days until Sunday: 3
Days until return to Baton Rouge: 3

This was really fun. We should do it again sometime. OH - AND....

A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash (Mitchell Shoumaker)

Shaleauxm.