This is a test. My computer crashed a couple of weeks ago and I've been having trouble sending photos to my blog. This is a photo of me driving a red fire truck. My brother David is the bald-headed back seat driver.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Sunday, June 12, 2005
"You've Been Inconvenienced!"
UPN lights up the night with its first new show of the Fall season with an all new episode of "You've Been Inconvenienced!"
Tonight, on a very special "You've Been Inconvenienced!", watch as James Michael Tyler is put to the test as he is made to wait on a grande vanilla creme frappuccino. The pressure will build as this B-list star is told that his coffee order will take a minute or two longer.
Hidden cameras will record the entire event as this soon to be well now thespian flips through a People magazine, paces in front of the pastry display and at one point checks his watch.
You can cut the tension with a knife as he asks, "how's it going back there?" to the barista that we secretly replaced with a YBI cast member.
Just when you think he can't take any more, our host Kevin Federline, comes out from his hiding place in the storage room and screams, "You've been inconvenienced! In your face. You've been inconvenienced!"
Tonight, on a very special "You've Been Inconvenienced!", watch as James Michael Tyler is put to the test as he is made to wait on a grande vanilla creme frappuccino. The pressure will build as this B-list star is told that his coffee order will take a minute or two longer.
Hidden cameras will record the entire event as this soon to be well now thespian flips through a People magazine, paces in front of the pastry display and at one point checks his watch.
You can cut the tension with a knife as he asks, "how's it going back there?" to the barista that we secretly replaced with a YBI cast member.
Just when you think he can't take any more, our host Kevin Federline, comes out from his hiding place in the storage room and screams, "You've been inconvenienced! In your face. You've been inconvenienced!"
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Spiderman Lyrics
Spiderman, Spiderman, Does whatever a spider can Spins a web, any size, Catches thieves just like flies Look Out!
Here comes the Spiderman.
Is he strong? Listen bud, He's got radioactive blood.
Can he swing from a thread Take a look overhead Hey, there There goes the Spiderman.
In the chill of night At the scene of a crime Like a streak of light He arrives just in time.
Spiderman, Spiderman Friendly neighborhood Spiderman Wealth and fame He's ingnored Action is his reward.
To him, life is a great big bang up Whenever there's a hang up You'll find the Spider man.
Here comes the Spiderman.
Is he strong? Listen bud, He's got radioactive blood.
Can he swing from a thread Take a look overhead Hey, there There goes the Spiderman.
In the chill of night At the scene of a crime Like a streak of light He arrives just in time.
Spiderman, Spiderman Friendly neighborhood Spiderman Wealth and fame He's ingnored Action is his reward.
To him, life is a great big bang up Whenever there's a hang up You'll find the Spider man.
Wonder Woman Lyrics
I was watching Wonder Woman on TV Land today. She was, of course, fighting Nazis. It was 1978 and she fighting Hilter, again.
Just spin and change into the costume already. Just for the record, Lynda Carter is a permanent resident in my happy place.
Anyway the show ended and the theme music started playing and I could not remember the words. Quick to the internet. Porn and song lyrics for everyone.
Lyrics by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox www.lyricsondemand.com
"Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman.
All the world's waiting for you, and the power you possess.
In your satin tights, Fighting for your rights And the old Red, White and Blue.
Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman.
Now the world is ready for you, and the wonders you can do.
Make a hawk a dove, Stop a war with love, Make a liar tell the truth.
Wonder Woman, Get us out from under, Wonder Woman.
All our hopes are pinned on you. And the magic that you do.
Stop a bullet cold, Make the Axis fall, Change their minds, and change the world.
Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman.
You're a wonder, Wonder Woman."
Just spin and change into the costume already. Just for the record, Lynda Carter is a permanent resident in my happy place.
Anyway the show ended and the theme music started playing and I could not remember the words. Quick to the internet. Porn and song lyrics for everyone.
Lyrics by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox www.lyricsondemand.com
"Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman.
All the world's waiting for you, and the power you possess.
In your satin tights, Fighting for your rights And the old Red, White and Blue.
Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman.
Now the world is ready for you, and the wonders you can do.
Make a hawk a dove, Stop a war with love, Make a liar tell the truth.
Wonder Woman, Get us out from under, Wonder Woman.
All our hopes are pinned on you. And the magic that you do.
Stop a bullet cold, Make the Axis fall, Change their minds, and change the world.
Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman.
You're a wonder, Wonder Woman."
Friday, June 10, 2005
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Tale of Two RibFest Revised
The RibFest is supposed to be a contest between Ribbers to see who has the best flavor, not a contest between two cities to see who can have the best rib inspired event.
On May 10th at Forest Oaks Country Club, a group of Green Coaters and Old Timers met for dinner immediately following the Green Coat Club/Old Timers Golf Challenge.
During dinner Gene Shanks, 2005 Greensboro Jaycee President, was asked to take the podium and say a few words about what was happening with the Greensboro Jaycees this year.
He spoke briefly about renting parking spaces during baseball games, said the CCG was going well and then made a strange comment about an upcoming project, "contrary to what you may have heard in the local media, RibFest is not moving to Winston-Salem."
He didn't say another word about this rumor and no one asked him about it while he was at the podium. In fact he took no questions at all. Days later Hitz 94.1 began playing ads promoting the "Twin City" RibFest to be held in Winston-Salem.
"The 2005 Shiner Bock Twin City RibFest makes its debut in downtown Winston-Salem on June 16, 17, and 18, 11am-11pm daily. The event will include a performance stage featuring over 22 regional musical acts, along with other performers, childrenÂ’s activities, a market, and of course,professional rib cookers vying for awards. Click here to find out more details including maps and hotel accommodations."
To find out more about the event to be held in Winston-Salem go to http://www.twincityribfest.com/page/page/1909853.htm
Last year's event was called the 2004 Crown Royal Gate City RibFest presented by AKA Enterprises and the Greensboro Jaycees, but I was not sure about the Twin City RibFest, so I contacted Kathi Winkler. Winkler is the acting Greensboro Jaycee chairman for the 2005 Crown Royal Gate City RibFest, that is again being presented by the Greensboro Jaycees.
Winkler indicated that last year's chairman had contracted with Allen McDavid of AKA Enterprises to do promotional items that the Greensboro Jaycees were unwilling or unable to do. This included marketing, media relations and sponsorship sales.
As to the AKA Enterprises' performance during the 2004 event, Winkler said, "He (Allen McDavid) did a decent job last year."
After reading the orginial article posted on www.ggoblogger.blogspot.com , Allen McDavid responded by email to present a few points of his own. "Also, please note that my role last year was much more than a media firm. I designed the event's footprint, secured merchandise vendors, entertainment, hauled fencing from the Jaycee's storehouse in Forest Oaks, and worked over 14 hours each day of the event. For Kathi Winkler to say that I did a 'decent job' is quite an understatement," McDavid wrote responding to Winkler's claim.
Winkler was the assistant chairman for the 2004 RibFest. She began making plans for the 2005 event back then. She was surprised by how much responsiblity was given to the McDavid by the 2004 RibFest chairman. The AKA Enterprises was given "carte blanche" over the project according to Winkler. This included a $30,000 media budget.
McDavid responsed by email to comment on the project's media budget, "Through a media contact I was instrumental in securing Crown Royal as a $10,000 title sponsor. I then brought in Shiner Bock along with numerous media in-kind sponsorships that totaled the $30,000 media budget that Winkler said I spent. Other in-kind sponsors that I secured donated all the banners, T-shirts, etc."
When the planning for the 2005 Gate City RibFest began, Winkler wanted to return to a more traditional Jaycee project model.
"I'm an old fashion Jaycee," Winkler said during a phone interview with Randy Harris. She feels that the Jaycees have the ability to run this project without the use of an outside marketing firm and has no plans to use one this year. She feels that the Jaycees have the contacts to make this a successful event.
Reflecting on last year's event, Winkler felt that the McDavid and AKA Enterprises started to "take credit", as she put it, for the event's success.
The Greensboro Jaycees are planning their version of this event on July 8,9,10 at the Greensboro Jaycee Complex at 401. N. Greene Street in downtown Greensboro.
Crown Royal is the event's main sponsor. When asked if sponsors were confusing the two events, Winkler admitted that there may have been a little confusion at first, but once it was explained that the Greensboro Jaycees where behind the event in Greensboro and not the one in Winston-Salem, the sponsors chose the Jaycee event in Greensboro.
Among the attractions at the Greensboro event, Winkler wants to have a dunking booth and hopes to get the mayor, 2005 Greensboro Jaycee President Gene Shanks and 2005 Chrysler Classic General Chairman Justin Conrad to be targets.
Which bring us to the question of why do we how have two rib events instead of just one? McDavid said he contacted the current Jaycee leadership and " I was quick to point out that preparations for the 2005 event should begin immediately."
McDavid indicated that he was not contacted about being involved with the Jaycee sponsored 2005 "Gate City" RibFest and that he moved forward by planning his own event in Winston-Salem.
"Of course, she (Kathi Winkler) never called, so I began plans on the Twin City RibFest. The fact of the matter is that no Jaycee contacted me about the RibFest until Gerald Joyce (2005 Greensboro Jaycee Chairman of the Board) called in May when he heard that I was doing a RibFest in Winston-Salem. His only concern was the confusion between the two events," McDavid wrote in an email to Randy Harris.
As far as silimar promotional materials being used to promote both events, McDavid said " I developed the logo (but retained ownership of it), created and implemented a marketing campaign."
This is the tale of two RibFest. Rember the one in Winston-Salem is the 2005 Shiner Bock Twin City RibFest and it will be held on June 16, 17, and 18, 11am-11pm daily.
The Greensboro Jaycees are planning their version of the 2005 Gate City RibFest on July 8,9,10 at the Greensboro Jaycee Complex at 401. N. Greene Street in downtown Greensboro. For more information go to www.jaycee.org or call 336 379-1570.
Randy Harris
On May 10th at Forest Oaks Country Club, a group of Green Coaters and Old Timers met for dinner immediately following the Green Coat Club/Old Timers Golf Challenge.
During dinner Gene Shanks, 2005 Greensboro Jaycee President, was asked to take the podium and say a few words about what was happening with the Greensboro Jaycees this year.
He spoke briefly about renting parking spaces during baseball games, said the CCG was going well and then made a strange comment about an upcoming project, "contrary to what you may have heard in the local media, RibFest is not moving to Winston-Salem."
He didn't say another word about this rumor and no one asked him about it while he was at the podium. In fact he took no questions at all. Days later Hitz 94.1 began playing ads promoting the "Twin City" RibFest to be held in Winston-Salem.
"The 2005 Shiner Bock Twin City RibFest makes its debut in downtown Winston-Salem on June 16, 17, and 18, 11am-11pm daily. The event will include a performance stage featuring over 22 regional musical acts, along with other performers, childrenÂ’s activities, a market, and of course,professional rib cookers vying for awards. Click here to find out more details including maps and hotel accommodations."
To find out more about the event to be held in Winston-Salem go to http://www.twincityribfest.com/page/page/1909853.htm
Last year's event was called the 2004 Crown Royal Gate City RibFest presented by AKA Enterprises and the Greensboro Jaycees, but I was not sure about the Twin City RibFest, so I contacted Kathi Winkler. Winkler is the acting Greensboro Jaycee chairman for the 2005 Crown Royal Gate City RibFest, that is again being presented by the Greensboro Jaycees.
Winkler indicated that last year's chairman had contracted with Allen McDavid of AKA Enterprises to do promotional items that the Greensboro Jaycees were unwilling or unable to do. This included marketing, media relations and sponsorship sales.
As to the AKA Enterprises' performance during the 2004 event, Winkler said, "He (Allen McDavid) did a decent job last year."
After reading the orginial article posted on www.ggoblogger.blogspot.com , Allen McDavid responded by email to present a few points of his own. "Also, please note that my role last year was much more than a media firm. I designed the event's footprint, secured merchandise vendors, entertainment, hauled fencing from the Jaycee's storehouse in Forest Oaks, and worked over 14 hours each day of the event. For Kathi Winkler to say that I did a 'decent job' is quite an understatement," McDavid wrote responding to Winkler's claim.
Winkler was the assistant chairman for the 2004 RibFest. She began making plans for the 2005 event back then. She was surprised by how much responsiblity was given to the McDavid by the 2004 RibFest chairman. The AKA Enterprises was given "carte blanche" over the project according to Winkler. This included a $30,000 media budget.
McDavid responsed by email to comment on the project's media budget, "Through a media contact I was instrumental in securing Crown Royal as a $10,000 title sponsor. I then brought in Shiner Bock along with numerous media in-kind sponsorships that totaled the $30,000 media budget that Winkler said I spent. Other in-kind sponsors that I secured donated all the banners, T-shirts, etc."
When the planning for the 2005 Gate City RibFest began, Winkler wanted to return to a more traditional Jaycee project model.
"I'm an old fashion Jaycee," Winkler said during a phone interview with Randy Harris. She feels that the Jaycees have the ability to run this project without the use of an outside marketing firm and has no plans to use one this year. She feels that the Jaycees have the contacts to make this a successful event.
Reflecting on last year's event, Winkler felt that the McDavid and AKA Enterprises started to "take credit", as she put it, for the event's success.
The Greensboro Jaycees are planning their version of this event on July 8,9,10 at the Greensboro Jaycee Complex at 401. N. Greene Street in downtown Greensboro.
Crown Royal is the event's main sponsor. When asked if sponsors were confusing the two events, Winkler admitted that there may have been a little confusion at first, but once it was explained that the Greensboro Jaycees where behind the event in Greensboro and not the one in Winston-Salem, the sponsors chose the Jaycee event in Greensboro.
Among the attractions at the Greensboro event, Winkler wants to have a dunking booth and hopes to get the mayor, 2005 Greensboro Jaycee President Gene Shanks and 2005 Chrysler Classic General Chairman Justin Conrad to be targets.
Which bring us to the question of why do we how have two rib events instead of just one? McDavid said he contacted the current Jaycee leadership and " I was quick to point out that preparations for the 2005 event should begin immediately."
McDavid indicated that he was not contacted about being involved with the Jaycee sponsored 2005 "Gate City" RibFest and that he moved forward by planning his own event in Winston-Salem.
"Of course, she (Kathi Winkler) never called, so I began plans on the Twin City RibFest. The fact of the matter is that no Jaycee contacted me about the RibFest until Gerald Joyce (2005 Greensboro Jaycee Chairman of the Board) called in May when he heard that I was doing a RibFest in Winston-Salem. His only concern was the confusion between the two events," McDavid wrote in an email to Randy Harris.
As far as silimar promotional materials being used to promote both events, McDavid said " I developed the logo (but retained ownership of it), created and implemented a marketing campaign."
This is the tale of two RibFest. Rember the one in Winston-Salem is the 2005 Shiner Bock Twin City RibFest and it will be held on June 16, 17, and 18, 11am-11pm daily.
The Greensboro Jaycees are planning their version of the 2005 Gate City RibFest on July 8,9,10 at the Greensboro Jaycee Complex at 401. N. Greene Street in downtown Greensboro. For more information go to www.jaycee.org or call 336 379-1570.
Randy Harris
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Chilean Worm Purse
I wake up every morning thinking the same three words, "need to piss". This morning I had three different words on my mind, "Chilean worm purse." I'm not sure what that is, if it's anything?
I mean it sounds like it should be a thing. If it's not a thing, let's agree to call the next new nameless thing "Chilean worm purse". I'm not sure if it is a Chilean purse made for worms or if it is purse made of Chilean worms?
The term would make a great computer virus name. It has the word worm in it. Don't computer virus names always have the word "worm" in them?
It sounds fancy. I can just imagine some Hollywood star walking down the red carpet and someone pointing out how well her shoes match her Chilean worm purse.
It could be a Hardy Boys story, "The Hardy Boys and the Mystery of the Chilean Worm Purse."
I often have trouble sleeping at night and I might very well flip channels to find Chilean Worm Purses being sold on QVC between men's jewelry and collectible knives for women.
I put this new collection of words into my Google search engine and it came up with 10,500 hits. None of these used all three words correctly, but there was a site regarding a Chilean karaoke champion. I bet he has a chilean worm purse to match his eyes.
I mean it sounds like it should be a thing. If it's not a thing, let's agree to call the next new nameless thing "Chilean worm purse". I'm not sure if it is a Chilean purse made for worms or if it is purse made of Chilean worms?
The term would make a great computer virus name. It has the word worm in it. Don't computer virus names always have the word "worm" in them?
It sounds fancy. I can just imagine some Hollywood star walking down the red carpet and someone pointing out how well her shoes match her Chilean worm purse.
It could be a Hardy Boys story, "The Hardy Boys and the Mystery of the Chilean Worm Purse."
I often have trouble sleeping at night and I might very well flip channels to find Chilean Worm Purses being sold on QVC between men's jewelry and collectible knives for women.
I put this new collection of words into my Google search engine and it came up with 10,500 hits. None of these used all three words correctly, but there was a site regarding a Chilean karaoke champion. I bet he has a chilean worm purse to match his eyes.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Stuff I Hate
I hate when people give me photos of their new born babies, but they don't bother to write the child's name on the back of the photo. I have an entire drawer full of baby pictures. I don't know who these kids are or if I'm related to them or not. I think the ones with bows in their hair are girls. As a general rule, just don't give me any pictures of your kids, unless you correctly id them on the back of the photo or they can be recognized as a person.
I hate it when the local weatherman takes credit for the weather.
I hate it when people are a good thirty feet ahead of me going through a door and they stop and hold it open, forcing me to speed up in order to not look like I don't appreciate them holding the door for me. Once I am forced to speed up to get the door, it cancels out the nice gesture, so it's like you didn't do anything nice to begin with.
I hate it when you pass a co-worker on my job and I say "How are you?" and they answer back "How are you?" I hate it even more when they say "How are you?" and I reply, "How are you?" I also don't like that stupid little smile I have to accompany it with.
I hate it when the local weatherman takes credit for the weather.
I hate it when people are a good thirty feet ahead of me going through a door and they stop and hold it open, forcing me to speed up in order to not look like I don't appreciate them holding the door for me. Once I am forced to speed up to get the door, it cancels out the nice gesture, so it's like you didn't do anything nice to begin with.
I hate it when you pass a co-worker on my job and I say "How are you?" and they answer back "How are you?" I hate it even more when they say "How are you?" and I reply, "How are you?" I also don't like that stupid little smile I have to accompany it with.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Monday, May 09, 2005
Friday, April 29, 2005
Prime Time Press Conference
I tuned in to watch part of the President's prime time press conference and he was talking about social security and private accounts.
At first I found his tone to be condescending, like he was explaining this concept to a group of 8th graders. It then occurred to me that prehaps has was just parroting it back the way it back the way it was explained to him.
At first I found his tone to be condescending, like he was explaining this concept to a group of 8th graders. It then occurred to me that prehaps has was just parroting it back the way it back the way it was explained to him.
An End to "Happy Slapping"
If everyone had a gun, instead of a cel phone, there would be less happy slapping.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Cell Phone Nation-"Happy Slapping"
"Happy Slapping": Slap someone, record his/her reactions with a camera phone!
Another reason to ban camera phones in schools: Happy Slapping. London teenagers are slapping other teens and strangers in the face so they can use a camera phone to record the reactions!
Another reason to ban camera phones in schools: Happy Slapping. London teenagers are slapping other teens and strangers in the face so they can use a camera phone to record the reactions!
Monday, April 25, 2005
Note to Dave Walker(man) from Father Ed Fitzgerald
The following is a note written to Dave Walker(man) from one of my college roommates, Father Ed Fitzgerald. I feel very small right now.
"It is I do not be afraid.
Hello Dave Walker, It is Fr. Ed Fitzgerald.
Thank you very much for your email. I am doing well and enjoying serving Holy Mother Church as a priest for the Diocese of Charleston. I have a degree in Canon Law from Rome and the pastor of a parish (500 families, school 220 students). I am also the Chancellor for the diocese. On July 9, 2005 I will celebrate 10 years of priesthood. I am delighted to hear of your conversion to Roman Catholicism. Welcome to the Club.
I will continue to keep you close in my prayers and I wish you much peace and happiness in your life.
God Bless
Fr. Fitzgerald"
"It is I do not be afraid.
Hello Dave Walker, It is Fr. Ed Fitzgerald.
Thank you very much for your email. I am doing well and enjoying serving Holy Mother Church as a priest for the Diocese of Charleston. I have a degree in Canon Law from Rome and the pastor of a parish (500 families, school 220 students). I am also the Chancellor for the diocese. On July 9, 2005 I will celebrate 10 years of priesthood. I am delighted to hear of your conversion to Roman Catholicism. Welcome to the Club.
I will continue to keep you close in my prayers and I wish you much peace and happiness in your life.
God Bless
Fr. Fitzgerald"
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Kind Words from Scott and Dave
"Mr. Harris writes: "For the record I never felt like I was part of the whole Jefferson Street/Grey house thing."
Sir Toby: A false conclusion: I hate it as an unfilled can. To be up after midnight and to go to bed then, is early; so that to go to bed after midnight is to go bed betimes. does not our life consist of the four elements.
Sir Andrew: Faith, so they say; but i think it rather consists of eating and drinking.Sir Toby: Thou are a scholar! let us therefore eat and drink. Marian, I say! A stoup of wine!--From "Twelth Ninth" (found in the back of Fred Chappell's 'Earthsleep') a nice little autographed beauty from Mr. Harris.
You see, Randy, what you've got to understand, is that while you may have not spent a lot of physical time at Jefferson Street, you were there constantly in spirit. In fact, without you there would have been no Jefferson Street or at least no need for such an assorted mix of misfits to live there together. As a poet/zen master you transcend the need for physical presence: each one of us still carries a piece of you with us where ever we go. Can't look at a dead squirrel and not think of you, and, by god, I don't many peole I can say that to and mean it. So, despite how you feel, as an original member of the Jefferson Street four, as someone who played nine holes of golf through the living room, as one who watched as a drunken hippy pissed in Dave Walkerman's closet and sat helplessly by as a callow wimp, as one who officially fucked fucking study break, as one who drove to DC at midnight with a 2-litre root beer, a pack of bologna and a loaf of bread and slept in a parking lot, I officially, barring protest from the other lease-signing members, do hereby bequeth you the official title of Jefferson Street/Grey House thing member with all the responsibility and disgrace it brings. And anyway, most of our time was spent in Guilford chatting up the receptionist chicks or throwing jars of jelly at South Spencer.And finally, I think the only reason you didn't hang out at Jefferson is because you were the only one of us losers that actually had a girlfriend and had something to do." Scott Nunn
Dave 8:26 AM
"I have to echo the sentiments of the esteemed Mr. Nunn.Without Randy, there is no 'us'. He is the foundation and soul of our mutual friendships.He was as much a part of the Grey House as anyone.I don't remember the frozen chicken thing at all; though I do have very clear memories of Ed doing pushups in the snow.I wonder what Fr. Fitzgerald is up to these days. Last I heard I think he had been sent to Rome for graduate work.It's a shame there's not an interconnected worldwide system of networked computers where one can look these things up.Well, maybe someday. Right after we get flying cars, they should work on that." Dave Walker(man)
Sir Toby: A false conclusion: I hate it as an unfilled can. To be up after midnight and to go to bed then, is early; so that to go to bed after midnight is to go bed betimes. does not our life consist of the four elements.
Sir Andrew: Faith, so they say; but i think it rather consists of eating and drinking.Sir Toby: Thou are a scholar! let us therefore eat and drink. Marian, I say! A stoup of wine!--From "Twelth Ninth" (found in the back of Fred Chappell's 'Earthsleep') a nice little autographed beauty from Mr. Harris.
You see, Randy, what you've got to understand, is that while you may have not spent a lot of physical time at Jefferson Street, you were there constantly in spirit. In fact, without you there would have been no Jefferson Street or at least no need for such an assorted mix of misfits to live there together. As a poet/zen master you transcend the need for physical presence: each one of us still carries a piece of you with us where ever we go. Can't look at a dead squirrel and not think of you, and, by god, I don't many peole I can say that to and mean it. So, despite how you feel, as an original member of the Jefferson Street four, as someone who played nine holes of golf through the living room, as one who watched as a drunken hippy pissed in Dave Walkerman's closet and sat helplessly by as a callow wimp, as one who officially fucked fucking study break, as one who drove to DC at midnight with a 2-litre root beer, a pack of bologna and a loaf of bread and slept in a parking lot, I officially, barring protest from the other lease-signing members, do hereby bequeth you the official title of Jefferson Street/Grey House thing member with all the responsibility and disgrace it brings. And anyway, most of our time was spent in Guilford chatting up the receptionist chicks or throwing jars of jelly at South Spencer.And finally, I think the only reason you didn't hang out at Jefferson is because you were the only one of us losers that actually had a girlfriend and had something to do." Scott Nunn
Dave 8:26 AM
"I have to echo the sentiments of the esteemed Mr. Nunn.Without Randy, there is no 'us'. He is the foundation and soul of our mutual friendships.He was as much a part of the Grey House as anyone.I don't remember the frozen chicken thing at all; though I do have very clear memories of Ed doing pushups in the snow.I wonder what Fr. Fitzgerald is up to these days. Last I heard I think he had been sent to Rome for graduate work.It's a shame there's not an interconnected worldwide system of networked computers where one can look these things up.Well, maybe someday. Right after we get flying cars, they should work on that." Dave Walker(man)
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Stuff Stolen from Dave Town-Jefferson Street Chronicles, Part 1
JEFFERSON STREET CHRONICLES, PART I
There is an increasingly fascinating discussion on religion going on between my former college roomies and myself. It is going on partly via email, and partly via the posts and comments on this here lil’ blog. I’m going to make it a regular feature for as long as it lasts.This group of men have been my friends for 20 years. It has been said that a friend is a person that knows everything about you, and still likes you; while family is made up of those people who will always take you in, no matter what. That makes these guys both friend and family to me.
I can’t decide whether to refer to us as the Shirttail Gang (based on our habit of going around campus untucked, in our mid-80’s, non-fashion-conscious manner), the Guilford Hall Debating Society (based on our dormitory and favorite activity . . . okay, second or third favorite activity), or the Jefferson Street Posse (based on the really cool grey house on Jefferson where we all lived for a while, which is now a parking lot). I’ll either alternate between all three, or get a group consensus and go with that.
By way of introductions, the members of the group are as follows:
Dr. J.W. Bray, Quaker. Genius, economist, and the holder of the highest academic degree out of the group.
J.S. Nunn, Episcopalian. Newspaper editor, raconteur, holder of the World Record for the most consecutive playings of Pat Metheny’s “As Falls Wichita….” album.
C.R. Harris IV, Unaffiliated. Poet, black belt, photographer extraordinaire, and tallest member of the society.
J. Gogick, Russian Orthodox cum nondenominational Protestant. Newspaper editor, mystic, gnome, provocateur.
D. J. Walkerman, Catholic. Schoolteacher, attorney, slacker/underachiever/moron, Okie.
Join us, won't you, as we test the limits of religion, philosophy, and b.s. here on our little corner of cyber-blogger-space-o-sphere.
It will either be a fascinating discussion for the ages, or a literary trainwreck. Either way, you don't want to miss it.
There is an increasingly fascinating discussion on religion going on between my former college roomies and myself. It is going on partly via email, and partly via the posts and comments on this here lil’ blog. I’m going to make it a regular feature for as long as it lasts.This group of men have been my friends for 20 years. It has been said that a friend is a person that knows everything about you, and still likes you; while family is made up of those people who will always take you in, no matter what. That makes these guys both friend and family to me.
I can’t decide whether to refer to us as the Shirttail Gang (based on our habit of going around campus untucked, in our mid-80’s, non-fashion-conscious manner), the Guilford Hall Debating Society (based on our dormitory and favorite activity . . . okay, second or third favorite activity), or the Jefferson Street Posse (based on the really cool grey house on Jefferson where we all lived for a while, which is now a parking lot). I’ll either alternate between all three, or get a group consensus and go with that.
By way of introductions, the members of the group are as follows:
Dr. J.W. Bray, Quaker. Genius, economist, and the holder of the highest academic degree out of the group.
J.S. Nunn, Episcopalian. Newspaper editor, raconteur, holder of the World Record for the most consecutive playings of Pat Metheny’s “As Falls Wichita….” album.
C.R. Harris IV, Unaffiliated. Poet, black belt, photographer extraordinaire, and tallest member of the society.
J. Gogick, Russian Orthodox cum nondenominational Protestant. Newspaper editor, mystic, gnome, provocateur.
D. J. Walkerman, Catholic. Schoolteacher, attorney, slacker/underachiever/moron, Okie.
Join us, won't you, as we test the limits of religion, philosophy, and b.s. here on our little corner of cyber-blogger-space-o-sphere.
It will either be a fascinating discussion for the ages, or a literary trainwreck. Either way, you don't want to miss it.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Greensboro is Talking About the Fred Hotline
Sneaky buggerPosted by theshu on March 16th, 2005
"Randy Harris from the Greater Greensboro Open Blog has secretly been maintaining a second blog. Check out Fred Hotline for the lighter side of Randy. Caution: Contains a cat picture."
"Randy Harris from the Greater Greensboro Open Blog has secretly been maintaining a second blog. Check out Fred Hotline for the lighter side of Randy. Caution: Contains a cat picture."
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Stop Reading the Fred Hotline and Start Reading Dave Town
POPE AS WORLD LEADER
"A Mr. Randy Harris of Greensboro, NC writes in and says, "Hey, Dave, talk about the Pope as a world leader".We're always happy to take requests here at DaveTown. Though, truthfully, this is only the second one. But nonetheless, here goes.Stalin once famously said "How many divisions has the Pope?" (oh, that he had lived long enough to see the reign of John Paul the Great).John Adams once said, not as famously, but just as relevantly "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."
Somewhere in the middle of these two quotes is the answer to your question, Randy. The Pope has no authority in the world apart from moral authority. If he is able to exercise it, more people will attempt to conform their lives to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If this happens, then Stalin's question becomes moot, and the admonition of Adams is fulfilled.Securing the liberty of individual citizens is the only legitimate goal of government. Guiding individuals toward the goal of eternal salvation is the only legitimate goal of the Church. If both entities do their jobs correctly, we have peace, both in the temporal and spiritual sense.Toward these ends, the role of the Pope, as a world leader, is twofold. First, to encourage, support and foster political freedom, insofar as his moral authority and influence are able to do so. Secondly, and more importantly, it is to facilitate the ability of the Church to teach the truths of the gospel, so that, once free, we will have the integrity, dignity, and moral awareness to live freely in the fullest sense of the word freedom.
That is, to be free to do good and to love, and free to live in a society that hasn't descended into a deadly barbarism, where the strongest exploit the weakest, and narcissism and nihilism are the only dogmas people will follow.Historians will look back in amazement at how effectively John Paul the Great filled both of these roles. God grant us a next Pope who is just as brave, just as inspirational, and just as faithful. "
"A Mr. Randy Harris of Greensboro, NC writes in and says, "Hey, Dave, talk about the Pope as a world leader".We're always happy to take requests here at DaveTown. Though, truthfully, this is only the second one. But nonetheless, here goes.Stalin once famously said "How many divisions has the Pope?" (oh, that he had lived long enough to see the reign of John Paul the Great).John Adams once said, not as famously, but just as relevantly "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."
Somewhere in the middle of these two quotes is the answer to your question, Randy. The Pope has no authority in the world apart from moral authority. If he is able to exercise it, more people will attempt to conform their lives to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If this happens, then Stalin's question becomes moot, and the admonition of Adams is fulfilled.Securing the liberty of individual citizens is the only legitimate goal of government. Guiding individuals toward the goal of eternal salvation is the only legitimate goal of the Church. If both entities do their jobs correctly, we have peace, both in the temporal and spiritual sense.Toward these ends, the role of the Pope, as a world leader, is twofold. First, to encourage, support and foster political freedom, insofar as his moral authority and influence are able to do so. Secondly, and more importantly, it is to facilitate the ability of the Church to teach the truths of the gospel, so that, once free, we will have the integrity, dignity, and moral awareness to live freely in the fullest sense of the word freedom.
That is, to be free to do good and to love, and free to live in a society that hasn't descended into a deadly barbarism, where the strongest exploit the weakest, and narcissism and nihilism are the only dogmas people will follow.Historians will look back in amazement at how effectively John Paul the Great filled both of these roles. God grant us a next Pope who is just as brave, just as inspirational, and just as faithful. "
Letter from Jeremy Bray
"I've found that even the Quaker faith, as unorganized as it is, is too organized for me. It's not that i don't enjoy a sense of community, quite the opposite -- I miss it terribly sometimes. It's just that any time we create an organized faith we leave people out. I've been on the outside looking in at times and it's no fun. And the idea that all people are welcome is bull shit. They're welcome as long as they adhere to the group's beliefs, otherwise their sinners, or heathens, or infidels. I find it very telling that the most influential people in history didn't adhere to group think. They were individuals.
This isn't a slam on any one religion or even religion as a whole. If it gives you comfort in a time of hardship, then I'm all for it. But the older I get the more I believe George Fox was right that God lives within each of us, all we have to do is listen. I just worry that with so much other noise going on around us that many times we can't hear God speaking. That's enough of that. As i told Dave, my new motto is all things in moderation.So, staying on religion but changing the subject to something even more controversial... do you ever think that Christianity has put so much emphasis on Jesus and Satan that we've turned it into a poly-deistic religion? I've been struck by the southern Baptists and other evangelical faiths that say "Jesus is Lord" or assert that Satan is roaming freely among us with almost god-like powers. There are other examples, such as Catholicism's elevation of Mary to almost deity status. Anytime you pray to someone, be it Jesus or Mary, doesn't that elevate them to deity status? If not, why not? I'm looking to you, Scott and Dave to set me straight. Or at least get me to think about things in a different way."
Peace
J
On Monday, April 18, 2005, at 08:53 PM, Bray, Jeremy W. wrote:
This isn't a slam on any one religion or even religion as a whole. If it gives you comfort in a time of hardship, then I'm all for it. But the older I get the more I believe George Fox was right that God lives within each of us, all we have to do is listen. I just worry that with so much other noise going on around us that many times we can't hear God speaking. That's enough of that. As i told Dave, my new motto is all things in moderation.So, staying on religion but changing the subject to something even more controversial... do you ever think that Christianity has put so much emphasis on Jesus and Satan that we've turned it into a poly-deistic religion? I've been struck by the southern Baptists and other evangelical faiths that say "Jesus is Lord" or assert that Satan is roaming freely among us with almost god-like powers. There are other examples, such as Catholicism's elevation of Mary to almost deity status. Anytime you pray to someone, be it Jesus or Mary, doesn't that elevate them to deity status? If not, why not? I'm looking to you, Scott and Dave to set me straight. Or at least get me to think about things in a different way."
Peace
J
On Monday, April 18, 2005, at 08:53 PM, Bray, Jeremy W. wrote:
Monday, April 18, 2005
Open Letter from Scott Nunn
"Hi Dave: I have some request for Dave Town. Does that make me No. 3 behind Harris.
Since I haven’t been able to talk with you much in a long time, I’d be interested in how you made your conversion to Roman Catholicism and how it the some of the church’s strict doctrines play out with your Libertarian beliefs; I agree with you on the Pope, he will be greatly missed; do you read Andrew Sullivan? He had some very critical things to say and I must admit that I agree with him on some, such as the issue of contraception here and especially in Africa, where millions of lives and much suffering could be saved. What do you think about the pope’s refusal to meet with victims of priest abuse, and what do you think about the prominence of Cardinal Law in the papal funeral rites following the Holy Father’s death?Also, I disagree with you on the Schiavo case but we can debate that another time.I ask these questions in good will as only perhaps a former college roommate can.I’m still riding the fence as a good old half “little-c catholic” “half-protestant” Episcopalian, finding “unity in common prayer rather than unity in doctrine” as one priest recently said.Of course we’re about to kill each other over the gay bishop issue. I think we are already two churches. I have no ill-will toward the conservatives in the Episcopal Church but I think it is senseless to fool ourselves into thinking we are going to patch things up when they are bible literalists — Baptists who like vestments — and I am a person who sees the bible not as any sort of science or history book but a book of poetry, and stories and musings or mortal men trying their best to figure out the meaning of such a powerful and mysterious creator and trying to wrap up this awesome creator in a little package we can make some sense of, sometimes to control, often for our own benefit. Well, as Seymour once said, “all we do our whole lives is is go from one little piece of Holy Ground to the next. Is he never wrong?”All best, ScottPS: the rest of you Guilford/Jefferson Street guys, feel free to pipe in."
Scott NunnCross Current EditorEpiscopal Diocese of East CarolinaPO Box 1293Wilmington, NC 28402 snunn@diocese-eastcarolina.org
Since I haven’t been able to talk with you much in a long time, I’d be interested in how you made your conversion to Roman Catholicism and how it the some of the church’s strict doctrines play out with your Libertarian beliefs; I agree with you on the Pope, he will be greatly missed; do you read Andrew Sullivan? He had some very critical things to say and I must admit that I agree with him on some, such as the issue of contraception here and especially in Africa, where millions of lives and much suffering could be saved. What do you think about the pope’s refusal to meet with victims of priest abuse, and what do you think about the prominence of Cardinal Law in the papal funeral rites following the Holy Father’s death?Also, I disagree with you on the Schiavo case but we can debate that another time.I ask these questions in good will as only perhaps a former college roommate can.I’m still riding the fence as a good old half “little-c catholic” “half-protestant” Episcopalian, finding “unity in common prayer rather than unity in doctrine” as one priest recently said.Of course we’re about to kill each other over the gay bishop issue. I think we are already two churches. I have no ill-will toward the conservatives in the Episcopal Church but I think it is senseless to fool ourselves into thinking we are going to patch things up when they are bible literalists — Baptists who like vestments — and I am a person who sees the bible not as any sort of science or history book but a book of poetry, and stories and musings or mortal men trying their best to figure out the meaning of such a powerful and mysterious creator and trying to wrap up this awesome creator in a little package we can make some sense of, sometimes to control, often for our own benefit. Well, as Seymour once said, “all we do our whole lives is is go from one little piece of Holy Ground to the next. Is he never wrong?”All best, ScottPS: the rest of you Guilford/Jefferson Street guys, feel free to pipe in."
Scott NunnCross Current EditorEpiscopal Diocese of East CarolinaPO Box 1293Wilmington, NC 28402 snunn@diocese-eastcarolina.org
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Monday, April 11, 2005
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Three Channels and a Test Pattern
I often find myself thinking of my childhood and remember events that I compare to the world in which I live today.
I do remember riding in the front seat of my mother's car, unrestrained, and hitting my head against the windshield and breaking it. I also remember my father being really mad, not about my well-being, but about replacing a windshield.
By today's standards this would be outrageous, but back then no one was using seat belts.
I can also remember a time when we only had three television channels and TV "went off" at the end of the day. You could stay up real late on the weekends and watch TV until it ended. They would show a flag waving, air planes flying and the National Anthem would be playing. After that the announcer would say, "This concludes our broadcast day."
We now live in a world were children never get to ride in the front seat and TV is always on.
I do remember riding in the front seat of my mother's car, unrestrained, and hitting my head against the windshield and breaking it. I also remember my father being really mad, not about my well-being, but about replacing a windshield.
By today's standards this would be outrageous, but back then no one was using seat belts.
I can also remember a time when we only had three television channels and TV "went off" at the end of the day. You could stay up real late on the weekends and watch TV until it ended. They would show a flag waving, air planes flying and the National Anthem would be playing. After that the announcer would say, "This concludes our broadcast day."
We now live in a world were children never get to ride in the front seat and TV is always on.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
I was going to write a funny caption for this photo of Randy, Mike and Dan, but I thought I'd tell a funny story instead. We had this 1970's Chairman's party for the GGCC back in 1999 and I guess all the guys thought that they needed a fro wig. Almost every guy there had one on. I talked to the clerk at Morris Costumes and he said we bought every wig they had.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Monday, April 04, 2005
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Dave Walkerman Requested This One
I'd like to request the Fred Hotline featuring Susie Hawley and Naomi Reavis. The one that's dedicated to all men who ever been shit on by a woman, and the glue stick that died during it's inception.
That's how I'm feeling right now.
Friday, April 01, 2005
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