Signifying nothing

Un-named Named! Originally uploaded by Theorris And the winner is...Thor! I know. I know. Thor was not an option in the poll, but the Wilhelm inmates and friends of Wilhelm inmates had several differing opinions on what the name should be. So Thor's full name is "Thor Wilber 'Regulator Johnson' Rodriguez." "Regulator Johnson is his wrestling name.

71/365: Shouldn't I be Sleeping? Originally uploaded by Theorris What the hell? It is vacation and I wake up at 5:00 am! While I was making my breakfast of eggs and bacon, I thought about heart attacks and the cholesterol=lowering benefits of oats. I put oats on my shopping list. Maybe I should go walk in the mall and then yell at kids who may or may not be on my lawn. Damn kids these days. Screw that. I'm going back to bed. That mug, by the way, is from New York from friend Hopabout. It is called "Cat Tricks." The black one laying down is "Fetch." The one standing up like a meerkat is "Go Away." The persian is "Chase." You get the idea.

See the thing about LIVE blogging is that in order to relive a live experience, you have to scroll all the way to the bottom. Oh well. I have more later about the bands that I actually think should be honored this year, and not just listened to incessantly by me.

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: Wilco http://www.last.fm/music/Wilco --- theorris said: And the Number One listened to band of 2008 is Wilco! What? Wilco? I blame the incessant listening to Wilco in the Summer due to their concert at Red Butte Gardens. With 379 listens, they beat out beck by just about 80. If Beck had showed up, however, there would have been no contest. Same goest for The Flaming Lips. ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: Beck http://www.last.fm/music/Beck --- theorris said: Coming in at #2 on "The Most Listened to Band or Musical Group of 2008" is BECK! A SHOCKER! BECK AT #2? Beck is currently #1 on Theorris's all-time play list, but takes second fiddle this year. The world is surely turned upside down. ---

Ok, we're back, and the anticipation of who is Theorris's most listened to band of the year is rolling over the crowd. We've already had many top contenders taken out. Who will it be? WHO WILL IT BE?!

Seriously, don't put your fingers around the edges of seats. You have no idea what other people have put there. Trust me. Back with more in a moment! Who will be the most listened to band of the year? Will it be Beck? Beyonce? Kid Rock?

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: The Flaming Lips http://www.last.fm/music/The+Flaming+Lips --- theorris said: Number 3 on the big list of my "Most Listened to Bands of 2008" is...The Flaming Lips! A year without the Lips is like a year without Christmas...on Mars. ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: Spoon http://www.last.fm/music/Spoon --- theorris said: Coming it at #4 on the "Most Listened to Bands of 2008" is Spoon. What can you say about Spoon other than they are destined to be one of the best musical groups of all time? ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: Aqueduct http://www.last.fm/music/Aqueduct --- theorris said: Coming in at #5 on Theorris's "Most Listened to Bands of 2008" is Aqueduct. Aqueduct is driven by David Terry and has various members. "Growing up with GNR" is a great song. ---

The top 5 will have more commentary, but most-likely just the same amount of annoyances.

Ok, it is getting annoying. I'm going to go back and take out the "trailer" information from lastfm and just leave it on #15. After the break stay tuned for the top 5!

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: Ghostland Observatory http://www.last.fm/music/Ghostland+Observatory --- theorris said: Coming up at #6 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" is Ghostland Observatory! ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: The New Pornographers http://www.last.fm/music/The+New+Pornographers --- theorris said: Coming up at #7 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" are The New Pornographers! ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: The Dandy Warhols http://www.last.fm/music/The+Dandy+Warhols --- theorris said: Coming up at #8 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" are The Dandy Warhols! ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: The Streets http://www.last.fm/music/The+Streets --- theorris said: Coming up at #9 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" is or are The Streets! ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: Eels http://www.last.fm/music/Eels --- theorris said: Coming up at #10 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" is or are Eels! ---

No, it is not spam, I'm doing it on purpose. And no, I'm not being a shill for lastfm, but they've happily keep my statistics over past 3 years, so I might as well give them some cred. In any case, I kind of like the bizarro/LIVE way of posting. Dispatches from Theorris! Quite twitter of me, isn't it? Stay tuned for the top 10!

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: The Apples in Stereo http://www.last.fm/music/The+Apples+in+Stereo --- theorris said: Coming up at #11 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" is The Apples in Stereo! ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: Hot Chip http://www.last.fm/music/Hot+Chip --- theorris said: Coming up at #12 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" is Hot Chip! ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: Ween http://www.last.fm/music/Ween --- theorris said: Coming up at #13 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" is Ween! ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: The Chemical Brothers http://www.last.fm/music/The+Chemical+Brothers --- theorris said: Coming up at #14 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" are The Chemical Brothers! ---

Hi there, theorris at Last.fm wants to share this with you: Broken Social Scene http://www.last.fm/music/Broken+Social+Scene --- theorris said: Coming up at #15 on my "Most listened to Bands of 2008" is Broken Social Scene! --- If you like this, add it to your Library. This will make it easier to find, and will tell your Last.fm profile a bit more about your music taste. This improves your recommendations and your Last.fm Radio. The more good music you add to your Last.fm Profile, the better it becomes :) Best Regards, The Last.fm Email Monkey -- Visit Last.fm for personal radio, tons of recommended music, and free downloads. Create your own music profile at www.last.fm

See, even Wookies like Snuggies[TM]!

New Kitten Originally uploaded by Theorris In the few short hours he's been living with me, I've kind of gotten used to him. (See the previous entry to get the story of how he came to be here.) He also seems to have taken a shine to me. Go figure. He's a very affectionate and playful cat. He also likes to tease the other cat, which I find infinitely amusing. He came with the name "Tango" which I'm not liking that much. I have, therefore, set up a poll other there on the side bar (-->) where you can vote on a name for him. What's it to be?

63/365: New cat Originally uploaded by Theorris Early this morning, my neighbor came over with a curious box in hand. It contained the above cat. Apparently a friend of hers obtained the cat, but that friend's husband was go-to-the-emergency-room, epi-shot level allergic to cats. She wondered if I could take the cat, since he was scheduled to be euthanized in a couple of hours. Oy! What the hell can one do when one is called to an act of humaneness so early on the Monday morning before Christmas? "Tango" (a name which I don't particularly care for) has settled in nicely the hour he has been here. Even the other cat doesn't mind him, and seems to want to play. That's a far sight better than he usually is with comrade cats. Its a Festivus miracle!

I believe I saw this 10 years ago at the Spike and Mike animation festival. I think pickle might be right.

Scary super-90's fitness guru Susan Powter is back, baby, and if you live in a human body you will listen. Another one for Elisa. Sorry, Elisa, I just like the nostalgia. I feel compelled to note that Ms. Powter is not compelled to stop the freaking insanity of the advertisements on her site.

My fucking god! There is actually a video of the fucking worst fucking Christmas fucked up fucking fucking fuckity fuck fucking excruciatingly painful fucking song that ever was. I do believe, in fact, that this so-called song is used for torture purposes. I mean God All Mighty: repeating a chorus about simply having a wonderful fucking fantastica fucking doodilicious Christmas? Fuck! This song, in fact, has nearly destroyed my liking of Paul McCartney. Well that and the rest of his career after the Beatles. Woo hoo! I can use more expletives than an Illinois Governor!

I was bemoaning a couple of weeks ago to friend and secret Signifying nothing reader Elisa the Snuggie that allows you to look like a blame fool in the privacy of your own home: Elisa was aghast at this product (which she had seen advertised on television), so much so that I threatened to buy her one. I know she secretly wants one. Who doesn't want to look like a gaudy Capucin monk watching television, knitting, cuddling, or reading? Yet again given the artic blast we're going to experience this weekend, the Snuggie might not look that bad. Nah. It is the clothing epitome of "Put a Donk on It."

One paints One's own canvas Heavy or light Dark or bright It is one And one's And yours Mark it And be aware Mark it And be glad you are Wearing shoes

This will make you forget that "Donk" shit.

Chavtastic! Dear god, the end of the world is nigh!

Chris has died? I didn't even know he was sick! Originally uploaded by Theorris Bah dum dum. Found on the street. This typo is from a program for a service at the Cathedral of the Madeline in Salt Lake City. It traveled quite a distance, as I found it between 1st and 2nd South on 7th East. That's about a mile away.

47/365: Keep me out of the camera store Originally uploaded by Theorris I went down to Inkley's (a local camera store here in SLC) with the intention of buying a spiffy wireless remote for my camera so I can more easily take these damn 365 day pictures I was coerced into doing on flickr. I walked out not only with the remote, but also a Speedlight Flash from my beloved Nikon. I am a bad shopper. Oh and this is my MTV cribs pose, deluxe. Is that show still on?

More excellent scientific debunking of racism. Part 3 is the best part. Nye can't pick his own DNA pie chart out of a mix of DNA pie charts from people around the world given that so-called "race" accounts for less than 1/1000th of a percent of the differences in our DNA.

Super-artist and erstwhile Utahn Camilla Taylor has put her work up on the interwebs for you purchasing pleasure: Bruxist: Buy for Jesus! I bought me a medium tentacle.

Pay attention to the last little bit. As the narrator, Spencer Welles states racism is not only divisive to us all as a species but scientific untenable, or more simply put by Welles "scientifically wrong."

39/365: Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) Originally uploaded by Theorris I've been meaning to get a USB record player goober for some time now. Today was so dreary here in good old SLC, that I decided to pry open my wallet and go for it. I have some various vinyl laying around and want to digitize it so that I'll not be tempted to just buy it online. Screw the RIAA, I say. I'm surprised that they don't come after outfits that produce these LP to digital devices. Most of my teenage music sucked, but I did have some taste. Most of it, by the way, is on either CD or tape. I'm not that freaking old. My sister, however, is that freaking old, so I'll have to get all her stuff over the holidays. The tapes, I might add, are long gone: they demagnetized rather quickly.

La Hightouchmegastore tagged me, so here goes: 8 Shows I watch Simpsons Family Guy Battlestar Gallactica Nova (yes, I do watch it passionately) Mythbusters Heroes America's Funniest Home Videos (God help me) Lost in Space (thanks Hulu!) 8 Restaurants I love Cafe Shambala Bangkok Thai (sadly out of business--s.o.b) Taj India (s.o.b) Bombay House Baba Afghan (s.o.b.) Cafe Med (s.o.b.) Maza Robert's Deli (s.o.b.) 8 Things I did yesterday Caught up on email Took a picture of myself as a part of an ego-centric flickr challenge Despaired about budget Congratulated an employee Drank beer Stayed up until the wee hours Won $300,0000 in fake money in a Texas Hold 'em tournament Made a list with 12 items and accomplished them all 8 things I'm looking forward to Snow Visiting friends during the holidays Buying a eco-friendly vehicle Turkey Olives Taking some pictures Not thinking about how crappy the economy is Watching movies all day 8 Things on my wish list Eco-friendly ...

Happiness is an airport chair Originally uploaded by Theorris

And I can imagine the British voice overs: "Hello hello hello! What's going on here then!" It does look much more like a Cops episode, however. I do like how Officer Cluck in the back kicked the perp after he and offer Scratch broke up the fight. Note, as well, How officer Scratch intercedes himself between the two miscreants while his partner takes the rear guard. It really is nice to know that cop maneuvers and football and basketball plays are commonly shared in all us critters.

I so very much want one of these beautiful machines: TENORI-ON : create - control - connect . Such machines show us exactly why technology is so damn cool and will ultimately save us from ourselves. Bring on the Cylon! Just kidding.

Angrigami dove 2 Originally uploaded by Theorris Over at zefrank.com , Ze Frank has a new project based upon another project (52 to 48) that stirred up a lot of anger from some in the 48. Basically the project was meant to bridge the divide in politics. Ze, however, got a tone of angry emails. In the spirit of the original project, he decided to not let that anger get to him, so he made a "Angrigami" project ( http://www.zefrank.com/angrigami/ , www.zefrank.com/angrigami/about/) where you can take the angry vitriol and fold it into something else. I chose to fold a dove. Well its supposed to be a dove, anyway.

Religion is such a good thing for the world, isn't it? Jesus smiles down upon these feisty monks. They are, afterall, fighting over his final resting place. I found the section where one of them takes one of the cross standards and attempts to bean his not-so-fellow Christian particularly fitting. I suppose he is giving his brother in Christ a chance to turn the other cheek, or, in this case, the other part of his bashed-in skull.

Even without Williams, the Jazz have been playing pretty well. Given the broadcast blackout mentioned previously on SigNo and the fact that the radio feed from the Jazz web site goes down, I was forced to repair to the Garage (now the official Artlier, Snowboard DYI shop, and Jazz-listening post) to hear the game. (For whatever reason, none of the radios from within the Wilhelm proper can pick up the AM radio signal.) The Jazz were doing fine in the first half and sounded as if they were going to run away with it. The Knicks, despite the fact that "they know nothing about defense" (Hot Rod Hundley), turned it around and ended up giving the Jazz their first loss of the season. I didn't do my usual first game prediction for the season, as I was out of town, but I will stick by my pre-season hubris: the Jazz will make it to and have a very good shot at winning the Western Conference Finals.

I remember back in the 80's that there were very few Jazz games on TV. This was simply because the Jazz had precious little media draw yet and there was precious-little media out there readily available. Yes, we had cable and satellite back in the 80s, but it was nothing like the over-saturation of media that we have at the present. Apparently the NBA, in its infinite wisdom, wishes to return to that time period when the only way you could witness games is on the radio. Pretty much all the Jazz games are on FSN this year. For those of us who have no desire to drink the "Premium Cable Package" Kool Aid at 100 smackers a month, the only option is radio. Sure I could head out to the bars, as I am wont to do on occasion, but that many times a month? Give me a fucking break. Here it goes: fuck you NBA. Fuck you. Pushing all of your games to premium cable is an idiotic mistake. What kind of money are you making off that deal? Jesus. On the other hand, as I sit here,...

The Trail Ahead Originally uploaded by Theorris It may be a long uphill climb from here, but I know we can make it with persistence and making the right choices. We'll survive the winter, and the leaves will come again to the trees. Tomorrow I exercise the greatest obligation we have in a democracy: voting. It is, of course, more than an obligation; it is an opportunity and, indeed, a gift from all those who worked so hard to give it to us. Whoever wins, I feel confident that we will move forward on that trail, as rocky as it seems. I know who I'm voting for. How about you? Go Obama. Go Springmeyer. Go Mattheson. Go whoever believes in the future, in peace, and in Nature (with a big N).

I have mixed feeling about this news: Utahns hope car-share program gains traction - Salt Lake Tribune e. I think it is incumbent upon UTA to develop the transit system rather trying to fix the problem by offering a car rental service. I do not deny that there will always be a use for a personal vehicle, I just wish more of us would be able to give up cars without severely curtailing our lives or ability to live. It definitely ain't easy being careless in our times.

Trib special correspondent MaryJane Butters offers some Simple steps for cutting your carbon footprint - Salt Lake Tribune . I might note that not using plastic bags isn't just about your carbon foot print as it is about the giant raft of plastic the size of Texas floating in the Pacific . And don't kid yourself that such plastic from Utah can't make it to the world's oceans. I've seen those bags in the wilderness drifting along their not-so-merry way. I am also going to be transitioning SN to its next theme--something to do with the environment. As I recall, I think I've done "Sustainability" before. It takes me a while to settle on such over-arching themes.

what you deserve Originally uploaded by uglysheep

I just woke up from three consecutive dreams: 1) An old girlfriend and I are having dinner in my childhood home. Out the kitchen window a hearse passes by. We start up from the table in shock, only to see that an undertaker who looks like Jim from The Office is knocking at the door. 2) I am conducting a cake walk (with a giant white cake as a prize) for what I think are washed up 70's TV stars. It is difficult to tell because every time I try to get a good look at them, I fuck up the record player and they all sit down quickly. The music is a variety of Guy Lombardo, The Smiths, and unrecognizable generic 70s pop rock. There is a little person competing in the cake walk and he swears at me. At one point, I decide that I hate the record I am playing and look for another in the cabinet beneath the record player. I find a broken copy of a Guy Lombardo 78 which I apparently purchased on eBay. Tired of waiting, Farah Fawcett grabs the cake and runs out the door. 3) I am on t...

I've been too busy with how I make a living (and I might note enjoyably so) to diddle around here. I fear I shall be a bore on this front for, oh, the next two months.

Postcard: Have and Have Nots Originally uploaded by Theorris The funny thing about Sonoma Sedona, Arizona is that it has the remnants of hippie culture (crystals, vorteces, tie dye) and million dollar condos with McCain signs out front.

Into the sunrise Originally uploaded by Theorris And so now I leave you, striding confidently into the sunrise for parts known, and, I hope, unknown. Don't despair! I shall return (in several days.)

Delicate Arch--all lit up Originally uploaded by Theorris I ventured down to Moab this weekend for a photography and hiking extravaganza. It was a nice getaway. I hadn't been to Arches since the 90s, and it was nice being able to take pictures of things I only remotely remember now. (I didn't have any sort of camera back then, and regret that fact to this day.) Delicate Arch is probably the most photographed object in Utah, but having made the hike, I had to give it a go. I can see why people like to take pictures of it. Not only does it have a magnificent backdrop, but when the sun hits it right, it lights up like gold. Rather than an arch, however, I started thinking of it as a sort of bell-bottomed Ozymandias, having lost his torso to the sands many eons ago. There were a group of surly photographers yelling at tourists to get out of their shot whenever the sun came out. I didn't mind the tourists wanting their picture taken underneath the arch as they give a s...

Ok, so maybe Ron Boone is not a legend in the eyes of many, but he was an all star in the old ABA 3 times over for the Utah Stars (go stars!) and I remember watching him play when I was a kid. I believe, as well, that Booner is high in the NBA record books for best free throw percentage. After he left the ABA he played in the NBA for 8 seasons and ended up with a .830 FTP . In case you don't know, he now serves as a commentator on Jazz games. Now what is all this leading to, you ask? Well tonight I had the opportunity to meet Booner at a social function. I didn't delve to much into asking him questions about his career or even about the Jazz, fearing that it would be tedious for him. I am kind of kicking myself now, however, for not mentioning my fond memories of the Utah Stars as a kid. I did, however, bring up the topic of the dearth of Jazz games on broadcast TV this year. The League, he stated, wants to shift in the direction of having more games on FSN or other s...

Blue Plate Originally uploaded by Theorris Just sold this photo for the Salt Lake Visitors Guide. At this rate, I'll be able to buy a new camera in about 300 years!

Woo hoo! "Oct. 7 vs. L.A.L. at Anaheim 8 p.m. KJZZ Oct. 9 PHOENIX 7 p.m. KJZZ Oct. 12 at Portland 4 p.m. KJZZ Oct. 15 at Denver 7 p.m. KJZZ Oct. 17 vs. Chicago at Champaign 6:30 p.m. KJZZ Oct. 18 at Chicago 6:30 p.m. KJZZ Oct. 23 PORTLAND 7 p.m. KJZZ" ( Utah Jazz: The last hurrah? - Salt Lake Tribune ) Let's see: my pre-season prediction last year was correct. I think the Jazz will take it to the finals this year. Now that's pretty bold of me, isn't it?

The night Originally uploaded by Theorris Moths in the night sweep Across the shadow swiftly Time is their's to waste

Wilhelm Disc Golf Invitational 2008: Ready to Throw Originally uploaded by Theorris Well another Wilhelm Disc Golf Invitational has come and gone. We actually had a non-regular join us this time (Molly). She threw quite well. I had an enjoyable time, until my rhythm was rudely interrupted by an obnoxious family who had no sense of disc golf etiquette. Barbarians! See Disc-a-rama for a few more details.

If you really want to buy me a gift, Please make it this.

Possible the best home-made video ever. I mean, my hell. How can you not love this video? Tell me. Damn you, tell me.

When his smiled his eyes would twinkle in the sun. And I can feel a new tomorrow coming on. La la la la la yeah!

Think about it. 1970. Too bad Ozzy lost it in the crime of profiteering--well that and half his band died of drug overdoses. Still, put this in context. Think of 1970, if you were alive then (I barely was.) If you weren't, look it up.

British (and erstwhile American) author Will Self sums up the current economic fiasco quite nicely: "If only we'd borrowed a few other important concepts from the Germans we might be better placed to weather the storm; concepts such as “social market” and a conservative belief that far from house-price inflation being a good thing, it's a bad one. But we didn't. We preferred to borrow from those so-called Masters of the Universe on Wall Street, so all we're left with is schadenfreude, anger — or in the case of the poor, outright misery." ( I can only feel anger at the bankers going bust | News ) Imagine that: a world where flipping property is a trait that is to be derided and seen as economically bad instead of lauded by at least 8 cable television shows. Imagine!

Can you live off the food that one dollar a day can provide: One Dollar Diet Project ? My frugal Scots heritage makes me want to try such a project. Something tells me I could actually eat rather well, as long as you don't count the cost of energy it takes to prepare food. Fresh produces, of course, is the enemy in such a project, given that fresh fruit and vegetables are out-of-site expensive. A single apple, for example, is well over a dollar now. Eating frozen vegetables seems like cheating, given that you have to expend the energy to keep them frozen. Rather than taking on the challenge of eating on less than a dollar a day, I think I might calculate how much I spend in food, and then attempt to maximize my food dollar. I know for damn sure that I can eat much more cheaply than I would by paying others to prepare food that I can easily make myself. A dollar a day, however, would appear to be egregiously tight and near starvation level, of course. Then again, I presume t...

Dog in boots Originally uploaded by Theorris Hey, I just figured the whole "Lipstick on a pig" thing had grown a little stale, so Obama might want to try a fresh analogy.

Did you know that Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Canada all have state liquor stores much like Utah? Despite their rather "liberal" associations with foaming-at-the-mouth conservatives in the United States, Scandinavian countries such as Sweden are rather unabashed in their moral certitude about controlling liquor: The retail monopoly exists for one reason only: alcohol related problems are reduced if alcohol is sold in the absence of a profit motive. Our mandate obliges us to help limit the medical and social damage caused by alcohol and there by improve public health. ( Systembolaget , 4) Many foaming-at-the-mouth and ill-informed liberals in Utah, however, would probably argue that a 19th Century Utilitarian/Socialist motive is not behind Utah's liquor control. In all fairness to the Tom Barberi crowd, the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control makes no mention of public health on its web site, but only states that The Department of Alcoholic Beverage ...

As you may be aware there is a lot of yammering on the anti-preservationist, burn-your-candle-at both-ends front that compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs contain deadly amounts of mercury that will kill you dead if you just drop one on the floor. (Funny how smashing fluorescent tubes, which contain vastly more amounts of mercury and argon gas, was normal activity in disposing them from the giant corporate boxes that said anti-preservationists seem to favor. I know this because that's what I was told to do while working many years ago in one of those buildings as a general dog's body.) In any case, I was drowsily watching How Its Made on the Discovery Chanel last night, and perked up when they stated, point blank while showing how incandescent bulbs were made, that the filaments were coated with mercury, and (I can't verify this) mercury and argon gas were pumped into the bulbs. Now, I'm only conjecturing here, but it seems that incandescent bulbs need some sort of gas...

This could get interesting: Utah Free Media :: Grassroots, Volunteer Broadcasting - Pinpoint SLC. (Thanks to The Salt Blog for the tip.)

Vote!

According to the Internet's tubes , Pando, a quaking aspen colony (or clone), lives right here in good old Utah near Fish Lake . Pando is estimated to be anywhere from 80,000 to 1,000,000 years old, depending on which scientist (q.v. citation 18 & 19) you believe (or in this case, which Wikipedia article you believe .) Pando is also probably the world's heaviest plant/organism, with a estimated weight of 6,615 tons. Pando was, therefore, commemorated by the US postal service (scroll down). I need to go back down to Fish Lake to photograph the great Pando, I think.

I was playing this original of the "cat talking" video which I posted some time ago (remember? It was dubbed with funny) and the cat became very interested. He sat staring at the screen as I looped it over and over again, and at one point, hopped on the computer desk and looked behind the screen to see where the cats were. I'm sure it was quite baffling for him.

[Post removed for health reasons.]

Wow, I'd nearly forgotten that I made this: At the time I made it, I was amused by the frustration that people exhibit over simple things. I guess I saw the wailing woman as a quaint expression of an inability to reconcile the complexity of the world with her own existence. That pretty much summarizes how I feel now about certain aspects of my work life, that I refrain (on purpose) from connecting to here. Still, the fun an games are sometimes forced to the economic reality of one's working life. I've purposefully refused to reconcile those myself, despite the fact that most of my readers are fellow workmates. Can one have a work life and a life life? Tell me Internet's tube. Tell me. Anyway, this piece pretty much sums up how I'm feeling about things these days, in an ironic way. It is not about general bitchiness, but how arbitrary decisions come about. Flood. Change. Shift. What the hell is the matter with people nowadays? Get ready for a shitstorm, my c...

Broken Social Scene Originally uploaded by Theorris I neglected to note that Broken Social Scene last week at the Gallivan Center in downtown SLC was by far the best concert of the year. I am still very impressed with the Canadian music scene.

My Year Book Photo Contest--Is it Austin Powers Theorris? Originally uploaded by Theorris Hip, irreverent and so damn edgy! By the way--I have that jacket. I'll be happy to don it any time you want.

It looks like the Wilco show tonight at Red Butte Gardens here in Slick City is the official end of summer show for me. School starts Wednesday and tomorrow is full of meetings. Not to be a sourpuss, but this has not been much of a summer.

People looking at art: Albert Bensard Originally uploaded by Theorris I was accosted later by a guard taking another picture of a man looking at the giant casting of the Rodin's Burgher's of Calais head and told I had to delete the picture. Funny that: the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) is public property and Rodin is not under copyright. They also had nothing posted that stated no photography was allowed. I've been to many museums around the US and none seem to have a problem with cell phone pictures including puny institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The only issue that usually comes up (and it is clearly posted in most museums) is when a work's rights are still held by the artist, the artist's family, or some right's holding organization. The UMFA and/or the Cleveland Museum of Art (who owns this collection) is being pretty presumptuous about their rights to control images of works they do not own the rights to particularly in a go...

It all makes perfect sense when you see it this way: 26080732636761.jpg (JPEG Image, 1000x423 pixels)

Live flickring: FrontRunner expedition--coincidence is a bitch Originally uploaded by Theorris Given that I experienced the full aural experience on my ride up to Ogden, I decided to crank up the old iPod. Strangely enough, the song that came up on shuffler was Eels' "Railroad Man." I listed to it 3 times over. You can't let such coincidence go uncelebrated or unnoticed.

Adios, Ogden! Originally uploaded by Theorris The conductor actually said "all aboard!" this time.

Live flickring: FrontRunner Expedition--Patio Night Pilsner Originally uploaded by Theorris Well I am back on the FrontRunner after a jaunt around 25th street and the Union Pacific Station taking pictures. The Station is still as cool as I remember it. I've never gone in the museums they have there. They are a tribute to all that made the west, really: railroad, cars, and guns. The railroad museum is a natural, but the car only seem to fit because of my previously mentioned theme. I headed to Roosters (as USU Jason psychically commented in my flickr stream) and had lunch along with two pints of their Patio Night Pilsener (sic). It is a good summer beer, so I got a growler to bring back to the City. I suppose I could have got a cup and made it a fun train back to SLC, but I don't think UTA would approve.

Live flickring: FrontRunner Expedition--Rooster's Originally uploaded by Theorris The hotter it has become out in the bright Ogden sun, the more this has become an expedition instead of an excursion.

Live flickring: FrontRunner Expedition--Horsesaurus Rex Originally uploaded by Theorris They have these things all around 25th Street in Ogden. This one is quite good, but the one with the Duke painted on the horse's ass is the best.

Live flickring: FrontRunner Expedition--Ogden Station Originally uploaded by Theorris

Live flickring: FrontRunner Excursion--next stop Ogden Station Originally uploaded by Theorris We've passed more southbound trains than I expected, given the 30 minute schedule of FrontRunner. So far it has been three. In any case, the ride has been smooth an uneventful. If anything it is a little too comfortable in the car--and a little too cold. I suppose when these things are packed to the gills, however, the A/C comes in handy. More later, as I have to pack up to unboard.

Live flickring: FrontRunner Excursion--Fellow travelers Originally uploaded by Theorris As you can see the train car is quite empty. There was only one other guy on the upper level of the car when I got on--he gets regular calls on his cell phone and is prone to say "anywho." He won't force me to put on my headphones, however, as I want the whole experience to be not mediated by a soundtrack. (Well, on my way back to Slick City, I will probably listen to music.) Boarding at the Wood's Cross station was a mother and her teenager, and two LDS missionaries. A Union Pacific train kept up with us for a while outside of Farmington station. A flat bed featured a rather lurid depiction of a naked woman. The missionaries kept glancing at it and looking the other way. As you can see, local newscaster Nadine Wimmer joined us. Her massive head seems perfect for TV. She will not, however, quit smiling. Actually I used to work with Ms. Wimmer. She is actually a rather tiny woman...

Live flickring: FrontRunner Excursion--Nice Feature Originally uploaded by Theorris I didn't notice this right off, but the FrontRunner cars provide outlets along with free wifi access. Ah! What luxury! I no longer have to type with my brighness turned all the way down so as to preserve my wonky battery's life. We're moving at quite a clip right now, just having left the Wood's Cross station. Traffic on I-15 northbound is at a standstill. I'm sorry for all you car-bound folks. Just kidding. I'm really not.

Live flickring: UTA FrontRunner Excursion Originally uploaded by Theorris I have a few days off from work, so I decided to use one of my days on a photography excursion to Salt Lake's step sister to the north, Ogden via UTA's FrontRunner train. I took my normal bus/TRAX route downtown (via the University TRAX line) and arrived at the Salt Lake Intermodal Hub at 10 am sharp. Having been to the hub once before to take shots of the train, I knew approximately where the ticket stations were. The one I approached, however, seems to have become discombobulated, because it didn't react to my touch. I then ventured to another ticket station down the way where I proceeded to purchase my ticket. As I have a pass, I was pleased to find out that a round trip ticket was only 7 bucks. I suppose that is a discount as I thought the ticket to Ogden was 5 something each way. I was interrupted in the process of buying a ticket by a grandmother with grandkids in tow who asked me how to operat...

I was reading the always-entertaining Salt Blog (put together by Salt Lake City Weekly staff) and came upon this gem that the blogger (Brandon Burt) was using to tie up a joke on a post about an old Outer Limits episode: This is almost as good as the creepy video that runs regularly during Utah Jazz games with the bizzare computer graphics guy menacingly approaching the screen, and hopped-up personalities (such as in the Westwood commercial) touting the great career opportunities of sitting on your ass for hours on end designing video games that will allow other people to sit on their asses for even more hours on end. That commercial actually failed in its prime duty, however, since I cannot, for the life of me, remember the school's name. Thank the video gods for that.

Since everybody seems to be into the wordle thing, here's a 300 word wordle of Moby Dick : Avast ye! I'm curious why "One" is so prevalent in Moby Dick . I mean, you expect "ye" and "thee" and even "Starbuck" but "One?" Note how small "God" is. Kind of tells you something about the tale of Ahab, eh?

"Its so damned hot! Milk was a bad choice!" Originally uploaded by Theorris Although it is not the hottest day here in Slick City, it sure felt like it, since at my place of work the A/C has been turned off due to a disaster that requires asbestos ceiling tile abatement, and the fact that I had to run around like a fool all morning to make sure my little universe didn't collapse in on itself due to confusion and ineptitude. Go to Youtube and search for "Milk was a bad choice" to get Will Ferrel's take on it, since, adding to frustration, I can't get Youtube to post to Signifying nothing any more. You've all missed out on some classic Youtube finds over the weekend, I tell you what. I'm cooled off 20 degrees by this photo, by the way. I hope it does the same for you, where ever you might be suffering insufferable heat.

I've been meaning to go to a Salt Lake Bees game for some time, but, apparently, the hottest day of the year was the day to go. Sitting out in the blazing sun right on the first base line wasn't that bad, although I'm feeling a bit sun-worn and lightheaded now. The Bees were doing fine until they changed pitchers. Adenhardt gave up a tripple (with many runners on) and a homer. Still, they could have rallied. The third base coach made the worst call ever when he told the runner who was half-way to third to hold up when the outfielder was bobbling a very well-placed hit. It might have been an inside the park home run. Oy. He's a bum, I tell you. Bees lose.

I think we might have the next British sitcom that is going to take America by storm here: YouTube - A[von & ]S[omerset]Police's Channel . Basically, they are loony British 911(999) calls about wasp attacks, run-over pigeons, homeless squirrels and so forth. You're going to have to click on several of the "videos," I fear. It is a good pastime on a hot afternoon, I tell you what. The 999 operators are quintessentially British sitcom straight men: both polite and condescending all rolled up into one. The callers show that what we witness on previously mentioned British sticoms is a clear and accurate picture of humanity, complete with wacky accents. Certainly American dispatch centers can top this, given our propensity to fire arms, family violence, beer, and incredibly wacky (and possible destructive) accents. Ricky Gervais, eat your heart out.

The return of Dancing Brother Brigham! This video actually made soon to be Canadian Melissa cry.

Calling Calling Calling Pause Answer Pause I'm so sorry Water Rain Roof Disaster Pause Exageration Pause Water Rain Water Rain Pause Disaster Pause Mold Pause Leave it at that Good bye

Will Self explores bottled water insanity in The low water-mark of Thatcherism : Any doubts I ever had were resolved years ago: 1994 to be precise. In San Francisco, I found myself sitting in the Prescott Hotel, gazing by chance at a mirror which had a bottle of still mineral water standing in front of it. It was the first time I realised what Evian spelled backwards

Wilhelm Window Well Diorama #1: The Mummy's Revenge (The Ack-shawn!) Originally uploaded by Theorris OK, there is a long story in this, but regular readers/viewers of signifyingnothing.com, may remember The Mummy's Revenge, a short movie of woe and intrigue starring Jesus, The Mummy, Billy Sand Creature, and Rancor Wilhelm. Basically The Mummy pissed off The Rancor, The Mummy prayed to Jesus to save him, and Billy Sand Creature was Jesus's second. There is a moving scene of Jesus carrying Billy, after he was slammed into death by The Rancor, before the final show down where Jesus, employing the full Heart of Jesus, puts a full salvation move on The Rancor complete with lightning bolts. It was very sacrilegious and very offensive to both Christians and Star Wars faithful. I might post it on YouTube someday. This is a revival of the Wilhelm Window Well, that had gone to pot for a couple of years. It was revived by one hell of a hot Saturday and some free plants. You can...

A handy tool indeed: Delocator.

Arnica chamissonis Originally uploaded by Theorris I have been offered 400 pesos for this photograph of arnica chamissonis from a Mexican text book company. That is around $40 dollars U.S. since the dollar is officially in the crapper. (Did you know we are at parity with the Canadian dollar? Wow!) I am going to stimulate the Mexican economy and myself buy purchasing some top-shelf tequila. Ok, ok...I know alcohol is technically a depressant, but writing "to stimulate the Mexican economy and to depress myself" just sounded sad and wrong.

Mr. Clock Radio Wakes Up the Horror. Should I or shouldn't I? You decide.

Clever, this:

Given that I finally received my "Economic Stimulus" payment (it says that right on the fancy Statue of Liberty emblazoned gubmint check), I have decided to spend it egregiously on items that I can no doubt live with out, but want, rather than using it for, oh, buying 150 gallons of gasoline. Given that I don't currently own a car, finding a place to put the gasoline seemed like too much work. Buying a new car seems like more work, and just about as exciting as root canal. With that, instead of suffering because of high fuel prices, I get to stimulate the economy in my own weird way. Item 1: Official Utah Jazz away jersey with "Theorris" imprinted on the back. I chose the number 83 since that was my high school football number. I shall wear it disc golfing today. Item 2: 3 new books, hardbound and all first editions. The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments by George Johnson. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. The Butt by Will Self. (I mu...