The Thrills – So Much for the City

My friends Jason and Sydnee gave me this CD for my birthday called “So Much for the City” by The Thrills. If you have sound capability, the track playing right now is called "Big Sur" and is easily the best on the album.

This Irish band bounces along with eleven catchy tunes. The whole cd is like an album-long cartoon of a kitschy 70’s pop band, only they replaced their guitars with a banjo. It’s a lot of fun! Even the CD cover looks legitimately retro. I was sure this was some 70’s gem of a band they had discovered in a bargain bin somewhere.


Page Loading Problem

The problem with the page not fully loading continues. I’ve posted on some tech support places days ago, but no one’s responded. I’ve played around a lot with the blog settings but it’s still not working.

Meanwhile, while surfing the net, I found this site called Larry's Face. Truly a unique idea for a website, and Link of the Week worthy.

It's Thanksgiving, that most unique of American holidays.

While at work yesterday, looking randomly through my company documents for a phone number, I found out a nice little piece of info.

I don't get paid for today. And I won't get paid for Christmas. Or New Years. Or any of the days around them that the office will be closed. If they give me a key (which they keep talking about) I'm considering going in and working those days anyway, since I need the money.

But if anyone from my office is reading this (they're not), why not have a change of heart? Go ahead and give me the $80.

Meanwhile, I hope everyone has (or had) a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don't forget that the time between the preparations and the clean up is the part where you are in the moment with the people you care about. And if you can do that in those other times too, more power to ya.

Party was a blast. Only bad thing was that it was COLD and I had jeans with mega holes in them. But a great time was had by all. I didn't get pictures tho.

I've got a link for Star Wars fans, and it's a RIOT! Via Del, I found this site called "Something Awful." I haven't quite figured out their whole game, but these pages from Star Wars III that were "leaked" by George Lucas had me rolling.

There was no-contest! I hereby declare this the LINK OF THE WEEK!

EDIT: Clearly the page is no longer loading correctly since the Tagboard was installed. I'm working on a solution, but have found you can correct this by clicking an "Archive" link at left, then clicking "Current Posts" to get the full page.

I'm going to an 80's party at my friend Scott's (Famaldar) tonight. Scott and his family are moving to Arizona and this is their last big blow out. It will be so big, I highly expect to sleep over. I have no idea what I'm going to wear as of yet. I'll try to get a pic or two.

Meanwhile, as you can see to the left, I've decided to change the Comments system here to Tag Board. This allows comments to be visible without clicking a link. You can comment and see someone else's response with great ease.

It's quick. PLEASE TRY IT OUT NOW!!

In a couple of days, Tag Board will allow LIVE CHAT between anyone visiting Very cool! The old comments system will be phased out by next week.

Two Month Blog Birthday

To celebrate the Two Month Birthday of Cellar Door, I'm posting an essay which will be submitted for possible radio commentary. It's a fact-based, pseudo fictional account of my experience blogging thus far.


Several months ago I got an email from a friend inviting me to go look at his blog. Blog, B-L-O-G, is tech speak for “web log.” Basically, it’s a place you can publish your thoughts, poetry, family news, that sort of thing. It’s different than a web page in that you can publish to the internet instantly, without having to worry about programming codes and hosting services.

After reading my friend’s blog, and other blogs, I began to wonder what it would be like to be on the other side of the blog curtain. Why shouldn’t my thoughts be published for the world? And so, I did it. I sat myself down, found a service and became a proud blog owner!

Writing the blog is a lot fun. So far, I’ve posted some funny links, written a few essays, and praised Rufus Wainright’s new CD. But what good is blogging if no one’s reading? I sent out one of those mass emails to everyone in my address book. “Hey, I started a blog. Come check it out!”

A couple of my best friends emailed some nice comments about my new hobby. But after several postings, I began to wonder... was anybody out there? Were people reading once and then forgetting to come back? What were my blog Nielson ratings? Just to be sure, I began to casually mention my blog in emails to friends. “Buddy, got the pics of the new baby! Congrats! Hey, did I tell you I started a blog?” And.. “Sucks that you got layed off... you know, I was just talking about this in my blog...” To better monitor my hits, I installed a counter on my blog. I started leaving my blog page up on the computer and found myself hitting the refresh button every five minutes to see if the counter was moving.

What started out as a goof to get me to write more had turned into an exercise in narcissism. I cringe every year when I get one of those family newsletters crammed in with a Christmas card, and yet here I was programming an automatic “signature” at the bottom of all my emails: “Don’t forget to Visit my blog” double-exclam. My blog is only four weeks old, but even I’m already sick of me!

Have I so succumb to our voyeuristic, reality TV culture that the whole world needs to hear my every thought? Why don’t I just go on “Survivor” so people everywhere can see me take off my shirt and eat live worms with my tribe? Better yet, I could install a webcam in my apartment so people can watch me combing my cat and clipping coupons.

Nah... way too egocentric.

But hey, check out my blog at blowed up good dot blogspot dot com. And did you know you can make my blog your homepage?

November blog-a-thon continues...

Every now and then someone visits and emails me asking about "Cellar Door" and the reference from Donnie Darko. I always chastise them for having not yet seen it.

I don't know anyone my age who has seen this movie (I would call it a "movie", not a "film") and not been captivated by it. Most of my friends are awkward teenagers at heart, on the fringes of mainstream, and the movie speaks to that. On the internet, Donnie Darko's cult following is rampant! A simple internet search yields a multitude of fan sites.

Although a search for "Cellar Door" will not bring you here, combining it with the name of the movie, or "Poe" will bring you to a little seed I planted. When I started this blog, I asked folks at an Edgar Allen Poe site if Poe was the "linguist" referred to in the quote from the film. The mystery is long since solved (it wasn't Poe, it was Tolkien) but I continue to get emails notifying me that people are still adding to the thread. Something about "Donnie Darko" just naturally sends people fishing on the internet!

My friends Rykk and Amy out in Louisville are huge fans of the movie as well, with Amy (last I heard) toying with the idea of examining the film in a thesis paper. I can't wait to read it...

This article, should give you hold-outs one last push. Be warned, this reveals key plot pieces. Tell you what, just come over to my place and I'll throw it on the dvd player!

I started a new job today. I'm logging videotapes for a production company in Pasadena. I'm making the same salary I made back in 1992.

What is this notion that you have to steadily improve your life? A steady increase in standard of living? Saving during these "productive years?" Pshaw! I've set out to buck that trend! I understand not these concepts! <--- Yoda speak

The job is a start... the next few months will likely reveal it to be either a footnote or a life transition. There might be opportunity for growth. And the office is near Bally's, so I can start taking care of myself again. I can make my own hours while I figure out my next move.

Blacklist - Black Karma

In other news, a friend responded to my "Blacklist" by giving me a 20 year old update on good ole Paul Bailey. Seems that after Paul left our school system, word came back that he had been beaten up by a "bunch of black guys."

As suburban white kids growing up in the midwest, there was no fear worse than getting "beat up by a bunch of black guys." Looking back, it's almost as if they were figures of myth and legend planted deep in our psyche, perhaps by the post-desegregation paranoia of our middle class elders. These randomly roaming black guys became an integral part of the laundry list of parental warnings.

"Don't cross your eyes, your face will freeze that way!"

"Don't go swimming yet, you'll get a cramp and drown."

"Don't stay out after dark, you'll be beaten up by a bunch of black guys."

Who were these "black guys?" Why would they be so angry when they came upon me? And where did they come from? Well, the answer to that one was easy. According to my grand parents, the black guys came from "Colored Town."

When I was little, my grandfather (and maybe even my dad) used to sometimes comment while driving. "Oh, we're in Colored Town now." I would look out the car window curiously, halfway expecting to see signs at it's borders. "Colored Town; Population 1000." Or maybe, "Now Leaving Colored Town: You May Relax Again!" I think I was finally a teenager before I realized that Colored Town wasn't a real town with its own mayor.

It's all just a funny and interesting transition in American culture now, but as I heard of what happened to Paul Bailey, it took me right back to that time in my life. Now I know that the "black guys" were more than just myth... they were an instrument of karma.

Thanks guys.

My Blacklist!!

For those of you that haven't heard, the National Rifle Association has a 19-page Blacklist.

Message to all their critics, THEY ARE FIGHTING BACK!!

They're a smart bunch over there and have been quietly taking notes on all those fascists who would try to take away OUR gun rights! (Like Bonnie Raitt, and the PTA) They are taking a stand against radical institutions that are outspoken against them! (i.e. the St. Louis Cardinals and the National Black Nurses Association) They are taking aim at powerful figures in the anti-gun lobby! (like Mary Lou Retton, the YWCA, and Marla Maples)

Inspired by their courage, I've decided to make public a Blacklist of my own. Throughout my life, I have been done wrong. What could be more appropriate than THIS FORUM to spread the word of their crimes against me?? Let's get started...

Mrs. McDivitt - My first grade teacher at Longfellow Elementary used to torment me in reading. I specifically remember this when she wanted me to read the word "T-shirt". I tried to sound it out, but struggled on and on, not knowing what to do since there was no vowel between the T and the S. She just grinned mockingly at me. My mother was outraged at the tale.

Mrs. McDivitt, I'm sure you're long since dead, but I have not forgotten your sadism!

Paul Bailey - This guy picked on me every morning in Middle School. I think he was troubled, but so was I, and I didn't have the self-esteem to stick up for myself. I stopped sitting with my friends and hid from him.

Paul, you probably forgot this even happened. But I didn't. I've been waiting for the day I could reveal your viciousness. Enjoy the wrath of public scorn!

France - Yeah, the whole country. Aside from any feelings I've had about the war, you French people didn't disappoint and came out in true obnoxious form. Your trade dealings with Iraq were underhanded and duplicitous.

Yeah? Come and get me. You don't have the guts!

Miriam Davis - This is my ex wive's therapist. Oh, don't get me started! This woman threw gasoline on a fire by pressing her own agenda.

Ms. Davis, Sears called, they're recalling your therapist's license!

Jeff Probst - Nice going, Jeff. Thanks to you, myself and tons of TV writers are out of work and struggling while you make people eat bugs on national TV. You've single-handedly crushed the economy in a 6 mile radius around Radford Studios.

Jeff, in addition to you, I'm adding both your dimples to my Blacklist. The tribe has spoken, it's time for all three of you to go!

My Downstairs Neighbor, Liz - This woman hit my car and wasn't going to tell me. Nope, instead she looked at the damage and then parked around front to distance herself from my car. When confronted, she acted as if I was inconveniencing HER.

Liz, I was always so nice to you. Never again. When I'm done typing, I'm going to pace the hardwood floor in my heaviest boots!

Chevy Chase - I hear he's mean. He hasn't been funny since "Fletch." If he had had humility and been earnest, he could have had a comeback like Eddie Murphy.

Chevy, I wanted to see your talk show a few years ago, but I was sick that day!


And there you have it. Now the world knows. Don't cross me. You'll regret it. You'll be on the list and I'll be all over you like grease on a pizza. You'd best watch yourself!!

[Folks, this was of course all in fun! ... No, seriously, you have been warned!]

Cellar Door Endorses John Kerry

It might not be the Washington Post or the New York Times, but Senator John Kerry has earned the endorsement of the Cellar Door to be the next President of these United States.

Okay, yeah, he’s a windsurfer and that counts for something in my book, but there’s much more to him than that. This guy is smart, and experienced with a spotless reputation.


Why John Kerry??

John Kerry is a veteran. – A graduate from Yale, Kerry entered the Navy and received a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart for his service in the Vietnam War. Aside from Wesley Clark, he is the only Democrat running who is a war veteran.

John Kerry is a peace activist – Serving your country also means speaking your mind, and it was Kerry who testified before the Senate on the wisdom of the war from which he’d just returned.

John Kerry has a plan for Iraq

John Kerry has a plan for the economy

John Kerry has a plan for the environment

Most of you know that I have never been politically active before, but I have never been motivated to be so until now. If you have yet to form an opinion about our next elections, ask yourself these questions.


Are you saddened that our nation has become synonymous with arrogance and duplicity?

Do you think the current Administration is out of control, preaching freedom while it holds prisoners illegally, and plows over the liberties of others?

Do you think our country has squandered the outpouring of sympathy that was expressed by nations all over the world after 9/11?

Are you tired of dissention being labeled unpatriotic?

If you’ve answered yes to any of those questions, you know that we must do everything possible to see that Mr. Bush does not occupy the Oval Office a second term. I’m not even a registered Democrat… but from what I've seen, John Kerry is the man for the job.

This concludes my political entry for the week... :-)

This week's Link is for cartoon fans, and comes courtesy of Deloit. When visiting Homestarrunner.com for the first time, be sure to choose "First Time Here" on the right side of the main menu.

This site has a great cult following. Del brought it to my attention months before it was written up in "Entertainment Weekly." Way to be ahead of the pack Del!

So I'm going to challenge myself this week. One entry per day for seven straight days! That's right! Think of this as November sweeps! (Hey, maybe Charo will even stop by).

It will be a shame to push down the pics, but onward and upward, eh. I have lots of entries planned already! Well, maybe not lots, but several. A couple. Okay, one I can think of.

I just don't want to become one of those people who feels the need to blog about every little detail...

Got up at 10am. Had Wheaties for breakfast. I think my milk is expired. It's cold and rainy...

If I ever do that, someone please come over and strangle me. Or just stop checking in. The blog counter will freeze and I'll be cancelled.

Onion Link

My fears of my mom checking the blog and calling me crying or questioning me at length about something she reads here have been realized, at least by the Onion. The Onion is, of course, the model for some of the articles I publish here, and they recently ran a story about one young man's blog nightmare!

This story contains language that may be offensive to some. (That means you, Mom!)

And There was Much Merriment...

A great time was had at last night's party. Now comes the clean-up... oh where to begin?? Later in the week, I'll post photos here of everyone who attended. I'm actually hoping to return to two postings a week here.

Oy, is it Sunday already?! My thanks to Nina and Mac for finding this great link!

Hey, please send any funny sites to gladhander@yahoo.com. I need to build up a bank of future links... especially with the holidays approaching.

From the Headlines...

Wildfire Coverage Irks Picket Line

Homeowners aren’t the only ones relieved that the raging wildfires in Southern California are under control. They were also the bane of 70,000 striking supermarket workers whose plight was completely ignored by the media for the past week.

“The day before the fires, we had both channel 5 and channel 7 out here,” said Bonnie Mortimer, a check out clerk for Vons Supermarkets in La Canada. “And then all last week, nothing because of those [expletive] fires.”

Anxious for media attention, strike coordinators like Mortimer, and Carl Quinn, a produce stocker at Ralph’s in Burbank, were told by their union to do “whatever it takes” to get press attention. For Quinn, the desperation led to Funny Hat Day.

“The idea was to have us out here picketing in giant sombreros, stove pipe hats, flamboyant chapeaus, that sort of thing,” said Quinn. “I figured it could show the world we can strike for better health benefits and have fun at the same time.”

Despite the enthusiasm, the union effort yielded no press coverage. “Our meat department guys showed up in ball caps and a clerk made some lame hat out of newspaper which ended up blowing away. The hats just weren’t funny enough,” said Quinn. “That and 800 houses burning that day really screwed us.”

The hat event was reportedly the cause of a rift between the Ralph’s workers. Another striker, who refused to be named, said that an altercation was started when Quinn was prepared to enter the market and purchase produce to make a “Carmen Miranda” fruit hat. The incident led to threats of physical assault.

“I was mad at them for not taking Funny Hat Day seriously,” said Quinn. “I mentioned that the store had great bananas just sitting there, and those guys totally flipped out.”

For Bonnie Mortimer and her coworkers, the need for press coverage took a darker tone. Beth Hernandez, of the Pasadena Vons bakery, began a hunger strike October 29th and immediately sent out a press release.

“It was a really fabulous idea,” said Mortimer. “A strike because of a strike – that’s like a double strike. Plus it showed what lengths Beth would go to in order to avoid buying groceries.”

The union had hoped Hernandez would become dehydrated and then hospitalized, leading the press to connect the strike with management’s "deficient" health benefits. Hopes were dashed when Hernandez reportedly “went nuts on Halloween candy” two days later.

“I felt bad for Beth. She went two days without eating and became ill,” explained Mortimer.

Strikers are optimistic that the end of wildfires is good news for them. “It’s awful that they lost their homes,” said Mortimer, “but they need to get over it and move on. It’s our time to be in the spotlight again.”

My thanks to Mac for leading me (and so many others) to Origami Boulder. This one was destined to be the Link of the Week!