Monday, November 15, 2010
11-15-10
Mid November 2010. Got our first five inches of snow the other day. They declared a snow emergency and by the third day, the odd side of the street was already melted yet we needed to move our cars so they could plow the dry street.
Still up in the air about politics. Maybe leaving it in the dust. I contacted Farheen Hakeem, the Green Party candidate for Governor in Minnesota, and told her I thought I would be a good ViceGov to her Gov. She wants to meet for coffee. 2012 anyone? I hate the way politics IS right now. The whole thing needs to change. Why do we always go back to the FOUNDING FATHERS way? Do we really admire those founding fathers so much? Egads...they were slave owners, sexists, racists, all white and pompous....
Next week we have Sardine Head from Japan coming to play a show with GJ/Cymatic at the Cabooze. Looking forward to this annual PreTurkey day show we do.
I'm supposed to think about the following questions:
Floating on a raft in the South Pacific, free from danger, with ample provisions (food, h2o, etc) and safe from the elements, I would prefer to be joined by this one (living or not) person, _______________. And during this time of strandedness, I _____________?
Interesting question. If I chose my son, then my wife and daughters get neglected and I would feel like a jerk. Practically would feel like a jerk if I picked one person in favor of all others? Hmm. Will have to think about that more. I'm thinking about "Why it would be wrong to pick one person over someone else?"
JF
Still up in the air about politics. Maybe leaving it in the dust. I contacted Farheen Hakeem, the Green Party candidate for Governor in Minnesota, and told her I thought I would be a good ViceGov to her Gov. She wants to meet for coffee. 2012 anyone? I hate the way politics IS right now. The whole thing needs to change. Why do we always go back to the FOUNDING FATHERS way? Do we really admire those founding fathers so much? Egads...they were slave owners, sexists, racists, all white and pompous....
Next week we have Sardine Head from Japan coming to play a show with GJ/Cymatic at the Cabooze. Looking forward to this annual PreTurkey day show we do.
I'm supposed to think about the following questions:
Floating on a raft in the South Pacific, free from danger, with ample provisions (food, h2o, etc) and safe from the elements, I would prefer to be joined by this one (living or not) person, _______________. And during this time of strandedness, I _____________?
Interesting question. If I chose my son, then my wife and daughters get neglected and I would feel like a jerk. Practically would feel like a jerk if I picked one person in favor of all others? Hmm. Will have to think about that more. I'm thinking about "Why it would be wrong to pick one person over someone else?"
JF
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
letter to Bush
(from a random Iranian-American writing a letter to Bush)
Dear X-prez Bush, if you're reading this, please know that you have the blood of many many Iraqis and Americans on your dirty hands. You are a coward and a lier and the lowest that a human being can be.
You sent your own country's boys to kill others, for yours and your friends profit.
The day of reckoning is yet to come. I'm not sure how a person like you can sleep at night. May be you have some one inducing a delusion of riotousness in you so that you can live with the guilt.
You made the world hate America. I am a dual American /Iranian citizen. You have made it much safer for me to tell people that I am Iranian than an American. You have made heroes out of suicide bombers. You have made Ahmadinejad and any one else that stands up to America a hero the world over.
America and its citizens will for generations pay for your tyranny.
Dear X-prez Bush, if you're reading this, please know that you have the blood of many many Iraqis and Americans on your dirty hands. You are a coward and a lier and the lowest that a human being can be.
You sent your own country's boys to kill others, for yours and your friends profit.
The day of reckoning is yet to come. I'm not sure how a person like you can sleep at night. May be you have some one inducing a delusion of riotousness in you so that you can live with the guilt.
You made the world hate America. I am a dual American /Iranian citizen. You have made it much safer for me to tell people that I am Iranian than an American. You have made heroes out of suicide bombers. You have made Ahmadinejad and any one else that stands up to America a hero the world over.
America and its citizens will for generations pay for your tyranny.
11-3-2010
I am upset with our political system. I think we have no options. I voted Democrat accross the board yesterday and only because I'm voting so people with disabilities can continue to get services they depend on. But I thought about this. I really would like a small government with lots of freedom but I can't buy the Right Wing social agenda that goes along with it....I think the country needs to be much more socially liberal yet have smaller Gov. So guess what, I don't fit the bill for either party. I'm sick of voting for things I don't believe in!
But I think that is right where I'm supposed to be in the eyes of the people who have power. It's time to fight the power and stop being apathetic. Some real change has to happen and fast. I think we're going to see some great artists come out of changing times in America.
Progress is not moving fast enough and people are getting pissed. People who have been diligently working and striving toward peaceful communities and better-ness for people are getting pissed. We are not seeing the "change" fast enough. It's going to be interesting to see where this thing goes.
In the meantime, I'm refreshing my Rage Against the Machine and growing more determined.
(NIck DeLaRocha from RATM) "We played this show at Coachella Pavilion. It was our first show back. I said a few things from the stage, and the next day Fox News ran this whole piece about us saying that the Presidents should be assassinated. But those fascists always get it wrong when they just want to pin a band in the corner for standing up. What we said was that the whole Bush Administration should be put on trial for war crimes and then hung and then shot, that's what we said.
But besides that it made me think about something. It made me think, "what are they so afraid of?" It made me think about what scares them. Is it really four musicians from Los Angeles who've got a point of view? Is it really just this music and these rhythms and these words? Is that what they're scared of? I thought I'd think about it and you know what? My conclusion is this: nah, they ain't scared of us, they're scared of you! They're scared that you might come election time and throw Bush and Cheney and all them fascists out of power! That's what they're scared of!
And let me say this: the Democrats are scared of you too! Because they know that you see through their bullshit too. Because when Bush was wiretapping, spying on citizens, torturing innocent people – they were supposed to be the people to defend us from them, and they didn't do shit! So the Democrats are scared of you too. Why? Because they know they're coming to power and they're taking it all for granted, but they're scared because they know that if they don't start fucking pulling troops from Iraq that you're going to go and burn down every office of every Senator that doesn't do the job.
Well I will say this, that the world is watching us now. The whole world is watching us. The brothers and sisters in South America who are dealing with this imperialist violence have got their eyes on us. Our brothers and sisters in Iraq got their eyes on us. Because we are the ones that are prepared to, and going to, put an end to this nonsense. So Wake Up. Come on, Wake Up! Wake Up!" (Summer 2010)
But I think that is right where I'm supposed to be in the eyes of the people who have power. It's time to fight the power and stop being apathetic. Some real change has to happen and fast. I think we're going to see some great artists come out of changing times in America.
Progress is not moving fast enough and people are getting pissed. People who have been diligently working and striving toward peaceful communities and better-ness for people are getting pissed. We are not seeing the "change" fast enough. It's going to be interesting to see where this thing goes.
In the meantime, I'm refreshing my Rage Against the Machine and growing more determined.
(NIck DeLaRocha from RATM) "We played this show at Coachella Pavilion. It was our first show back. I said a few things from the stage, and the next day Fox News ran this whole piece about us saying that the Presidents should be assassinated. But those fascists always get it wrong when they just want to pin a band in the corner for standing up. What we said was that the whole Bush Administration should be put on trial for war crimes and then hung and then shot, that's what we said.
But besides that it made me think about something. It made me think, "what are they so afraid of?" It made me think about what scares them. Is it really four musicians from Los Angeles who've got a point of view? Is it really just this music and these rhythms and these words? Is that what they're scared of? I thought I'd think about it and you know what? My conclusion is this: nah, they ain't scared of us, they're scared of you! They're scared that you might come election time and throw Bush and Cheney and all them fascists out of power! That's what they're scared of!
And let me say this: the Democrats are scared of you too! Because they know that you see through their bullshit too. Because when Bush was wiretapping, spying on citizens, torturing innocent people – they were supposed to be the people to defend us from them, and they didn't do shit! So the Democrats are scared of you too. Why? Because they know they're coming to power and they're taking it all for granted, but they're scared because they know that if they don't start fucking pulling troops from Iraq that you're going to go and burn down every office of every Senator that doesn't do the job.
Well I will say this, that the world is watching us now. The whole world is watching us. The brothers and sisters in South America who are dealing with this imperialist violence have got their eyes on us. Our brothers and sisters in Iraq got their eyes on us. Because we are the ones that are prepared to, and going to, put an end to this nonsense. So Wake Up. Come on, Wake Up! Wake Up!" (Summer 2010)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Oct 18, 2010
Today was a great day. Huge workout at the YMCA. Drinking these Monster "Hitman" shots before it "hit" the gym. Easily doubles my workout time.
Still no alcohol since May 30th. (minus the Jimmy benefit and our 5th year wedding anniversary). Don't miss it a bit.
Casey is growing up so fast. Now over 13 months. Runs all over the house bumping into things and getting bruised. He definitely likes to rough house a bit. Boys are a little more wild.
Everything is in perfect harmony right now. Mind/Body/Spirit are pretty close to where I'd like them to be.
Would love to get that MBA in Public Policy from The Humphrey. Maybe run for Governor. I dream a lot.
Still no alcohol since May 30th. (minus the Jimmy benefit and our 5th year wedding anniversary). Don't miss it a bit.
Casey is growing up so fast. Now over 13 months. Runs all over the house bumping into things and getting bruised. He definitely likes to rough house a bit. Boys are a little more wild.
Everything is in perfect harmony right now. Mind/Body/Spirit are pretty close to where I'd like them to be.
Would love to get that MBA in Public Policy from The Humphrey. Maybe run for Governor. I dream a lot.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
chi chi booooo by SARDINE HEAD
chi chi booooo by SARDINE HEAD
Happy to report we have Sardine Head flying in from Japan on Wed Nov 24th for a show with God Johnson and Cymatic.
The benefit for Jimmy on Saturday was amazing. So many artists picked up and helped out. Jimmy was very thankful to everyone for the kindess and generousity. It was great to play Waste with Jill and Jimmy's Dad. Highlights were Soap doing Divided Sky and most of the GJ set. Felt great to play with those guys again. I think we'd be suprised if we were to start playing a bit more. This ride goes up and down.
Kristi and I were discussing moving to Colorado in 4-5 years. Depending on a few things. We both have the same employers there. Maybe living in an apartment with Casey for a couple years wouldn't be too bad. Save some money.
Happy to report we have Sardine Head flying in from Japan on Wed Nov 24th for a show with God Johnson and Cymatic.
The benefit for Jimmy on Saturday was amazing. So many artists picked up and helped out. Jimmy was very thankful to everyone for the kindess and generousity. It was great to play Waste with Jill and Jimmy's Dad. Highlights were Soap doing Divided Sky and most of the GJ set. Felt great to play with those guys again. I think we'd be suprised if we were to start playing a bit more. This ride goes up and down.
Kristi and I were discussing moving to Colorado in 4-5 years. Depending on a few things. We both have the same employers there. Maybe living in an apartment with Casey for a couple years wouldn't be too bad. Save some money.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Benefit for Jimmy
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=199385&id=14254253420&ref=mf
Last weekend we had the benefit for Jimmy Rogers at the Cabooze. Had some great performances especially Soap who killed it with their rendition of Divided Sky. Amazing. We ran short on time so we only played YEM, Esther and Free from the Junta project. Mitch called and said we could run it again on Wednesday at Cymatic, so we're planning on it.
Everything is going great. I had an MRI on the back to figure out if anything has changed. Dr. says not much you can do, it's my anatomy...how I'm built. My sister has the same thing, degenerative disc disorder. It's not bad enough to require surgery but bad enough to cause major pain at times. Continue treatment as ordered. Fine.
I continue to go to the gym and not drink. I did however entirely relapse on purpose and fully intentional at the Cabooze on Saturday. The Patron was delicious. Kristi and all the old Wednesday night regulars got together and had some fun. It was a nice escape. My sister had Casey for the night.
The girls have been winding down there summer. We will see them all weekend and doing the annual Wittstock pool party where we reunite with Winona college friends.
All and all life is very balanced and centered. I've got the right combination of family, music, wellness and work.
One thing is for sure, the GJ set on Saturday was a huge treat. Enjoyed all of that.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
7-6-10
Updates...
Have been going on a weight loss wellness kick again. I actually quit drinking. Wow. I haven't had alcohol since May 30. Trying to hit the gym daily. Exercise seems to be the only way to have enough energy for the world at the moment.
We avoided the financial economical meltdown up until now. It's starting to catch up with us. We're understanding the word "scrimp" a little more. Been wondering about getting rid of cable and smartphones and going with only internet access and phones that can text (I really don't like talking on the phone by the way...never have, peoples voices and inflections bug me sometimes. I need to learn to not let things bug me. But things will bug you, how you choose to react to the bugging is the answer. Maybe "blogging" is the best way to deal with the "bugging".
I do enjoy working from home on Monday's and Tuesday's and I'm grateful my employer is flexible. Casey and I usually get up, have breakfast, take a morning 30 minute nap and head to Yolanda at the Blaisdell YMCA.
Lately World Cup Soccer has been on. This is the first year I'm more into the games. Really hoping it's The Dutch vs. The Deutch. It's so easly to rip out an hour on the treadmill when you are watching soccer. You see all those players running like mad. How can you sit on a couch and watch it?
Louis CK is truly hilarious and one of my favorite comics at the moment. Last night he was talking about how he owns an Infinity and every day kids die because he chooses to drive his infinity and not a Ford Focus or something. "Every day I could trade in my Infinity, get 20K back and send it to Africa to feed thousands of kids that would otherwise die"...."and every day I choose the Infinity".
Life is good. Things are motoring along. I like my Thursday night gig with the Saints. No drama. Great friends just playing. I thought not drinking would be a problem but it really hasn't been. I sit back and watch people who are tipsy say the dumb things I would say if I were tipsy. I don't judge. I understand why people need to get bent once in a while. Can't blame em' really.
I think what's going to happen eventually is people will lose interest in the internet and being connected and open all the dang time. I think we are going to see kids who refuse the internet, shun Facebook, hate being "plugged in"....a revolt from all the social media out there... hmm.
What if the rest of our lives we went back to rotary phones, radio, books, outdoors...just give it all up. Seriously, do I really need to watch another episode of LouisCK on cable channel 50 on Comcast for $149.00 a month that bundle and pay?
I don't have an Infinity, but I do have a Comcast bundle package.
How many starving children die because I chose to have premium cable everyday?
Have been going on a weight loss wellness kick again. I actually quit drinking. Wow. I haven't had alcohol since May 30. Trying to hit the gym daily. Exercise seems to be the only way to have enough energy for the world at the moment.
We avoided the financial economical meltdown up until now. It's starting to catch up with us. We're understanding the word "scrimp" a little more. Been wondering about getting rid of cable and smartphones and going with only internet access and phones that can text (I really don't like talking on the phone by the way...never have, peoples voices and inflections bug me sometimes. I need to learn to not let things bug me. But things will bug you, how you choose to react to the bugging is the answer. Maybe "blogging" is the best way to deal with the "bugging".
I do enjoy working from home on Monday's and Tuesday's and I'm grateful my employer is flexible. Casey and I usually get up, have breakfast, take a morning 30 minute nap and head to Yolanda at the Blaisdell YMCA.
Lately World Cup Soccer has been on. This is the first year I'm more into the games. Really hoping it's The Dutch vs. The Deutch. It's so easly to rip out an hour on the treadmill when you are watching soccer. You see all those players running like mad. How can you sit on a couch and watch it?
Louis CK is truly hilarious and one of my favorite comics at the moment. Last night he was talking about how he owns an Infinity and every day kids die because he chooses to drive his infinity and not a Ford Focus or something. "Every day I could trade in my Infinity, get 20K back and send it to Africa to feed thousands of kids that would otherwise die"...."and every day I choose the Infinity".
Life is good. Things are motoring along. I like my Thursday night gig with the Saints. No drama. Great friends just playing. I thought not drinking would be a problem but it really hasn't been. I sit back and watch people who are tipsy say the dumb things I would say if I were tipsy. I don't judge. I understand why people need to get bent once in a while. Can't blame em' really.
I think what's going to happen eventually is people will lose interest in the internet and being connected and open all the dang time. I think we are going to see kids who refuse the internet, shun Facebook, hate being "plugged in"....a revolt from all the social media out there... hmm.
What if the rest of our lives we went back to rotary phones, radio, books, outdoors...just give it all up. Seriously, do I really need to watch another episode of LouisCK on cable channel 50 on Comcast for $149.00 a month that bundle and pay?
I don't have an Infinity, but I do have a Comcast bundle package.
How many starving children die because I chose to have premium cable everyday?
7-6-10
Updates...
Have been going on a weight loss wellness kick again. I actually quit drinking. Wow. I haven't had alcohol since May 30. Trying to hit the gym daily. Exercise seems to be the only way to have enough energy for the world at the moment.
We avoided the financial economical meltdown up until now. It's starting to catch up with us. We're understanding the word "scrimp" a little more. Been wondering about getting rid of cable and smartphones and going with only internet access and phones that can text (I really don't like talking on the phone by the way...never have, peoples voices and inflections bug me sometimes. I need to learn to not let things bug me. But things will bug you, how you choose to react to the bugging is the answer.
I do enjoy working from home on Monday's and Tuesday's and I'm grateful my employer is flexible. Casey and I usually get up, have breakfast, take a morning 30 minute nap and head to Yolanda at the Blaisdell YMCA.
Lately World Cup Soccer has been on. This is the first year I'm more into the games. Really hoping it's The Dutch vs. The Deutch. It's so easly to rip out an hour on the treadmill when you are watching soccer. You see all those players running like mad. How can you sit on a couch and watch it?
Louis CK is truly hilarious and one of my favorite comics at the moment. Last night he was talking about how he owns an Infinity and every day kids die because he chooses to drive his infinity and not a Ford Focus or something. "Every day I could trade in my Infinity, get 20K back and send it to Africa to feed thousands of kids that would otherwise die"...."and every day I choose the Infinity".
Life is good. Things are motoring along. I like my Thursday night gig with the Saints. No drama. Great friends just playing. I thought not drinking would be a problem but it really hasn't been. I sit back and watch people who are tipsy say the dumb things I would say if I were tipsy. I don't judge. I understand why people need to get bent once in a while. Can't blame em' really.
I think what's going to happen eventually is people will lose interest in the internet and being connected and open all the dang time. I think we are going to see kids who refuse the internet, shun Facebook, hate being "plugged in"....a revolt from all the social media out there... hmm.
What if the rest of our lives we went back to rotary phones, radio, books, outdoors...just give it all up. Seriously, do I really need to watch another episode of LouisCK on cable channel 50 on Comcast for $149.00 a month that bundle and pay?
I don't have an Infinity, but I do have a Comcast bundle package.
How many starving children die because I chose to have premium cable everyday?
Have been going on a weight loss wellness kick again. I actually quit drinking. Wow. I haven't had alcohol since May 30. Trying to hit the gym daily. Exercise seems to be the only way to have enough energy for the world at the moment.
We avoided the financial economical meltdown up until now. It's starting to catch up with us. We're understanding the word "scrimp" a little more. Been wondering about getting rid of cable and smartphones and going with only internet access and phones that can text (I really don't like talking on the phone by the way...never have, peoples voices and inflections bug me sometimes. I need to learn to not let things bug me. But things will bug you, how you choose to react to the bugging is the answer.
I do enjoy working from home on Monday's and Tuesday's and I'm grateful my employer is flexible. Casey and I usually get up, have breakfast, take a morning 30 minute nap and head to Yolanda at the Blaisdell YMCA.
Lately World Cup Soccer has been on. This is the first year I'm more into the games. Really hoping it's The Dutch vs. The Deutch. It's so easly to rip out an hour on the treadmill when you are watching soccer. You see all those players running like mad. How can you sit on a couch and watch it?
Louis CK is truly hilarious and one of my favorite comics at the moment. Last night he was talking about how he owns an Infinity and every day kids die because he chooses to drive his infinity and not a Ford Focus or something. "Every day I could trade in my Infinity, get 20K back and send it to Africa to feed thousands of kids that would otherwise die"...."and every day I choose the Infinity".
Life is good. Things are motoring along. I like my Thursday night gig with the Saints. No drama. Great friends just playing. I thought not drinking would be a problem but it really hasn't been. I sit back and watch people who are tipsy say the dumb things I would say if I were tipsy. I don't judge. I understand why people need to get bent once in a while. Can't blame em' really.
I think what's going to happen eventually is people will lose interest in the internet and being connected and open all the dang time. I think we are going to see kids who refuse the internet, shun Facebook, hate being "plugged in"....a revolt from all the social media out there... hmm.
What if the rest of our lives we went back to rotary phones, radio, books, outdoors...just give it all up. Seriously, do I really need to watch another episode of LouisCK on cable channel 50 on Comcast for $149.00 a month that bundle and pay?
I don't have an Infinity, but I do have a Comcast bundle package.
How many starving children die because I chose to have premium cable everyday?
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
6-1-2010
Hello Summer...
Just got back from a fine vacation out to Rapid City with Kristi and the girls and introducing Casey. Spent a few days on the ranch in Norris SD with Dorothy and Uncle Evan. Girls road horses and did chores. Cared for the sick cows.
Ate at our favorite restaurant the "Alpine Inn" up in Hill City, SD. Easily....easily the best Reuben in the midwest as well as the best ranch dressing. The desserts are sensational. (remember to check out Haute Dish asap!)
So today is the first day of June 2010 and we are going to make a few summer commitments. Calling on 90 days of healthier ways. Gonna give up the booze. Yep, I love my texas teas and shitty beers but it's time. Always trying to improve. Get lazy. Improve. Upgrade the system.
So today I had communion: two boiled eggs, a gallon of water, a piece of dry wheat toast, extra fiber and a scoop of peanut butter. Lunch was carrots. Snack was pretzels. Weighed in at 245lbs and away we go. Wow....never been this huge.
Casey and I took a stroll around Nokomis today and picked up a few things at the grocery store. Tonight we are having veggie fajitas. Monday is fish day.
Stay tuned for futher updates.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
5-11-10
..so i'm on my way back from the State Capitol at around 1pm on a rainy Tuesday...driving along Lake Nokomis on Cedar, and what do I see? Mpls Parks Worker WATERING trees in the rain.
Normally I would just drive by and say, "ah, another lazy city employee".
I went to Japan once. You should see how fast those city workers work. They run to get the job done!
Anyway, I was at the Capitol with 40 other people with disabilities holding up signs, and hoping to convince the legislators to not cut services to people with disabilities (real disabilities...like Down's Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy...stuff you are born with....not the guy sitting on the couch collecting unemployment because he's faking a back injury and just too lazy to work...)
So, here we are trying to save dental services for people with disabilities (because the Gov's teeth are more important right?) and on my way home I see my tax dollars watering trees in the rain.
I thought I would share that story as best I could.
Sometimes it's like pushing a giant marshmallow up a hill.
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