October 29, 2008
RIP
Lileks
writes on Dean Barnett's death. As only Lileks can write.
Posted by: Sarah at
05:11 AM
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I'm sorry to say that I never noticed Dean Barnett until you mentioned his passing. I had
seen his name before in "CITIZEN OF THE WORLD," but that doesn't count.
http://tryingtogrok.mu.nu/archives/269450.html
Speaking of seeing, Lileks wrote:
You know whatÂ’s odd? I have no idea what he looked like. I have an idea, but itÂ’s probably wrong.
We can say that about a lot of our imaginary friends. It's funny, so many of us could walk past each other on the street, utterly unaware that we were on the same side in more ways than one.
I've been thinking recently that I once had no idea what you looked like, but now I feel as if I've
always known.
In the blogosphere voices matter more than looks:
Again with the saccharine notion of the afterlife with the clouds and the wings and the harp: Dean walks up behind people and shouts “CHOWDAH,” and we know right away who it is.
Lileks' column could have stopped there, but it didn't.
Right now I'm trying to remember where I saw the Ennis House. Some movie I caught on cable in the early 90s, I think.
How does the suspended pipe organ player get down? If I don't like what he's playing, can I deny him the use of my ladder?
I happen to own the comic Lileks featured yesterday:
http://www.lileks.com/institute/funny/08/112.html
I got all six parts of the
Star Wars adaptation back in 1977. There were no DVDs in those days.
I even bought four of the post-movie issues
("Beyond the movie! "Beyond the galaxy!"). You can see them all here:
http://comics.org/covers.lasso?SeriesID=2406
Writer Roy Thomas had to find ways to mark time before the sequel. So he teamed Han Solo with ... a green rabbit:
http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=31977&zoom=4
http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=32065&zoom=4
Posted by: Amritas at October 29, 2008 08:17 AM (+nV09)
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October 27, 2008
SEND YOUR LOVE
Tim's wife, whom we all know as
CPT Patti, was admitted to the hospital. They still aren't entirely sure what's wrong with her. I thought maybe some of you old-schoolers could leave some encouraging comments here for her so she can read them when she gets computer access. Hang in there, Patti. We know you're tough!
Posted by: Sarah at
03:40 AM
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Lots of well wishes for both of them.
Posted by: Susan at October 27, 2008 05:36 AM (4aKG6)
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Patti,
You made it through Iraq, and I hope you make it through this. My thoughts are with you and your husband.
Tim,
Thank you for blogging about "the sweetest woman on the planet." Sarah led me to your blog which I followed to the end four years ago. That chapter is over, but your story isn't. May there be many more chapters.
Posted by: Amritas at October 27, 2008 07:40 AM (+nV09)
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Patti - I hope you get well soon!
Tim - hang in there! My thoughts are with both of you.
~Bryan
Posted by: Bryan Strawser at October 27, 2008 02:25 PM (n05cZ)
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Patti ~ Our prayers are with you and your family.
Posted by: HomefrontSix at October 27, 2008 02:57 PM (4Es1w)
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October 18, 2008
I AM HERE
I bought
Stranger Than Fiction because AWTM liked it. So much of Palahniuk's stuff in this book reminds me of blogging. Take, for example,
You Are Here:
Okay, okay, so maybe weÂ’re headed down a road toward mindless, self-obsessed lives where every event is reduced to words and camera angles. Every moment imagined through the lens of a cinematographer. Every funny or sad remark scribbled down for sale at the first opportunity.
A world Socrates couldnÂ’t imagine, where people would examine their lives, but only in terms of movie and paperback potential.
Where a story no longer follows as the result of an experience.
Now the experience happens in order to generate a story.
Sort of like when you suggest: “Let’s not but say we did.”
The story—the product you can sell—becomes more important than the actual event.
One danger is, we might hurry through life, enduring event after event, in order to build our list of experiences. Our stock of stories. And our hunger for stories might reduce our awareness of the actual experience. In the way we shut down after watching too many action-adventure movies. Our body chemistry can’t tolerate the stimulation. Or we unconsciously defend ourselves by pretending not to be present, by acting as a detached “witness” or reporter to our own life. And by doing that, never feeling an emotion or really participating. Always weighing what the story will be worth in cold cash.
That is how a hardcore blogger lives. Every life experience is seen through the lens of how it's going to be blogged. Everything is a vignette, put out there for all to read. And while you're living the joy or sorrow of a situation, in the back of your mind you're also composing the blog post about it.
It's a way to process. A way, like Palahniuk says, to step outside the situation a little and view it as a "detached 'witness.'"
Because sometimes you need that.
Like today.
I'm not pregnant.
Posted by: Sarah at
02:04 PM
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Posted by: Reasa at October 18, 2008 06:00 PM (2W7Iu)
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Big hugs from this corner, too.
Posted by: FbL at October 18, 2008 07:22 PM (HwqvF)
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Damn. Just, damn.
Go hang with Carren. Her fertile myrtle genes should rub off on you.
Of course, the fun is in the trying, as it doesn't involve diapers. Okay, there was that one time, but I'm not supposed to talk about that.
After today, You could have one of ours, if you like.
--Chuck
Posted by: Chuck at October 18, 2008 07:23 PM (q4psF)
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Oh... I'm so, so sorry... *hugs*
Posted by: kannie at October 18, 2008 08:17 PM (f+LJo)
Posted by: Emily at October 18, 2008 09:21 PM (cZoqf)
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So sorry, Sarah.
big {{hugs}} your way.
Posted by: Susan at October 19, 2008 10:30 AM (IfQM3)
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Crap. I wanted to be there this weekend to hold your hand & hug you. My presence honestly was needed at my sister-in-law's wedding this weekend...when you're ready for a good laugh I have some stories.
Love you, chica.
Posted by: Guard Wife at October 19, 2008 11:42 AM (eb8pN)
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i checked in tonight quick because i was thinking of you and wondering when you would know. apparently you know now and it's one more time for you to have to say "it's not my time". i'm so sorry. uh, and on top of it all, i forgot to say happy birthday
Posted by: Kate at October 19, 2008 03:23 PM (576n8)
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I second the damn motion. I share your row boat on this. Oh how you know I do. I'm still sorry. btw that quote totally hits the nail on the head about us hard core ones too.
Posted by: DARLA at October 19, 2008 08:55 PM (hRWl6)
Posted by: Anwyn at October 20, 2008 07:51 AM (dzxw9)
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I'm sorry, Sarah.
Posted by: Deltasierra at October 20, 2008 02:21 PM (GWr7v)
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October 16, 2008
ON A JET PLANE
I'm leaving soon to start my journey to SpouseBUZZ Live San Antonio.
More later.
And yes, I am more than freaked out by this.
I can't even talk about it anymore.
I am an emotional, ridiculous mess today. I feel strung out and beaten.
God, I hope that means I'm pregnant.
Posted by: Sarah at
08:19 AM
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Is it hyperbole to remind people that historically, democracies have a life span and weÂ’ve exceeded the average?
(Note to self: must buy stock in liquor companies ‘cause it’s gonn’a be a LONG 4/8 yrs.)
Posted by: tim at October 16, 2008 08:42 AM (nno0f)
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I thought this was interesting, and thought you might, too:
http://www.zombietime.com/lefts_big_blunder/
Posted by: Emily at October 16, 2008 09:07 AM (jAos7)
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I'm just hoping the silent majority – you know, the ones who have a head on their shoulders and understand what this country is about – rise up and vote for McCain.
I'm thinking it's time to get my husband his gun, concealed carry permit, and stock up on ammo. I have my trusty shotgun, which also needs ammo.
Sort of off-topic, will you be going to the Tacoma SpouseBuzz, too? 'Cause my husband (Sig) and I will be there!
Posted by: Deltasierra at October 16, 2008 09:11 AM (il0E1)
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That's what I'm talking about. I feel like we are swimming upstream in jello and the world I am leaving to my children and grandchildren (and that new baby of yours!) is so unlike the one I've lived in. I am so sad for that, you cannot imagine how it makes me feel that my generation has failed. We hear a lot about the Nazi's but there were and are, and will be many forms of fascism. Last night we were cheered by John McCain's coming alive, but with all that my husband just kept saying about Obama, Mussolini, Mussolini. Look him up. He was voted in, didn't get in with a Putz like Hitler or Stalin. We are in scary times. But the Anchoress cheers me. She has a good spirit , I wish I did.
PS One of my kids and his family live in San Antonio.
Posted by: Ruth H at October 16, 2008 10:06 AM (BkiKe)
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Enjoy your time in TX! Wish I were going to be there!!
Call me if you want/need.
I think the phone conference w/AWTM and me is a good idea still.
Posted by: Guard Wife at October 16, 2008 02:30 PM (eb8pN)
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Emily,
Thanks for the zombietime article. It's given a lot to think about until Sarah posts from San Antonio (I can't wait!), and its lessons will remain relevant long after the election is over.
Posted by: Amritas at October 16, 2008 03:54 PM (HWSu7)
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I've said it before:
Once the gummint starts to bribe the citizenry with their own money, and the citizenry is either too lazy or too stupid to care or realize it we, as a republic, are doomed.
we are so doomed.
Posted by: Chuck Z at October 17, 2008 02:33 AM (bQVIy)
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Deltasierra: I'll be there.
Posted by: Emily at October 17, 2008 01:25 PM (cZoqf)
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October 11, 2008
MY MOM IS MY BIGGEST FAN
OK, I just have to say this hilarious thing.
My mom said tonight, "You can't stop blogging. You're doing a disservice to the hundreds of thousands of people who read you."
HA!
I said, "Um, try like 300 people."
My mom thinks I am way awesomer than I am.
Posted by: Sarah at
02:03 PM
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I'm with Mom. But we will cut you a little slack for a week, or less ;D
Posted by: Ruth H at October 11, 2008 05:15 PM (Q9qq1)
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Always listen to your Mom. There might be hundreds of thousands of us out here. I lurked for months before I finally left a comment. And if you have a counter that totals your daily hits as anything less than awesome, it's not working properly.
Posted by: Pamela at October 11, 2008 07:19 PM (/IgGp)
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PS....enjoy your time off. Come back rested, refreshed, renewed and ready to continue the good fight.
Posted by: Pamela at October 11, 2008 07:21 PM (/IgGp)
Posted by: MaryIndiana at October 12, 2008 07:06 AM (SRyvm)
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Hi, Hope you are enjoying your week off & trip to TX. It is always helpful to take a break & get refreshed, I just came back from a trip to CO Springs. Please don't stop blogging I enjoy reading your blog and would miss your updates.
Posted by: MN NG Wife at October 12, 2008 10:32 AM (tRNAR)
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I'm one of those hundreds of thousands of lurkers (and fellow Army wife) who was sad to read that you are taking a break from blogging. To echo what everyone else has said, your mom is right. Yours is on the short list of blogs I read daily, and so though I hope you enjoy a break, hopefully you are back soon =).
Posted by: sweetestsass at October 12, 2008 11:05 AM (R+iLG)
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I am a proud member of the 300... Take your break, but know we will still be looking for your return... You are one of my earliest regular reads!
Posted by: jck at October 12, 2008 02:20 PM (d6k/G)
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You are indeed awesome. Perhaps your readership makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity.
Posted by: david foster at October 12, 2008 03:37 PM (ke+yX)
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Sarah -
I'll miss you. I check in every day.
On the other hand...I understand.
Hoping you keep on writing, but getting it if you don't
One of your original blog buddies....
Tim
Posted by: Tim Fitzgerald at October 12, 2008 04:13 PM (rASAT)
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did i just hear john mccain say he was going to whip a black man?
Posted by: Will at October 12, 2008 09:14 PM (FE/9Y)
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OMG! I'm one of the 300!
haOOH! haOOOH! haOOOH!
Posted by: airforcewife at October 13, 2008 06:23 AM (mIbWn)
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You can't quit!! All the plants are going to die!!!
Posted by: Tom at October 13, 2008 09:28 AM (lgq5k)
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Don't stay away too long - I love your posts!
Posted by: Mary at October 13, 2008 07:50 PM (3k4VW)
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Blast it, Tom. You beat me to the quote I was going to use...
Posted by: Patrick Chester at October 14, 2008 07:10 AM (MOvul)
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I look forward to your blogging too, even though (sadly?) I am an inveterate lurker.
For what it's worth, your blog helped in a challenging time when then friend and now hubby was in Iraq.
Posted by: Eowyn at October 15, 2008 01:59 AM (e1nid)
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"Um, try like 300 people."
300 Spartans?
I'm proud to be one of them!
And I'm so glad you're back!
Posted by: Amritas at October 15, 2008 07:29 AM (+nV09)
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October 06, 2008
AN HONOR
My friend Amritas' website is waaay above my level. Both my husband and I have said that if anyone thinks we're smart, they should meet this guy. And it is so flattering that such an intelligent man reads my dopey little blog.
Amritas honors my blogoversary with a Tangut of my name. I think he's my longest-running blog friend.
Posted by: Sarah at
04:57 PM
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I'm blocked from posting a link to a photo gallery of the lost Tangut city. The photos can be found by Googling "Mongol ghost city dehydrated and sacked by Ming armies".
"Mongol" is misleading; the city was conquered by the Mongols, but it was the Tangut in the city who stocked the secret library around the end of the 14th century.
"These materials ... represent their message to posterity. They wanted us to know what really brought their state to an end."
- Ksenia Kepping
http://www.kepping.net/pdfs/works/Guanyin_Icon.pdf
Posted by: Amritas at October 06, 2008 11:05 PM (HWSu7)
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This is totally cool! I was a linguistics major not *too* long ago... and this sort of thing is just thrilling to me! Thanks for the broad scope of interests here!!! :-)
Posted by: kannie at October 07, 2008 12:13 PM (f+LJo)
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October 04, 2008
WE'RE WEIRD
AWTM and I always talk about how self-congratulatory blogging is; we blog because we like the sound of our own voice. Which explains why I ended up re-reading an
interview of myself today. If that's not a douchebag thing to do, I don't know what is. But Blackfive bestowed me the honor of saying
he likes me, and I had forgotten that interview.
Anyway, I had to laugh that things haven't changed much from one deployment to the next:
Sarah: I have more in common with him than with anyone on the planet; I got lucky that he was a guy instead of a girl! More than anything I just miss hanging out with him, watching Futurama and talking about politics. Each day we get to chat online for like 30 minutes.
annikagyrl: first war where that's been possible, i guess. Thank you Yahoo!, lol
Sarah: We're sorta an odd couple, I'm sure. For example, yesterday we spent our entire time talking about why the dollar is so weak against the Euro. Probably most couples don't talk about that stuff!
Chuck Z's wife laughed at me that my husband and I use our deployment conversation time to talk politics. But every chat is full of names like Obama, Palin, Krauthammer, and Steyn. We spend most of our time talking bailout and Biden. Is that abnormal? It seems fun to me.
Posted by: Sarah at
06:08 AM
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LOL - definitely! My bro always has trouble coming up with something to say, and I had to explain to him that there's at least a little bit of narcissism in being a prolific blogger...
And there's only so much to say aside from day-to-day conversation, LOL! Day-to-day news is what changes, so no, I don't think it's abnormal at all. :-)
Posted by: kannie at October 04, 2008 07:04 AM (f+LJo)
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R U calling us douchebags?
Posted by: AWTM at October 04, 2008 05:06 PM (4JZ6n)
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October 02, 2008
CHANNELING SALLY FIELD
It feels a little narcissistic to blog this, but I have to let people know how touched I am. Long-time reader MaryIndiana started a Trying To Grok fan club on Facebook. And every time I look at it, I kinda want to cry. You can't imagine how honored it makes me feel.
And my little brother found the group and joined too. Sniff.
Posted by: Sarah at
01:46 PM
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We really like you.
Posted by: Butterfly Wife at October 02, 2008 05:09 PM (FDziT)
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Awwww. . . that's so sweet. And your brother joining is the icing on the cake.
Posted by: Lucy at October 02, 2008 10:00 PM (YsKhR)
Posted by: Amy at October 03, 2008 01:25 AM (UMp4+)
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I am going to join now.
Posted by: keri at October 03, 2008 05:07 AM (HXpRG)
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