Y/N on this color scheme

Media does not an artist make. I tried using a color coordinating utliity from Color Schemer, many thanks to Patricia. I thought the results were pretty snazzy...but I've heard otherwise (you, my friend, shall remain cloaked in anonymity). Look, I admit I'm colorblind. So, please do me a favor - vote Yeah, or Nay, on the current color scheme for this page. Click on the Speak/Comments button below this entry & lay it on me. Majority rules - if it's Nay, I'll spin the Color Schemer again. It's actually kind of fun to use, so vote with your mind, not your heart.

Dentyne Ice Subway Commerical

More proof that this TV thing is catching on. My blogstats say people are coming here, after googling "Dentyne Ice Subway Commercial." Thanks to this. Well, hiya pop music fans. The band is Papas Fritas. Here's where you can find out all about them. The song is "Way You Walk.". I also like their s/t debut muchly.

Ain't no mountain high enough...

...can keep you off the net.

Is a web cafe on Mt Everest truly necessary? At a cool (more like freezing, at 17,000 feet!) $1,000 to log on, the profits will go towards cleaning the trash off the mountain.

Source: vnunet

Way To Go Comcast

Did you see the Coalition for Peace Action's anti-war ad on CNN during Bush's speech? If not, thank Comcast.

Anti-War Ads Rejected During Bush Speech The Comcast cable television company rejected ads that an anti-war group wanted to air during President Bush's State of the Union speech, saying they included unsubstantiated claims.

Really? Take a look at these spots. As far as I can tell, there's no misrepresentation, or unsubstantiated claims. The ads are clearly a series of regular joe and josephines, voicing their reasons why they oppose the war. Disgusting behavior on the part of our nations largest cable operator.

Click here for the short version and 3 minute version.

And just yesterday I was offering the olive branch to my old nemesis, TV; the purveyor of the mono-culture....live and relearn.

Poosh

This may be a slang word, in some part of the english speaking world, but it's such a great word to say. Poosh, not push. I can imagine Taylor Negron saying it.

Taylor is Chuck Negron's cousin...lead singer from 3 Dog Night? I learn so much on the internetto.

TV & Movies

I know I have this bad habit of dissing them. I regularly overspimplify them as trash entertainment. I also, inexplicably, think watching TV & movies is passive and therefore...bad. Yeah, I don't know what's up with me, either. I mean has anyone really determined if more of your brain is used reading a book, than watching The Hughleys?

So I've decided to make a truce with them. See how we get along. I'm not going to get all TVaddict-core. I'll just try not to be so negative. You know, Taylor Negron has such an expressive face - he always cracks me up just looking at him. If I keep an open mind, I might see more things like this, on TV. There's a new movie theater going up in downtown San Mateo too. Deb will be excited to know I may be getting better about going to a movie. I take it they don't say 'flick' anymore, right? That reminds of the lowest point of the 70's, so I hope it's very passe.

Was dat you outside this morning, Gollum?

It was still dark when I let the dogs out back for their morning sniff and drop. I heard the strangest noise, coming from the lower backyard, here at slipping acres. A kind of soft 'eeee' sound, followed by a sharp raspy 'yack!' I could hear claws clambering in one of the redwoods, down near where we keep most of the bird feeders. Then, when it sensed me and the dogs, up on the upper backyard looking down into the impenetrable dark of the lower yard, it let out more eeee-yacks and bounded away down the hill. Really fast. It kept making noise until it made it all the way over to the other side of the valley. Probably just a big raccoon, but the weirdest sounding one. When animals are invisible, they appear even wilder.

A little media exposure for a band I like

Papas Fritas is, sadly, a band disbanded. But better late than never - one of their songs is being used in a new Dentyne commercial. Their song "Way You Walk" (the Gloucester answer to "Walk This Way?") is showcased in the one where the hottie is on the subway. Watch for it and hear the chewy freshness that was Papas Fritas.

Big storage

Well, my DSL provider, SBCPacbell, has a new deal with Yahoo. I signed up. I get 750MB of online storage, 25MB of website space, a custom domain (http://deanmartucci.net - but nothing there yet, so no linkie) and a slew of email addresses. All for the low low price of 9 bucks per month more than I pay now for the DSL service alone. This means home page and blog site will be seeing steroid development soon. I see renovations on all home fronts - 8 ball sez OK.

Any MSWindows/IE geniuses out there?

I know it's impolite to use this as a trolling mechanism, but
I've spent all day recovering from near disaster. Of course, it's Windows related. I could use some help, or at least some commiseration.

First a (hopefully) easy question: Why won't my IE open up a second window? As in, if I'm on a website and click on a link that wants to open up a second window, it builds the outline of the window, but then just hangs there. I have IE 6 now, with the SP fix. I use Mozilla at the same page and no problem opening the second window.

The obvious work-around is... to keep using Mozilla! But there's a rub. I just took my DSL provider's offer to upgrade to the SBC Yahoo DSL deal. Main incentive: I get 750MB of free web storage space. To use all the features of SBCYahoo, you have to use their new custom browser. Which is, you guessed it, a shell over IE. So, until I figure out why IE is acting up, I'm out of luck using all the SBCYahoo crap.

And may I say it's very nice of Windows not to allow me the priviledge of uninstalling and reinstalling IE. I can only "Repair" it - which actually just reloads an older version. Doing so put my Outlook 2000 out of commission. Nice repair.

Oh and all the Java VM options are enabled. I'm stuck...

Persecute dem evil doers

A quote from
this news story:

Bush advised Iraqi officers and soldiers to disobey any orders to use weapons of mass destruction in a conflict.
"If you choose to do so, when Iraq is liberated, you will be treated, tried and persecuted as a war criminal."

I'm sure he meant "prosecuted" & not "persecuted." I'm sooo sure.

This whole Iraqi war crimes issue is a hard one for me to parse. I found a site which appears to be unbiased - The Crimes of War Project. It discusses the issue in detail and without a bunch of legalese.

American Idol-atry

I missed all of this show's first season, making me a virgin idolatrist. That is, until last night.

After about a half hour, the thing that convinced me I haven't been missing anything at all wasn't the show concept...it was the music itself. Or lack thereof.

God.Awful.Mainstream.Pop. I realize this is not news to most of you, but I was amazed at how bland the contestants' musical tastes were. I thought there would be at least a couple of Sinead O'Connor wannabees, or something.

It goes without saying the judging panel are all morons.

If only Garageband.com had had the bucks these producers have. Then, at least the singing would have been more interesting.

ps: Am I being a snob? If so, it's frickin' okay.

Yes, I'm definitely colorblind

In the comments to my "new coat" entry below, Patricia clues me in that this is now an orange page. I didn't even know that! Ugh!

Trying to diagnose myself, I found this online color vision deficiency test. My results were scary.

New coat of paint

I'd say the new color scheme for this site is proof positive I'm still colorblind. Is this just too gross?

Jan 18 March Against War with Iraq

International A.N.S.W.E.R
International Action Center, San Francisco
Peninsula Peace & Justice Center

Fryday Eyecandy

a. Who's We is a flash design studio, with some fantastic work.

b. A music video: Hanayo - Joe Le Taxi
It's a slow load, but it's all zee way from deutschland. I'll nominate this for best use of a Neu! poster in a music video. The famous fairy tale imagery is...je ne sais quoi.

c. Verner Panton has some amazing interiors and furniture designs.

d. The Greatest Picture Ever...series.

e. Some neu looks for your computer. As a Gillian-esque typewriter. Or, how about as a toaster.

Fur

Recently I've heard several mentions, in the media, that real furs are back in demand with the younger set. Can this really be so; or is this just advertising to induce a desired outcome?

I'm all for each generation reinventing themselves. But I mean come on, how can an aversion to cruelty become passe? I'll be objective, if there are any fur-bearers out there. I guess I'd like to hear your side. But I'd probably also lecture you, like old fogeys are wont to do.

We Can't All Be Eagles

No, this isn't a Dr. Philicism. It's a free 2003 calendar, with a gallery of less glamorous flora and fauna that also need endangered species act protection to survive. Save the Haleakala silversword and the Mariana fruit bat. If you sign up for Earth Justice's email list, it's yours.

Rinky-Links

Just a few to pass along:

a. Here's an amazing Bush video remix.

b. The Hipster Handbook.
(Clue: you are not a hipster, if you read websites on being a hipster)

c. Given Peter "I'm Researching" Townsend's recent troubles, his song "The Kids Are Alright" takes on new meaning, eh?

d. "Communique" - now this is a band!

e. Sort of dated, but new to me. Mick, on the bizness of being a Stone.

Remodeling Slipping Acres

Not this blog - although god knows it needs a facelift too - the real place. We're finally getting around to starting the home improvements we've wanted for some time. If there's any interesting, or amusing ancedotes, you know where to find them.

First up is adding a sunroom. We signed up a contractor to add a 16' x 22' sunroom. We're thinking of this as our music conservatory - at least that sounds better than some sunday supplement fern bar sunroom. House concerts should be much easier to stage in there - with pre and post show consumables on the adjoining patio.

The building permit was approved yesterday. the sunroom will be out back, off the current family room (CFR). The CFR will morph into the new kitchen. Maybe I should put up some before, during and after pics.

In addition to these two sub-projects, we are also installing new wood floors, renovating both bathrooms, finishing off the attic above the garage (for visiting zombies, who need to overnight in seclusion), installing a new audio and video system/infrastructure (more on that later) and miscellaneous landscaping and architectural stuff.

This week, several of the contractors are coming in to do preliminary measuring and general idea spinning. The kitchen guy, Deb & I have already begun coming up with general layout and design ideas. Now we get the plumbing & electrical contractors to see how insane they are. Landscaper can start on a few things, in parallel with the inside work and he'll be meeting us this week as well.

We are going to try to live here while the sawdust flies. I wonder how that will fly.

Friday, the home entertainment designer (HED) shows up. This could be interesting. Currently, we have a pretty unusual audio setup. Part of the failed music dotcom experience was inheriting a 24 channel mixing board, monitors and other assorted audio recording equipment. I've been using that, in conjunction with Denon components, as our primary home music system. It adds 'whimsy' to the living room, don't you think? Well, Deb's been very patient with me, so now it's time to figure out a better way to hide all this stuff, while still being able to use it. That's where the HED will come in handy. I think it sounds pretty excellent as is, but hey, if he insists we upgrade to MacIntosh, I just can't ignore him, can I?

We probably will also look into some sort of new TV thing. I think watching the boob tube is detrimental and mindless. It's an invasive mono-cultural tool. But, I have few morals and less pride - what the frick. Besides, those plasma panel screens are orgasmic fields of color. Maybe I can get one of those DVDs of an aquarium (then, when no one is around, put on Zoolander).

My salvation from the material world. There's such a fine line between paradox and hypocrisy.

The sweetest flow'r that grows

So where do you go to see a wild rose? They seem such a hardy plant, I'm surprised I've never seen them anywhere, except in gardens. Maybe Ireland.


If you listen I'll sing you a sweet little song
Of a flower that's now droped and dead,
Yet dearer to me, yes than all of its mates,
Though each holds aloft its proud head.
Twas given to me by a girl that I know,
Since we've met, faith I've known no repose.
She is dearer by far than the world's brightest star,
And I call her my wild Irish Rose.

My wild Irish Rose, the sweetest flower that grows.
You may search everywhere, but none can compare with my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the dearest flower that grows,
And some day for my sake, she may let me take the bloom from my wild Irish Rose.

They may sing of their roses, which by other names,
Would smell just as sweetly, they say.
But I know that my Rose would never consent
To have that sweet name taken away.
Her glances are shy when e'er I pass by
The bower where my true love grows,
And my one wish has been that some day I may win
The heart of my wild Irish Rose.

My wild Irish Rose, the sweetest flower that grows.
You may search everywhere, but none can compare with my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the dearest flower that grows,
And some day for my sake, she may let me take the bloom from my wild Irish Rose.

by Chauncey Olcott (who also wrote 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' - wouldn't you love to own his publishing)

In memory of Maurice Gibb

An open letter to: the children of the world
Re: I started a joke.

It is a tragedy. Too bad he wasn't saved by the bell. How do you mend a broken heart, when you're a heartbreaker? Obviously he had trouble staying alive and eventually succumbed to saturday night fever. Maurice, now that you are horizontal and the change is made, we know how deep is your love. He may have jokingly said I close my eyes and I can't see nobody, but now it's time to truly close another door. This is just me jive talkin because, at his age, he should be dancing. He did get a message to me though and it was to love somebody. I hope he gets too much heaven now. Don't forget to remember Maurice. I can't let you go, maybe together we can throw a penny, down the road. He believed you can't keep a good man down, but his is not a story of immortality and for him the bell tolls. He was the greatest man in the world.

Sincerely,
Craise Finton Kirk,
Royal Academy Of Arts.
Turn of the century, on holiday.

Friday Four

1. DM? No, MOND
This is so great! I've always had a nagging skepticism about the idea of Dark Matter (DM). Have you? Say hello to Modified Netwonian Dynamics (MOND).

2. Audio Perfection
Missing the little surprises an imperfect, non digital, recording, sometimes brings? Then, you'll like this picture.

3. Heavy
Heavy.com remains a pretty decent QT/Flash based music site.

4. Mixerman
The daily adventures of mixerman is over 6 months old now. An anonymous sound engineer has been keeping an online journal of the day-to-day adventures of recording a big budget rock band. It's all real, but the names have been changed to protect the not so innocent. Currently, he's being paid not to record anything. Any guesses who the band is?

Canadian Ukeleleists

If your life is missing ukelele music played by Canadians, let's take care of that right now, shall we?

Ron Sexsmith & Rheostatics fans will recognize the name Don Kerr - drummer. He and a number of musical associates (including RS) have a little side project called The Kelele Brothers. In fact, it's basically the most recent Sexsmith band lineup, in luau shirts.

They've put out 2 discs to date and the second one "Has-Beens And Wives" is really fun (the first "Escape From Bover County" may also still be available from Don). It includes a Ron-penned tune called "Boredom & Loneliness", sung by Don. They also cover songs by Randy Newman, The Who, The Kinks, Jethro Tull & Chuck Mangione. Yipes you say? Hey, it's ukes!

Funny bits and also some beautiful passages, as only the uke can bring. If you're interested, write directly to Don Kerr, sending a check or money order to...

Don Kerr
P.O. Box 161 stn. C
Toronto Ontario CANADA M6J 3M9

the cost is $12 US or $16 Canadian (postage included)
And if you want 2 cd's the cost is 20 US or 28 Canadian.

Remember - UKE IT, DON'T NUKE IT!

Explaining personal websites...

...ever try to do that, to someone not very internetto? It's not easy. It also made me realize I don't really know what it is either. But anyway, a friend - let's call him DogBro 2 - asked what this site was. An online diary, cult website, what? My reply:

As an investor, I'm sure you know about that wonderful opportunity - Clonaid. Well, as one of the early supporters of the Raelian Revolution, it has been a dream of mine to be included on their Links page. I needed some kind of website that could compete with such auspicious sites as I Was Abducted and UFO Land. I think it's not immodest of me to say Slipping Acres is currently "Under Consideration For Link Status" by the Raelian Webmaster!!

Cheerios - innocent breakfast dish, or alien droppings?

That is all.

"What's the matter with me, I don't have much to say"

...even *that* is lifted from an old Bob Dylan tune. He goes on, later:

"people disagreeing everywhere you look,
makes you wanna stop and read a book."

...which is pretty good advice.
So here's a few quotes I like from some recent reading:


a. "Our next breaths, yours and mine, will sample the snorts, sighs, bellows, shrieks, cheers and spoken prayers of the prehistoric and historic past." - Harlow Shapely in Beyond The Observatory

b. "In Hindi, the words 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbam' mean 'Earth Family,' the democracy of all life, all the little beings and the big ones with no hierarchy because you have no idea ecologically how things fit in the web of life." - Vandana Shiva in Restoring The Earth

c. "Full fathom five thy father lies;
Of his bones are coral made:
Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him that doth fade,
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange." - Willie Shakespeare in The Tempest


Maybe Beck was reading his Shakespeare while working on his latest disc.

And I hope it's easy for you to name that dylan tune...

20 years young & hot

Speaking of NPR, they mentioned that the current eruption of the Kilauea Volcano is 20 years old today. Go lava!

Animal Culture - well duh

NPR is reporting new field findings that indicate cultural differences in populations of Indonesian orangutans. I respect the scientific method. Empricism is a pretty handy way to investigate things. But this announcement...I mean, come on. Any animal lover already knows this is way obvious.

Any pet lover knows our pets learn from us. Why shouldn't animals have common shared interests, that aren't genetically encoded, but assimilated from their social interactions? You can even easily see it in the behavior of semi-wild creatures. The birds that visit our yard let me know very clearly when they are pleased with the fresh water in the bird baths; when the seeds we put out are to their liking. I can notice distinct personalities between individual hummingbirds. There's one group who are very bossy and one 'family' that seem to go with the flow a little better. When the natural plantings begin to slack off in sap production, during the winter, the bossy group lets us know we'd better get on the stick and start freshening up the hummer feeders, or get dive bombed. Memo to self - time to make up a batch of sugar water.

When are we going to realize there's really not that much of a difference between mankind and, well, everything else? There's a great book on the subject: 'The Sacred Balance - rediscovering our place in nature.' by David Suzuki.

I think an interesting thing is trying to discover where animals are exhibiting a completely non-human emotion, rather than being amazed by witnessing any sort of complex emotion from our animal co-residents. We tend to see all animals behaviors, attitudes and emotions from a human perspective. It's hard not to. It gets difficult to differentiate if you only observe your pets. They afterall, learn all sorts of behavior from us. They show tons of human behaviors and habits! One thing I enjoy, is watching the coyotes and trying to spot how they act differently from our dogs. That helps me separate real canine attitude, from dog-as-human stylee.

Oh well, I guess the slightly chauvinistic empirical method allows mankind to keep thinking we're special. We, as a super-species, are special. But not *that* special, you know?

New Year Resolutions

Some find them ridiculous. But creature of habit that I guess I am, I still find myself thinking about them, each year. I try not to pick very hard ones.

So this year, I'm going to.... try kayaking more often.

Whew, that was easy.