Dancing with Myself

Merry Christmas

I'm off to Alaska for Christmas. My bestest friend in the whole world lives in Girdwood, near Anchorage. Of all he towns in Alaska, Girdwood comes closest to the mythical town represented in Northern Exposure. Ted Stevens also has a home there.

Here's a picture of my friend and me at a Winter's Solstice party in Girdwood.  Jim's a stained glass artist.  His studio is next door to the Double Musky which is undoubtedly Alaska's finest restaurant.  Here's a picture of Jim and his studio.

I wanted to put a video of me singing a Christmas carol on my blog, but never got the opportunity to do the video, so I JibJab'ed it instead.   Y'all have a great Christmas, and here's my Christmas greeting.

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Quote of the Day

Ron Paul quoting Sinclair Lewis: 

"It reminds me of what Sinclair Lewis once said. He says, 'when fascism comes to this country, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross.' Now I don't know whether that's a fair assessment or not, but you wonder about using a cross, like he is the only Christian or implying that subtly. So, I don't think I would ever use anything like that."

The Gay Nazi Pope Speaks

Benedict, the former Nazi who is now pope, thinks that two people of the same sex wishing to live a life of committed love are a threat to world peace.  Now that's hilarious.  Oh, and he also said that abortion and birth control were also threats to world peace.  Among the great threats he identified, were global warming, nuclear proliferation, same-sex marriage, birth control, and abortion.  What an asshole.

If Catholics aren't embarrassed by this kind of tripe, then they're not paying attention.  Just what did Jesus say about homosexuality?  Oh yeah.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Only obsessed, homophobic cretins who cherry-pick biblical scripture to support their ignornace and prejudice worry about homosexuality.  Jesus didn't.

The Day of the Monster Waves

On December 4, 2007, the most gigantic waves in memory hit the California coast.  There were waves 50 and 60 feet high.  There to greet them was a hardy band of big-wave surfers. 

In today's San Francisco Chronicle, the story was featured.  Accompanying the story was a link to a video.  I've watched it half a dozen times since this afternoon.  To use a word from my youth, "Cowa-fucking-bonga!"  Go check out these waves!

A Zen Koan

For my friend, Jerry.

A blond was walking through the woods and came upon a river.  She looked up and she looked down but saw no bridge or boat to help her get across.  On the other side of the river she sees another blond.  She yells out to her, "How do you get to the other side?"  The blond on the other side of the river looks at her with a puzzled expression and replies, "You're already on the other side."

So there it is.  No matter where you want to go, you're already there.

Celebrating the Winter's Solstice

Let the holidays begin!

As trees go, this one isn't bad.  I have 11 spinning motors on it, so there's a lot of movement. 

It's full tilt boogey from now on.  Fragile Industries is coming in tonight for several days.  I'm giving a dinner party for her Saturday night.  My big holiday celebration is the 16th.  My mother and I will celebrate Christmas on the 21st, and I'm off to Girdwood, Alaska on the 22d for a week.  New Year's Eve will be quiet with friends here in the East Bay.  I'll probably start rehab the following week. 

This is the third night of Channuka, so I made curried sweet-potato latkes for supper.  Talk about good!  I'll make some regular ones later in the week, but tonight I felt exotic.

Chappy Channuka, y'all.