[ Friday, May 31, 2002 ]
They Fight Crime!
Peter Palermo [1:47 PM]
[ Thursday, May 30, 2002 ]
There's been a lot of pundit talk about a concerted effort by the media, and the conservative right to squelch David Brock's scathing book Blinded by the Right. Honestly, I didn't give it much credence, but at a recent trip to the bookstore, there was not a copy to be found. Hmmmm.
Peter Palermo [10:15 AM]
[ Wednesday, May 29, 2002 ]
Mat's blog inspired me to write my own tale today.
I've had to work with quite a few union stagehands in my life. I've had to play hardball with their business reps, when the picket signs were painted and loaded in the pick-ups. I've had to write nasty letters to the hall explaining why this or that stagehand is a disgrace to the rest of his brothers and sisters. I've had to roust my union deckhand out of a deep slumber because he was about to blow a cue in the show. All the things that give unions a bad name, I've seen. There was a time when I badly wanted to be a member, I had the chops, but I didn't have the connections and was shut out. I was (and to a certain extent, still am) convinced that some unions are exclusive, rather than inclusive. Instead of welcoming all the workers of a single craft and fighting for our collective rights, they shut out a huge number of them, and negotiate outrageous contracts for the small elite that they do represent. I've seen all these rotten things.
And yet....I went to the movies on Monday, got there early with Sarah and watched the room fill. And fill it did, a total sell-out. When the appointed hour came, no show. Another five minutes...ten...no show. Finally, an usher came to tell us that there was a problem with the projector and they had to call (dramatic pause) The Union Projectionist.
Another 15 minutes went by and still no show. At long last, the usher returned to tell us that there would be no show today, that the projectionist was on his way, but would not fix the problem in time and he hoped that the 2 free passes he was going to give each of us was acceptable. Sure, I was okay with that, a free movie for my trouble. But, think about the loss the theater took.
First, I'm stunned that in a union town like San Francisco, an eight screen multiplex can get away without a union projectionist. Instead they have some McJobber up there running their very expensive machinery. Secondly, it seems like for the hit they took from that no show they could have hired a proper projectionist for week.
It's the way our country works now. The multi-nationals would love to turn us all into McJobbers, little brainless cogs that they can replace at will and put back into their machine with minimal training. Well, guess what.... There are still craftsman and skilled laborers in this world and we need to support them. I can imagine a day when there isn't a sole within 90 miles who might be able to change the lamp in a big projector like that. The public wouldn't like that, and neither would the theater. Union is not a bad word.
Peter Palermo [5:25 PM]
The wonderful Leslie Harpold is back in business. Her 500 (500 words on a topic, or a fictional scene) is one of my favorite reads in the blog-sphere. Today's is a keeper. The Hoopla500 - 05/26/2002: "Breasts, Tits or Jugs? A Primer"
Peter Palermo [2:25 PM]
from the the smoking gun
"As if the Catholic Church doesn't have enough problems, a Pennsylvania priest has created a wrestling web site that would even embarrass Vince McMahon. Featuring hundreds of photos of young men (some of whom are minors) in nothing but clingy Speedos, the so-called Junior Professional Wrestling Association is the brainchild of Rev. Glenn Michael Davidowich, the 38-year-old pastor of St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church. Davidowich's web site offers 50 separate videotapes--at $20 a pop--of matches between young men using names like HardKore Kid, David Goliath, Sven, Latin Heat, and Bad Brad (you could be excused for mistaking those monikers for porno star handles)."
Peter Palermo [11:43 AM]
[ Tuesday, May 28, 2002 ]
Anti-abortionists try new weapon
Peter Palermo [5:21 PM]
[ Saturday, May 25, 2002 ]
the Real-O-Meter!
sorry that I'm a day late, but this cold lingers on. I feel like I'm coughing up egg yolks. Nice, huh?
've been a little leary of writing the Real-o-meter. I can't think how I can do justice to the venom that was heaped upon the poor personage of Martha. She illicits frightful feelings from people, to the point where several of you questioned her humanity. I mean, she's not Hitler, fer fucks sake. At any rate, she booked a solid 5 (here's the scale) no matter how you score it, which surprises me. I thought someone would say something nice about her.
So here is this week's topic, and I hope it engenders more spirited typing. Bill Clinton
Peter Palermo [1:28 PM]
[ Thursday, May 23, 2002 ]
I just want you all to know that if you type in "olympusloins" at Google, you come straight here. I'm so proud.
Peter Palermo [2:39 PM]
Hey, yall. Don't forget to get your licks on Martha Stewart at last week's Real-o-meter. Tomorrow will see another speciman laid out on the slab.
Peter Palermo [2:08 PM]
email from Germany.
Interestingly, the last time I spent a week here, was in 1986, exactly during Reagan's visit. There was a lot of protesting going on back then. Now, George W. is here. He arrived yesterday. I wonder what that means? There is a lot more protest going on now, of course. I went to one yesterday. It was peaceful and actually kind of fun. But there was some violence later on at night, I found out watching TV. The German government seems to be supportive of George W., having this weird sense of obligation towards the US as the liberator of Berlin and Germany. It is quite sickening. At least many citizens think differently (about 50,000-100,000 on the streets in Berlin alone). My favorite banner was "BOMBING FOR PEACE IS LIKE FUCKING FOR VIRGINITY". I was impressed by the creativity of many people in terms of costumes, banners, ideas like "bush drum circles" and much more. There was a prayer circle of Christians, Muslims and Jews for peace for those who didn't want to go on the march.
I wonder what it will take to get the youth of America into the streets? On second thought, you'll never see George W. in San Francisco, never. never. never. I am pround to live in the one town in America where W. is too afraid to appear.
Peter Palermo [9:55 AM]
[ Wednesday, May 22, 2002 ]
Holy moly! Abercrombie and Fitch have done it again. Racy underwear for that special second grader.
Peter Palermo [5:33 PM]
I'm remembering the time I hitchhiked home from college, across the state of Nebraska. I could have easily borrowed a car, or even convinced a friend to drive me, but I wanted the adventure. So, I had my buddy drop me off at the entrance to the interstate, and within about 15 minutes, I was climbing on-board a tractor-trailer. We exchanged intros and within about 20 minutes, he got around to asking me what I presume had been on his mind from the begining.
"you got any weed?" People used to always ask me this in those days. I looked like a fat Jesus, all curly ringlets and bearded....and I favored a green trenchcoat with a big Bullwinkle button. I guess I looked like someone who wouldn't be without some pot. Which, in fact was true, but on this day I was dry.
"no, sorry. But I've got these." And I produced an expired bottle of percodan that I had stolen from someones medicine cabinet. Hey. I'm sorry. I was 20.
"what's that?
"label says percodan."
"What's it do?"
"I'm not sure, but it's prescription."
"hmm...okay. Give me some."
"Take me to Grand Island, and I'll give the bottle."
And with that, he swallowed about 4 of those suckers and we were off. An hour later, he was dropping me off outside of my hometown, and I have no idea what happened to him after that. Truckers on painkillers.
ahh, yeah......good times.
Peter Palermo [2:46 PM]
[ Monday, May 20, 2002 ]
Sick today. Argh. Head feels like a watermelon. Mark Twain said something like "I'm coughing up my immortal soul" and indeed, my coughing fits do seem to be of biblical proportions.
As usual, I'm pissed off about the latest crap coming from Cheney's crooked mouth, but I don't have the strength to write it. Suffice to say that I'm waiting to be offered a spot on Meet the Press where I can pronounce such profoundly obvious things such as "the terrorists will strike again." Coming up this week on Duh.
Okay, me and the dog are getting back in bed now.
Peter Palermo [9:40 AM]
[ Saturday, May 18, 2002 ]
Today, I unearthed my vinyl collection. The first stop was a rediscovery of Live at Leeds
Oh, man. Turn it up, mofo.
Peter Palermo [11:06 AM]
[ Friday, May 17, 2002 ]
When the wrestler, the Rock, is at home -what do they call him? THE rock? "Hello, is THE rock there?". Hey, THE rock, whattya doin? Or would it be, "hey, Rock, what's shakin?". Sort of like the Pope. "Hey, the pope, nice hat." I suspect that at home, the Rock is still Duane. Having an article as your first name is confusing.
What about Jesse "the body" Ventura. When he's elected president, would he be Jesse the body the president? Or President the body? President Body?
Peter Palermo [12:04 PM]
I've got so much to say about this latest Bush crap, but I'm going to hold my tongue for now. I mean, who really wants to hear me rant about these crooked idiots? Hmm? And I haven't seen Star Wars yet, so I can't talk about that. So, that means it's time for....
The Friday Real-o-meter
2 weeks ago we led Quentin Tarantino up to the gallows and let you all have a go. Seems to be some confusion about the ratings, and perhaps I set it up in a counter-intuitive manner, but it's too late to change it now. Just as a refresher; 1 is a super-genius (Einstein, Mozart) and 5 is a mind-numbing, soul-sucking hack. (Brittney Spears, George W. Bush).
Another mixed bag of results regarding Quentin. Sarah was most unforgiving with a "big fat 4" and Adam was the most generous with a 2. Jess thinks he's brilliant, as long as he doesn't open his mouth, and Donald gave us our first decimal point. So, it all adds up to a 2.5 for Quentin. His early brilliance can not have been a total fluke, and he is young enough to pull his own nuts from the fire. Quentin, if you're reading this - shape up!
Which brings us to this week's entry - Martha Stewart
Peter Palermo [11:40 AM]
[ Thursday, May 16, 2002 ]
Tomorrow is Friday and that means Real-o-meter! Gentlereader, you only have a few hours more to make yourself heard regarding the life and career of Quentin Tarantino talentless hack or super genius you decide. Tomorrow will also bring a new lamb for the slaughter.
Peter Palermo [3:48 PM]
By the way, this is my day gig, and as the summer inches closer, the time I have for blogging will diminish. I will do my damnedest to keep this space interesting and chock full of stimulating content. Or, not. Like Abu says, "I promise nothing."
Peter Palermo [12:13 PM]
[ Wednesday, May 15, 2002 ]
anyone curious what 300 and fifty thousand fucking dollars buys you in SF? diddly.
Peter Palermo [3:01 PM]
Recording industry 1 - music fans 0
Napster creator, CEO both resign / Bankruptcy filing possible for company
Peter Palermo [2:54 PM]
One more thing. I started reading Fast Food Nation while waiting for my flight in Denver. I would like to say that every man, woman and child in the United States ought to be tied to a chair and have this book read aloud to them.
Peter Palermo [11:25 AM]
Hey! I'm back after a debauched weekend in Lincoln, NE. The very fount of my being.
Work is hectic, so - updating the blog will be on the back burner for a couple of days. But here's a thought provoking link, which basically says that as a pot dealer, your government loads its bags with seeds and stems.
Medical marijuana researchers bummed about poor pot quality
Peter Palermo [10:22 AM]
[ Friday, May 10, 2002 ]
Gone Fishin'
see you Tuesday
Peter Palermo [3:00 PM]
[ Thursday, May 09, 2002 ]
The final word on Hoopla.com. This explains it all, and now you need to play along
Peter Palermo [10:39 AM]
Apparently, they stopped this bombing kid, Helder, 3 times before they made an arrest.
From CNN -The first Nebraska trooper to stop Helder reported he told him he "didn't mean to hurt anybody" as he approached. The Colorado trooper said Helder "appeared to be very nervous and had very watery eyes like he was going to cry."
Umm.....as the cops say, isn't that a little hinkey? Some agitated kid, crying in his car saying "I didn't mean to hurt anyone" and you let him roll?
Peter Palermo [10:31 AM]
[ Tuesday, May 07, 2002 ]
email sent to Laurel Wellman, a former rascal, now flunky of the very Mephistophelian Phil Bronstein, SF Chronicle Editor.
Nice piece today, Ms. Wellman.
I only wish you were able to give us all the inside poop about the chronicle newsroom, like the old days at the weekly. I relished your juicy gossip and looked forward to it with a frisson of schadenfreude. Now, we have to read San Francisco magazine to get the scuttlebutt, in between bitter acrimony concerning the length of the reservation list at French Laundry and Cartier ads. Is this our best source for subversive comment? God help us.
Please carry on, as best you can.
Peter Palermo
San Francisco
Peter Palermo [10:42 PM]
Treasury of Geriatric Erotica
what can I say?
Peter Palermo [12:04 PM]
lifted from Adam Felber's site
I'm just glad that we live in the only country in the world in which the government is not EVIL!!
I mean, how awful would it be if our beloved leaders cared more about lining their pockets, and fattening the wallets of their friends and donors (who would indefinitely be one and the same in this purely hypothetical situation) than they did about national security, our precious earth, and the people they govern. Whats worse, imagine of this government declared war on a theory...an idea...an intangible concept...and then used that 'war' to do little more than pursue their own avarice-driven agenda. Wow, now THAT would not only be evil, it'd be sneaky too. Good thing our government isn't like that!! --aaron
I don't know who Aaron is, but I love him.
Peter Palermo [11:48 AM]
Metro Traffic Report
"There's a large man laying beside his motorcycle at the corner of Portola Ave, and Claremont. Drivers report that there are a dozen bagels scattered through the intersection."
Yes indeedy. Last week, you may remember, I wrote about the motorcycle wreck I saw at this particular intersection. Today, it claimed another. Could it be cursed? Usually, I have the place to myself, turning left, uphill onto the major blvd. of Portola Ave (a 4 lane blvd., with plantings in the center median, large sweeping curves, few signals - a motorcyclists dream). I often take the left hard and fast, leaning deep into the curve and accelerating hard out of it, screaming up the hill. Good, clean fun.
Today, I had stopped for a dozen bagels to share with my workmates, and did not have the intersection to myself. I sat behind two cars and as the green arrow came, we all crept into the intersection. Here begins a sad confluence of events: first, I was tailgating a bit, not too bad for the low speed, but still a bit close; second, I was turning; third, there is a nice fat yellow stripe of thermal paint running right through the intersection.
As I leaned into the hill to make the left, the driver in front of me INEXPLICABLY slams on her brakes. I pull my brake lever hard; at the same moment my wheel is turned and centered on top of the thermal paint (that thermal paint is slick, like plastic). Bloop. Down I went before you could say "bob's your uncle." No one stopped. Bagels scattered. I cussed a blue streak as I picked up my still running bike and wheeled it over to the curb. Finally, one driver asked if was okay, otherwise, the big machinery of the city rolled on, oblivious to my private anguish. Fuck! In a millisecond, I broke the front faring, the shifter lever, the turn signal, and scraped the hell out of the engine casing. Good news, no handle bar damage, no damage to Peter and most of the bagels recovered.
I limped the old Suzuki into the office, sans shift lever, and ruminated about the possibility a cursed intersection.
Peter Palermo [9:57 AM]
[ Monday, May 06, 2002 ]
At the risk of this site being totally taken over by the riding element of my life, I bring you rockabillygirls.com, a site developed by my friend, Kelly, who I presume, has a thing for girls in boots, sporting tatoos.
Peter Palermo [10:19 AM]
What a great site! Terrific resource for the california rider in your life.California Motorcycle Roads- 150 Best Rides & Maps, 1200 Pics
Peter Palermo [10:16 AM]
Went to the AMA superbike races on Sunday, got my face all sunburned. Had a great time, though. The big changes they've made at Sears Point are a dramatic improvement from a fan's point of view. However, the riders still complain of safety concerns and nightmarish corners with cement walls. Here's and action shot of the winner on his Honda RC51. Not only did the RC51 kick some serious ass out there, it sounds the coolest as well. And that's important.
Peter Palermo [9:56 AM]
[ Friday, May 03, 2002 ]
The Friday Real-o-Meter
Well, the first installment was an unmitigated SMASH HIT with well over 3 responses. It's unanimous that Alanis rates a big fat 3. Some Quotes such as: "Jagged Little Pill was a great album" and "I'm subtracting points for the second album because very few of the songs on it actually resemble music." seem to form the consensus. The jury is still out on Alanis Morrisette, which doesn't really help me in my own mind. I picked her first for the very reason that I cannot decide if she is real or not. She is teetering on skinny ledge between being a real artist and being a twirly, whiny, horse-faced parody of herself.
and now, I present you with this week's victim.
Quentin Tarantino
Peter Palermo [10:58 AM]
Hoopla.com update
read this for context and the unforgivable acts of the unthinking Verisign machine.
read this for current status
read this for current Leslie Harpold content.
Peter Palermo [9:58 AM]
[ Thursday, May 02, 2002 ]
remember when I was talking about squids? Here ya go.
Peter Palermo [3:16 PM]
[ Wednesday, May 01, 2002 ]
Last week, I posted about a motorcycle wreck I saw in my neighborhood. As a daily rider myself, I was anxious to know the details. Amazingly, the injured rider saw the post on the news group and wrote back with an update. He was broadsided while making a left turn in front of an SUV, he's been found at fault and is mending a broken leg. However, I wanted to share his words.
As I was wheeled into the emergency room on strecher, the first doctor to greet me asked if I would ride again after this accident. After promply responding "of course", he said he was taking a survey and out of approximately 50 motorcycle accident injury victims, not a single person has answered "no" to him yet.
I don't find this hard to believe in the slightest.
Peter Palermo [9:38 AM]
