[ Friday, November 29, 2002 ]
On this date....
this blog turns 1.
I turned 38.
Celebrity deaths seem to huddle around this date. Cary Grant, Nathalie Wood, Oscar Wilde and George Harrison all died on this day. Looks like Bob Hope made it.
Peter Palermo [5:37 PM]
[ Tuesday, November 26, 2002 ]
I have this fantasy. I know that in the year to come, Sarah and I are going to have our picture taken about jabillion times. I'm pushing 40 now, the days are growing shorter (cue violins) and I want a real portrait. I want Joshua Reynolds to come back from the dead and paint my portrait. If I can't have that, I at least want Sarah, me, the dog and some gorgeous oak tree framed by brilliant blue sky. I will resist the temptation to include the motorcycle.
Peter Palermo [5:23 PM]
I can't think of anything to say today. Maybe if I get plenty of rest tonight, I'll have a real zinger for you tommorrow. I promise nothing.
Peter Palermo [4:54 PM]
[ Monday, November 25, 2002 ]
Who said it?
"The administration's interest in all e-mail is a wholly unhealthy precedent, especially given this administration's track record on FBI files and IRS snooping. Every medium by which people communicate can be subject to exploitation by those with illegal intentions. Nevertheless, this is no reason to hand Big Brother the keys to unlock our e-mail diaries, open our ATM records, read our medical records, or translate our international communications."
Ted Kennedy? John McCain? Me? Nope... none other than Mr. John Ashcroft, circa 1997. Chew on that, John.
Peter Palermo [4:16 PM]
[ Friday, November 22, 2002 ]
Pizza magnate to build Catholic theme town in Florida. Um...uh... 'nuff said.
Peter Palermo [4:26 PM]
WASHINGTON — A massive database that the government will use to monitor every purchase made by every American citizen is a necessary tool in the war on terror, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
FOXNews.com for the full story. (thanks Mary).
Yes, I know its Fox. But the quote is verifiable, and the spin is right on the money. Are we going to sit still for this?
Peter Palermo [10:47 AM]
[ Thursday, November 21, 2002 ]
Went to the movies last night with Mary. "Roger Dodger", but I'm too lazy to give you a link. It was quite good. The film is about a slick talking ladies man on a rampage with his young nephew in tow. The meaning of sex, the hollowness of seduction, the art of the sale all play a part. Nice.
At several points during our evening, a topic of conversation would lead me to say "I should write that in my blog." But I'll be damned if I remember what they were now.....chemicals, no doubt, have a role in this.
Ah! That's it. I remember now..... I live in probably the most liberated city in America. The pinnacle of the very Western idea that what you do with your body/mind/sex organ/land/wife/husband/child is your business. This is an idea that isn't so common in the East, with it's Baptist and Calvinist heritage. The West is secular, laissez faire and deeply private.
So, here in the capital of the Freaks, smoking a joint ain't no big deal. I'm not even sure it rates a ticket anymore. In fact, the voters of our fair city just passed a resolution that the City should grow weed for the ill. Making the City the best pot connection in the state. Anyway, I'm a dozen years past worrying about saying the word "pot" on the phone. Who cares? No one is listening to me.
But, as I linked to yesterday's blog, the government wants to start collecting every transmission I make. They want to log my emails and churn them threw a massive database. They say this is for national security and that I shouldn't worry about my privacy. I should just trust them. Trust John Poindexter and Rumsfeld. Suddenly, I'm conscious about what I say on the cell phone. Suddenly, paranoia returns, after a dozen years of velvet revolution.
We need to stop this massive government privacy invasion before it gets started. Will any Republicans stand up for our liberty? Will they go toe to toe with their President? It's our only hope. Calling John McCain.
Peter Palermo [10:31 AM]
[ Wednesday, November 20, 2002 ]
I'm tired of fighting the fight. No one cares. But there is something in me that cannot let a crime, or an injustice go unnoticed. So, sorry...but to paraphrase the Great Communicator, here I go again.
Every purchase you make with a credit card, every magazine subscription you buy and medical prescription you fill, every Web site you visit and e-mail you send or receive, every academic grade you receive, every bank deposit you make, every trip you book and every event you attend -- all these transactions and communications will go into what the Defense Department describes as "a virtual, centralized grand database."
To this computerized dossier on your private life from commercial sources, add every piece of information that government has about you -- passport application, driver's license and bridge toll records, judicial and divorce records, complaints from nosy neighbors to the FBI, your lifetime paper trail plus the latest hidden camera surveillance -- and you have the supersnoop's dream: a "Total Information Awareness" about every U.S. citizen.
not some lefty yo-yo. None other than William Safire.
Peter Palermo [12:39 PM]
Things to do while Sarah is away
1. Play "Quake 3" until my fingers are worn to nubbin's.
2. Partake in every sort of grease bomb corporate America currently offers, whether it be squirted from a caulking gun onto a soft shell, enrobed in a bun, or smeared on a toasty crust.
3. say hello to Christy Canyon, cira 1987.
4. that Cohiba's been waiting long enough
5. Side one of Van Halen, loud enough to drive the dog from the house.
6. miss her. (everyone now, "awwwwww") But it's TRUE!
Peter Palermo [10:04 AM]
[ Friday, November 15, 2002 ]
Continuing to read the Joe Klein/Bob Reich debate about the future of the Dems. Today, Bob Reich comes up with some winning suggestings for Dem Platform '04. Scroll to the bottom to see Reich's stuff. There is no reason why working men and women in this country should vote anything but Democratic.
Peter Palermo [2:57 PM]
I pulled this from the ba.motorcycle news group.
Anyways so I was heading out on the bike and buzzing along on the FDR
drive at night. Everybodys doing their thing, except for this one
dimwit in an economy car in the middle of the lane. Doing about 40 and
everyone's buzzing past at 65 plus.
So I pass him on the right and I catch a glimpse of this bright white
light inside the car. Didn't look like anything you'd find normally so
I dwelled for a moment. There, perched on the dashboard by the radio
in some sort of holder was a laptop, PLAYING A DVD! The driver was
watching it rather intently and there was no other person in the car.
Okay, oral sex in the car is one thing, but watching TV? Where will it end? WAIT!!!
GREAT MONEY MAKING SCHEME #2
The in-car haircut. Stylist hangs out at the busy commuter log jams, hops into the car of the customer, cuts his/her hair as they make their way home. Dirt Devil takes care of the mess. Catches a client coming back the other way. Brilliant.
Peter Palermo [2:30 PM]
[ Thursday, November 14, 2002 ]
Shalom! (it's a movie, and it's funny. So watch it already!)
Peter Palermo [10:03 AM]
[ Wednesday, November 13, 2002 ]
Great Money-Making Scheme #1
Who doesn't love the smell of freshly ground coffee? I, for one, will stick my ample schnoz right in the bag and take a big whiff. It smells so good I wish I could snort it. So how about coffee cologne? A little dab behind the ear, between your man boobs and who can resist you?
Ooh. Leather might be good too. Too gay?
Peter Palermo [11:06 AM]
One of my favorite political writers, Joe Klein (Primary Colors) writes an open letter to one of my favorite politicians, Robert Reich. Can the Democrats Be Revived?
Peter Palermo [10:16 AM]
[ Tuesday, November 12, 2002 ]
for motorcyclists only....
I call this link holy mother of god.
Peter Palermo [2:30 PM]
[ Monday, November 11, 2002 ]
And if you like God in government, get ready for the Rapture. These folks don't even mind you referring to the GOP as the party of God. Why else would the new House Majority Leader say that the Almighty is using him to promote 'a Biblical worldview' in American politics? -Bill Moyers via Metafilter.
Peter Palermo [5:42 PM]
I'm going to start a new series today. Most of my past efforts at a series have never really gone past the cluster, but this one seems to be burning deep inside me, yearning to come out. The topic? Unfucking some currently fucked up American companies. Up first....
McDonalds - Okay, I've said in the past that I would try hard not to go to McDonald's anymore, this is a direct result of the terrific book "Fast Food Nation". I've done well, haven't been in ages. However, this weekend found me: A)Hungry B)driving C)in the burbs and D) with no time. This confluence of events can lead one to McDonald's very quickly.
20 years ago, I worked at McDonalds. I flipped those burgers, I toasted those buns. So, I know how McDonald's USED to work. And it did work. Folks would be in and out in 2 minutes. The menu was limited, but is was consistent and fast. Way fast. The premise of the old system was that your Big Mac was there waiting for you when you walked in and all you had to do was claim it. If you, or someone just like you, didn't pick up that Big Mac in less then 15 minutes, it got tossed. With careful management, we threw away surprisingly little.
Well, it don't work no more. McDonalds, desperate for a hit (they haven't had one since the McNugget, now over 20 years old) has super-sized its menu. This makes the old system unworkable as you can't keep all these menu items up and waiting -the waste would be too great. So now, you order your burger, it pops up on a TV screen in the back and it is assembled, while you wait. Now, this doesn't mean its fresh. No sir! The beef was cooked god knows when and has been sitting in a steamer tray for a good long time (losing all it's flavor, I must say) awaiting your arrival. This seems efficient from the McDonalds point of view, but it sucks for you. Now, you order and wait. And wait. And wait. I waited in line to order and then waited 5 more minutes for my hamburger and fries - an eternity for fast food. I left pissed. You would think McDonalds could get an order of fries and burger out the door in under 10 minutes. You'd be wrong.
McDonalds is closing restaurants. They are losing market share. People are turning to In and Out and other competition, I think, from frustration. What can they do? Go back to the old way, people. Turn the way back machine to 1980. The days of the 12/6 pull. (12 burgers and 6 big macs go down on the grill every time you pull the previous 12/6). There are 30 million people in California now, 10 million more then in 1980 and McDonalds has responded by getting SLOWER. Wrong! Go back to what you know, fellas. Make burgers and fries. Do it fast and don't make me wait.
Peter Palermo [2:03 PM]
[ Wednesday, November 06, 2002 ]
something to help you forget
Three great cartoons, via metafilter.
one t
super orgy porno party
ride the fence
Peter Palermo [10:51 PM]
open letter to Nancy Pelosi
Dear Congresswoman,
I am a registered Democrat in your district and voted for you yesterday (lie - I neglected to register! What awful man I am). Congratulations on your victory.
I see in the news that Congressman Gephardt is expected to step down from his leadership position and I am heartened by this news. While I am sure the Congressman is a good man, his leadership in the past 8 years has brought few victories. I believe American does not like Dick Gephardt. But that is beside the point of my letter.
I write to urge you not to moderate your views in hopes of becoming the leader of your party. What the Democrats need now is a stentorian voice for progressive politics, not another moderate. Your fellow House Democrats need a standard bearer whose liberal views will give cover to those House members who cannot afford to be seen to lean to the left.
Your position is so unique. There are few other Representitives who can count on their district to not falter behind them if they take an unpopular or leftist view. You, so safe in your district, can and should be the that standard bearer for liberal Democrats all over this country. Newt Gingrich succeeded because he did not stray from his core beliefs. If America disagrees with you, so be it, you will be tolerated. What Americans cannot tolerate is another spineless politician. We need Hubert Humphrey, not Gray Davis.
Good luck, congresswoman, you can count on my support
Peter Palermo
San Francisco, CA
Peter Palermo [4:59 PM]
"Ah know! Can you fuckin' buhleeve it?! It just goes ta show ya, Dubyah, a shit pile of moneh can still buyah an election in this countreh. But Ah don't need to ta tell you that, now do Ah? Next yearah in Bagdad, eh Dubya! Ha!"
Peter Palermo [11:23 AM]
Cave shopping
I'll be spending today shopping for a rock to crawl under for the next two years.
The Democratic leadership failed us. Look who we're talking about, Gephardt? Does Dick Gephardt inspire confidence in you? They have no vision, no package to sell to America. No unifying theme that ties it all up in a simple statement. That's how Reagan won elections. That's how Gingrich won elections. We need some fresh blood at the top.
Another trend to watch will be the Green vote. Many of the closest races, those won by a point or two, were races where a Green candidate was present and got a small percentage. Two things are happening that are eroding the Democrats, slow and sure. The left is deserting for the Green and the right is deserting for Republicans. No such erosion happens on the far right side of the Republican party.
Finally, while America hates the rich, we have always been willing to tolerate their further enrichment because we secretly hope and wish that we will all someday join them. We will not pull them down for we all covet their station.
Peter Palermo [10:06 AM]
[ Tuesday, November 05, 2002 ]
weather speak
regular readers will remember my penchant for the cryptic lingo of weathermen. What does it mean?
THIS SYSTEM WILL BE DRIVEN BY AN INTENSE JET STREAM THAT IS CURRENTLY NEAR
200 KTS ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE SYSTEM. THE JET WILL COME DIRECTLY
OVER THE AREA PUTTING THE RIGHT FRONT ENTRANCE REGION OF THE JET
OVER MOST OF THE AREA. THE JET WILL PROVIDE STRONG OMEGA TO THE
PLUME OF NE INCH PLUS PRECIPITABLE WATER PRODUCING HEAVY RAINFALL ON
THURSDAY. ALSO IN THE LOW LEVEL WE GET A STRONG 700 MB PERPENDICULAR
TO THE MOUNTAINS TO GET EFFICIENT OROGRAPHIC LIFT OVER THE COASTAL
RANGE.
Orthographic lift?
Peter Palermo [4:47 PM]
Calexico news
I haven't been talking much about my most favoritest band, Calexico, lately. But here's some news from the list-serve.
Calexico will be performing a very special showcase in
NYC on 11/20 @ Joe's Pub to preview material from
their upcoming 2003 release "Feast Of Wire". As an
extra treat, Calexico will be bringing along one of
Tucson's finest Mariachi bands, Mariachi Luz De Luna.
This is a first for NYC! Definitely a show not to be missed!
I second that. When they play with Luz de Luna, it is not to be missed. Wish I was there.
Peter Palermo [10:39 AM]
From the Archives
(Bill Gates circa 1977)
Not sure what to make of this chilling discovery.
Peter Palermo [9:46 AM]
[ Monday, November 04, 2002 ]
Andy Goldsworthy
Are you hip to Andy Goldsworthy? On his farm in Scotland, he creates ephemeral pieces of art from the rocks, ice, twigs, trees and whatever else he finds. The pieces, by their very nature, are unstable and do not last long. So, he has also become a terrific photographer in an effort to let the world see what he does.
Last weekend, I saw a movie about Goldsworthy called Rivers and Tides. The film was revelation to me. Goldsworthy does not view time as an enemy, the way most of us do, but as a collaborator. His works move through time and gather new meanings as they travel on their journey. Fascinating film. Serene.
I just learned that the Haines Gallery here in San Francisco is showing a new work by Goldsworthy every day for the month of November. So endeth the Goldsworthy post.
Peter Palermo [1:55 PM]
[ Friday, November 01, 2002 ]
Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash- Giacomo Balla, 1912
Peter Palermo [4:54 PM]
Halloween Tally
2 half bottles of red wine
1 half bottle pepsi one
2 tokes
2 ahi tuna tacos
29 rolls of Smarties
2 export A's
14 children
1 dog
Peter Palermo [3:58 PM]
