Friday, April 28, 2006

Never marry a Mexican geek

An apology to our community of readers for not posting. Lola is struggling to finish her last chapter, and I, Pete, have been in training for my census job, then pounding the pavement in Austin's leafy "French Place" neighborhood asking nosy questions.

But while Lola is not looking, I wanted to warn you all. I know what she's up to, and it's not pretty. Those of you who have looked at our gift registry may have noticed the robotic vacuum cleaner and thought "ho ho, how cute. who'll ever get them that, and what would they do with it anyway?"

That's what I thought too, but now I know better. You know the "cruel streak" in the Meskin nature identified by Walter Prescott Webb? Remember the WWII-era LA law enforcement officials who testified that zoot-suit-wearing youth had all the bloodlust of their Aztec forebears? You thought it wasn't true, huh?

Well I've figured out Lola's plan

Kuku says, "Bring 'em on" with his best Cheney-face. It's John Henry vs. the steam drill all over again.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Ralph Wedd's club


Now that my folks have "primed the pump," some choice words from my junior high gym teacher.

I see ya out there
doin cal
draggin your belly on the ground
durin push-ups
not even jumpin durin the jumpin jacks
shootin the breeze when you're supposed to be workin on the weights.
Now look at Haney here.
He ain't much to look at.
But he can bench press his weight.
Some of you big guys cain't do that.
Heck you aint even checked out Haney's registry at my club
You better git the lead out.
This time tomorrow I better not be seein all this.
All right. Shower!

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

First Gift!


Well, lookie what just showed up on my doorstep!

Thanks, Carlena and Barney!

Friday, April 07, 2006

Even more cheerful

Something cheerful for a change

Jennifer tagged me with this. I'm not sure what this is really for, but the tag is a sacred trust and I must bow to it.

Instructions: Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question. NO CHEATING.

How does the world see you?
"Prodigal Daughter (Cotton Eyed Joe)" Michelle Shocked

Will I have a happy life?
"Ringing Dark and True" The Gourds

What do my friends really think of me?
"Tiptoe" Ani DiFranco

What do people secretly think of me?
"Miles Davis' Funeral" Morphine

How can I be happy?
"I Want to Vanish" Elvis Costello

What should I do with my life?
"I Wear Your Ring" The Cocteau Twins

Will I ever have children?
"Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat" Jimmy Thackery (not Dylan, thank you).

What is some good advice for me?
"El Barzon" Gabino Palomares

How will I be remembered?
"Blood Sings" Suzanne Vega

What is my signature dancing song?
"Soul Kitchen" X

What do I think my current theme song is?
"Mexico" The King of France

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
"New Lace Sleeves" Elvis Costello and the Attractions

What song will play at my funeral?
"Se Mi Pudieras Querer" Armando Garzon

What type of men/women do you like?
"Las Flores" Cafe Tacuba

What is my day going to be like?
"BWV 988, Variation XIA 2 Clavier" Glenn Gould

Now, since Dumbledore warns us about trusting machines that think for themselves, I'll take this one with a grain of salt. I tag you if you don't know who Dumbledore is.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

The selection was crappy, anyway

Today I walked down Guadalupe street to search for a birthday present for a friend. I decided that while I was out, that I was going to go browse for durable dishes at a local store which shall remain nameless, but which will be known by it's location to my Austinite friends. I have to admit that I was looking something other than bridal, wearing my favorite halloween t-shirt, some thrift store jeans, and sweater that I pulled out of the free box when I was in college. I wasn't even wearing lipstick. Okay, okay, it was my usual totalslob look (but with panache!). But just a few steps away from me, a salesperson spent at least ten minutes helping some frat guy in a t-shirt and flip-flops purchase an expensive room deodorizer.
As I stood there, flicking on teacups to test their strength, I gradually came to realize that while all the women around me were getting served, and that I was being rather deliberately ignored by the salespeople. I kept waiting for someone to try to persuade me that $40 is a completely reasonable price for a mug. But nothing. And then I started to think that the sales staff was looking deliberately through me. The biggest gesture that I got at customer service was the dirty look someone gave me when I fondled a tray decorated with a bald eagle.
I don't know if I am upset by this or not. I guess that if you can't decide if you are upset, then you probably are.
I do know that I have felt this way before, at stupid restaurants that have refused to seat me, at the mostly white tennis club near where I grew up, and watching these little blond girls terrorize their mexicana teammate in a locker room at a swim meet when I was a kid. It's a combination of embarassment at not knowing the rules of getting along, shyness, and fury.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

I Mostly Feel Sad for the Turkeys

Well, I challenged y'all, and I have to say that Pete's brother Jake has responded with some stunning plates.
Witness:


Now, the turkey is a noble beast:

Hello, Sexy!
Originally uploaded by the anti-binky.


I wonder what it is about turkeys that inspires ceramics designers to excess. As pooh would say, I'm going to have to give that a good think. Right after I finish the dissertation.
Jake actually sent this challenge to a large group of people, and they found many many interesting plates. You can see their conversation here: http://www.sakeriver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1711
I actually find these two to be truly awesome:




The frog plate is by an artist named Jim Schrempp. I really wouldn't turn my nose up at one of these, but I can imagine that this plate would make eating spaghetti-os into more of an event/ ordeal than absolutely necessary. Alas.

I also I agree with one of the posters in Jake's forum that in a strange way, these are all kind of nice. Unfortunately, I think that I have gotten a bit ahead of myself in thinking about the aesthetics of our future dishware. When it comes down to it, our primary concern has to be with our mutual tendencies towards clumsiness. The bottom line, the only real criteria for Pete 'n' Lo's dishware:

It has to be virtually indestructible.