The first in what I fear will be a regular feature of the Baxblog.
So I'm dead asleep in the wee hours or the morn when the Fuss head-butts me.
Confused, I start up saying "WHAT?!"
Which must have scared him, because he started wailing at the top of his lungs.
He's lucky years of therapy have steam-pressed my night time neuroses relatively flat- his mom still bears scars from past run-ins with my nocturnal reactions.
2.07.2009
omnibus update
Apologies to all the folks I'm supposed to do things with/for who have been flaked on the past few weeks. Demands are high and energy is low- I haven't been totally healthy since Christmas. The combined stresses of last year were a heavy load-
I'm like the camel that marched stoically across the desert and collapsed after reaching the relative safety of the oasis, right down to the vile temper and excess of mucus.
The Fuss is a major contributing factor. Indisputably charming and lovely, as well as strong, wise, bold and a snappy dresser, he is also a black hole of need devouring every atom of attention in his vicinity with mathematical efficiency.
The wife relays anecdotal evidence from her Parent Participation class that he's a more difficult prospect than the others of his generation. Wild tales of babies sleeping through the night and chasing it with multi-hour afternoon naps abound. Meanwhile, Fuss thinks himself ill used if he is required to spend more than two hours in a row at rest.
He made a nuisance of himself this week, crawling about stealing the chew toys of his defenseless, non-ambulatory classmates. He sidled up crab-like, wresting the prize from their grip then scampering out of reach, leaving them to wave feeble protest in his wake. In the arms race of the nursery, he totes a water cooled machine gun through a thicket of sharpened sticks.
Tending a baby is difficult but possible. The desire to simultaneously have a life is what catapults us into the mist-tinged realm of fantasy.
I managed to organize my 'office' (a small alcove off the living room), haul the last of the books out of the garage and resume our online business. The Stephanie Meyer 1st previously noted is on ice for now- the buying public is a herd animal, and demand will predictably spike shortly before the second film hits theaters.
The cheapest genuine 1st on Amazon right now is $900, up $300 from my last check.
This is frankly insane, as I can get a 1st of Interview with the Vampire in similar condition for $300, a tremendously significant book that came out in 1976 and whos foil stamped dust jacket practically guarantees problems with condition.
By the time the movie comes out who knows what heights it will have scaled. $1500 seem within reach. Madness!
I have a nice copy of Farewell, My Lovely in DJ, a touchstone of detective fiction by one of the greatest writers the genre ever produced that's 'worth' $2500-3000. For a book published in 1940 with a dust jacket printed on paper only a few steps removed from newsprint.
When the moment is ripe, I'll dump the Meyer book and not look back. I know a bubble when I see one. Semi-literate drivel rarely has staying power.
Part of the office organization involved toting all mom's LP's down to the garage. Meggsie has a turntable, so I turned her loose on them first. I think mom would've enjoyed the strains of Joan Armatrading drifting up from below.
Speaking of her turntable, Megs has an interesting perspective on the musical conundrums of this digital age.
Whatever she loves well enough she buys on vinyl.
Apparently some publishers are savvy enough to include a downloadable digital copy with these artifacts. An elegant solution- digital convenience with the emotional heft of an album. CDs were never satisfying objects- small, hard and awkward, something an engineer would lay in a nest of wire.
Were we to pick up a turntable of our own, I would happily follow her lead.
And note to Meggsie- take good care of your copy of XO. You don't want to have to replace it at those rates.
I'm like the camel that marched stoically across the desert and collapsed after reaching the relative safety of the oasis, right down to the vile temper and excess of mucus.
The Fuss is a major contributing factor. Indisputably charming and lovely, as well as strong, wise, bold and a snappy dresser, he is also a black hole of need devouring every atom of attention in his vicinity with mathematical efficiency.
The wife relays anecdotal evidence from her Parent Participation class that he's a more difficult prospect than the others of his generation. Wild tales of babies sleeping through the night and chasing it with multi-hour afternoon naps abound. Meanwhile, Fuss thinks himself ill used if he is required to spend more than two hours in a row at rest.
He made a nuisance of himself this week, crawling about stealing the chew toys of his defenseless, non-ambulatory classmates. He sidled up crab-like, wresting the prize from their grip then scampering out of reach, leaving them to wave feeble protest in his wake. In the arms race of the nursery, he totes a water cooled machine gun through a thicket of sharpened sticks.
Tending a baby is difficult but possible. The desire to simultaneously have a life is what catapults us into the mist-tinged realm of fantasy.
I managed to organize my 'office' (a small alcove off the living room), haul the last of the books out of the garage and resume our online business. The Stephanie Meyer 1st previously noted is on ice for now- the buying public is a herd animal, and demand will predictably spike shortly before the second film hits theaters.
The cheapest genuine 1st on Amazon right now is $900, up $300 from my last check.
This is frankly insane, as I can get a 1st of Interview with the Vampire in similar condition for $300, a tremendously significant book that came out in 1976 and whos foil stamped dust jacket practically guarantees problems with condition.
By the time the movie comes out who knows what heights it will have scaled. $1500 seem within reach. Madness!
I have a nice copy of Farewell, My Lovely in DJ, a touchstone of detective fiction by one of the greatest writers the genre ever produced that's 'worth' $2500-3000. For a book published in 1940 with a dust jacket printed on paper only a few steps removed from newsprint.
When the moment is ripe, I'll dump the Meyer book and not look back. I know a bubble when I see one. Semi-literate drivel rarely has staying power.
Part of the office organization involved toting all mom's LP's down to the garage. Meggsie has a turntable, so I turned her loose on them first. I think mom would've enjoyed the strains of Joan Armatrading drifting up from below.
Speaking of her turntable, Megs has an interesting perspective on the musical conundrums of this digital age.
Whatever she loves well enough she buys on vinyl.
Apparently some publishers are savvy enough to include a downloadable digital copy with these artifacts. An elegant solution- digital convenience with the emotional heft of an album. CDs were never satisfying objects- small, hard and awkward, something an engineer would lay in a nest of wire.
Were we to pick up a turntable of our own, I would happily follow her lead.
And note to Meggsie- take good care of your copy of XO. You don't want to have to replace it at those rates.
2.03.2009
Pelf submits to the Pivot quiz
Hah!
What depths he'll plumb to appease the theater troupe premiering his latest play!
In a benediction to you, my loyal readers, I'll personally essay the quiz with no motive other than your entertainment, enlightenment and edification. That's just how I roll.
What is your favorite word?
Bastinado
What is your least favorite word?
Bro
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Authenticity
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
bullshit
What sound or noise do you love?
the Fuss' breathing when he's asleep
What sound or noise do you hate?
the voices of advertising pitch men
What is your favorite curse word?
AW, NUTS!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
graphic designer
What profession would you not like to do?
Alaskan crab fisherman
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Rick Warren is gonna have to sniff Satan's balls, cause he can't hang with the dress code in this club! AW YEAH BOYEEEEEEE!"
What depths he'll plumb to appease the theater troupe premiering his latest play!
In a benediction to you, my loyal readers, I'll personally essay the quiz with no motive other than your entertainment, enlightenment and edification. That's just how I roll.
What is your favorite word?
Bastinado
What is your least favorite word?
Bro
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Authenticity
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
bullshit
What sound or noise do you love?
the Fuss' breathing when he's asleep
What sound or noise do you hate?
the voices of advertising pitch men
What is your favorite curse word?
AW, NUTS!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
graphic designer
What profession would you not like to do?
Alaskan crab fisherman
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Rick Warren is gonna have to sniff Satan's balls, cause he can't hang with the dress code in this club! AW YEAH BOYEEEEEEE!"
Rules of Retail
The second you break open a fresh roll of coins, someone sporting an old bike helmet and carrying a dirty gym sock full of change will purchase a biography of Michael Jackson using neat stacks of whatever coin you just filled the drawer with.
2.02.2009
In Soviet Russia, Cheezburger can has YOU!
clicky clicky
my favorite caption:
/edit
best comment of the young year.
my favorite caption:
Mother, if my constitution is unfit for gymnast… The grist mill shall become my pommel horse and daily labor my reward!
/edit
best comment of the young year.
2.01.2009
Comic apocalypse
Apparently 'alternative' newspapers are jettisoning comics left and right.
I mostly stopped reading our local rag when they dumped all of theirs except Tom Tomorrow a few years back.
I'm not sure why they're still in business. The internet killed their classifieds and personals, their articles suck (hooray for underpaid journalism majors from the architecture & engineering school up the hill!) and their clout as THEE source for local events is questionable.
The Palm stopped advertising with them quite a while ago and customers didn't seem to notice. Huge savings, no negative impact on business...what's not to like!
This does seem to fit with the newspaper business in general, which for the last decade plus has seemed intent on alienating readers in the pursuit of short term profits.
I mostly stopped reading our local rag when they dumped all of theirs except Tom Tomorrow a few years back.
I'm not sure why they're still in business. The internet killed their classifieds and personals, their articles suck (hooray for underpaid journalism majors from the architecture & engineering school up the hill!) and their clout as THEE source for local events is questionable.
The Palm stopped advertising with them quite a while ago and customers didn't seem to notice. Huge savings, no negative impact on business...what's not to like!
This does seem to fit with the newspaper business in general, which for the last decade plus has seemed intent on alienating readers in the pursuit of short term profits.
Random Lines from Crummy Fantasy Novels
from King of the Murgos by David Eddings
Queen Xantha's tree was even more vast than Garion remembered it, its branches as broad as highways and the hollows in its bole opening like the mouthes of caves. The Dryads in their brightly colored tunics bedecked the huge limbs like flowers, giggling and whispering and pointing at the visitors. Xbel led them intot he broad, moss covered clearing beneath the tree, put her fingers to her lips, and made a curiously bird-like whistle.
John Updike RIP
On the off chance Sally is a big Updike fan, I'll let someone else provide his epitaph.
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