Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Behind the 8-Ball

Oops! Missed the fact that Heather had tagged me. This is the most popular one going on out there right now.

List 8 attributes of the perfect partner.
Well, beyond the somewhat obvious--female, breathing, human, relatively healthy, of legal age...
    1. Should be able to play the piano. She must understand music. Period. Not in the "oh, did you hear that new song on the radio" type of understanding. But in the knowledge of making, listening to, and appreciating the art. She doesn't have to be a performer though.

    2. Should be able to play golf. Golf is huge in my family. There is a long lineage of professional and accomplished amateurs in my family (unfortunately, the line stopped at my doorstep). There is no way to understand the family without understanding the game. There are numerous lessons in life that can be learned from the game of golf. Go watch "Tin Cup" to understand. Then "Caddyshack". She doesn't have to excel, but she has to play.

    3. Should be able to play poker. Again, there are numerous skills learned in poker that translate well into real life. My grandmother taught each of her grandchildren how to play poker by the time we were eight. She understood the importance too.

    4. Should be able to drink and appreciate beer. Not wine. Not hard liquor. Beer. Microbrews. Imports. And she should know when to say when. Other alcohol is OK, but beer must be appreciated.

    5. Should be able to laugh at herself, as well as me. She can't be so full of herself that she can't have fun, either at her expense or at mine.

    6. Should be able to carry on an intelligent conversation. She must be aware of the world around her. Current events, common sense, basic knowledge. All important. She should be a kick-ass Trivial Pursuit player.

    7. Must be honest, truthful and trustworthy. Self-explanatory. Communication is also quite important here too. If this area is at all weak, it's a deal-breaker.

    8. Must be willing to learn, willing to adapt, willing to accept. She should be an ever-evolving being. Things will change over time. She must be able to do that too. At the same time, she must be totally dedicated to me (as I would be to her).
I should probably mention at this point that I would hope that I would have to mirror the same attributes. Any takers?

Dad Update

Well, hell. The short story. Mom calls me from the road. Dad had a routine check-up this morning (Mon) for his pacemaker. They promptly set up an appointment with the doctor who put the thing in him, because it's still not working right! Not a "send-him-down-next-week" appointment. No, it's a "go-home-grab-clothes-drive-300-miles-to-Billings-because-you've-got-problems" appointment. He still has an atrial fibrillation (???) that they can't get rid of, so they might go in for the third time in 6 weeks to adjust it. Maybe they should just install a zipper in his pecs.

It's still not a life-or-death situation. More of an inconvenience. And a pain in the ass. And the chest. I'll keep you updated.

EDIT: Mom just called. They're on their way home. Dad's even driving! They ran a battery of tests and think they've figured out the electrical problem that's been causing concern. As always, many thanks for the prayers and good thoughts!

Monday, January 30, 2006

Oh, yeah....

Rachel dragged me to the movie Sunday afternoon.

Chick flick.

The K-Y Warming Gel ad that ran before the previews seemed apropos.

Thought you guys would figure it out--Brokeback Mountain.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

MISSING IN ACTION!!

MISSING: One very large blue Hawaiian shirt.
Last seen: 12/30/05
Location: Nashville, Tennessee area
Condition: Unknown
Aliases: None
Recent Contact: None
Ransom Demands: None to date
Known Associates: Osbasso, Samantha, Emily, Kelly, Bsoholic, Tish, Eric, Lizabeth, Just.A.Girl, Mob Rules Horns, Nashville HNT Girls, Moose, Summer, Alison Krauss, Crystal, YoJ, Dr. Pineapple
Last known pictures:

About an Hour from Home party9 DSC00009 party2.0
000_20322.0 DSC00401 Osbasso IMG1
DSCF2300_1 DSC00447 DSCF0866_3 76142348_1069a46dda_o
P1010066_1 DSCF1198_1 100_1185 100_1338

If spotted, do not try to rescue. Suspected abductors considered possibly unbalanced. Intentions uncertain. Consider them to be somewhat on the wild side. Contact Osbasso at the usual places. There is no reward offered.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Tagged - Fours

I was tagged by Faustina. Mel--I'll get to your tag soon (it's a tough one!).

FOUR JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE:
High school music teacher
Minor cog in state government machine (Dept. of Revenue)
Executive Director of a cultural non-profit organization
Manager of independent music store

FOUR MOVIES YOU WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:
The Quiet Man
The Ten Commandments
The Shining
Young Frankenstein

FOUR PLACES YOU HAVE LIVED:
Helena, MT
Wallace, ID
Missoula, MT
Polson, MT

FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH:
Law & Order SVU
M*A*S*H
Masters Golf Tournament
Most of it's crap--I don't watch much.

FOUR PLACES YOU HAVE BEEN ON VACATION:
Nashville, TN
Washington, D.C.
Seattle, WA
Portland, OR

FOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS:
Spaghetti
Pears
Pizza (Howard's Pizza--the best!)
Thick bbq'd steak, medium rare

FOUR PLACES YOU WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
Panhandle of northern Idaho
Dallas/Fort Worth
Oregon/Washington coast
Ireland


tagged to: No tags on this one. I think I'm the last person on the internet who hasn't done it!

Friday, January 27, 2006

Birthday comin' up!

She only needs 19 more to go!!!


One of our longtime HNTers is going to be celebrating her 25th birthday on Sunday. She's also just a couple hundred visitors away from hitting the 25,000 mark. She would really like to hit the mark by her birthday. SOooooo......

We need everyone to go see Clara* and wish her a Happy 25th!
(still don't know what's up with the asterisk....)

Randomness on the Day After

Very first thing to do--thanks to Red from WildVisions for actually posting my HNT. I had a rehearsal and couldn't do it myself. I didn't hear any complaints, so I assume she did well.
Moose wanted me to clear up an assumption made in some of the comments. The Christmas gift I got from the girls was not a random, blog-fan sort of gift. Moose is my bestest, dearest friend, and Just.A.Girl has been a close friend for a few years. While my ego would be hugely stroked if I got gifts from some of my readers, I certainly don't expect it. However, if you must, you can always send stuff for the "collection".....
There continues to be a steady stream of newbies to HNT. I find the whole phenomenon amazing....
On a serious note--I received two emails yesterday, as well as seeing the question raised on a new HNT site, regarding some sort of designation to alert the reader that you're going to be seeing a little more than the standard "safe" HNT post. None of them suggested toning things down--not at all. In fact, two of them mentioned specifically that they enjoy those posts as much as the next person. Just that sometimes it's an unexpected shock! I needed to take a day to come up with a response, and here it is:
    1. Most people would agree that some sort of warning isn't necessarily a bad thing. But it should be a voluntary action.

    2. A designation of NSFW (not safe for work) could be used, but that begs another point--what are you doing looking at HNTs while at work? This is exactly why the U.S. continues its economic downfall--too many people spending time at work looking at HNTs!

    3. A suggestion for readers--there are some HNTers that consistently are more open with their half-nekkidness than you. You know who they are. If you're someplace where that could be a problem--wait until you get home!!

    4. I'm not going to tell people how to regulate their own blogs. It becomes a censorship-type issue. What one person feels is "safe", might offend the next person. A picture of bare shoulders in a shower could be quite tame to one person--to another, they may feel that's too much. And don't get me going on the subject of censorship!!!

    5. But Os! Why don't you make a separate site for HNT? I can't keep up with things the way they are. The last thing we need is a separate site. Webmasters, passwords, permissions, perverts--I don't want to deal with them. Besides, it takes new readers (and old ones) away from your own sites. And you lose control of your own pics. The day that you decide to take them all down, you can. On a common site, you lose that ability.

    6. To those who wrote me, I hope I addressed the issue to your satisfaction. Bottom line--HNT will never be censored or required to carry warning labels. If an HNTer wants to warn their reader, that's their prerogative.

    EDIT: I wasn't really looking for a whole lot of discussion on this one. I was just throwing it out there so that you might see what others are thinking. Please don't take a hostile tone on this! And if I come across that way, I apologize. It wasn't my intention!

Look for a post regarding the Most Ridiculous Holiday Ever Invented, and how it will affect HNT!

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Mystery Guest Revealed...

With her permission (and because she's working tonight and can't do it herself), I announce to you that the Mystery Guest this week was none other than the lovely Foxglove (many of you thought it might be F3m1, but it isn't--note the lack of tattoos!). Be sure to check her site, Foxglove's Formulary, and wish her a Happy Birthday!! She'll be glad you did!

A Wild Vision



"I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may, - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful" - John Constable

Mission Mountain HNT

No, this isn't about that "other" mountain movie. The Mission Mountain Wood Band was a Montana band from the 70s that reached a cult status in the state among any hippie/college student that was ever fortunate to have heard them. Especially if they attended the Aber Day Kegger in Missoula (man, those were the days!). That would include me. Sort of a rock/acoustic/jazz/bluegrass sound. Think Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, but with heavy early 70s rock influence. Today, you might think of a Phish/moe./Leftover Salmon sort of groove. Far ahead of their time, to say the least. They have had a couple of reunion concerts since breaking up in the early 80s, including one this July in Helena. I had the pleasure of taking both Moose and Just.A.Girl to the concert. I was a little wary about whether they'd like it or not. A bunch of old drunk/stoned hippies getting together in a rodeo arena. My fears were unfounded. Moose wrote a post about it here.

While I could do a full post (and might!) about the band, the concert and their music, the biggest news of the night was that they were working on a 5-CD/1-DVD box set from their heyday. For 25 years, there was only one album available by this band, and I know I'm not the only one who owns more than one copy of the LP due to wear and tear! Now they were going to release their masters, TV appearances, movies, etc. in a box set! Probably in early December--just in time for Christmas! At $100 a pop. I had every intention of buying it, but then the trip to Nashville took up all my financial resources, and the best I could do is hope that they would still have some left in the spring when I might be able to afford it. Imagine my glee when I checked my mail today and received this:


Along with a note:
Merry Christmas a bit on the late side!
Love, Your Girls (Moosekahl and Just.A.Girl)

Is there really any wonder why I am totally in love with these two?? Thanks, girls!



Today's Mystery Guest will be celebrating her 30th birthday on Saturday. She joined in with HNT about halfway through, and because a good friend of hers was doing it too. In fact, they've both appeared on each other's sites at one time or another. The only other hint I'll give is that we've never seen this particular side of her. A picture from a different angle would probably give her away. Be kind with the comments! She may let you know who she is Thursday night.

Nope, not F3m1





A request from a couple of HNTers, particularly for the newbies: Just for the day, could you turn off the Word Verification? It really is a time waster, and with so many roses to smell...
Early posters would include ????, DaMasta, Jonathan, Deadly Female, kb and Tish. I'm also again hosting Red from WildVisions until she gets her site problems worked out. How can I argue with such beauty and grace??
If you haven't done so, be sure to let us know where you're at by getting on the Frappr map. There's a button over there in the sidebar to do that!
Anyone interested in being the Mystery Guest, be sure to send in your picture by next Tuesday! osbasso (at) gmail dot com. Remember, this has nothing to do with the booby shots for the "collection"! Though you can send those to the same address...
DON'T FORGET TO STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES!!

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Trivia and stuff

I found this on a couple of different sites, so I thought I'd give it a shot and see what it dug up...

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Osbasso!

  1. Osbasso can't drink - he absorbs water from his surroundings by osmosis!
  2. Osbasso invented the wheel in the fourth millennium BC.
  3. The Vikings believed that the Northern lights were caused by osbasso as he rode out to collect warriors slain in battle!
  4. Carnivorous animals will not eat another animal that has been hit by osbasso.
  5. Osbasso once lost a Dolly Parton lookalike contest.
  6. A rhinoceros horn is made from compacted osbasso.
  7. If you blow out all the candles on osbasso with one breath, your wish will come true.
  8. The first toy product ever advertised on television was Mr Osbasso Head!
  9. The first osbasso was made in 1853, and had no pedals.
  10. It takes 17 muscles to smile, and 43 to frown at osbasso.
I am interested in - do tell me about
I find that I agree to some degree, especially #3 and #7. But it wasn't quite as exciting as I had hoped, so I tried it with my real name....

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Scott!

  1. Tradition allows women to propose to Scott only during leap years.
  2. Scott can not regurgitate!
  3. Scott is worth his weight in gold - literally!
  4. In the kingdom of Bhutan, all citizens officially become Scott on New Year's Day!
  5. It took Scott 22 years to build the Taj Mahal!
  6. Owls cannot move their eyes, because their eyeballs are shaped like Scott.
  7. Scott cannot jump.
  8. Four-fifths of the surface of Scott is covered in water!
  9. The pigment Indian Yellow was manufactured from the urine of cows fed only on Scott!
  10. Scott is only six percent water!
I am interested in - do tell me about
I found this one much more satisfying! I've got women proposing to me, I can't throw up, I'm apparently worth alot of money, I know I can't jump, and I don't have water weight!

Thanks to all who listed their 3 quirks/habits/whathaveyou on the past post. Didn't think that was going to get quite the response as it did! And thank you for the kind comments on the family--even those of you with your minds in the gutter with the whole "lubrication" thing....

Don't forget to email me a picture tonight or by mid-morning if you're interested in becoming this week's Mystery Guest for HNT. If you're not chosen for this week, I'll keep you in the mix for the future!

Monday, January 23, 2006

The Weekend

My sister from Portland was here for the weekend. She hasn't been here in awhile, so we did the family dinner thing. This time around, it was a bunch of pizzas, alot of wine, and an obscene amount of beer. S3's family had to leave early to drive out of town for a basketball tourney early Sat. morning. That left Mom & Dad, sisters S1 & S2, BIL1, and me. The short story--alot of lubrication was consumed, and the siblings found out that there's still a story or two from the "old days" that will shock our mother. It was also the first time in years that my sisters and I could swap stories, and find out which ones really happened, and which were the figments of years of imagination. I'm happy (?) to say that all my stories were based in fact. With a small detail or two needing adjustment....

The biggest discovery of the evening? All that pontificating I mentioned in yesterday's post? I was a rank amateur in the presence of royalty. My mother and two sisters brought the art to a completely new level to my eyes! I have a new level to strive for!

S3, S1, Os and S2 w/Dad and Mom.
What a damned good looking family!
At least before the drinking started....


Rest of the weekend was a wash. Symphony rehearsal Sat. AM (after the night of pontificating and drinking), an afternoon of surfing, and the gig from hell Sat. night (why hire a band if no one's going to dance??). Zoned out on football on Sunday. Really looking forward to the Super Bowl! While a Seattle/Denver game has a certain western US appeal, this match-up should be alot of fun! I haven't been very interested in the Super Bowl over the years, but with Seattle in it, and looking as good as they did today, I'm very excited! I'm sure there will be more on this in the coming days!

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Add Your Own Caption!


Just a word of warning--I've heard that Addict is planning to bring her full complement of torture tools to Chicago and will be offering piercings.

Be afraid. Be very afraid!






It's late, and I couldn't come up with any appropriate caption for this picture, so I leave it up to you!

Leave your caption in the comments section--

She's baaacckkkk......!

Courting Alex
SERIES PREMIERE on CBS
Monday, January 23, 9:30PM ET/PT



MMMMmmmmm.......

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Let's see what you're made of....

Real life situations tend to want us to put our best foot forward. We are hired based on our strengths as related to a particular job. Social situations tend to require "dressing up" so that we show off our physical attributes. Generally, it's our good points that get us through life

Unforturnately, in real life, none of us are perfect. We all have flaws, habits, quirks, etc. that make us who we are. We tend to hide those from others. But they usually sneak out at some point, and we end up having to explain ourselves, or the other people in our lives "accept" the idiosyncracies, or relationships sort of fizzle away. You may be a bad parent. You might be a chronic gossip. You might have misplaced priorities. Whatever. It's generally not easy to admit to these "flaws".

For no particular reason, I got to thinking about these things. So now I challenge you to come up with 3 things that, if we were to actually meet and spend time together, would somehow eventually make their way into the open. Physical traits, annoying habits, whatever. This is different than Fear Friday. I'll start. You can leave yours in the comments....
  • I have been accused of pontificating during conversations. Well, I guess I do. I have a tendency to want to be the center of attention, whether I have anything particularly interesting to say or not.

  • I will often times play down another person I am with. This comes from years of good-natured ribbing with a specific group of people over the years. I often don't grasp the concept that I'm being mean or condescending, or that the other person might not realize that's where I'm coming from.

  • I am outwardly very easy-going and happy. The happy fat man syndrome. There are times when I'm sick and tired of holding my true opinions in. And on rare occasion, I'll let loose with a flurry of nastiness that is nothing short of embarrassing.

There you go. I could add a couple more... You may find those interesting, you may not. Now go tell me where you fall short...

Friday, January 20, 2006

Roses Smell Pretty Good!

Well, the great "Rose Smell" rant seemed to work pretty well. Got alot of feedback thanking me for making the suggestion. Many of you apparently did stop to smell, and found what you were missing! This seemed to be a good week for it too!

Since they all "exposed" themselves at one point or another, I'll do it here. The Mystery Guest (the black & white, arms folded one) was Susie. The other two I hosted due to computer/Blogger problems on their end. The "Just Add Water" was Red at wildvisions, and the late submission was Firefly. Just noticed that she did finally get it up on her site, too!

Anyone interested in being a Mystery Guest, just send me a picture by Tuesday! No guarantees that you'll be up that particular week--depends on how many I have in storage!

Further Blogerversary thoughts may be forthcoming (maybe not...)

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Bonus Mystery Guest!

I got a late afternoon request to host one more picture due to website problems. Not one to turn down the request of an absolutely beautiful woman and friend, I present this bonus Mystery Guest. I won't identify her, but if she wants to "out" herself in the comments, she'll do it herself!

For those who missed it yesterday before it was taken down, my dad came through his surgery just fine. In fact, my sisters, mom and dad called me last night from Outback. Must be doing just fine! Thank you all for your kind wishes and comments!

Just Add Water



"If there's magic on this planet, it is contained in water"--Loran Eisley

1st Bloggerversary HNT

To celebrate the 1st Bloggerversary of "Views From the Back Row", I pose with an anniversary Krispy Kreme doughnut. With a strategically placed candle. Oh, who am I kidding? The candle doesn't hide anything... There's only one KK store in all of Montana, and it's 300 miles away, but they deliver all over the state. There's a couple of places in town that sell them. I'm sorry, I just don't get the fascination....



We've also got our first "official" Mystery Guest for 2006. This guest actually wanted to pose in her birthday suit on her birthday last month, but changed her mind. Now she's back, but a little more modest. This left coast world traveler knows which fabrics feel soft on the skin!


If you are interested in being the next Mystery Guest, just email me your picture at osbasso (at) gmail dot com by next Tuesday!

The following have had to post early and asked to be mentioned: Kate, Tish, Boo and Rachel.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

1st Bloggerversary

On Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005, my bestest and dearest friend Moose decided that she was going to start a blog so that she could keep in touch with her friends. I figured that if she could do it, so could I. Who'da thunk that I'd be up to my neck in it one year later?

I think back to the first bloggers that I interacted with, particularly my first fan, Lizabeth. She's the one who encouraged me to write on a daily basis. Or of Rachel, who has become a very important part of my life (yes, I know the link doesn't work. no, we don't do the nasty, but she is freaky!). Or of the bloggers I've gotten to meet face-to-face (think Lizabeth, Addict, or the entire Nashville road trip crew). I think of those who have shared their weddings, births, pregnancies, body parts, deaths, birthdays, divorces, great spouses, not-so-great spouses, natural disasters, and all the other parts of their lives with me. I feel very fortunate. I feel like I've got closer friends online than in real life. I've had the pleasure of meeting many of them, and hope to see them again. I hope to meet more of them in the future. I hope that there's others out there that will join the circle.

Anniversaries are often used as a springboard for new things. I hope to change my writing style back to the old Os. I have some things in mind for HNT. Those of you involved in "the project"--I promise that will happen! I don't know what the next year will bring. I tend to let things happen at will. I can say that the year has been a blast, and I hope the next one is just as great! Thank you to all of you!

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Two More Things

1. If you've been part of Addict's little summer party planning, the final location vote has been bumped to Wednesday TUESDAY (tonight!). Last chance to vote! Nashville people--where are you??

2. A couple of you have asked about my dad. He's scheduled for a "tune-up" surgery on Wednesday afternoon. My sister will drive my parents to Billings (3.5 hours away) in the morning, and he's scheduled to be on the table at 1:30. It's a routine, 15-minute operation. Has something to do with separating the upper and lower leads to the pacemaker. Theoretically, if all goes normally, he'll spend the night in a nearby motel, go back to the hospital for x-rays and follow-up, and be home Thursday night. Isn't it impressive that heart surgery has become as routine as car repairs? Which reminds me--I need to change the oil in my car.... BTW--no, that's not him in the picture!

Monday, January 16, 2006

Tagged - Weird Habits

OK, I got tagged by Shay V. This one's harder than I thought it would be!

The first player of this game starts with the topic five weird habits of yourself, and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don’t forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says You are tagged (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.
  • 1. This isn't as much a habit as it is a quirk, or an automatic reaction. Whenever I pick up my trombone, before I play a note, I have to empty the spit. It doesn't matter if it's been a day since I played, or 30 seconds. I don't play a note before I empty the spit. Most trombonists do the same thing. In fact, at times it looks like it's choreographed within the trombone section!

  • 2. My putting style on the golf course drives opponents nuts. I'm a fairly decent golfer. After I line up the putt, I look at the hole during my stroke, rather than at the ball (insert your own nasty comments here________________________). My accuracy is pretty good, and if I don't make the putt, then it's usually just a short tap in.

  • 3. I name inanimate possessions of mine. Might have to do with the fact I have no family to come home to. You've already met Michelle and Amy. My computers each have a name. My plants are named (though I don't talk to them). Other things around the place, too. And no, they're not all girls' names.

  • 4. I'm the type that doesn't like to "miss" anything. More often than not, I'll arrive someplace (party, concert, whatever) early enough to be the first one there, and usually will be the last one to leave. I'm losing this habit though....trying to anyway...

  • 5. When driving on the highway, I'll read the exit info on the signs, and actually verbalize the names of the towns in reverse. This was a great source of entertainment on my recent road trip to Nashville. I know. I need a life....

And now I tag: Aughra, Moose, Ann, JY Biscuit and Lindsey. Have fun!

Mystery Guest and other random stuff

I still am trying to shake this damned cold/flu/plague or whatever it is that I've got. I'm at least going to work, but by the time I get home, all the energy has been totally drained from me. I had a gig Saturday night that set me back a couple of days. Played well, but as soon as we were through, the energy was totally zapped. Good thing all I really needed to do was watch football! Anyway, some thoughts that popped in over the past week--

I received numerous emails that suggested I reinstate the Mystery Guest. After giving it some thought, I've decided to go ahead and do it. But differently than what we did in the fall. I will give up some space on my HNT and share it with a weekly mystery guest. To keep with the concept of mystery, your MG picture should give us a hint of who you are, without showing so much that there's no question. And you don't need to include me in your picture like last fall! Also different from last fall--I will make the decision from week to week rather than the "committee". So if you want to join in, just email me your picture! Players from this fall are eligible too! I'll run it until it dies a slow, horrible death!

When I wrote my last post, I had no idea it would bring the response it did. Obviously alot of opinions here! I really hadn't intended it to be a confessional or anything. But it did bring out some interesting things. My final comments on the subject--stop and smell the roses. Even if it's only in a handful of sites. Don't feel that you have to leave comments. Don't feel badly about leaving "generic" ones. Don't paste the same comments to all. Maybe take a moment and re-read the guidelines (click on the blue HNT icon). The way HNT is run won't be changing any time soon...

While chatting with a bloggerfriend last night, she mentioned that she'd gone into my older writing--the pre-HNT Os. She mentioned that my writing style was different back then. That there was more "Os" in it then than now. I would agree, as would many who have been here for a long time. I'm going to try to get back to that style soon.

That's about it for now. I'm sick, tired and uninspired. Hopefully I'll get back to my old self this week!

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Stop and Smell the Roses, People!


NOTE: A couple points of clarifications can be found at the bottom of this post....

I am amazed at how people approach HNT. Of course, when comments are opened at 9:30, there's the phenomenal initial rush to let us know that you've posted. That part certainly makes sense to me. It's fun to watch! But what happens right after that? Some examples:
  • One certain blogger put up a bit of a story, with a nice picture of her laughing face (one of her first, I believe). If anyone read the first couple of lines, she wanted to see who was there to read her post, or just look for boobs. There would be a question at the end to answer in the comments section. Out of 41 comments right now, NOT ONE PERSON answered the question, which was just under her picture. But the real story--if anyone bothered to read her post, she instructed the reader to mention something about her boobs in the picture. EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO BOOBS! Of the 41 comments, maybe a third mentioned her boobs. Obviously, a majority of her visitors clicked her link, looked for a picture, left a comment and fled....
  • My own site! When the Mystery Guest (more than happy to do that for you, by the way!) posted, I made a note immediately afterwards to leave comments for her there, but to leave the "I'm up!" comments on my HNT down below. Even did it in a different font color! I won't go back to check how many, but a significant number of people left their notification there. Now excuse me, but if you've come to Os' site to leave a comment on his HNT, wouldn't a nice set of ta-tas make you think twice about where you're leaving your comments? Or at least read to see what was going on? I mean, thanks for the compliment, but those weren't mine!
  • Remarkably few people probably even realized that one of our longtime HNTers lost her father yesterday, and posted an incredibly touching picture for her post. Our hearts go out to you.
  • I'm curious about the number of people who read about the projects that other HNTers are doing. Go back and read my post....
  • Other incidents in the past have included comments about one woman's husband being lucky to have her, when just one post earlier, she talks about having left him the day before because he was an alcoholic ass. Or the lack of reading other people's comments prior to posting their own. The obviously bad pun being made is cute the first time. It gets old after 4 or 5 other people make the same one. Or asking a question about the post, without noticing that it had been addressed in the comments already (often a couple of times...) And my absolute pet peeve--the "cut & paste" comments, where the commenter, rather than leaving something original, pastes the same comment on all. Like we're not going to notice? We all follow each other around out here! You think we don't notice? I'd rather have no comment than the same one left to 300 of my other HNTers!

So what is the rant here? Stop and smell the roses. Or the coffee. Or the bullshit. Just stop! We all obviously blog for different reasons, but when we add HNT to the mix, it would be nice to think that people are actually reading what we write. Or will at least do a quick skim of the text! There have been a number of people who have quit HNT precisely because they feel that their blog offers much more than booby shots, ass shots or more. HNT has become more of a voyeur's paradise for some people. How many of us only check on a certain blogger's site, hoping that she posted another picture of her boob? Or to some guy's site, hoping to catch a glimpse of his pecker as he steps out of the shower for his HNT? Some people like that, some people don't. If all we have to do for HNT is post a picture, and we ignore the stories, the poetry, the lives, the confessions, the joys, the sorrows and everything else that we all bother to write, then perhaps it's time to pull the plug on HNT. I happen to think there's a great deal more to each of us, and I'm not ready to pull the plug.

Just stop and smell the roses!

Unfortunately, the people who need to read this won't be back until next Wed/Thurs, and they'll skip over it, looking for my pecker as I step out of the shower....

This post has elicited more real feedback than any other I've done. And it's only been up less than 8 hours! After reading the comments so far, I want to clarify my own views of a couple of things...
  • There's no way to get through everybody involved with HNT before the weekend. Trust me, I've attempted!
  • For every "transgression" mentioned above, I'm as guilty as anyone for having done it myself!
  • Sometimes a generic comment is all that can be left. I don't have a problem with that. It's the "cut & paste" method that upsets me. The exact same comment for everyone's post--male or female--foot, boob, crotch--it's the exact same comment that I don't doubt is really done with Control-V. (This doesn't apply to "tags" that people may have, such as Monkey or Lecram)
  • I can see the point of view from some of you with regard to reading everyone else's comments before posting yours. I'll still check out everyone else first. (HINT--that's when generic is appreciated! You can skim past those, read anything that's a few lines long, and then post your own!).
  • I do think we've all been spoiled to some degree by our HNT comment count, compared to our everyday count. Especially the long-timers. As a blog gets "discovered" by HNTers, I guarantee that the visitor count and comment count increase, and we all get used to that. Even if we deny that we're comment whores, none of us is disappointed by high comment counts. Now think back to your own pre-HNT participation. Remember when we thought 15 comments to a post was a good number??
  • The comment was made that we have lurkers and voyeurs that only show up on Thursdays, hoping to catch a good show. They will never read our blogs. I hadn't ever really thought about that before....
  • Lastly, one person makes the comment here that HNT is going to continue to grow as people come to hear about it. He says that HNT is still in its "infancy". Oh, dear Lord, where do I find a babysitter for this???

Mystery Guest



The always generous Osbasso let me use his site for my HNT entry.
I wasn't prepared, so this is a saved shot...but I think it still qualifies for HNT :)
HHNT everyone!


NOTE: Be sure to leave her comments here. But leave your "I'm up!" comments on mine below!

Feet HNT

Many things to touch on for this post. My sincere apologies for the James Bond/not James Bond post. The link is one that I had seen years ago, and inadvertently run across again. After feeling gross and icky for an hour after leaving it, I figured it was something that needed to be shared with my friends! If you haven't seen it, enter at your own risk!

Lecram has announced something exciting. Preparations are underway to feature HNT as an Art Exhibit at the 2006 Rogue Performance Festival! (March 2-11). There's a concept! HNT as art! This will take place in San Francisco, and will be interactive! It is strictly going to be done on a voluntary basis, so don't think you're going to unexpectedly see your half-nekkid self on the news! This is a huge thing in the Bay Area, and receives nation-wide coverage. For more details, go to his site and read his announcement.

We had some early-birds who asked that I mention them: Kaniki, Arbusto, **Kristy**, Boo and SassyGirl. Be sure to check them out. Also come back late Thursday or Friday and check out the people who posted late (usually alot of newbies, too!). It would do their hearts good!

Go get yourself listed on the Frappr map over there in the sidebar!

Mo, the Cracked Southern Belle, started a project last fall that sort of fell by the wayside. She wanted to collect 100 pictures of feet. I don't know why. I didn't ask. I'm a little scared to ask. But while she made great strides (so to speak) in August, things have slowed considerably. She's got a specific website set up for this--The Very Bottom, where you can see others feet (with some great ideas!), and find the contact info to send in yours. So if you have pictures of your feet that you'd like to send her, please do! It is in that spirit (I've already submitted fully nekkid feet) that I offer my half-nekkid feet here. Play safe. Play nice!

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

New DVD - "Eraserhead"


Released on DVD for the first time in the U.S. today is the most disturbing movie I have ever watched. David Lynch's "Eraserhead". It was released in 1978, and I was able to watch it at Montana State University in a large auditorium at midnight where 2/3 of the full house was smoking pot. For as strange and uncomfortable as this movie is stone cold sober, I can't imagine how 2 hrs. of dope-smoking could have helped. I pirated a videotape of this movie, and watch it maybe once a year. In the 27 years since it's release, I still have no clue as to what it's about, what it represents, or why it was made. I've ordered the DVD in the hope that there's a director's bonus in there.

Unfortunately, with David Lynch, it may render the whole thing unwatchable!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MONA!!














The seductively diabolical Monalicious is having a birthday today! Be sure to go over and wish her a happy one! With any luck at all, we can get her to do a birthday suit HNT!


Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Two Vastly Different Views

1 - Thank God for James Bond movies all week on AMC! A true, sexist, man's man. Far better than any other crap on TV!

2 - My apologies in advance for the following link. It defies description. No nudity. No macho. Be sure to click on the small pics! NOTE: I just want to clarify--I found this particular link on another site. I don't go looking for these!

Monday, January 09, 2006

Witness Protection Program

Over the past couple of weeks, have you noticed the number of people who have disappeared, due to nastiness or whatever? Some to reappear under a new name/blogsite? Some gone forever? This is in NO way coming down on those who have done so! I fully support your decisions and appreciate that some of you haven't left us completely! And I'm eternally grateful that you've included me in your ventures to the unknown. It's just that my address bar in my browser is filled with all my friends who don't want to be linked now. It's like an Ivy League secret society or something!

It doesn't bother me that you've moved. What's distressing is that you've had to do so at all, and THAT JUST AIN'T RIGHT!

Nothin'

I've spent 5 days with this cold/flu thing. I didn't go to work last Thu/Fri. I've sat at home, basically, for 5 days, and I've got nothing to blog about. My head is in a fog. Well, a thicker fog than usual. I've had phone conversations that I don't remember. I've had conversations with people where I've repeated stories or comments from prior chats. Outwardly, I've gotten rid of most of the coughing, sweats, runny nose, etc. But my head is just a mass of goo right now. I can't focus, I can't remember things, and I'm tired, tired, tired. And I woke up this morning with a headache. That never happens...

The only positive thing out of this is that I've been able to catch up on alot of blogs and some emails (again--I don't claim responsibility for anything I might have written!). I apologize that I don't have anything to update about. Nothing has really happened. And my mind hasn't come up with anything witty or interesting to expound on. Give me a couple of days. I hope to be back soon!

And to all that offered chicken soup or to come rub stuff on my chest, you're still invited to do so!

EDIT--I forgot to mention that I've been impressed with the Power of Os. No fewer than a dozen of the people I've emailed/chatted/talked/blogged with during this time are now also sick!

Friday, January 06, 2006

Stephanie made me do it!

The stunningly gorgeous Stephanie told me to do this. I'll pretty much do anything she tells me to. (Have you noticed that there aren't ANY Stephanies that AREN'T stunningly gorgeous? I digress....)

1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before? Started blogging, along with everything else that THAT spawned!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Don't make them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Not that I'm aware of....

4. Did anyone close to you die? A few people I knew, but no one close to me.

5. What countries did you visit? Does Tennessee count?

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? A little more lovin', a little more money, a little less stress.

7. What dates from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 19th--the day that half-nekkidness hit the web; Nov. 1st--got to meet Addict and got to see the Rolling Stones with just.a.girl; Dec. 14-20--taking the best road trip of my life!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Bringing a sense of self-awareness and self-expression to a bunch of strangers on the internet.

9. What was your biggest failure? I don't think I had any real failures, but I'm open for suggestions if you think differenly....

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Only my yearly flu/cold that I'm currently suffering from again. Also took a music stand in the mouth that took two months to somewhat fade away, but left a permanent dent in my upper lip.

11. What was the best thing you bought? My new digital camera!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? All of you who dared to show more of yourselves than you ever thought possible. Not just skin, but your inner thoughts, fears and joys.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? The assholes and the haters who feel the need to tear down the fun of others.

14. Where did most of your money go? Other than for the basics? Concert tickets/road trips/beer.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My trip to Nashville, with the Portland trip a close second.

16. What song will always remind you of 2005? "Tennessee River Run"

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? happier b) thinner or fatter? thinner, actually c) richer or poorer? a little poorer, I believe.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Makin' money.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Spend unproductive time on the computer.

20. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve? It's over, but I went to a friend's house with alot of people, including Rachel, and watched fireworks at midnight.

21. Did you fall in love in 2005? Real life love? No. Internet love? Absolutely!

22. How many one-night stands? None.

23. What was your favorite TV program? SVU and M*A*S*H reruns (don't watch alot of TV anymore).

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is such a strong word--I have a great deal of disrespect for certain musicians in the Symphony. Still friends, but on a new and different level.

25. What was the best book you read? I don't read.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Probably would have to be Katie Melua.

27. What did you want and get? The means to get to Tennessee.

28. What did you want and not get? A little more lovin', a little more money, a little less stress.

29. What was your favorite film of this year? Only saw 2--Star Wars III and 40-Year Old Virgin. Both superb in their own ways!

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 48, I grocery shopped and did laundry. I know, I'm a party monster!

31.What one thing made your year measurably more satisfying? This is a little redundant--my trip to Tennessee!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? Whatever fit/whatever was clean.

33. What kept you sane? Rachel, Nicolle, Kamey, the many new friends I've made through blogging.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? If this means what I think it means--it's a toss-up between Alison Krauss and Diana Krall.

35. What political issue stirred you the most? I have a tendency to avoid paying attention to politics. There's too much crap to deal with.

36. Who did you miss? Nicolle, in spite of the almost daily contact with her.

37. Who was the best new person you met? I'd say anyone I met on the road trip, but Rachel has become a good friend and beer drinking buddy!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005. Trusting people to act civilized on the internet is not a good idea.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I've got nothing here. Anyone with a suggestion is encouraged to let me know!

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Sick HNT

8:30 AM this morning. I've gone downhill. Nothing more needs be said....

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

World Domination

Remember last month when I posted that I had received an email from someone in India wanting to do an article about HNT? After hemming and hawing and deciding that this might be legit, I emailed her back. I didn't hear anything else from her again.

So today I went to the post office on the way home from work, looking forward to medicating myself into a coma, and found a notice of a registered mail item waiting for me. From India. There it was--the Nov.18-Dec. 1, 2005 issue of Business & Economy magazine, "India's Most Influential Business and Economy Magazine". On page 106 (after all, it's just nekkidity!), is an almost half-page article about HNT! Go here to see a jpeg of the article. I don't want to totally trample international copyright laws by posting it here! We've done it! We've taken over the world!!

BTW--If anyone recognizes the picture she describes in the first sentence, let me know!
BTW II--I'll see if I can find out how to maybe find these in the states. Could be tough--it's 6 weeks old, at least!

Bleah...


The cold I was hoping to avoid is setting up camp in my throat and chest as we speak. In spite of copious amounts of beer last night. Someone get me a gun...
UPDATE--I'm sinking fast. My nose is starting to get sniffly, which means the beginning of the end has arrived. I fully anticipate that by tonight I will be totally stuffed up. Nothing but hot tea and honey for awhile... With maybe an occasional nip of SoCo. And some sleep. I doubt I'll be up too late to check out things, but don't worry--the Show will go on!

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Reactions, Realities and Recollections

Reaction--For the record, my Shameless Christmas Begging for boobies ended on January 1 with the "Newscast" post. I am not going to publicly ask for booby shots for the private collection until maybe next Christmas. I'm not going to mention that you can send them to: osbasso (at) gmail (dot) com. I'm not going to mention that I'm looking forward to those who said they'd send me something soon. I'm not going to mention my thanks to all of you who did send in photos. All that was through on January 1st!
EDIT--Contrary to Leesa's comments, the private collection "vault" is not locked down. It will always open up as necessary!

Reaction--I was a little taken aback by the people who thought my voice sounded "sexy" on my first audiopost. I've never considered it sexy--more like nasal. Many thanks to Rachel, who thought I was pontificating (though she's had to listen to me do that in the past, so she'd know...). You can probably plan on hearing my voice again down the road. Doubt you'll hear me play my bone though...

Reality--I had burgers and beers with the ever-lovely just.a.girl last night. At one point, I felt a tickle in my throat. That was the beginning. I now am trying to fight off a cold that's wanting to settle in my throat. Which will make it down into my chest. January might be really sucky. I'll be sure to let you know if I'm falling into the depths of illness requiring oodles of concern from you guys.... I'm having beers again tonight with both j.a.g and Rachel. Maybe that will help!

Reality--I foolishly thought that when I got back from Nashville, all the crap that was going on prior to the trip would disappear upon my return. Well, that's not what happened. I'll be sure to whine about that, too!

Recollection--I recall that my infamous blue Hawaiian shirt (see here, here, or here) was sent back to Nashville to join in on a party. I haven't heard anything about that yet. Does anyone know about the party? Will I ever get my shirt back, or is it being held captive??

Recollection--I seem to remember that life was easier, slower, and far less stressful. Anyone remember that?

Monday, January 02, 2006

100 Things About Osbasso

I’ve put this off as long as I possibly could. You might already know some of this—I can guarantee there’s some stuff you don’t! So, for better or worse, here’s the May, 2006 version of “100 Things About Me”. Updates/changes to this as of August, 2008 in yellow.
    1. Other than a three-year stint in the early 80s, I have lived my entire life in Montana. Except the 3 years or so when Dad was in dental school in St. Louis when I was born. But I don’t remember that.

    2. My family is very close with each other.

    3. I have first cousins that I have never met.

    4. I’ve had people hesitate getting to know me because I intimidated them.

    5. Once you know me, you’ll realize that I’m just an old softy.

    6. If we’re friends, I’ll hold on to that friendship for as long as I can.

    7. I’ve been in love three times in my life.

    8. In spite of my public disdain for Valentine’s Day, I secretly love it. But I’ll always deny it.

    9. I also love Christmastime. But not the commercialism.

    10. I own about 60 80 Christmas CDs. I love Christmas music.

    11. I haven’t had a Christmas tree in over 15 years. But I have for the past two.

    12. I’m a big fan of fireworks. The big ones, not the ones you can buy at a stand.

    13. My family has had pets, but other than Pepper (dog) for a year when I was in grade school, they all came after I ran off to college.

    14. I’ve never had a pet of my own, though I got a squirrel from my back yard to take an Oreo from my hand for two years when I was in grad school.

    15. I have never been married.

    16. I’ve had sex with an older married woman.

    17. I am a musician.

    18. I have Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music education.

    19. I have no desire to return to public school teaching.

    20. My primary instrument in college was the tuba, but I haven’t played it seriously since then.

    21. I have played all the standard brass instruments in performance situations at some point in my life.

    22. I also play the bass guitar, a little bit of piano, and can play a mean triangle.

    23. I would have liked to have learned how to play the cello.

    24. I once took a 4-day/3-night concert road trip with a 19-year-old girl that was not related to me. I was well over twice her age. I’m still over twice her age..

    25. The first concert I ever attended was the Cowsills, in 1971 I believe.

    26. Though I don’t have an exact count right now, I have approximately 1700-1800 CDs.

    27. I’ve purchased CDs I already owned because I didn’t realize I had them.

    28. My current tastes run towards country or classical. They’ll never run towards rap, death metal, pop, or most of the crap one can find on the radio these days.

    29. I’ve seen Britney Spears in concert. And have her autograph.

    30. While I tend to take my musical talents for granted, I dislike others taking them for granted.

    31. I am envious of those who can draw/paint/sculpt/write.

    32. I could eat my mother’s potato salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And have.

    33. I have been in only one car accident that was my fault. I was sober.

    34. I have driven under the influence of alcohol too many times to count.

    35. There are a few times where I’ve driven home drunk, and then couldn’t remember the next morning the route I took to get there.

    36. I don’t drink wine or tequila, and the only hard drink I’ll order is a gin & tonic.

    37. I drank a lot of rum in the Caribbean though.

    38. In spite of my tendency to babble and pontificate, I dislike talking on the phone.

    39. I’ve spent hours on a single phone call on a number of occasions recently. Thank God for nights/weekends!

    40. I am the only musician who was raised in the 70s who never tried any drugs other than alcohol. Still haven’t…

    41. I have spent real jail time for crimes I did not commit.

    42. I have done some things that should have landed me some real jail time, but I was never caught/charged.

    43. I love being on the “inside”, knowing people’s secrets, and having people trust me.

    44. I am extremely trustworthy.

    45. I am overly trusting. I’ve been severely burned by this, but yet I still trust others.

    46. I am a very good observer.

    47. I tend to be somewhat possessive of things, ideas and people.

    48. I prefer to drive long distances than fly, but it’s getting too expensive to do that these days.

    49. Only twice in the past 30 years have I allowed another person to drive my car with me as a passenger.

    50. I have never watched a “reality” show (except “Fear Factor”), other than skipping through channels.

    51. I often think I could do much of the stuff on “Fear Factor,” other than the eating stunts. Particularly the really, really gross eating stunts.

    52. A friend and I once ordered the entire left side of the menu at Burger King. Each. And successfully ate all of it.

    53. I drink a six-pack of Diet Coke w/lime per day, on average. Used to do the same thing with Dr. Pepper. Not so much anymore, but still more than I should.

    54. I would give that up to drink nothing but chocolate milk.

    55. When I was a kid, I had a fire fetish. I’d light anything and everything on fire. That came to a halt when I set fire to the garbage cans in the alley behind the rectory, and the wind caught it and burned the entire lawn. Swear to God, I thought the Devil himself had come up and done it.

    56. When I was a kid, I was a space geek. I could tell you how far it was to the moon, the planets, and the nearby galaxies. Fireball XL-5 was the coolest show on TV.

    57. When I was a kid, I would listen to my transistor AM radio (FM radio was only in the big cities back then) to put me to sleep. If I was still up at 10:00, I’d be treated to Red Sovine trucker songs. “Phantom 309” is the one that sticks in my mind.

    58. On Sundays at 10PM, it was “Classics In the Night”. The theme song was Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”. I very vividly remember that.

    59. I have taught music classes to students in all grades from 1st grade through college. The most frightening for me—the 1st and 2nd graders.

    60. I don’t remember my high school classes at all, though I remember most of my classmates, and many of the social events. I don’t remember ever doing homework. I know I must have done some, but I couldn’t tell you where or when I did it.

    61. I was primarily a singer in high school, not a band geek. I was in the All-State Choir for 4 years, and the All-Northwest Choir my senior year.

    62. I was also a drama nerd.

    63. I spent my first year of college as a chemical engineering major before switching to music education. The best part of that was that almost all of my electives were out of the way!

    64. I’ve never taken a college English course. I took the CLEP test to get out of it, and there were never any other requirements.

    65. I don’t read books. I envy those who take the time to do so.

    66. I have been an Apple geek since the first time I ever bought a computer (Apple IIGS) and have never gone back.

    67. I still have every computer I’ve ever owned, but don’t know how to operate the old ones anymore.

    68. I love big band jazz and could listen to it for days on end.

    69. My mother taught me how to dance to it.

    70. My best jitterbug partner was my sister (S2). Until the day I broke her in half (without going into detail, I split open her sternum, and she somehow bruised her heart, complete with irregular EKGs—we had been drinking…).

    71. I don’t dance anymore.

    72. I’ve never bought a house, nor do I see the day that I might. I’d like to, though.

    73. I’m not comfortable with my current body image, though I wasn’t comfortable with it when I weighed half of what I do now.

    74. I have very few good friends that are my age or older.

    75. Most of my good friends are 15 or more years younger than me.

    76. A vast majority of them are female. I would much rather be friends with women than with men. As long as they don’t do too much talking about “female things,” if you get my drift.

    77. I suck at gambling. Even slot machines. I’ve never had any decent payout from slots, craps or keno. Blackjack is an exception, but I always get stupid and lose anything I’ve won.

    78. I am primarily a meat and potatoes sort of eater.

    79. I love walking through the Pike Street Market in Seattle and watch the fish tossers, and wishing that I live closer to the sea for the seafood.

    80. I will not eat raw tomatoes. When you bite into one, it looks like it’s still in the embryonic stage in there. Don’t particularly like them in other things either.

    81. I will not eat artichokes, avocadoes, olives, or a variety of other plant-like things. I’ll eat mushrooms, but only if sautéed in butter and smothering a steak.

    82. I like almost all fruit, but don’t eat near enough of it.

    83. I am not tolerant of ignorant people (ignorant as in stupid, not as in uneducated).

    84. I am fairly ignorant in a number of areas.

    85. I generally need things spelled out to/for me. I dislike people when they play games or skirt around an issue, hoping that I’ll figure it out on my own. Communicate, people!

    86. I tried smoking cigarettes when I was a freshman in high school. Never figured out the attraction.

    87. In spite of messy workspaces and living areas, I tend to be fairly organized.

    88. I think that too many people today are on medications that don’t need to be. I think it’s become a crutch for too many.

    89. I don’t understand the lure/attraction of NASCAR, especially for those who live in this neck of the woods. I’m sure I’d be a fan if I lived in the southeast.

    90. I don’t understand the lure/attraction of fishing shows on TV.

    91. The eruption of Mt. St. Helens on May 18, 1980 will always be a strong pivotal day in my life.

    92. I watched a total eclipse of the sun in February of 1979 in the Gallatin Valley near Bozeman, MT. It was one of the most fantastic things I’ve ever seen.

    93. I’ve driven a regular car at 120 MPH before.

    94. My upper lip hasn’t seen the light of day since I quit shaving up there on New Year’s Day, 1977.

    95. On more than one occasion I’ve dreamt that I accidentally shaved part of my mustache off, and the first move I made in the morning is to run to a mirror to check.

    96. I am allergic to cats, though I’ve been able to tolerate Moose’s cats for a couple of days at a time.

    97. I’m also allergic to cottonwood trees, and dread this time of year when the cotton flies.

    98. I love the smell of lilacs, roses, a summer rain, and airplane glue. Not necessarily in that order.

    99. I’ve never ridden a motorcycle. I’d like to own one some day.

    100. When I’m on the putting green, I look at the cup when I putt, rather than the ball. If I don’t actually make the putt, it’s close enough to be a tap-in.
The second 100 things will come at a later date...

Sunday, January 01, 2006

International News!

According to studies, the first letter of your first name reveals your sexual identity...

What do you think?

(My sympathies to anyone whose name begins with T)

-A-

You are not particularly romantic, but you are interested in action. You mean business. With you, what you see is what you get. You have no patience for flirting and can't be bothered with someone who is trying to be coy, cute, demure, and subtly enticing. You are an up front person. When it comes to sex, it's action that counts not obscure hints. Your mate's physical attractiveness is important to you. You find the chase and challenge of the "hunt" invigorating. You are passionate and sexual as well as being much more adventurous than you appear; however, you do not go around advertising these qualities. Your physical needs are your primary concern.

-B-

You give off vibes of lazy sensuality. You enjoy being romanced, wined, and dined. You are very happy to receive gifts as an expression of the affection of your lover. You want to be pampered and know how to pamper your mate. You are private in your expression of endearments and particularly when it comes to lovemaking. You will hold off until everything meets with your approval. You can control your appetite and abstain from sex if need be. You require new sensations and experiences. You are willing to experiment.

-C-

You are a very social individual; you must be able to talk to your sex partner before. You want the object of your affection to be socially acceptable and good looking. You see your lover as a friend and companion. You are very honest, sexual and sensual, needing someone to appreciate and almost worship you. When this cannot be achieved, you have the ability to go for long periods without sexual activity. You are an expert at controlling your desires and doing without.

-D-

Once you get it into your head that you want someone, you move full steam ahead in pursuit. You do not give up your quest easily. You are nurturing and caring. If someone has a problem, this turns you on. You are highly sexual, passionate, loyal, and intense in you're involvement, sometimes possessive and jealous. Sex to you is a pleasure to be enjoyed. The eccentric and unusual, having a free and open stimulate you.

-E-

Your greatest need is to talk. If your date is not a good listener, you have trouble relating. A person must be intellectually stimulating or you are not interested sexually. You need a friend for a lover and a companion for a bed mate. You hate disharmony and disruption, but you do enjoy a good argument once in a while it seems to stir things up. You flirt a lot, for the challenge is more important than the sexual act for you, but once you give your heart away, you are uncompromisingly loyal. When you don't have a good lover to fall asleep with, you will fall asleep with a good book. (Sometimes, in fact, you prefer a good book.)

-F-

You are idealistic and romantic, putting your lover on a pedestal. You look for the very best mate you can find. You are a flirt, yet once comitted, you are very loyal. You are sensuous, sexual, and privately passionate. Publicly, you can be showy, extravagant, and gallant. You are born romantic. Dramatic love scenes are your favourite fantasy pastime. You can be a very generous lover.

-G-

You are fastidious, seeking perfection within yourself and your lover. You respond to a lover who is your intellectual equal or superior, and one who can enhance your status. You are sensuous and know how to reach the peak of erotic stimulation, because you work at it meticulously. You can be extremely active sexually that is, when you find the time. Your duties and responsibilities take precedence over everything else. You may have difficulty getting emotionally close to a lover, but no trouble getting close sexually.

-H-

You seek a mate who can enhance your reputation and earning ability. You will be very generous to your lover once you have attained a commitment. Your gifts are actually an investment in your partner. Before the commitment, though, you tend to be frugal in your spending and dating habits and equally cautious in your sexual involvement. You are a sensual and patient lover.

-I-

You have a great need to be loved, appreciated... Even worshipped. You enjoy luxury, sensuality, and pleasures of the flesh. You look for lovers who know what they are doing. You are not interested in an amateur, unless that amateur wants a tutor. You are fussy and exacting about having your desires satisfied. You are willing to experiment and try new modes of sexual expression. You bore easily and thus require sexual adventure and change. You are more sensual than sexual, but you are sometimes downright lustful.

-J-

You can be very romantic, attached to the glamour of love. Having a partner is of paramount importance to you. You are free in your expression of love and are willing to take chances, try new sexual experiences and partners, provided it's all in good taste. Brains turn you on. You must feel that your partner is intellectually stimulating, otherwise you will find it difficult to sustain the well. Only you see her. You require loving, cuddling, wining, and dining to know that you're being appreciated.

-K-

You are totally fu*cking marvellous!

-L-

You are very romantic, idealistic, and somehow you believe that to love means to suffer. You wind up serving your mate or attracting people who have unusual troubles. You see yourself as your lover's saviour. You are sincere, passionate, lustful, and dreamy. You can't help falling in love. You fantasize and get turned on by movies and magazines. You do not tell others of this secret life, nor of your sexual fantasies.

-M-

You are emotional and intense. When involved in a relationship, you throw your entire being into it. Nothing stops you; there are no holds barred. You are all consuming, demanding and crave someone who is equally passionate and intense.. You believe in total sexual freedom. You are willing to try anything and everything. Your supply of sexual energy is inexhaustible. You also enjoy mothering and controlling your mate.

-N-

You are very sensitive, private, and sexual; you like a partner who sometimes takes the lead. Music, soft lights, a beautiful body and romantic thoughts turn you on. You fantasize, but do not tend to fall in and out of love easily.. When in love, you are romantic, idealistic, mushy, and extremely intense. You enjoy having your senses and your feelings stimulated, titillated, and teased.. You are a great flirt. You can make your relationships fit your dreams, oftentimes all in your own head.

-O-

You are very interested in sexual activities yet secretive and shy about your desires. You can re-channel much of your sexual energy into making money and/or seeking power. You can easily have extended periods of celibacy. You are a passionate, compassionate, sexual lover, requiring the same qualities from your mate. Sex is serious business; thus you demand intensity diversity, and are willing to try anything or anyone. Sometimes your passions turn to possessiveness, which must be kept in check.

-P-

You are very conscious of social proprieties. You wouldn't think of doing anything that might harm your image or reputation, even though you know isn't right to act the way you do. You can never be seen to below anyone else, always wanting power... Appearances count, therefore, you require a good-looking partner. You also require an intelligent partner. Oddly enough, you may view your partner as your enemy; a good fight stimulates those sex vibes. You are free of sexual hang-ups. You are willing to experiment and try new ways of doing things... You are very social and sensual; you enjoy flirting and need a good deal of physical gratification. You also crave attention to much.

-Q-

You require constant activity and stimulation. You have tremendous physical energy. It is not easy for a partner to keep up with you, sexually or otherwise. You are an enthusiastic lover and tend to be attracted to people of other ethnic groups. You need romance, hearts and flowers, and lots of conversation to turn you on and keep you going.

-R-

You are a no-nonsense, action-oriented individual. You need someone who can keep pace with you and who is your intellectual equal the smarter the better. You are turned on more quickly by a great mind than by a great body. However, physical attractiveness is very important to you. You have to be proud of your partner. You are privately very sexy, but you do not bed, you are willing to serve as teacher. Sex is important; you can be a very demanding playmate.

-S-

You are secretive, self-contained, and shy. You are very sexy, sensual, and passionate, but you do not let on to this. Only in intimate privacy will this part of your nature reveal itself. When it gets down to the nitty-gritty, you are an expert. You know all the little tricks of the trade, can play any role or any game, and take your love life very seriously. You don't fool around. You have the patience to wait for the right person to come along.

-T-

You are crap in bed.

-U-

You are enthusiastic and idealistic when in love. When not in love, you are in love with love, always looking for someone to adore. You see romance as a challenge. You are a roamer and need adventure, excitement, and freedom. You deal in potential relationships. You enjoy giving gifts and enjoy seeing your mate looking good. Your sex drive is strong and you desire instant gratification. You are willing to put your partner's pleasures above your own.

-V-

You are individualistic, and you need freedom, space, and excitement. You wait until you know someone well before committing yourself. Swing someone means psyching him/ her out. You feel a need to get into his head to see what makes him/ her tick. You are attracted to eccentric types. Often there is an age difference between you and your lover. You respond to danger, thrills, and suspense. The gay scene turns you on, even though you yourself may not be a participant.

-W-

You are very proud, determined, and you refuse to take no for an answer when pursuing love. Your ego is at stake. You are romantic, idealistic, and often in love with love itself, not seeing your partner as he or she really is. You feel deeply and throw all of yourself into your relationships. Nothing is too good for your lover. You enjoy playing love games.

-X-

You need constant stimulation because you bore quickly. You can handle more than one relationship at a time with ease. You can't shut off your mind. You talk while you make love. You can have the greatest love affairs, all by yourself, in your own head.

-Y-

You are sexual, sensual, and very independent. If you can't have it your way, you will forgo the whole thing. You want to control your relationships, which doesn't always work out too well. You respond to physical stimulation, enjoy necking and spending hours just touching, feeling and exploring. However, if you can spend your time making money, you will give up the pleasures of the flesh for the moment. You need to prove to yourself and your partner what a great lover you are. You want feedback on your performance. You are an open, stimulating, romantic bedmate.

-Z-

For you, it is business before pleasure. If you are in any way bothered by career, business, or money concerns, you find it very hard to relax and get into the mood. You can be romantically idealistic to a fault and are capable of much sensuality. But you never lose control of your emotions. You are very careful and cautious before you give your heart away and your body, for that matter. Once you make the commitment, though, you stick like glue.