DW on the Livermush player

Shout out and salute to the FCB!

The recent additions to the above player includes some Dale Watson, who is one of the favorites of one of my favorites, Creener, AKA: Fish Camp Barbie.

Carina's heart is bigger than the Star Ranch and it's getting pounded right now because her Mom is in the hospital, not doing well. Your kind thoughts and prayers for her, her Mom, and their family would be appreciated. I'll be squeezin' the phone tight...

What if everyone quit?

TEA PARTY FOR ONE (Pt. 2)

The few folks who were aware of my plans to thumb my nose on April 15 warned me that not filing would mean that I'd have no recourse later. But I don't care. No, that's not true...I do care about those things I've worked hard for, and don't want them confiscated (stolen). And I've never been to jail, but I don't think I'll enjoy it. And the ironic truth of the matter is that, had I submitted those filings, my wallet would definitely be fatter right now. I paid more tax last year, by far, than the net sum owed would be, given the "deductions" which I certainly could have taken.

I made 12 mortgage payments (did it myself, ha!), most of which were interest.

I had healthcare costs that I paid out of pocket; not piddly-ass shit, either.

I had business expenses that literally dwarf the amount of what would be my tax.

I had unrecovered losses due to scoundrels who couldn't find their checkbooks.

And I would have had an accountant paid to sort through it all.

But the point is, it doesn't matter. Let them keep that cash as my last investment in their grand scheme. Perhaps they can use it to offset their prosecutorial expenses!

I know you can't eat your principles, but I just couldn't go through another tax season gnashing my teeth over the whole process of laying bare my worth, and so many other facets of my existence, to that great self-perpetuating machine that does nothing if not abuse that worth. So, I refused to play their silly little reindeer games this year, as I'll also refuse from here on out.

The threat of voting those bozos out "next term" hasn't ever stopped them from taxing more and prying deeper in the past, has it? They make new laws for the sake of having new laws and refer to government handouts as "tax breaks." Not that I want to lead any big revolution, but what if everyone right now changed their filing status with their respective employers to accomodate the least amount of weekly govenment-enforced theft, and said to those vermin inhabiting the Capitols in Washington and Raleigh, "steal from me now, but do not expect my complicity next April..."?

The only certainty regarding taxation is that it requires your willing assent. I stopped giving it, and wonder out loud how effective it would be if everyone else did likewise.

I had a girlfriend a few years ago (only temporarily, thank God!) who possessed three young'uns and earned (as a hairstylist) less than 20 grand a year. Every year about this time, she made arrangements for her end-of-the-schoolyear, weeklong, beach vacation that she affords because of her...wait for it...I am not making this shit up...

INCOME TAX REFUND.

Not just rough-camping somewhere within a long walk of the beach, but a weeklong rental...HOUSE...on...the...beach. Again, with clarity: ON the beach.

This is the equation, folks. You will be paying for her beach vacation next year, because you will pay and she will collect the refund. [For the full effect, re-read the previous sentence and when you get to the italicized word, think of Jerry Seinfeld saying his neighbor Neuman's name sneeringly: "NEUMANNNNN".]

If I was getting assaulted and didn't kick up much fuss, my assailers might get the idea that I didn't mind it so much. I mean, getting taxed is one thing, but being forced to endure a rectal probe every April 15th to prove you were taxed appropriately seems a bit excessive. Why not just quit?

Leading with my chin

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Singin' Cowboys & Bird-dogs

I'm so looking forward to going on the 2-day camping ride this weekend with the horsemen's association, that last night I dreamed that Lyle Lovette showed up just so he could sing Ricky Nelson's part:

I would have that song be the official anthem for the horsemen's association, if'n it was up to me.

On an unrelated note, I lamented a couple months ago, round about the end of quail season, over the dearth of birds in these parts. Maggie and I hunted and hunted some more, but no points. Yesterday, on the way to the mailbox, in the spot pictured below, we bumped up five (5, dammit!) woodcock right there. They had apparently gorged themselves on earthworms levitated by the recent rains, and could hardly fly. Two of them kept circling back, and I let Maggie work the area for scent, until I got worried that maybe there were chicks afoot. I never found any, but there was lots of sign.

I took the camera on the walk to the mailbox today, and was sure they'd be gone. I was right, but they had apparently roosted there again last night, leaving enough scent to entice this hard point you see. While photographing the point, I could hear Bobwhites calling from three different directions. As Kurt Vonnegut would say, if he knew anything about bird-hunting, "...so it goes."

For Easter: Liberty!

Kate, my friend from Blatherings Blog, posted this the other day. I figure it makes an excellent Easter gift. From her, to me, to you. Patrick Henry's entire "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech.

Happy Easter, y'all!

BLACKFIVE Productions

I love these guys.







BLACKFIVE, y'all.

Welcome home: Bangor, ME

Aye Chihuahua, over at Flopping Aces, said yesterday that, "it'll be the best two minutes you spend on the internet." I concur.


The Way We Get By - Trailer from The Way We Get By on Vimeo.

I piss & moan a lot, but I truly enjoy every opportunity to report on, and link to, good stuff and good people.

"Forty-Nine and a hamma meat"

I had the "Y'oughtta luv" link box up to give folks a taste of what I was listening to, with links to artists' websites. Then, lately, I started playing around with an audio player, and arranging it into the blog. I didn't like the thought of hammering visitors with big cow-punk (on one hand though, that does have it's benefits, occasionally) with the player crankin' automatically and buried at the bottom (where you the visitor can't execute control easily). So, here's something different. Play it if you like, ignore it if you don't. As always, feedback is most welcome.

There won't be any Bruce Springboard, or Chixie Dicks, or Steve Earle. I challenge you to find any duds here. Be advised, though, there may be the occasional NSFW (re: Rebel Son's "1,2,3").

Rock on, dudes.

And don't forget: LAST WEEK TO VOTE FOR KEN!

'Allo, beastie...

Those of you who were still concerned over our global image, can rest assured! Flopping Aces reports that Exurban League has obtained an advance copy of the Great Community Organizer's upcoming speech regarding the recent piracy. This is just a taste. Make sure you go enjoy the whole thing.

The past eight years have shown a failure to appreciate the historic role of these noble seafarers. Instead of celebrating their entreprenuerial spirit and seeking to partner with them to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.

Some of us wonder if our current Overseas Contingency Operation would even be needed had the last administration not been so quick to label Pirates as “thieves,” “terrorists” and worse. Such swashbucklaphobia can lead to tragic results, as we have seen this week.

If you'd have drank their kool-aid, you'd have shut up by now

Andrew Klavan discusses fairness. If you're on the right, watch it. If you're in the middle, or especially if you profess to be in the middle, watch it twice. If you're on the left, well...if you're on the left, it's unlikely you'd come around here, but if you are, then I say speak up. It's an opportunity for you to say something besides "Shut up." Double-dog dare you.



Thanks go to PJTV.

These chains I can no longer abide

I'm fixin' to do something which will most likely have very negative repercussions. By willfully posting this video, I'm admitting that I can't say I wasn't warned.







Henry David Thoreau went to jail for his civil disobediance. I know Thoreau isn't likely to be the kind of company that I should expect to find there, but I'll do my best to make friends and/or dispatch potential enemies.

Here's the alternative that I can support.

Cavuto vs. One Communist

I like the content I get from FOX, but sometimes not so much the "Anchorpersons." I believe they all mean well, but it hurts my ears when it gets to the point of two or more people yelling at each other. Here's what I'd like to see: Some liberal/appeaser/apologist/socialist/American self-loather comes on Hannity, and instead of arguing, this person is hooked up to some voltage wherein every time Sean asks a question that produces an answer somewhat less than candidly genuine or that guest (let's say maybe "thuffering thuccatath" Barney) interrupts or goes off-topic, a producer throws a switch long enough to re-focus that guest's attention.

A patriotic American could only hope.

In the meantime, though, I'll say my favorite has got to be Cavuto.

When someone proposes to give government the control over how much money anyone can make, the next thing for them to do is control how much money everyone can make. This guy is a US Congressman, who has crafted a bill to give the Treasury Dept. the authority to dictate the worth of employees in a company. There's only one word for this program.

Communism.

And just in case you didn't get the memo: Communism is bad.

BRHA Hibriten Mnt. trail ride

These are pix from the weekend horse-riding adventures. This first one is yesterday's "warm-up" ride at Tuff-Enuff Rodeo. The happy couple are neighbor-friends Ted & Wendy, who just celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary. Congrats, you two! The rest of the pix are today's big ride to the top of Hibriten Mountain.

It looks like a lot of like minded folks that had been stuck inside a lot lately, had focussed on getting out this weekend, and what a great day for it. I heard it said there were 88 riders.

The last photo is of the support structure for the Christmas Star, which is visible when lit from the far mountains of the previous picture. If I can get out that way next week, perhaps I can get a shot of the illuminated Easter Cross, for perspective from the far ground. The ramp is for the hang-gliders.

In honor of National Cleavage Day

My dear friend, Creener aka The Fish Camp Barbie, sent me a care package through the US mail which arrived yesterday. She says that her fool-proof method for making new friends is to show her titties, and that I can do this myself, now. Happy Cleavage Day everyone!

Actually, I did not know that it was National Cleavage Day until reading Jenny's report. So, this goes out to Jenny. If my company survives this economic death-spiral (and it ain't looking good), I will hire Jenny and she can come work in my office showing as much cleavage as she damn well pleases. And she can send text messages to her current (then will be former) employer saying, "Nanny nanny poo poo...."

Cheers to Creener, Jenny, and cleavage!

Hillbilly Tarheel Linkage

Quickly, and to the point: I am pleased to announce the latest addition to my blogroll. Lemuel is just up the road in Asheville. Today, you can go visit his blog, Hillbilly White Trash, and watch a very brief video: Mr. Jefferson. When you have done that, you will want to come back here and thank me for having the good common sense to show him the appropriate link-love.

I, myself, am reading through some of his previous posts and finding lots of evidence of a kindred spirit.