Notes after a month hiatus:

First, win or lose, aren’t we all glad the elections are over? In Oregon, we were somewhat lucky. We’re not a swing state. Or at least that is what they say. There were very few contested contests in our state. But we were deluged by horrible negative ads for the governor of Washington. From what I can tell they are both total scumbags and their policies will destroy the state. Expect Washington to fall in the ocean sometime in mid January. (And it didn’t matter who won.)

A quick “Thank you” to the citizens of Maine, Maryland and Washington for approving same-sex marriage, and to Minnesotans for not codifying hatred of gays in their state constitution. It warmed my cockles.

I am 56 years old today. Ugly, I know. What happened to that young dude who had the world as his platter?

I read an article online the other day about how people who look old are more likely to have a heart attack. So I looked closely in the mirror. Damn near had a heart attack just from doing that. Of course people who look old are more likely to have a heart attack. Heart attacks are a function of old age. The stuff they pass as journalism these days!

And then there is the Ducks. OMG!

Thirteen wins in a row: a school record. Thirteen wins in a row: best in NCAA Division 1A football. Today they are ranked #1 in the AP poll. Talk about warm cockles!

And you are all prepared for the Fête du Bon Père (Grand- Père) aren’t you? Have you harvested the Candy Corn?

Ciao!

Cotton

2nd Anniversary. Cotton. I don't get it.

Should I send a bag of cotton balls or a bolt of cotton fabric.

So confused.

Happy Anniversary, Shannon & John!

A brief synopsis of my take on life!

Thank you, Bill Watterson!

Notes from the Sibling Call: September 30th, 2012

6:00PM PDT: the call started precisely on schedule. There were no unfortunate disconnects, no misdials and no tacky interruptions.

The general tone of the call was convivial. Other than that one expletive infested tirade, and everyone accepted the heartfelt apology afterwards, the conversation was one of sincere camaraderie. The normal nitpicking and sarcastic comments were oddly missing.

A number of critical issues were resolved with no objections.

The first proposition, entitled the “Right of Ascension Declaration Amendment”, stated that Mac, who was crowned ‘King of the Cornelison Nut House’ long ago, would accept the change in his designation to ‘Secretary-General, Chief Executive Officer, Grand Poobah, All Exulted Ruler and Tsar for Life of the Cornelison Nut House’. It was accepted without revision.

The second proposition, named the “Twelve-Twelve-Twelve Welcoming Committee” was also accepted without dissention. It stated, for obvious reasons, that Trudy and Jane would be the sole members of that committee. After the proposition itself passed, there was a lively debate about the appropriate greeting for the ‘Secretary-General, Chief Executive Officer, Grand Poobah, All Exulted Ruler and Tsar for Life of the Cornelison Nut House’. Some thought a limo at the airport would suffice. Others felt that a parade, led by nude male dancers with the ‘Secretary-General, Chief Executive Officer, Grand Poobah, All Exulted Ruler and Tsar for Life of the Cornelison Nut House’ in the Pope-mobile was perhaps more appropriate. This is the point where the somewhat spicy harangue ensued. Discussion on that detail was closed for this call, promised to be brought up in a future sibling call, when more reasonable voices could be heard.

The third proposition, the “Charitable Trust Initiative” passed after a passionately plea from one of the siblings. Apparently, somewhere in this world, there is a mobility challenged St. Bernard with desperate needs. It was agreed that we would all send 1% of our net worth to a charity that we would establish to help said Saint. I think it is safe to say that by the end of that portion of the conversation, all siblings were all in tears. It took a few moments for the sobbing to subside. I hope everyone wrote down the address of where to send the checks.

After those key issues, the conversation lowered to its normal base of criticizing the next generation, one sister’s fashion choices and the overall greatness of the clan as a whole. (Note: Two gross exceptions were noted to the overall greatness of the clan.)

At 7:00PM PDT precisely, the call ended.

Respectfully submitted.

The Bulldog Update!

UMD and Oregon are on the same projectory! The Bulldogs and the Ducks are both 4-0! And they are both ranked #2 in the nation in their respective polls.

Are there fates intertwined?

A little known tidbit!

On this date in 1957, World War I officially ended. I know, you’re all thinking, “What about November 11th, 1918? I thought that is when the ‘War to End All Wars’ ended.

All I can say is, “Pathetically naïve!”

In August of 1914, Andorra declared war on Germany. We’ve all read in the history books about the mighty Andorran army marching through the Ruhr, causing destruction and devastation. We’d all be speaking German now, if it weren’t for the strength of the Andorran forces. World War I superpower: Andorra the Great!

I can’t have been the only one who wondered about the Andorran army’s excursions in the 1950. I’m sure you all remember the incident at Baden Baden, when the Andorran commandoes splashed water in the bathers faces. It was an atrocity!

It turns out, Andorra was “forgotten” when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. So, although they never actually fought in World War I, they didn’t end the war until 1957.

(I lied about the Andorran army marching through the Ruhr. It just seemed funny! And the massacre at Baden Baden never happened, either.)

'Tis that time of year!

Happy Autumnal Equinox to you all!

Photo lifted from "The Epoch Times."

(No virgins were sacrificed in the making of this post!)