In Search of Advice

I had the craziest dream last night. It involved Thailand, a soccer stadium, women on motorcycles, and a motorcycle accident. I know what you’re thinking, but it was nothing kinky. I did come up with a good line (at least for a dream). Someone in the dream was complaining about roaches in the bathroom, and I said to them “I’ve seen roaches bigger than that in my breakfast cereal.”

In a completely unrelated note, I turn to you, dear reader, for a bit of advice. I have gone on 4 dates with someone that I don’t think I’m attracted to. You know, if dreading upcoming dates and trying to find ways to get out of them is “not being attracted to”. It seems like she likes me though. For some reason I’m hesitant to just end things. I think it’s because I feel like maybe I will be really lonely without this person because there are no other prospects, nor are there likely to be any other prospects for the foreseeable future. I guess that’s the definition of “settling”, huh? A little part of me feels shallow too because this girl seems like a nice person but the physical attraction is just not there. Could she grow on me, like a fungus? So, any advice would be appreciated. Should I end things? If so, what’s the best way – ignoring communication, lying about seeing someone else, the truth (I just don’t feel that the spark is there)? I don’t have a lot of experience as the dumper.

Alpha Dog

Wow, everyone must have hated my SPC pic. Do I care? Nope. I'ma keep posting crappy pictures whether anyone likes it or not.

For part of the long Memorial Day weekend I got to once again be the alpha dog. Or pack leader. I was dog sitting for my friend again. I’m sad to report that the pack has been reduced in number by 1. The oldest dog went to the big doghouse in the sky about a month ago. He was 12 years old and had been having some health problems for awhile. I miss the little guy.

My friend told me that she was taking “Bad Dog” with her. A couple of the photos below show why he’s earned this sobriquet. So I was only watching 2 dogs this time. On Monday I kind of followed their lead and decided to just lay around. I vegged out and watched some DVDs I’ve been meaning to get to. It was nice.

Doing what dogs do best - sleeping.

You takin' ma pitcher?

The other thing he does well - licking.

After a hard day's work there's nothing better than plopping on the couch for a nice rest.

The work of "Bad Dog". This is what he does when there are thunderstorms and nobody is home. That's a new door. Note the plastic sheeting applied to it.

Damn, all this sleeping is wearing me out.

Couldn't get comfortable on the couch, better try the bed.

It'll do.

The first time I set foot in this house, this life-sized cutout of The Stooges nearly made me soil my breeches when I saw it unexpectedly in the computer room. In fact, it took about 10 scares before I started remembering that it was there.

SPC - On The Street 5

OK, I'm going back to the small(er) town for this week's photos. I really like the way these doors to 2 different businesses meet in the middle and are at an angle to the street. I also like that the address has a 1/2 on the end of it, it makes me think of Being John Malkovich.

To see others' take on the theme, click here.

About Town

Here are some more outtakes from the SPC shoot this week.

Uh oh, I'm strutting again!

See, there really were other people there!

Dallas has an unusual-looking city hall designed by IM Pei. I think it was in Robocop.

I love this photo because I look so tiny.

Sing It Bob

Today was Bob Dylan's birthday. Normally that would get a fairly minimal reaction from me, as I like some of his work but I wouldn't classify myself as a huge fan. But today I also happened to read the words to one of his songs, and they really resonated with me on a day when an incredibly cowardly and sad decision was made.

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

--Masters of War

Do you know how fucked up it is that this is just as meaningful 44 years after it was originally written? And more than that, that it will be just as relevant in another 44 years?

Yeehaw

Here are some photos I took while I was in downtown Dallas trying to get a shot for SPC.

SPC - On The Street 4

To see others' take on the theme, click here.

JC vs. Mothra

This morning on my way to work I saw a moth commit suicide. Traffic was pretty much at a standstill, and there was a moth fluttering toward the car in front of me. The car slowly started moving, and the moth drifted closer to the side of the car. Suddenly the moth flew into the wheel well of one of the back wheels of the car, and soon I saw a brown smudge cycle by every so often as the car in front of me moved. What could move the poor creature to have done such a thing? I don't know for sure, but I think maybe it's because he heard about the awesome moth party in my back yard last weekend, and he was upset that he missed it.

That's right, moth party in my back yard.

All you can eat!


Just like Golden Corral. Except with fewer senior citizens.


Even upside down moths!



And lots of 'em.



On gutters.

On roofs.

On tacky vinyl siding.

Slurp, slurp.

It was also smorgasbord time for this mockingbird.

Them moths make for good eatin'.

The Mount Everest of moths.

I wanted to try some artsy stuff, here's the original.

Original

Now I'm off to Fort Worth for the day, where I will have absolutely no Infranets access all day. Good times, good times! Oh, and last night I dreamed that I got a new job as a school bus driver. What was that all about?