Some new pictures up on my Flickr site. Look at them if you want. Or don’t. Whatever.
April 2007
Monthly Archive
April 30, 2007
April 20, 2007
As my “New Every Two” has come due with Verizon, I am currently in the market for a new cellphone, probably a smartphone. I’m trying to decide between the enV, a Treo, the Motorola Q, or maybe a Blackberry. Anyone have any personal experience with any of the phones I mentioned?
April 19, 2007
Just some words from a few fairly respected fellows.
Posted by mortonmalaise under Uncategorized[5] Comments
I’m pretty damn scared of the way things in this country are going. Bush is a few bad decisions from naming himself chancellor, burning the Capitol to the ground, and putting up a ton of flags with a symbol he has stolen and changed the meaning of, a la the swastika.
Something to sink your teeth into…
“If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions.”- Thomas Jefferson
“A society that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both, and deserve neither.”- Thomas Jefferson or Ben Franklin (originator disputed)
“Being reactive, waiting for a crime to be committed or waiting for evidence of commission of a crime didn’t seem to be an appropriate way to protect the American people.”- John Ashcroft
April 18, 2007
Once again, I want to thank Bill and PeoriaIllinoisan for helping me get videos up…These are the first two of many that I felt needed to be seen. The first is FAR more important than the second and the third. However, the words of the second- and by definition the third- echo the words of the first in more ways than 2007 America is ready to admit.
As powerful and important as this speech is, it amazes me how few people have actually heard it. This is the “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King. Please, no matter where your political affiliations may fall, listen. The things Dr. King has to say don’t apply simply to race, but to the state of human existence.
Most people from my generation know “Ghost of Tom Joad” as a Rage Against the Machine song. It’s a powerful song from the mouth of Zach de la Rocha, but Bruce Springsteen did it first. I give you both versions, but first the end scene of the movie “Grapes of Wrath”, based on Steinbeck’s novel. They say the best works of literature are timeless. Judge for yourself.
Some people may think it wrong to put “I Have a Dream” and “Ghost of Tom Joad” in the same post. I think there’s a lot to be said for putting them together. I would like to think John Steinbeck would say the same.
April 18, 2007
A trial video run for me, a little KMFDM for everyone…
Posted by mortonmalaise under UncategorizedNo Comments
This is KMFDM, one of a few of my favorite bands. The title of the song is “A Drug Against War”. Enjoy.
A hat tip to Peoria Illinoisan and the Peoria Pundit for the help getting videos on my blog.
April 11, 2007
This is all still sort of surreal.
From the M&L Newsletter:
For “The Markley & Luciano Show,” size matters.
Small size.
This Friday, 1470 WMBD-AM’s No. 1 drive-time radio program kicks off The World’s Smallest Parade. The fabulous procession, led by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, will celebrate opening day for the Peoria Chiefs. And the public is invited to join the fun in this
family-friendly promenade.
Forget about the old and lame likes of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day
Parade and the Tournament of Roses. The new hotness is The World’s Smallest Parade.
After all, it’s not the size of dog in the fight; it’s the size of the
fight in the dog. As of Friday, those big parade dogs will be put to
shame by a lowly chihuahua — a dangerous, deadly chihuahua known as “The Markley & Luciano Show World’s Smallest Parade.”
The shenanigans begin at 4:30 p.m. at Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 619 SW Water St. Friends of show can enjoy a root beer (or whatever) while “The Markley & Luciano Show” broadcasts its popular Cannonball Friday feature at Kelleher’s from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Giveaways include tickets for the opening-night Chief game, plus door prizes from Brewers Distributing, sponsor of the Clydesdales.
At 5:30 p.m., Markley & Luciano will lead participants on a grand march to O’Brien Field. Shortly before 6 p.m. at Oak Street, just behind the Chief’s box office, the parade will begin a jaunt around the ballpark.
Leading the parade will be a hitch drawn by majestic Budweiser
Clydesdales. At the hind end (appropriately enough) will be Markley & Luciano, poised in a Pontiac Trans Am with T-tops. Between them will be other merry-makers, including a marching band. The public is invited to join the parade.
When the parade finishes its regal trek, Chiefs manager and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg will alight the hitch, joined by Peoria baseball icon Pete Vonachen. The hitch will then enter the field from the bleachers and take a solo jaunt around the grounds.
Don’t be left out. Help launch the Chiefs season with “The Markley &
Luciano Show World’s Smallest Parade.”
Tip of the hat to Brandon for forwarding the newsletter.
There’s your damn hat tip. Whiner.
April 10, 2007
For those of you that weren’t listening to the Markley and Luciano show this afternoon, the “parade” has come to fruition. Anyone who wants to be part of it should meet at Kelleher’s between 430 and 545 Friday afternoon. M&L will be cutting their Cannonball Friday show short for this very, very special event. Around 10 minutes ’til 5, the parade will leave Kelleher’s and make its way to the stadium. Once we reach the stadium, the Clydesdales will make two laps around the stadium. There will be a Trans Am and b-b-b-b-balloons. Look for the drunk guys in the t-shirts that say “Cannonball!!!!” on them.
Hat tip to Unkle Sean and Markley and Luciano for making this spectacular event possible. Where would you be without the heroes, Peoria?
As dumb as this all may sound, I guarantee it’s going to be a lot of fun. I really hope we have more than 5 people show up. If not, well, that’s more beer for us.
April 8, 2007
I started uploading some of my pictures onto Flickr. There are only about 15 right now, but I plan on putting quite a bit more up. You can find it here.
April 6, 2007
Mayor Ardis. He’s down with the Cannonball.
Posted by mortonmalaise under Uncategorized[4] Comments
A friend of mine sent an email to Mayor Ardis this morning, and Mayor Ardis replied in a rather amusing manner. See below:
(Name omitted),
I’ll be glad to help. City Hall is closed today, but touch bases with our Communications Director Alma Brown on Monday and she can put you in touch with the different people you’ll need to talk to about parade permits, etc.
Alma’s direct line is 494-8554. I wish I could make the game that night, but I have a previous commitment. Even die-hard Cardinal fans like me are excited about having Ryne Sandberg managing the Chiefs this year and look forward to a great season.
Cannonball !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ja
Jim Ardis wrote:
Attached is an email forwarded from your City of Peoria account.Subject:
City Suggestion Regarding Peoria Chiefs – Opening Day – Friday, April 13,
2007
To: ********
CC: *********
From: (name omitted)
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2007 09:52:28 -0400
Good Friday Morning Greetings Mayor Ardis!
I am greatly looking forward to the Peoria Chiefs home opener on Friday, April 13th and the introduction of Manager Ryne Sandberg to Peoria! It sounds like it’s going to be an exciting evening of Chiefs baseball full of wonderful extras for the fans and our great city. I plan to be one of the many that come out to O’brien Field to pack the house!
It’s not often that a team guarantees a win with the promise of free admission should they lose. I am hoping for some pleasant Spring weather and a home victory. I am sure that they will go all out with the post-game fireworks display as well and I always love the opportunity to see the Peoria skyline lit up in such a celebratory fashion!
It has also been brought to my attention that the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses will be present to help launch their 25th anniversary season. Great idea! I couldn’t help but think that this might be an excellent opportunity for the city to get together via some sort of community event .
. like say . . .maybe a PARADE!
Everyone loves a parade, especially one with Clydesdale Horses! What better way to kick of this fantastic event then to have these colossal creatures lead our community down to our grand stadium?! As a proud citizen of Peoria, I can think of none.
We would, of course, also need some exceptional and upstanding community figureheads to represent our wonderful city in the parade (maybe they could actually RIDE the Clydesdales!!!! – I’m sure that there is a permit that is easily obtained?!) and the thought occurred, “What better representatives could we find for the City of Peoria then the endearing Markley & Luciaino?!” Though often modest and diffident, I am sure that if asked, this winning pair would willingly rise to the occasion and join their merry Cannonball festivities with this brilliant event!
So, I just thought that I would quickly email you this morning, as our fine City representative, with the suggestion, as I am sure that such an event would take a great deal of City planning. Any thoughts or feedback that you might have regarding such a happening would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Mayor Ardis, for your commitment and devotion to the people of Peoria! Your hard work and dedication are greatly appreciated.
Have a great morning and a Happy Easter!
Cannonballingly yours,
“Unkle” (Name omitted)
Peoria, Illinois
Update: This is escalating really quickly.
Update #2: How much can a parade permit cost, anyway?
Update #3: Markley and Luciano opened their show by reading the emails above. Freaking priceless.
Update #X: This whole parade thing is coming together. Please listen to the M&L podcast from Friday April 6th. Luciano is going to ride a very large draft horse. This shit is GOING DOWN!!!
April 5, 2007
In the Dominican Republic, they make Mojitos with Bitters in them. Has anyone EVER heard of putting Bitters in a Mojito? If you haven’t tried it, I DON’T recommend it. It tastes absolutely terrible. I was hoping to finally enjoy a good Mojito served in the region from which they originated. So much for that.