Wonderful Alan Grayson Videos

This guy makes me laugh. A lot. Still a socialist, but at least a very funny one. Pain inflicted on beaurocrats is good, even if it comes from other beaurocrats.

More funniness.

The Peter Pan Dude's Fashion Pages - I laughed till I cried.

The old Sears catalog, with commentary. - As far as I know, the funniest thing ever.

Part II.

Olan Mills Photos, with commentary.

Funny things.

Fred Reed on the truth about Mexico.

Mencken's Translation of the Declaration of Independence for Americans.

North's Declaration of Independence for public schools.

"The best way to destroy the public's memory of an important event is to make it into an American national holiday. Every Christmas, Americans celebrate the arrival of a bearded, red-suited Communist who looks suspiciously like Karl Marx, and who gives presents to everyone, irrespective of race, color, creed, or national origin. Parents tell their children that only good little boys and girls are so rewarded, but the kids catch on fast: they're going to get some of the loot, no matter what. Also, they never think that their share of the booty is fair. This prepares them to be voters." (North)

Ali G learns economics.

I'm sure he knows more than the entire board of governors of the Federal Reserve put together.

Finished!

I finally finished coating my roof this morning. It was a huge job, but it looks as though it will be well worth it. The product from Tucson Rubberized Coatings is supposed to be the best, and I should never have to replace my roof. Good. It consists of two coats of black emulsion coating, and then two coats of white reflective coating. The first coats of both go on very hard and take a long time. The first day I started at about 5 AM. At about 7 AM my friend Matt joined me, which saved my life, because the two of us didn't finish the first coat until 11 AM. He also helped with the second coat the next day, which went on much easier. After that, I did some touch up, and then did half a coat at a time by myself, because sadly Matt went back to Ireland. The last half coat I procrastinated on for about a week, but finally did the deed, and it looks pretty good! I think we are going to get about 5-7 degrees cooler, which is what I was hoping for.

Most of all, thanks to Matt, without whose help I would not have gotten this done!!!

Promotion!

This past Saturday, May 23, at the Debrazil BJJ/Rey Diogo seminar, I received my blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from my instructor Martin Escobar and Rey Diogo, fourth degree black belt under Grandmaster Carlson Gracie. I first started training BJJ in the fall of 2001 in Orono, Maine, and started training under Martin at Debrazil Academy in Fall 2003 when I first came to the U of A. I took about 2 1/2 years off when I got married, but started training again in October 2007.

Martin received his black belt from Rey Diogo in 2004, and our academy represents the Rey Diogo/Carlson Gracie Competition Team at tournaments. In March this year, Martin and Rey were Pan-American champions in their divisions, and the Carlson Gracie Team placed second overall. Debrazil Academy sent about ten competitors to the Pan-Ams this year, and almost everyone returned with one or more medals. Martin provides first rate instruction, and is strongly committed to the development of his students. It is a great privilege to train under him, and I look forward to at least two more years of training and competition at Debrazil. Martin says that the blue belt is probably the hardest to earn; it has taken me eight years off and on, and for me it is one of the most important achievements of my entire life. Thanks Martin, Rey, and all my training partners at Debrazil!!!

Parents!!!

We have been given a baby. Praise the Lord!!! The baby is about an inch long now, and Lis is just starting to look a little pregnant, and looks as pretty as always. She is feeling pretty good, but gets nauseous in the evenings and driving (so it is probably for the best that we are not trying to go to San Carlos with our friends for the holiday weekend). The baby is due December 6, which should make for an interesting holiday season.

2009 Irises

It is not exaggerating to say that our experiment with irises in Tucson had, before this spring, been a major disappointment. But this year they are delightful, and we are very pleased that these few survived and now seem to be prospering! Also note our beautiful little prickly pear flower.