To all of my francophile readers, I am deeply sorry I missed Bastille Day (July 14th); and to all my readers, if you have thus far missed the Rush song of the same title, I am deeply sorry for you. Neil Peart recounted the storming of the Bastille, and as scholars are constantly comparing the American Revolution with the French Revolution every American should listen to the awesomeness created by the Canadian trio.
On a related note, today (Friday) was free fry-day at all area restaurants that use Lamb Weston french fries. Lamb Weston-the #1 french fry producer in the United States-is this year's major sponsor for the annual unlimited hydroplane race this weekend (Columbia Cup-on the regular ABRA circuit since 1966), and they wanted everyone to experience their delectable fries.
Today (July 24th) was also (for Salt Lake City and Mormons everywhere) Pioneer Day. I still don't understand why people outside Salt Lake Valley celebrate this holiday-but here we are. We had a family friendly party in my stake-there was a dunk tank, a ring toss, face painting, a craft center, gunny sack races, horse-drawn trolley rides, a brass band, a 60's cover band, a stick pull, and of course dinner.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Signs
Tesla not only brought us the AC half of the legendary AC/DC, he also brought us a plethora of great blues metal songs, my title being one of them (actually a cover by Canadian rockers Five Man Electrical band). The lyrics are an obvious social comment on exclusionism and discrimination, inherent in many signs which direct not only traffic but behavior. In my travels this summer (not with Charley) I've see many signs, but none as good as the three signs below.
In Oregon I saw a beut-a road sign directing traffic to take this on ramp toward Roberts, ID, and Butte, MT. The sign read "Roberts Butte." Of course my demonic little mind immediately saw (this way to) Robert's Butt; and if local teenagers don't vandalize that sign at least every few months, they are not doing their job.
Another great one I spotted was on a turnabout on the way to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park; the sign warned would be micturaters that there was "No Peeing Here." So we waited until we got to the next turnabout and took care of business. (My dad actually found this one first and pointed it out-glad he still recognizes humor).
The final sign I found here in good ol' West Richland. On a pasture gate was a small sign, "No Sign Posting Allowed.," a sign denouncing signs. Les Emmerson would be proud.
In Oregon I saw a beut-a road sign directing traffic to take this on ramp toward Roberts, ID, and Butte, MT. The sign read "Roberts Butte." Of course my demonic little mind immediately saw (this way to) Robert's Butt; and if local teenagers don't vandalize that sign at least every few months, they are not doing their job.
Another great one I spotted was on a turnabout on the way to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park; the sign warned would be micturaters that there was "No Peeing Here." So we waited until we got to the next turnabout and took care of business. (My dad actually found this one first and pointed it out-glad he still recognizes humor).
The final sign I found here in good ol' West Richland. On a pasture gate was a small sign, "No Sign Posting Allowed.," a sign denouncing signs. Les Emmerson would be proud.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Hot Dog
I spent my first 4th of July in Oregon in Medford last weekend with my uncle's family and friends. We went to the parade, had a BBQ, went swimming, and (of course) watched the fireworks. It was a lot of fun, even though the exhibitionist didn't show up in the parade this year.
Only a few days ago (July 4th in fact) Joey Chestnut successfully defended his title at Coney Island in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest by eating 68 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes, a new world record. From 2001-2006 the title was embarrassingly held by Takeru Kobayashi, a 5'8" 168 lbs. Japanese man (nothing against the Japanese, but this record should always be held by an American). In 2007 Chestnut brought the title and with it pride back to the fatest nation in the world by dispatching Kobayashi. He currently holds 19 world records in his sport (kiss his butt Micheal Phepls) and he also completed the gallon challenge in 41 seconds-how is that even possible? The I.F.O.C.E. (International Federation of Competitive Eating) who ranks Chestnut as the #1 competitive eater in the world says that Chestnut "is truly an American hero and a national treasure," my sentiments exactly.
I hope by now that most of you know of my natural hatred for country music. I want you to know that I don't necessarily hate the artists, I hate the style and presentation. Take this blog title; if Tim McGraw got a hold of it, he would suck all goodness out of it and spit the proverbial pit of putrescence back onto the road to somewhere (not the road to nowhere-that leads to the Ozzman). Jimmy Page and Robert Plant co-wrote that song and these lyrics from it:
"I thought I had it all sewn up
Our love, a plot, our pick-up truck..."
Sounds like country music doesn't it? The song is about how a guy went to Texas, got a girlfriend, and she left him; vintage country. However the vocals and music are performed by Led Zeppelin and is most definitely rock. It is on one of my favorite albums 'In Through the Out Door.' Yea for hot dogs, overeating, and all things American!
Only a few days ago (July 4th in fact) Joey Chestnut successfully defended his title at Coney Island in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest by eating 68 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes, a new world record. From 2001-2006 the title was embarrassingly held by Takeru Kobayashi, a 5'8" 168 lbs. Japanese man (nothing against the Japanese, but this record should always be held by an American). In 2007 Chestnut brought the title and with it pride back to the fatest nation in the world by dispatching Kobayashi. He currently holds 19 world records in his sport (kiss his butt Micheal Phepls) and he also completed the gallon challenge in 41 seconds-how is that even possible? The I.F.O.C.E. (International Federation of Competitive Eating) who ranks Chestnut as the #1 competitive eater in the world says that Chestnut "is truly an American hero and a national treasure," my sentiments exactly.
I hope by now that most of you know of my natural hatred for country music. I want you to know that I don't necessarily hate the artists, I hate the style and presentation. Take this blog title; if Tim McGraw got a hold of it, he would suck all goodness out of it and spit the proverbial pit of putrescence back onto the road to somewhere (not the road to nowhere-that leads to the Ozzman). Jimmy Page and Robert Plant co-wrote that song and these lyrics from it:
"I thought I had it all sewn up
Our love, a plot, our pick-up truck..."
Sounds like country music doesn't it? The song is about how a guy went to Texas, got a girlfriend, and she left him; vintage country. However the vocals and music are performed by Led Zeppelin and is most definitely rock. It is on one of my favorite albums 'In Through the Out Door.' Yea for hot dogs, overeating, and all things American!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Star Spengled Banner
As the sun rose majestically over the horizon on the last morning of Woodstock, Jimi was on stage reminding all the druggies and sex fiends that they lived in the best country in the world. If you've never heard his live version of our national anthem, played that morning, then you must find a copy of it and listen to it on or before the 4th of July.
I experienced the above on the best Independence Day of my young life. We were camped out for the parade across the street from BYU's closest thing to a frat house, "Awesome City." One of the (let's call them pledges) climbed up on the roof and just as the daylight was breaking he performed a passable rendition of the Hendrick's performance. What a way to celebrate America! Here's to the good ol' U.S.A. I wish everyone the greatest day of independence ever!
Just so you know, I know it's not the 4th yet, but I will be at my Uncle Cory's in Oregon on the 4th and unable to post then. So even though Noddy Holder and Jim Lea wrote "weer all crazee now," at least I have retained my sanity for the time being.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
