Until further notice, please direct your attention to My Travel Blog until I return from Ireland.
Cheers!
Brian
Friday, March 26, 2004
Monday, March 22, 2004
Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. Grandma Emily's death kept me away from the blog, and the little time I've had to write I've directed towards my play, or my other blog, in preparation for my trip. I'll try and post a few things this week, but I also have Parent-Teacher Conferences this week, so if I were you I'd read more of
Wandering Aengus for the next week or so.
Wandering Aengus for the next week or so.
Sunday, March 14, 2004
No talk of politics or sports today...my step-grandmother died a few hours ago. She had pancreatic cancer, but that's not what ended her life. Pneumonia and a weakened heart...
Her name was Emily, and she was a wonderful person. I didn't grow up with her as my grandmother, but knew her in my early adult life. Her husband John and she welcomed my sister and I into her family very readily, and always had an extra seat at the table during the holidays. She was a die-hard Cub fan and hated that the last months of her life were going to be spent in an assisted living home.
The other night at the hospital, while we all sat around her talking to her (even though she couldn't really answer), John and I were talking. He was talking about how at the residence they lived in, there was a 5-1 ratio of women to men. I said that yeah, I have that too at my job. (I'm an elementary school teacher.)
Then he said, "Yeah, but at least yours can stand up straight!"
I thought it was pretty funny. Not exactly a euology for Emily, but a funny story from the Martens clan.
I'm off to dinner with them, where I'm sure we'll all sit around and eat and drink wine and make plans.
I will think of Emily on Opening Day, and every Cub game I watch this year.
Her name was Emily, and she was a wonderful person. I didn't grow up with her as my grandmother, but knew her in my early adult life. Her husband John and she welcomed my sister and I into her family very readily, and always had an extra seat at the table during the holidays. She was a die-hard Cub fan and hated that the last months of her life were going to be spent in an assisted living home.
The other night at the hospital, while we all sat around her talking to her (even though she couldn't really answer), John and I were talking. He was talking about how at the residence they lived in, there was a 5-1 ratio of women to men. I said that yeah, I have that too at my job. (I'm an elementary school teacher.)
Then he said, "Yeah, but at least yours can stand up straight!"
I thought it was pretty funny. Not exactly a euology for Emily, but a funny story from the Martens clan.
I'm off to dinner with them, where I'm sure we'll all sit around and eat and drink wine and make plans.
I will think of Emily on Opening Day, and every Cub game I watch this year.
A nice email forward that I received the other day from my boy Haas. It's nice to see all of this grouped together.
How in the hell did this guy ever get elected...
George W. Bush
>
>The White House, USA
>
>
>
>LAW ENFORCEMENT:
>
>I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the
>
>influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's
>
>license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been "lost" and
>
>is not available.
>
>
>MILITARY:
>
>I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I refused to take a
>
>drug test or answer any questions about my drug use. By joining the Texas
>
>Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam.
>
>
>COLLEGE:
>
>I graduated from Yale University with a low C- average. I was a
>
>cheerleader.
>
>
>PAST WORK EXPERIENCE:
>
>I ran for U.S. Congress and lost.
>
>I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas, in 1975.
>
>I bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas. The company
>
>went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.
>
>I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took
>
>land using taxpayer money.
>
>With the help of my father and our friends in the oil industry (including
>
>Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected governor of Texas.
>
>
>ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS:
>
>I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making
>
>Texas the most polluted state in the Union.
>
>During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city
>
>in America.
>
>I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in
>
>borrowed money.
>
>I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American
>
>history.
>
>With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida, and my father's
>
>appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by
>
>over 500,000 votes.
>
>
>ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:
>
>I am the first President in U.S. history to enter office with a criminal
>
>record.
>
>I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one
>
>billion dollars per week.
>
>I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S.Treasury.
>
>I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. history.
>
>I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any
>
>12-month period.
>
>I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.
>
>In my first year in office, over 2 million Americans lost their jobs.
>
>I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any
>
>administration in U.S. history.
>
>My "poorest millionaire," Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named
>
>after her.
>
>I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S.President.
>
>I am the all-time U.S. and world record-holder for receiving the most
>
>corporate campaign donations. My largest lifetime campaign contributor,
>
>and one of my best friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest
>
>corporate bankruptcy fraud in U.S.history, Enron.
>
>My political party used Enron private jets and corporate attorneys to
>
>assure my success with the U.S. Supreme Court during my election decision.
>
>I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation
>
>or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica
>
>Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest
>
>corporate rip-offs in history.
>
>I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and refused to
>
>intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.
>
>I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded
>
>government contracts.
>
>I appointed more convicted criminals to my administration than any
>
>President in U.S. history.
>
>I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy in the
>
>history of the United States government.
>
>I've broken more international treaties than any President in U.S.history.
>
>I am the first President in U.S. history to have the United Nations remove
>
>the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.
>
>I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.
>
>I refused to allow inspectors access to U.S. "prisoners of war" detainees
>
>and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.
>
>I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations election
>
>inspectors (during the 2002 U.S. election).
>
>I set the record for the least number of press conferences of any President
>
>since the advent of television.
>
>I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one-year period.
>
>
>After taking off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst
>
>security failure in U.S. history.
>
>I garnered the most sympathy for the U.S. after the World Trade Center
>
>attacks, and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated country
>
>in the world.
>
>I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously
>
>protest me in public venues (15 million people), shattering the record
>
>for protest against any person in the history of mankind.
>
>I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked,
>
>pre-emptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation. I did
>
>so
>
>against the will of the United Nations, millions of U.S. citizens, and much
>
>of the world community.
>
>I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty
>
>benefits for active duty troops and their families -- in wartime.
>
>In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking
>
>Iraq, then blamed the lies on our British friends.
>
>I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%)
>
>view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.
>
>I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," a WMD.
>
>
>
>
>RECORDS AND REFERENCES:
>
>All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father's
>
>library, sealed and unavailable for public view.
>
>All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my bankrupt
>
>companies a! re sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.
>
>All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President attended
>
>regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for
>
>public review.
>
>
>PLEASE CONSIDER MY EXPERIENCE WHEN VOTING IN 2004.
How in the hell did this guy ever get elected...
George W. Bush
>
>The White House, USA
>
>
>
>LAW ENFORCEMENT:
>
>I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the
>
>influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's
>
>license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been "lost" and
>
>is not available.
>
>
>MILITARY:
>
>I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I refused to take a
>
>drug test or answer any questions about my drug use. By joining the Texas
>
>Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam.
>
>
>COLLEGE:
>
>I graduated from Yale University with a low C- average. I was a
>
>cheerleader.
>
>
>PAST WORK EXPERIENCE:
>
>I ran for U.S. Congress and lost.
>
>I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas, in 1975.
>
>I bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas. The company
>
>went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.
>
>I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took
>
>land using taxpayer money.
>
>With the help of my father and our friends in the oil industry (including
>
>Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected governor of Texas.
>
>
>ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS:
>
>I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making
>
>Texas the most polluted state in the Union.
>
>During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city
>
>in America.
>
>I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in
>
>borrowed money.
>
>I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American
>
>history.
>
>With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida, and my father's
>
>appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by
>
>over 500,000 votes.
>
>
>ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:
>
>I am the first President in U.S. history to enter office with a criminal
>
>record.
>
>I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one
>
>billion dollars per week.
>
>I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S.Treasury.
>
>I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. history.
>
>I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any
>
>12-month period.
>
>I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.
>
>In my first year in office, over 2 million Americans lost their jobs.
>
>I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any
>
>administration in U.S. history.
>
>My "poorest millionaire," Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named
>
>after her.
>
>I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S.President.
>
>I am the all-time U.S. and world record-holder for receiving the most
>
>corporate campaign donations. My largest lifetime campaign contributor,
>
>and one of my best friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest
>
>corporate bankruptcy fraud in U.S.history, Enron.
>
>My political party used Enron private jets and corporate attorneys to
>
>assure my success with the U.S. Supreme Court during my election decision.
>
>I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation
>
>or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica
>
>Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest
>
>corporate rip-offs in history.
>
>I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and refused to
>
>intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.
>
>I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded
>
>government contracts.
>
>I appointed more convicted criminals to my administration than any
>
>President in U.S. history.
>
>I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy in the
>
>history of the United States government.
>
>I've broken more international treaties than any President in U.S.history.
>
>I am the first President in U.S. history to have the United Nations remove
>
>the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.
>
>I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.
>
>I refused to allow inspectors access to U.S. "prisoners of war" detainees
>
>and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.
>
>I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations election
>
>inspectors (during the 2002 U.S. election).
>
>I set the record for the least number of press conferences of any President
>
>since the advent of television.
>
>I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one-year period.
>
>
>After taking off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst
>
>security failure in U.S. history.
>
>I garnered the most sympathy for the U.S. after the World Trade Center
>
>attacks, and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated country
>
>in the world.
>
>I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously
>
>protest me in public venues (15 million people), shattering the record
>
>for protest against any person in the history of mankind.
>
>I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked,
>
>pre-emptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation. I did
>
>so
>
>against the will of the United Nations, millions of U.S. citizens, and much
>
>of the world community.
>
>I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty
>
>benefits for active duty troops and their families -- in wartime.
>
>In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking
>
>Iraq, then blamed the lies on our British friends.
>
>I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%)
>
>view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.
>
>I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," a WMD.
>
>
>
>
>RECORDS AND REFERENCES:
>
>All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father's
>
>library, sealed and unavailable for public view.
>
>All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my bankrupt
>
>companies a! re sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.
>
>All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President attended
>
>regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for
>
>public review.
>
>
>PLEASE CONSIDER MY EXPERIENCE WHEN VOTING IN 2004.
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Just created a new blog for travel purposes. Before I take off to Ireland, you can read about my previous travels by clicking the
My Travel Blog
link.
My Travel Blog
link.
Updated my blog a bit. Lots of new pictures at the now-available My Buzznet pictures, and I added plenty of links. These are the blogs that got me to blog, for whatever's that worth. Thanks to Bunny, Tony, Raymi, Kristen, and Mark for the entertaining reads every day.
I don't have much to say for myself right now. In two weeks I'll be in Galway, Ireland sipping pints and writing my ass off. I have to get a play finished by June 1st, and I haven't written a single line of dialogue. Just a notebook full of strange ideas and comments like, "Gay guy should be assistant manager."
I don't have much to say for myself right now. In two weeks I'll be in Galway, Ireland sipping pints and writing my ass off. I have to get a play finished by June 1st, and I haven't written a single line of dialogue. Just a notebook full of strange ideas and comments like, "Gay guy should be assistant manager."
I'm going to let my sister do the talking today. She just returned from a trip to California and had an interesting celebrity story to tell.
"Hello to you all. Okay...I'm making a declaration right now that I will attempt in every way possible not to be such a slacker when it comes to this website. Sometimes it's hard to work on the computer because as soon as I get on it, Cameron comes scurrying in (like she did just now) and hovers over me saying, "When you're all done, can I do Barbie.com?".
Okay...so over the weekend Jason and I went to San Diego and Mom and Grandma came down to stay with the girls. Let me preface a little bit by giving you the background to this next story I'm about to tell you. Jason's Dad has a bike group called "The Sore Buns" and he and the five guys came out to LA last year on a bike trip. One of the guys in the group, Jack, used to be Jim Belushi's teacher in high school and was his real inspiration to get into acting. If you read his biography online it makes reference of Jack so he means a great deal to Jim. Anyways, Jim Belushi had the guys over to his house and they went riding together, etc. etc. So, this year he invited them to attend a taping of his show and meet the cast afterwards and it just so happened to be the same weekend Jason and I would be in San Diego. We drove up to LA on Friday and met them. We were able to park on the lot and had first row seats at the taping...real VIP treatment. It was incredible! When things got started the MC came out and introduced the cast. When Jim Belushi and Larry Joe Campbell (the guys who plays his brother-in-law) came out they pointed to me and said, "stand up...we want to talk to you.". So I stood there for about ten minutes while they asked me a series of questions like, "where are you from", "what do you do", "why are you here", etc.etc. Of course I told him I grew up in a small town called Sandwich and that I attended COD for two years (as did he). He laughed when he found out I was from Sandwich, having heard of it himself! So, they pulled out their harmonicas and started to make up this improvisational song about me. It was hysterical! The whole experience was so surreal that I can hardly remember what they said during the song. You all know I was loving every minute of it!
After the taping was finished we were led down to the set by Jim's assistant. It was unbelievable because they let us go wherever we wanted to. I was so excited when Kimberly Williams-Paisley came out and even more excited when Brad Paisley came walking out right behind her. I chatted with her for a bit and got pictures with her. She's very sweet. Jim Belushi came out and talked to us for about an hour. What an incredibly gracious guy. I will be a forever fan of his for doing this for us. The whole experience was something I'll never forget. He had this huge bucket of beer for us and we sat on the couch that they use on the show and drank beers and talked. It ws incredible! Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Just sitting there listening to him talk about John and what a screw-up he was in school and that he flunked out of college like three times I kept thinking, "Oh my gosh...I can't believe I'm sitting here right now talking to Jim Belushi about his legendary brother, John. This is so weird!!".
What a great night and definitely one I will never ever forget!"
Pics on My Buzznet site.
"Hello to you all. Okay...I'm making a declaration right now that I will attempt in every way possible not to be such a slacker when it comes to this website. Sometimes it's hard to work on the computer because as soon as I get on it, Cameron comes scurrying in (like she did just now) and hovers over me saying, "When you're all done, can I do Barbie.com?".
Okay...so over the weekend Jason and I went to San Diego and Mom and Grandma came down to stay with the girls. Let me preface a little bit by giving you the background to this next story I'm about to tell you. Jason's Dad has a bike group called "The Sore Buns" and he and the five guys came out to LA last year on a bike trip. One of the guys in the group, Jack, used to be Jim Belushi's teacher in high school and was his real inspiration to get into acting. If you read his biography online it makes reference of Jack so he means a great deal to Jim. Anyways, Jim Belushi had the guys over to his house and they went riding together, etc. etc. So, this year he invited them to attend a taping of his show and meet the cast afterwards and it just so happened to be the same weekend Jason and I would be in San Diego. We drove up to LA on Friday and met them. We were able to park on the lot and had first row seats at the taping...real VIP treatment. It was incredible! When things got started the MC came out and introduced the cast. When Jim Belushi and Larry Joe Campbell (the guys who plays his brother-in-law) came out they pointed to me and said, "stand up...we want to talk to you.". So I stood there for about ten minutes while they asked me a series of questions like, "where are you from", "what do you do", "why are you here", etc.etc. Of course I told him I grew up in a small town called Sandwich and that I attended COD for two years (as did he). He laughed when he found out I was from Sandwich, having heard of it himself! So, they pulled out their harmonicas and started to make up this improvisational song about me. It was hysterical! The whole experience was so surreal that I can hardly remember what they said during the song. You all know I was loving every minute of it!
After the taping was finished we were led down to the set by Jim's assistant. It was unbelievable because they let us go wherever we wanted to. I was so excited when Kimberly Williams-Paisley came out and even more excited when Brad Paisley came walking out right behind her. I chatted with her for a bit and got pictures with her. She's very sweet. Jim Belushi came out and talked to us for about an hour. What an incredibly gracious guy. I will be a forever fan of his for doing this for us. The whole experience was something I'll never forget. He had this huge bucket of beer for us and we sat on the couch that they use on the show and drank beers and talked. It ws incredible! Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Just sitting there listening to him talk about John and what a screw-up he was in school and that he flunked out of college like three times I kept thinking, "Oh my gosh...I can't believe I'm sitting here right now talking to Jim Belushi about his legendary brother, John. This is so weird!!".
What a great night and definitely one I will never ever forget!"
Pics on My Buzznet site.
Thursday, March 11, 2004
The Kahleeforneeahh Supreme Court just put an end to gay marriage. I hope people fill the streets tomorrow in protest, and cities around the country counter this act by spending their weekend letting decent people show America that homosexuals can do marriage just as well (or poor) as the rest of the world.
Everyone who reads this, it is time to wake up, my friends. The Religious Right are trying to take over the country in a way that is eerily similar to the way the fascists took over Europe in the 1930s. It is time for people who believe in free speech, open minds, and that the term "liberal" isn't synonymous with "traitor" to rise up and do whatever they can to stop this march on what America should stand for. It is time for the liberals of the country to wake up, everyone.
"The Ents are going to wake up...and find that they are strong."
Everyone who reads this, it is time to wake up, my friends. The Religious Right are trying to take over the country in a way that is eerily similar to the way the fascists took over Europe in the 1930s. It is time for people who believe in free speech, open minds, and that the term "liberal" isn't synonymous with "traitor" to rise up and do whatever they can to stop this march on what America should stand for. It is time for the liberals of the country to wake up, everyone.
"The Ents are going to wake up...and find that they are strong."
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Monday, March 08, 2004
Even though I am one who likes the finer things the world produces (microbrews, bands no one has heard of, good literature), I have been attempting to understand more of pop culture lately, in the hopes that I can understand where this country is going.
This being said, I am now sitting down to watch "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Charlie's Angels."
I'll get back to you in two hours.
This being said, I am now sitting down to watch "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Charlie's Angels."
I'll get back to you in two hours.
Thursday, March 04, 2004
I've been stuck with a horrible case of insomnia this week. It all started after a late night of Oscars and red wine. After that my sleep cycle became horribly disfigured due to napping after work, late-night meals, and too much stressful shit on my mind. I think I'm this close to developing my own alter-ego Fight Club, although it would probably be some horrible geek-fest where we would just pummel each other with copies of Nick Hornby books.
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
I'm jamming to the Apples in Stereo right now on Indie Pop Rocks!, which is the best internet radio site I have found. You can listen to them by using iTunes or my link below. You won't be disappointed.
In other news, my wine-soaked night with the Oscars is over. A fine night, and thanks to Eric and Erica (yes, I know) for coming over and eating all my food. Too bad Tara had to go bowling.
I need to organize my life a bit right now, so here is my to-do list for all of you to enjoy.
*Grade essays
*Decide on a play for my junior high group to do in a couple of weeks.
*Install this new video card I bought for my computer which has been sitting on my desk for about two weeks now.
*Finally begin writing a new play, which starts rehearsals in early June.
*Vote in the Illinois Primary
*Find a girl to fall madly in love with me and run off to Europe with.
*Stop ending sentences with prepositions.
Finally, a question on Blogging etiquette. Do you have to ask someone to list their blog on your Frequently Read list? I'm still not sure about that one.
In other news, my wine-soaked night with the Oscars is over. A fine night, and thanks to Eric and Erica (yes, I know) for coming over and eating all my food. Too bad Tara had to go bowling.
I need to organize my life a bit right now, so here is my to-do list for all of you to enjoy.
*Grade essays
*Decide on a play for my junior high group to do in a couple of weeks.
*Install this new video card I bought for my computer which has been sitting on my desk for about two weeks now.
*Finally begin writing a new play, which starts rehearsals in early June.
*Vote in the Illinois Primary
*Find a girl to fall madly in love with me and run off to Europe with.
*Stop ending sentences with prepositions.
Finally, a question on Blogging etiquette. Do you have to ask someone to list their blog on your Frequently Read list? I'm still not sure about that one.
Monday, March 01, 2004
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