Three Items worth discussing.

1. So the boys completed their three day visit at Davis Waldorf, and their teachers said they would like them to join the class permanently.

2. In relation to that, I am officially starting a nonprofit organization to fund "hippie children who can't afford waldorf, because their parents are hippies." Isaac and Xavier are the first benefactors.

3. I see Jeff and I are blogging at a 6:1 ratio in relation to the rest of you. S'crap.
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How Toothpaste Leads to Vomit

First, take one stubborn and dramatic little girl, i.e. Mila Jordan Speer. Then, take an equally stubborn and unrelenting father, i.e. Jeffrey Thomas Speer. Finally, mix in Power Rangers toothpaste, instead of the normal Winnie the Pooh tootherpaste, and BANG - you've got a winner.

One morning last week Mila, in a not-so-rare a.m. fit, was traumatized by the Power Rangers toothpaste - saying it hurt her mouth and was yucky. Having been through this before over the color of her socks or the way I brushed her hair, I knew I just had to ride it out. So I calmly told her to go downstairs and put her shoes on...and she did, crying like a banshee the entire time...after a time she began calling for me. When I finally arrived on the scene, she said she threw up. And indeed she did. A little regurgitated oatmeal puddle just for me.

And this is obviously a family thing because tonight Xavier threw up after trying to force down a very small apple slice he had no desire to eat. S'vomit.

Mad Props to 2pac

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I fucking love cultural anthropology. Why? you may ask, further: what is cultural anthropology anyway? That is for another blog, but right now I'm just basking in the glory of my A paper:
"Sufism and Esoteric Gangsta Rap"

In it, I compare South Asian religious leaders to Tupac Shakur. It's five pages so I won't post it, but if you want a copy tell me and I'll email it to you. If you learn nothing from it, it is at least notable for the fact that I got to use the words, gangsta and thug in complete seriousness, as well as quote "Me Against the World."

Don't ask what I'll do with my major later.

"love your hood, but recognize its all good."
peace.

The Day Beer Kicked My Ass

So yesterday I homebrewed. By myself, I should add (ahem). And you know what? It sucked. I started at around noon and didn't finish until 9pm. 9PM!!!! That's like twice as long as my normal work day. Granted there's a lot of hurry-up and wait when you homebrew, but still.

Just for the record, lifting a keg with 5 gallons of boiling hot beer in it is not fun, not even close. Neither is trying to lift a keg with 5 gallons of beer out of the bathtub (I think I need a backiotomy).

So next time I brew beer, Jeff Speer (that's right. I called you out), you will be there. Mother's day is for sissies. Yesterday was s'crap.

Dream Job

From "The Week" magazine:

Good Week For
Drinking on the job, after a Brazilian brewery was ordered to pay $49,000 to a former beer taster who claims his job turned him into an alcoholic. The unnamed man says he was required to drink up to 25 small glasses of beer per eight-hour shift.

Enjoyment

I saw Bright Eyes for the third time last Friday, but in a whole new environment and with a different point of view. The Cultural Anthropology perspective. Since I am now the proud owner of a cultural anthropological analytical mind frame, I see more deeply into the embodiment, space and performance of the culture. The culture herein can be described as post emo progressive folk rock. This movement is small, but promises growth.

Performers like Bright Eyes adapted this "back to my roots" genre around the time the war in Iraq (II) started. I find this significant in that it mirrors the Bob Dylan essence of political commentary through a style that is hard to be at odds with. Folk music is like a children’s book: simple, frank and idealistic. Although lyric analysts like myself will see through the upbeat melody and hear the complaints of the angry youth, it can just as easily be pleasant background music that makes you want to kick back, barefoot on your porch with cold home brew in your hand.

But back to the cultural anthropological analysis. Notice the silk flower, church like setting and the band wearing all white. It conjures up images of the trinity broadcast network evangelists, "drunk in the spirit" in all of their god given purity and wisdom. The embodiment of modern day Protestants is mimicry of the Christian right and their self-proclaimed "rightness."
The people responsible for Bush's election and those who continue to support him.

So to break it down:
Embodiment: Purity, Righteousness
SPACE: CHURCH, a place to connect to the deity, obtain wisdom and spiritual enhancement.
PERFORMANCE: A counter culture of sorts that mimics Christianity, harnessing their "messenger from God"-like authoritative presence while lyrically stating a directly opposite political position.

This is nothing new. It also reminds me of the gospel rockers like Elvis and Ray Charles, which are actually quite successfully conjured in Jenny Lewis' solo album, Rabbit Fur Coat, but unlike Bright Eyes, the political commentary is more subtle, and hidden underneath her lyrics about inner conflict and a tarnished childhood.

So anyways, I had fun in Berkeley and I maintain my dedication to seeing Bright Eyes every single time he's within driving distance. Go ahead, give me shit for loving the epitome of emo, but I swear he's progressed.

The above video is not the best example of his political commentary or protestant mimicry, but it is the best video on you tube from that night and displays the livelier, and more sober Conor Oberst.

Oh, I almost forgot: There is also a bit of psychodelic Beatles/Doors inspiration in the the show. Its hard to ignore the random colors flashing on the screen behind him thanks to his friend in a cowboy hat playing with objects and paints on what equates to a ginormous overhead projector. Rock/PsycodelicArt/Vietnam. S'counter culture reincarnated.

Don't be shy

You can blog, not just comment. This is a community blog and everyone who I've invited has the power (yes, power) to write anything you want - not just comment on my blogs. That would be boring. or, s'boring.

Que es s'good?

s'good = it's good.

It's for lazy folk, like myself...even though I'm not the originator of the term (um, Dackie). This blog is a long time coming. We talk on the phone and email, but not frequently enough. So update us with images and words on all things s'good in your life...or, if need be, all things s'crap. And subscribe so you know when something new comes up.

I beg of you (and you all know how persistent I can be) to post something, anything, once in a while. Cause it can't just live with me.