Globe Trotting Through Southeastern Ohio

This past weekend was a lesson in travel. Friday night, I spent the evening with my old pal, Daniel Alen Weber, and my college roomie John B. in the beautiful city of Marietta. An odd Korean liquor called 'so-ju' was imbibed, John's girlfriend went to the hospital for stitches after puncturing her hand trying to open a twist-off bottle with a pair of scissors, and I discovered what is quite possibly my new favorite beer.

George's First Pilsner, courtesy of the Marietta Brewing Company. If you're ever in the armpit of Ohio, give it a shot.

Good weekend - bitter cold, good beer and rednecks in NASCAR jackets and mullets dancing to Bon Jovi's 'Bed of Roses' at the Double L. It almost felt like home.

After rising Saturday morning we caravaned to Zanesville, to repeat the previous night with a different lineup, visiting an old college friend who has recently contributed to the next generation. Dammit Dillon, I'll be paying for that kid's public schooling before I even know it.

So we went to the Barn, I was hit on by a gay guy YET AGAIN, and Truax scored a phone number. Country and Bruce were present, so it was a complete Z-town experience. The evening was finished on a copy writer's couch watching 40-Year-Old Virgin. Ahh, lean back and take it all in.

And now it's back to the daily maintenence on the Death Star, searching out new star systems for domination and desecration. Light a candle for me, my Catholic friends, and as to the rest of you, the next round's on me.

John Wayne's not dead, he's frozen.

Six Degrees Vol. 5

We came up with this one over the weekend, and it led to some amusing conversation.

John Malkovich and John Travolta.

Dave Mathews Confuses Me

Not much to say tonight, however I feel like I've hurt LT's feelings with my silence. So... I have returned.

Yesterday was V-Day. Such a weird holiday... guys are expected to spend too much money on things a woman can brag about to her co-workers and then forget about the next week, only to be left in credit card debt with a slipped disk. Wow, that was cynical.

My V-Day turned out better than those poor slobs - I spent the evening holed up in the lobby of Westerville's council chambers, waiting for the end of an executive session that never came. So instead, I schlepped on home, grabbed some pizza and watched I, Robot on the couch until I fell asleep.

Who needs roses and chocolate when you have a dvd player?

But now I must rest. Tomorrow morning brings a tour of Westerville by one of the city's PR flacks, and I must make a good impression.

Something to check out: 'Pagan Babies' by Elmore Leonard, on cd, narrated by Steve Buscemi. Sweet.

Six Degrees Vol. 4

Alright Brody, try your chops on this one:

Chuck Norris and Neil Diamond. Two of the most kick-ass humans to ever walk the planet.

The Armor of Vader

Alright, I just wrote a 1000 word post which was lost due to the Westerville Library's server crashing, so I'll give it another shot. If I couldn't crank out copy like a Peruvian coke-mule, I'd be devastated.

Yes, it's been awhile since my last post, but for the past week I've been highly medicated by the medical staff of the Death Star (so-coined by Jen Noblit). My black armor of plasti-steel has finally been completed, however, and I greet you as the newest dark lord of the Sith.

As was pointed out to me by the Jedi Council of Ess-inpee, I have succumbed to the dark side of the Force. This time last week, to my friends and countrymen I was known as Anakin Skywalker - brilliant swordsman, master wordsmith, and strong in the Force.

Today I greet you as... Darth Merlin.

Yesterday was the first day in service to the Dark, and it wasn't too bad. I've already cranked out two stories, set up two interviews and have many ominous leads swirling through my ancient iMac (who thought it wise to design a mouse with only one button, seriously?). Westerville should be fun, and I accept Master Jay-emm's thrown gauntlet with a full heart.

That's how you stand against the rising of the tide - the random spectacle of violent acts.

And it's off to council I go, to observe the political machinations of a new system. We shall see if I can bend them to my will....

Six Degrees Vol. 3

Yes Brody, you did rip apart my last quiz question very easily, and when I was driving home the same day I realized how ridiculously simple that one was. So, in honor of you, I'll try for a harder one. P.S., Brody, send me your cell phone number again. I think I've lost it.

And the two lucky stars are:

Olivia Newton-John and Matthew Lillard.

NO CHEATING THIS TIME!

Six Degrees Vol. 2.... Long Time Comin'

Yes, it's been almost a week since my last post, and now that I've spread the word to friends and colleagues I feel compelled again. Here's number two, and it's a doozy.

Billy Boyd and River Pheonix.

Have at it. Mahalo.

Six Degrees Vol. 1 MY ANSWER

I like the long, drawn-out ones, so here's my solution:

Connie Nielsen was in Gladiator w/ Russell Crowe, who was in The Quick and the Dead w/ Gene Hackman, who was in Superman w/ Christopher Reeve, who was in Superman III w/ Robert Vaugn, who was in Pootie Tang w/ Wanda Sykes.

Yeah, always gotta get a Pootie Tang reference in there. Col me down on da panny-sty. Sa da tay.