tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25539137455171508572024-03-19T23:26:24.973-07:00Elliott's BayingsMusings from the upper left-hand corner of the mapElliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-87624852697063823572009-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:002009-12-31T23:59:01.150-08:00Happy New Year and goodbyeI've been updating this blog for a year now, and I've decided to take a break. I found that I was struggling to find a voice, and in an effort to update on at least a weekly basis, this blog turned mostly into a weekly oldies music show. That's not what I intended when I started; I wanted this to be more of a commentary on issues and things going on here. I wrote ten or twelve things on politics, but they mostly ended up as angry rants and since I'm not an angry person by nature, I didn't post them.<br />
<br />
I've also decided that blogging requires a certain amount of arrogance - one has to think that what they're saying is of sufficient importance to broadcast it to the (virtual) world. And I'm not sure I have anything all that important to say, to be honest. <br />
<br />
I've read a bunch of other blogs, and they all seem to be more witty, erudite, profound, newsworthy, educational, or artistic. I find most of 'em to be much more interesting (i.e., better) that mine, and I've concluded that continuing this blog the way it's been going is a waste of my time - and yours.<br />
<br />
So I'm going to put down the pen (or the keyboard), stop talking for a while, and just listen. Hopefully I'll find that voice I've been looking for. <br />
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Anyhow, I hope those of you who've read this blog have found some enjoyment in it. Drop me a line (click on the comment link) and let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas for where this blog should go next, even if you think "where it should go" is away.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading. Peace.Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-56579984794989405382009-12-25T01:00:00.000-08:002009-12-25T01:00:01.603-08:00Merry ChristmasThis piece of music has <i>always</i> given me goosebumps. Merry Christmas!<br />
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<object height="265" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Abcgpn2UTV8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Abcgpn2UTV8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-71009013573920798452009-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:002009-12-16T06:00:00.617-08:00My favorite Christmas CarolsThis time of year, I always think about all the thousands of Christmas carols around, and which ones I like best. This year, these are my favorites:<br />
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"Carol of the Bells". This is the George Winston version.<br />
<object height="265" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1JYrOMK1aDA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1JYrOMK1aDA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br />
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"Some Children See Him." I recall hearing this for the first time at a George Winston concert. <br />
<object height="265" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XvJQybKlb98&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XvJQybKlb98&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br />
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"Stop the Cavalry" <span>peaked at number three in the UK Singles Chart in December 1980. The song was never intended as a Christmas hit, but the line 'Wish I was at home for Christmas' as well as the brass band arrangements made it an appropriately styled song to play around Christmas time. This version is by The Cory Band (a Welsh mine brass band) with The Gwalia Singers. </span><br />
<span><object height="265" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O91kqMsigZs&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O91kqMsigZs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object></span><br />
<span> <br />
</span><br />
<span>Happy Christmas (War is Over). I get tears in my eyes every time I hear this.</span><br />
<span><object height="265" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hb2YSAVHmIE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hb2YSAVHmIE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br />
</span>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-90429622873678112882009-12-12T05:00:00.000-08:002009-12-12T05:00:01.715-08:00Saturday matinee - Stan Freberg's "Green Christmas"The video is weird, but the audio is (as is typical for Freberg) hilarious and very pointed!<br />
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<object height="265" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YSPGJ5-XAcM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YSPGJ5-XAcM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-78333413862834557482009-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:002009-12-05T06:00:01.829-08:00Satuday Matinee - The Muppets sing "Bohemian Rhapsody"I loved The Muppet Show. I miss those characters!<br />
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<object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tgbNymZ7vqY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tgbNymZ7vqY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-54031984253358651792009-12-04T06:00:00.000-08:002009-12-04T06:00:04.600-08:00Happy Birthday, ZachI miss you.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rOncOQ6M-tpgPkv7iSaWLNk6DOHuYEzgXpYIx_qBDhSsyjtet0pjLPl-5wGQMjg9pojkXI0TK48iRmtNqCQ6O3QQNSBZ9W1GeopsQ_JYqZg32Ab_8giMOs0mOFROCCNHZTv97qlUi-A/s1600/Ava,+Dad,+and+Grandpa+Feb+25+2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rOncOQ6M-tpgPkv7iSaWLNk6DOHuYEzgXpYIx_qBDhSsyjtet0pjLPl-5wGQMjg9pojkXI0TK48iRmtNqCQ6O3QQNSBZ9W1GeopsQ_JYqZg32Ab_8giMOs0mOFROCCNHZTv97qlUi-A/s640/Ava,+Dad,+and+Grandpa+Feb+25+2007.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP36XgVUtvN45tWAejBU0fSZ83OQWbU1DmRXGws-5pDdsXYBfflQyJ_tqOFwfNzfolTeHIam41Hf5jvOMDiUIy6lLJD9xmSuVjmVJD7nPr3cnQkkhDy3-1t2CH1h6_-qshxwAQk5Puk8/s1600/SafecoOpening2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP36XgVUtvN45tWAejBU0fSZ83OQWbU1DmRXGws-5pDdsXYBfflQyJ_tqOFwfNzfolTeHIam41Hf5jvOMDiUIy6lLJD9xmSuVjmVJD7nPr3cnQkkhDy3-1t2CH1h6_-qshxwAQk5Puk8/s320/SafecoOpening2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Write or call me, please. <br />
</div>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-20321615702758869302009-12-01T20:46:00.000-08:002009-12-01T20:48:50.423-08:00Sand artIf you don't believe that art can move people to tears, watch this:<br />
<br />
<object width="400" height="313"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6783170&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6783170&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="313"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/6783170">Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation (Україна має талант / Ukraine's Got Talent)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user607086">Norm</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-77645275899401040912009-11-28T20:15:00.001-08:002009-11-28T20:15:53.576-08:00Huskies crush Cougs 30-0Woo Hoo!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PnVJeQCSEq3-LZrgqOpnySBkTh-lDEatQUOmkkOpDghVIBPBHRouWP7qcR0apX_E3Cq7kq5uNReQBqWDS8oYJ7JfBy4Cp3Jpny3XkrbjohUYd0nbJdbOV5DtEtZdoMpgQzVL2TEaQxM/s1600/WA.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PnVJeQCSEq3-LZrgqOpnySBkTh-lDEatQUOmkkOpDghVIBPBHRouWP7qcR0apX_E3Cq7kq5uNReQBqWDS8oYJ7JfBy4Cp3Jpny3XkrbjohUYd0nbJdbOV5DtEtZdoMpgQzVL2TEaQxM/s320/WA.gif" /></a><br />
</div>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-54677745517579025412009-11-28T06:00:00.001-08:002009-11-28T06:00:03.689-08:00Saturday matinee - Bobby McFerrin at the World Science Festival<object width="400" height="220"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5732745&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5732745&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="220"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/5732745">World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1103909">World Science Festival</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br />
Bobby McFerrin, Yo Yo Ma, and Mark O'Connor:<br />
<embed src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/3432814/yo_yo_ma_y_bobby_mcferrin_hush_little_baby.swf" width="400" height="345" wmode="transparent" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" name="Metacafe_3432814" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed><br />
<font size = 1><a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3432814/yo_yo_ma_y_bobby_mcferrin_hush_little_baby/">Yo Yo Ma Y Bobby McFerrin - Hush Little Baby</a> - <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/">Watch more funny videos here</a></font>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-9008781948837761722009-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:002009-11-28T06:00:03.145-08:00Saturday matinee - "All Along the Watchtower"This may be the most covered song ever.<br />
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Bob Dylan (who wrote it):<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eOdcsK0NM6g&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eOdcsK0NM6g&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Jimi Hendrix (who made the most famous version):<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BCwCBh0z3Hs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BCwCBh0z3Hs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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U2:<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5wfub-LbOmk&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5wfub-LbOmk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Dave Matthews:<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ypaH1Gj6VIs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ypaH1Gj6VIs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Dave Mason:<br />
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#999999"><br />
<a style="font: Verdana" href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=50625074">All Along the Watchtower-Dave Mason</a><br />
<object width="425px" height="360px" ><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=50625074,t=1,mt=video"/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=50625074,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></object><br />
<a style="font: Verdana" href="http://www.myspace.com/thedavemason">Dave Mason</a> | <a style="font: Verdana" href="http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=videos">MySpace Music Videos</a></font><br />
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Brian Ferry:<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dkcsm9Ask_A&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dkcsm9Ask_A&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Michael Hedges:<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rs0rKW2jqMU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rs0rKW2jqMU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Bruce Springsteen:<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/feK6MV8osZ4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/feK6MV8osZ4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Neil Young:<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B_LzH2vQF2Q&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B_LzH2vQF2Q&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Grateful Dead:<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nN0gHJ4JEQk&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nN0gHJ4JEQk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Pearl Jam:<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a8WjlCmarXc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a8WjlCmarXc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Eric Clapton & Lennie Kravitz:<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B9ISzNAqytE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B9ISzNAqytE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Richie Havens:<br />
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KmjaG2D7Nn0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KmjaG2D7Nn0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-35387485588399412692009-11-27T08:23:00.000-08:002009-11-27T08:23:08.085-08:00Black Friday<object height="265" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q1ZV4Mx7tw8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q1ZV4Mx7tw8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-42853167875833565002009-11-21T06:00:00.000-08:002009-11-21T06:00:02.653-08:00Saturday matinee - YesI never appreciated "Yes" at the time. I bought one album, didn't like it, gave it away, and then didn't think about this band again for years. And then one day, I was driving somewhere and "All Good People" came on the radio. I pulled into my destination but couldn't turn the radio off. I was transfixed by the complex melody.<br />
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So if you gave "Yes" a pass at the time, now's the time to reconsider. They're great!<br />
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"All Good People"<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bvPyT-YGUIg&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bvPyT-YGUIg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br />
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"Roundabout"<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xql99I1VSdI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xql99I1VSdI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br />
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"And You and I"<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7fi-sUOM8io&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7fi-sUOM8io&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br />
<br />
"Long Distance Runaround"<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s3blqV_zkFU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s3blqV_zkFU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-7524083934168377162009-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:002009-11-16T06:00:00.111-08:00Beautiful time-lapse photographyCheck this out! It's extraordinarily beautiful.<br />
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<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4038064&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4038064&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/4038064">Timescapes Timelapse: Learning to Fly</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/timescapes">Tom @ Timescapes</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
If you get a chance, checkout this guy's website: <a href="http://www.timescapes.org/">http://www.timescapes.org/</a>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-80602541900662884782009-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:002009-11-15T06:00:03.894-08:00Tribal wisdomDEAD HORSE - Dakota tribal wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.<br />
<br />
However...in government, we often try other strategies with dead horses, including the following:<br />
1. Buying a stronger whip<br />
2. Changing Riders.<br />
3. Saying things like, "This is the way we've always ridden the horse."<br />
4. Appointing a team to study the horse.<br />
5. Arranging a visit to other sites to see how they ride dead horses.<br />
6. Increasing the standards to ride dead horses.<br />
7. Appointing a team to revive the dead horse.<br />
8. Creating a training session to increase our riding ability.<br />
9. Compare the state of dead horses on today's environment.<br />
10. Change the requirements declaring that "this horse is not dead."<br />
11. Hire contractors to ride the dead horse.<br />
12. Harnessing several dead horses together for increased speed.<br />
13. Declaring that "No horse is too dead to beat."<br />
14. Providing additional funding to increase the horse's performance.<br />
15. Do a Cost Analysis Study to see if contractors can ride it cheaper.<br />
16. Purchase a product to make dead horses run faster.<br />
17. Declare the horse is "better, faster and cheaper" dead.<br />
18. Form a quality circle to find uses for dead horses.<br />
19. Revisit the performance requirements for horses.<br />
20. Say, "This horse was produced with cost as an independent variable."<br />
21. Promote the dead horse to a supervisory position.Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-89667480810804261012009-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:002009-11-14T06:00:00.640-08:00Saturday matinee - Aaron Copland's "Fanfare For The Common Man"Turn the column up to eleven. This'll give you chills!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jiB8B4XsBRk&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jiB8B4XsBRk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-45012138777151433302009-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:002009-11-12T06:00:08.334-08:00Is the GOP dying?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://nygoe.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/gop-elephant-dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nygoe.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/gop-elephant-dead.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>I grew up in a politically-split household here in Washington. My father was a Barry Goldwater Republican, and my mom was a Democrat. When I was growing up, the most influential politician was our governor, Dan Evans. Evans was a moderate Republican who thought that in order to keep the federal government small, he should make the Washington state government as efficient and effective as possible. So he did. Because of Evans, my early political leanings were towards the Republicans. In 1968 I voted in my first election, and despite a lot of misgivings (later justified), I voted for another fairly moderate Republican, Richard Nixon.<br />
<br />
All of which is a fairly long-winded way of saying that I've always held a soft spot for the GOP. In fact, I still vote for Republicans.<br />
<br />
So it pains me a bit to see what's going on within today's party. Beginning in the late 60's and early 70's, the party started taking a turn to the right. As an ever-increasing number of very conservative Christians joined it, it began (slowly at first, and then with increasing speed) to turn further and further to the right, and to become something other than proponents of small government and fiscally conservative. Today, I doubt very much of Dan Evans (or Richard Nixon, for that matter) would be welcomed in the GOP.<br />
<br />
Today, as I see it, there are three camps of Republicans, none of whom trust the others:<br />
<ul><li>The old-style small-government fiscal conservatives. The "Barry Goldwater Republicans" who would have counted my father among their members. This group includes "classical conservative" thinkers like William Buckley and George Will.<br />
</li>
<li>The "neo-conservatives" who believe in big government, big spending, and are aggressively interventionist in their foreign policy. This group includes George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and a bunch of talk-show hosts.<br />
</li>
<li>The Christians who are very socially conservative and want the federal government to enforce their policies. This group includes Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and others.<br />
</li>
</ul>Notice that moderates aren't included in that list. That's because moderates have been almost completely driven out of the GOP in an ideological purge lasting more than thirty years.<br />
<br />
In 1972 and again in 1980, the Democrats suffered overwhelming losses. After those losses, the Dems did some soul-searching. As a result, the Democrats began a slow move towards the political center, which culminated in the election of the flawed but brilliant centrist, Bill Clinton in 1992.<br />
<br />
In 2006 and 2008, the Republicans suffered similar overwhelming losses, and have done some soul-searching. But their response seems to be moving even further to the right. In the 2008 presidential election, John McCain turned down an opportunity to seize the political middle ground by nominating Joe Lieberman, and instead chose the unqualified, completely inexperienced Sarah Palin. This year the chairman of the party was forced to apologize to a radio talk-show host. In New York this month, a moderate Republican candidate ended up endorsing the Democratic candidate after conservatives endorsed a third-party candidate. <br />
<br />
Want an example of what might happen if the GOP's ideological purge continues? Look no further than my home, Kitsap County, Washington. In the 2006 primary election, Republicans voted out an incumbent county commissioner because she - oh, the horrors! - compromised on a land-use issue. The result? Their ideologically more pure replacement candidate got his hat handed to him by a twenty-something who was running in his first political campaign.<br />
<br />
The Republican party seems to be suffering from internecine warfare, and may be falling apart before our eyes, going the way of the Whigs and becoming politically irrelevant.<br />
<br />
And they have nobody to blame but themselves.Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-18560495420873317212009-11-11T09:07:00.000-08:002009-11-11T09:07:15.016-08:00Happy Veteran's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kellyclarkson-fan.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/veterans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.kellyclarkson-fan.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/veterans.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
</div>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-76151571536384848212009-11-07T06:00:00.000-08:002009-11-07T06:00:05.314-08:00Saturday Matinee - Richie HavensRichie Havens will be remembered as the one who opened the Woodstock festival. He was chosen for a good reason - he's a great performer who can get a crowd up and on their feet. I saw him in Seattle in the mid 1970's and I'll always remember what a great singer and what a great storyteller he was.<br />
<br />
Here are some videos, starting with his famous "Freedom/Motherless Child" from Woodstock.<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q1pMeyy__r0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q1pMeyy__r0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Tupelo Honey/Just Like a Woman:<br />
<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ah7d-sP7rDQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ah7d-sP7rDQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br />
<br />
All Along the Watchtower:<br />
<object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2vv1z5HAc64&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2vv1z5HAc64&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br />
<br />
And a more recent video:<br />
<embed id=VideoPlayback src=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=741425638313726895&hl=en&fs=true style=width:400px;height:326px allowFullScreen=true allowScriptAccess=always type=application/x-shockwave-flash> </embed>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-31488854590878861872009-11-06T07:01:00.001-08:002009-11-06T07:01:36.697-08:00How to open a bottle of wine with your shoe<object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9s89FqNpXO4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9s89FqNpXO4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-52626504681604260672009-11-04T18:02:00.000-08:002009-11-09T17:46:34.602-08:00Election results looking promisingOur election results are looking promising. <br />
<br />
The voters firmly rejected (by double digits) Tim Me-Myself-and-I man's latest attempt to destroy state and local government. Of course, Eyman is crying all the way to the bank. He "earns" his money by skimming a percentage of the donations to his initiatives, so we shouldn't expect him to disappear from the scene because his livelihood depends on him introducing initiatives on a regular basis. He's a professional politician, just as much as those in Olympia that he derides.<br />
<br />
Me-Myself-and-I man and his supports constantly complain that his initiatives are the only way to "control spending", but they ignore two key facts:<ol><li>Washington ranks just 35th out of the 50 states in total state and local tax burden, according to the non-partisan <a href="http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/336.html">Tax Foundation</a>.</LI>
<li>We already have an effective way of controlling spending. Perhaps you've heard of it. It's called an "election". If you don't like the way your representative is voting on spending (or any other issue), then don't vote for them. If enough of your fellow citizens vote the same way, your representative will lose.</LI></OL>The other issue is a bit closer, but it looks like the voters have approved R-71, stymieing the latest attempt to legalize discrimination. While it unfortunately appears that legalizing gay marriage isn't in the cards for right now, this measure codified "everything but marriage", basically giving unmarried gay couples (and heterosexual couples over the age of 62) the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples. So in terms of gay rights, we've progressed from slavery to separate but equal. I hope legalized gay marriage isn't too far off.Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-56747592560551656232009-11-01T07:04:00.000-08:002009-11-01T07:04:21.373-08:00Making exercise funWho knew? <br />
<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xJMOI5_FKwg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xJMOI5_FKwg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-179824784190805532009-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:002009-10-31T08:00:04.007-07:00Saturday matinee - "Thriller" Halloween specialHappy Halloween!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hMnk7lh9M3o&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hMnk7lh9M3o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This is 1,500 plus inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, Philippines performing their own choreographed dance routine to the late Michael Jackon's great song "Thriller".Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-63004494237668468922009-10-26T17:58:00.000-07:002009-10-26T17:58:29.549-07:00Top Gear- The best program on televisionMy wife as a big anglophile. If it's British, it's pretty much guaranteed that she'll love it. It was her love of all things British that was a major factor in our last two big trips (Scotland in 2007, and England & Wales in September this year).<br />
<br />
As a result of Carrie's anglophilia, we started watching BBC America on cable a couple of years ago, and I fell in love with one of their shows. It's called "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear_(2002_TV_series)">Top Gear</a>", and it's the funniest thing I've seen on TV since the early days of Saturday Night Live.<br />
<br />
The show is hosted by three guys who individually are interesting, and who together are hysterical. I highly encourage you to watch it if you can.<br />
<br />
Each show features a series of car tests, interviews, features, and challenges, where the three hosts all buy or build vehicles and have to face some challenges. Below is a video of one of my favorite challenges. In this one, the three had to convert a minivan into a convertible. The video shows the third and final challenge - taking their completed conversion through an automated car wash.<br />
<br />
<object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5cJ7xybc0lM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5cJ7xybc0lM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br />
<br />
What the video doesn't show is the three sodden hosts watching the car wash burn, when one of them turns to the others and says, "You realize that we just burned down something made entirely of water".<br />
<br />
You gotta see this show! It's on Monday evenings on BBC America.Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-1324634991173555602009-10-24T08:00:00.000-07:002009-10-24T14:32:38.437-07:00Saturday matinee - is music for the birds?Next time someone tells you that music is for the birds, gently correct them and say, "No, music is <EM>by</EM> the birds."<br />
<br />
<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6428069&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6428069&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/6428069">Birds on the Wires</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/agnelli">Jarbas Agnelli</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2553913745517150857.post-68122850727437729522009-10-23T06:00:00.000-07:002009-10-23T06:00:02.570-07:00Costume for Halloween?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTFEJMjL-Ba6eAAv5hNPiySQCjJk3yOpTllsUD8zmKG7ei87R-CtE3kJ8-8UiIFiRStaD1AjQG9nTRrlGVaV7arZ4hc4j_vCFAABQ7g-Jx8nQg2BF4Nk6D5mil9p9pseIZRg4zR_6140/s1600-h/gapinghole1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTFEJMjL-Ba6eAAv5hNPiySQCjJk3yOpTllsUD8zmKG7ei87R-CtE3kJ8-8UiIFiRStaD1AjQG9nTRrlGVaV7arZ4hc4j_vCFAABQ7g-Jx8nQg2BF4Nk6D5mil9p9pseIZRg4zR_6140/s400/gapinghole1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307121073806816306" border="0" /></a><br />How about this costume idea for Halloween, 2009?Elliott's bayingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10816432678697517628noreply@blogger.com0