An amusing story since I can't sleep...

One morning I woke up and my left eye is bright red and extremely painful. I couldn't figure out why, since it was fine the night before and I couldn't remember doing anything to it. After an agonizing day, I finally cave and stop by Urgent Care to see what they tell me. At first the Dr. thinks I have pink-eye, but then she puts some UV stuff in my eye, turns on a blacklight and turns out the room lights.
"Oh my god!"
"What??? Is it bad???"
"It looks like you have... road rash on your eye!"
At that point I remember that I wear wrist braces at night (for carpal tunnel) and probably scraped the hard velcro across my eye while I was asleep (sooo glad I was not awake to feel that). She prescribes me some topical antibiotic and sends me on my way.
The next day at work, one of the guys in my company comes over and starts talking to me (just to complete the setting, this guy is probably near 50, and a good honest upright citizen). He notices my eye and asks what's wrong.
"I wear these wrist things at night and somehow managed to scrape the velcro across my eye while asleep."
He looked at me oddly. "Wrist things...?"
"For carpal tunnel."
He gets a relieved and embarrassed expression on his face. "Oh, I was picturing some sort of bondage thing!"
I about puked I was laughing so hard.

On a side note, my first pair of carpal tunnel braces were the typical ones (ugly beige vinyl), but the current pair I have now are the most bondage pair of carpal tunnel wrist braces I have seen in my entire life! They're black, have all these black velcro straps going all over the place, and have a red satin inside! I actually started laughing when the nurses gave them too me. They were rather confused but I wouldn't explain.

Tonight!

Spaceman Tim Anderson is in town and spinning records with me tonight at the Brewhouse. Stop on down and say hi.

out-

It's the 2004 PDD Bloggie Awards!

Whew, where did the year go. I just finished up reading every PDD post made this year and I have made my picks for the years best.

If you have the time I reccomend taking a stroll down memory lane. I guess like any year it was a mix of happy/sad, joyous/tragic, birth/death. I for one will mark 2004 down in the positive column. A few more aches and pains but also a slightly clearer understanding of who the hell I am and what my purpose on this little journey we call life is.

Without further delay I present my picks for the best of PDD this year in chronological order.

Peace Rabbit | January 24 | Ca-Chee

Ca-Chee doesn't post nearly enough but I love her writing. She made last years 13 best with "Punk Ass in Shop Class"


Is this ART? | February 3 | Starfire

I know I picked my self but I really picked some of PDD's best doing what they do best. Drinking and drawing, on cocktail napkins, at the North Pole Bar, enjoy.


The Secret of the Tab | March 11 | Barrett Chase

I promise all my picks will not involve drinking and pictures of ears but this is too good not to revisit.


What's it like in Kidland? | April 2 | Barrett Chase

What's it Like is a semi-regular feature on PDD which Barrett started and you are all welcome to continue. Read, learn and post your own.


I am not a Videographer | April 18 | Barrett Chase

This, the third appearance of Barrett on the PDD Bloggie Awards is a video montage of Geek Prom³ and it must not be missed. Video Blogs are popping up all over the web lately and I can't help but think PDD was an early pioneer.


Summer's Coming | April 28 | Mark

Mark is a periodic poster on PDD and he also makes delicious Duluth videos. This makes me almost want to take the plunge this year. Sounds like a field trip.


Saturday Afternoon Madness | May 9 | Barrett Chase

O.K. lets just call it now. Blogger of the year goes to Barrett Chase. This video from Homegrown 6 captures it all. Kickball, music and alcoholism.


I had my first zombie dream last night | May 11 | Paul Lundgren

2004 marks the year that Paul mastered the art of Blogging. 2004 also marks the year that Paul Lundgren was unemployed, twice. He is now back home with his dialup connection. Here's hoping Paul gets to the Library soon, running that gauntlet he runs so well.


Catch Phrase | June 8 | Maria

Part of the charm of PDD is the comment section and this post demonstrates that better than most. Maria is also my candidate for Blogmenter of 2004. Always witty, naughty and beautiful. Rock on Ms. Danz.


My Proudest Fathering Moment | June 14 | Clumsy

This post is awesome on so many levels. A simple story we can all relate to that just brightens your day. Clumsy you should post more.


The Tooth Fairy is Dead | June 15 | Gia

Gia is an American living in England and a television star. If I was more ambitious I would find her URL. Who here can't relate to Tooth Fairy/Coming of Age stories?


The Rock Star: Adventures in Toddlerdom | June 20 | Mike

If I had to vote this might be my favorite post of the year.


Hi, I'm Kelly | July 4 | Kelly:)

Ah Kelly, Is she real? Is she Baci? Is she Berv, Is she JJ Lee? The Blogosphere may never know and that might just be a good thing.


Pantyhose Babes | August 9 | Bad Cat!

2004 marks the year of the Blog as the "New Journalism." It also marks the first time that PDD was scooped by the local media. This Ebay auction was posted on PDD and it made its way to all the local media a short time later. Press conferences and official statements were made, Ebay yanked the auction and we all had a big laugh.


What it's like: A Straight Razor Shave | September 2 | Starfire

Yes, another of my posts. I had so much fun getting this shave and making the video that I had to put it on the list.


What does "happy" mean? | September 17 | Godsey

Godsey resigned from the blog in 2003 but made a reappearance this year with some thought provoking posts. He is moving to Minneapolis soon with his lovely wife Shannon. I for one will miss that baseball cap wearing professor.


What's It Like, Part 3 | October 1 | Barrett Chase

Barrett is back with his latest installment Of WIL. I missed this particular night of the Starfire Lounge due to illness and that just might have been a good thing.


So when's the CD Release Party for this? | December 2 | Tomasz

This is another example of the comments making a post better. Plus I wanna be in the band.


Long the Shor | December 4 | Berv

JJ Lee started the whole MS Paint fad but Berv has taken it to a new level with the added poetry. Keep it up Berv.



So. That's it. My picks for the Best of 2004. I want to thank you all for your posting, blogmenting, or lurking. This is a community and it takes all kinds. Feel free to make your own lists.

Party safe.

Come On Baby Light My Candle!

V-Nick, V-Nicks sistah and I stuck flaming candles in our ears tonight in an effort to suck out all the Ear Wax in our auditory canal. We are having a discussion about whether these "candles" actually perform any real function. The Web is filled with mixed reviews on the topic. All I know is there was some brownish, waxy gunk in both of my candles. This could be waxy residue from the candle itself or not. Does anyone have any experience with Ear Candling?

We posted a short movie for your enjoyment. Ear Candles. Scam or Ham?

Free Duluth News

- Free Republic of Duluth Second Constitutional Congress Party: Wednesday Dec. 29 8PM Gonzo Science HQ (email gonzoscience@hotmail.com for directions)

- Free Republic of Duluth Presidential Candidate Allen Richardson will be giving a major new policy speech, New Year's Eve at R.T. Quinlan's as part of the Live Animals set

- Free Republic of Duluth Cultural Exhibition, Presidential Debate, and Election, Featuring the Free Republic of Duluth Samba Drum Corps, Friday, Feb. 4th, Washington Studios Gallery, 6-12 PM (exhibition hangs until Sun. Feb. 27th; all interested artists please email.) Come for the glorious art of the Free Republic of Duluth, stay for the historic first Presidential Debate between front-runner Allen Richardson and his baby-eating opponent Sienna Effinger. Cast your vote for President, and then party with the winner and the Free Republic of Duluth Samba Drum Corps.

- Even now a crack team of web designers, graffitti artists, and freelance wierdos are fanning out across the town, secreting self-published patriotic literature, stickers, subversive autonomous activities, and hordes of new patriots in their wake. Join us!

Merry Holidaze.

BRRRR

hippie dick & c-freak's 3rd annual orphan x-mas eve party

festivus starts at 9 pm. bring booze, food, goodies and the spirit of x-mas drunkeness. live music. nudity. sexual encounters. things said that can't be taken back. rumors spread. family bitching. come one come all. andevarld gallery, 2nd ave east across from the casino. you know you want to.

Oh the horror!

This is definately NOT for the faint of heart.

So sad.

Forever's gonna start tonight...

So after last weekend's karaoke explosion at the Birthday Rally, my question to you is: What's your favorite karaoke song?

Lately, I've been rockin' the casbah quite a bit, although on Saturday night I also stopped in to see what condition my condition was in. But I think I have to nominate "The Highwayman" as the all-time #1 karaoke choice.

And if you think you're hot stuff on the karaoke stage, you ain't seen nothin' until you've hit the Keyport on weekend night. Check out this video to see just how it's done, but excuse my drunken photography. The master in action. [WMV, 1.6Mb]

New Band Name

Exploding Zamboni....I call it! None of you other wave-reading, name stealing rock wannabes can have it.

Heres the story from our own DNT. I got it first hand as my brother Nick was the guy sent to the hospital. He's okay. This isnt the first time broomball has tried to kill my brother. Ask TonyX. Nick is a proud papa and a north american broomball champion but I think the gods of broomball are sending him a message.

On the conspiracy side, Al-Kieda has been sending insugents to zamboni driving schools here in MN...hmmmm...way to strike us where we live

Kickball League?

I know it's butt cold right now, but I had an idea tonite & wanted to see if there's interest.

Imagine if you will, next summer. The sun is shining and won't set till 8 or 9pm. Now imagine how much more fun it will be if there is a weekly kickball game. If there's enough enthusiasm we can secure Chester Park Ballfield once a week for 3 hours. There can be 6 teams and each team has 1 hour games.

The crafty girl/boy crews can make their own jersey's.

Too Much Information

PN, if you asked me, I'd say you lived in Denfeld.

Here's a map of Duluth, neighborhoods and all, that might help you determine where you are. You can find it (and one of Superior as well--and the only complete map of Skyline Parkway in any book) in "True North: Alternative and Off-Beat Destinations In and Around Duluth, Superior, and the Shores of Lake Superior" (www.X-communication.org). And this map was approved by none other than Mr. Paul Lundgren, a native West Duluthian and expert on all things West Duluth/Denfeld/Geeky. Well, approved may be astrong word. He did look it over once upon a time and had no complaints that I'm aware of.

Also:

Gary and New Duluth were once two separate entities (some say they still are), and that is why it is now hyphenated: Gary-New Duluth.

Lakeside was indeed first developed as housing for Duluth's servant class. West Duluth was very industrial, filled with manufacturing plants (most of which can be seen on the murals at the Kom-On-Inn). West Duluth was indeed filled with blue collar folk, but not many of whom would have worked for Chester Congdon (except perhaps during the construction of Glensheen). He was a lawyer who's work involved developing mining in MN and AZ (copper) and agriculture in Washington (Chester developed the Yakima Valley).

Barrett is right: Most people from areas now called "Spirit Valley" and "Lincoln Park" hate the terms, created in part to make both neighborhoods "more appealling" for business / retail customers. And most folks use those same boundaries for West Duluth he provided: West Duluth falls between the Ore Docks and the Zoo. East of the Ore Docks (to Mesabe Avenue?) is the West End.

But I don't think Barrett is exactly right about West Duluth once being Oneota--I believe they were two separate townships, albeit right next to one another, and I imagine what we now consider West Duluth includes what was once Oneota.

It's rather complicated. What is now Duluth was once dozens of tiny townships, all competing to become the "big port town" everyone expected to develop.

Homework: who can tell me the boundaries of the Hillside: What's Central? What'sEast?

Extra Credit: Had another township--say, Endion--developed into what is now Duluth, would it make the work of Radiohead, Wilco, and Low less important OR even more important to comp[osition instructors who would rather surf the web in search of controversial music reviews than grade student papers, and if the Beatles hadf not played around in the studio would it have lessened the creative frustration experienced by Michael Nesmith as a member of the Monkees in a time before his mother became rich by inventing White Out, allowing him to experiment with film and music to help create what later became MTV? Discuss.

TonyX

Downtown Duluth -- Bah, Humbug!

Last weekend, Downtown was almost too much fun to comprehend. This weekend let's branch out a bit...

Friday, Dec. 17 - Süptown

Charlie Parr, Jerree Small and Baby Grant Johnson w/TC folks


Live and squirmin' at the Twin Ports Brewery. I'm not quite sure who the other band is, but rumor has it they're from the Cities. You know you love the TPBC--the most underrated bar in the area.

Saturday, Dec. 18 - West Duluth, Baby

Birthday Rally in Spirit Valley


Come celebrate the 32nd birthdays of Barrett Chase and Paul Lundgren, billed by Whoppin Unlimited as "The Greatest Birthday Event of All Time." Huge 34-ounce mugs of beer go for about $3.50, and if you aren't West Duluth enough for that, well, talented bartenders will be happy to make whatever hoity-toity drink you want. "Karaoke on the Edge" will be provided by "Larry Holmes: The Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of Comedy Karaoke." You can rest assured that he will be disputed that night.

for those who miss duluth

or for those cool cats who know how to use a wednsday night, here what you missed this thursday morn.

Photo by amolina of moeview.com and er also if thousands

Email change.

Starting Jan. 1 2005 Murphy McGinnis Interactive will be changing my email from starfire@duluth.com to starfire@duluthmn.com.

The whole reason I have payed the 7 bucks a month for like 5 years was to have the duluth.com addy. Well MMI is getting bigger and I spose they need to differentiate between us and Georgia. So I am breaking free! Starting at the end of the month I will be using starfire at gmail dot com. That way when my computer crashes I should theoretically not lose all my emails.

In other cost saving strategies I may be weaning myself from my cell-phone soon. I can continue to be reached on my good 'ol land line.

Thank you for your time and now go update your rolodex.

Who is your favorite?

A New Holiday Classic?

OK, so it ain't the Polar Express. Or even a crappy Rankin/Bass spinoff seguel like "The Little Drummer Boy Battles Heat Miser." This actually has the same heartfelt holiday sentiment as Little Drummer Boy - More Holiday Wishes From Greer Garson and Your Gas Company!

It's the Russell and Herder Holiday cartoon. So sit back, relax, and for the next 90 seconds or so, let that feeling of Christmas flow over you like gravy over mashed potatoes. Because who can bring you the true meaning of Christmas better than your local advertising weasels?

Which is your favorite?

Jesus would've hated Christmas.

Warning : May contain scriptures, don't like it? Then don't read it.

John 2:13-16 Now the passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And he found in the temple those selling cattle and sheep and doves and the money brokers in their seats. 15 So, after making a whip of ropes, he drove all those with the sheep and cattle out of the temple, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he said to those selling the doves: "Take these things away from here! Stop making the house of my Father a house of merchandise!”

So why would he tolerate what Christmas has become? A Christless holiday determined to bring the largest profit margin.

Just my opinion. No payments. No interest until 2006.

Diorama-freaking-rama

Here's a Duluth News Tribune story about Saturday's Diorama-rama at the MAC. And don't forget about this tonight. It's gonna be a wild weekend people. Just thinking about it makes me tired.

our love is all we have.

tall buildings shake.

bitter melodies

turning the orbit around.

i possess what you all want

What is your favorite?

The best part of waking up.

Who is your favorite?

Which is your favorite?

And two more, by request ...

Exactly how I feel!!!

More super-keen shirts here www.extraugly.com