Smoke 'em if ya got 'em...

How is it possible, that in 1969 I was hiding cigarettes in the woods to have a smoke on my walk to elementary school? Good times...



As a young woman, my Mom smoked Pall Mall's because..."Fine tobacco is its own best filter."



As she matured, her tastes favored the luxurious—and of course—"smooth, pleasing flavor."



My Father, on the other hand, was always a straight shooter, so I guess "the honest taste of a Lucky Strike" made sense to him.



Maybe his chronic depression was eased at Christmastime by Lucky Strikes..."Merry Christmas and Happy Smoking 200 times..."

And also...

I highly recommend this book.

In this political/economic climate, it's comparable to the phone calls I used to make to friends the day after getting trashed at a party—many years ago. It effectively tracks the arc of the US from its status quo politics (relative sobriety) to the full on venal, billionaire funded, know nothingness that has been mainstreamed today (topsy-turvy, scotch fueled delirium).

"Your're kidding me...I said that...I threw-up where...?! I'm really, really sorry."

 UPDATED:

Women

Patti Smith, PJ Harvey, Kim Gordon, Marnie Greenholz...and on and on.







The original Live Skull line-up at the now shuttered CBGBs.



The music I drop on this blog is too often from the guys (Iggy, etc.). The artists above, and many more, contribute as much (or more) to the architecture of this decidedly subjective blog.

UPDATED:
I hadn't seen this...wow, Bjork!

Have a Nice Day!

For me, Bukowski, unlike Burroughs, has always been too dark to entertain with regularity.
Burroughs' darkness carries a thrill, a kick, within its artifice and craft.
Bukowski's genius rests in his visceral accessibility—crystal clear accounts of failure, loss, and oblivion. Not a whistle or whisper as the graveyard passes.

The Best Laid Plans

This accurately depicts 15 minutes of my work-life yesterday.



I love this video.

For me, the tower magically righted itself...sometimes that happens...

h/t Attaturk

When Life Gives You Lemons, it’s Time for a Lemon Party

By: Attaturk Monday November 8, 2010 1:30 am

photo by uoɹɐɐ at flickr.com

Last week David Broder declared the idea of beating the Iran War drum a most awesome idea, because it will produce those jobs that Iraq and Afghanistan haven’t. And really, it’s an idea he once ran by the Kaiser with approval. Now, rejoining the Chorus Morte of old aspiring murderers is the very definition of “reasonable war criminal” Lindsey Graham:

Graham, a South Carolina Republican who sits on the Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security Committee, said Saturday the U.S. should consider sinking the Iranian navy, destroying its air force and delivering a decisive blow to the Revolutionary Guard.
He says they should neuter the regime, destroy its ability to fight back and hope Iranians will take a chance to take back their government.

Yes, because we all know people NEVER think of being more angry at the people who are bombing them than their own government. That’s why the 8th Air Force TOTALLY brought down Hitler all by itself rather than strengthening the Fuhrer’s hand…no matter what all those historical facts say. Nothing will make the Iranians love ‘Murica more than our awesome bombs killing their relatives.

From FDL.

UPDATE: This is interesting now, in light of the recent Wikileaks dump. David Broder, Lindsey Graham and the Saudi royal family are of the same mind when it comes to Iran...that's grand.

This hits the bullseye.

After the morning after

I find it difficult to find a flaw in Athenae's analysis:

You had majorities, and you had Harry Reid, refusing to be mean to Republicans by shoving stuff through. You had majorities, and you had Barack Obama acting like he was already an ex-president and could be gracious and social with these pricks. You had majorities, used them to do some stuff, and then sat back and acted like we should be grateful when we can fucking count.

We can fucking count, out here. We know what 51 means. We know what 257 means. We're not morons. And all the procedural whatsit you argue today, about ConservaDems and Blue Dogs, doesn't mean shit. You had it, and we worked hard to give it to you, and we see you calling things impossible which are just very hard, and we get fucking annoyed, because we don't get to get away with that shit. Not at our jobs and not in our lives.

And there it is: "It's hard" appears to have meant, "So let's not try."

Well, you know, I'm sure we can find a few hundred other people who would be happy to take a job for a few hundred thousand bucks a year (plus a rather attractive pension and health insurance package) where all you do is offer excuses for why you "can't" do your job.

Signed,
Not Atrios

-Avedon 07:58

The Democratic House of Representatives

One consolation—my home state of Massachusetts gave the Teatards and Brownbots a sad.

Republicans’ revolution fades in Massachusetts

While in line at my polling place Tuesday morning, I had the pleasure of listening to the proud citizens (above/right) relish the opportunity to vote against Barney Frank, who is NOT on the ballot in my district.