mcdspot

via the Onion, of course.

Curiosity was far greater than our fear
It felt so simple and so prodigious at the same time

Incredible things are happening in the world
Magical things are happening in this world

Across the river there are all kinds of magical instruments
While really we keep on living like monkeys

Incredible things are happening in the world
Magical things are happening in this world

– Peng! 33 by Stereolab

I am sending you
postcards from a place
where I am not.

We’re not tourists, we’re travelers

a tourist is someone who
thinks about going home the
moment they arrive

whereas a traveler
might not come
back at all.

Paul Bowles, The Sheltering Sky

Stephen Granade has some funny rules he never intended to make.

A child has to be very, very careful when being raised in a Christian environment.

If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father and mother, who does not heed them when they discipline him, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his town at the gate of that place. They shall say to the elders of his town, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the town shall stone him to death. So you shall purge the evil from your midst; and all Israel will hear, and be afraid.

– Deut 21:18-21

I love it. The Somali pirates have a blog.

In all seriousness, I must say I’m somewhat partial to Ron Paul’s suggestion as to how to deal with the pirates: hire private citizens to keep international waters safe. Using what are called “letters of marque,” powers written into the Constitution when Thomas Jefferson was president, the government would essentially allow privateers to protect shipping, much like XI (nee Blackwater) already does in the Middle East. In case any of you might be tempted to head over to the Gulf of Aden and start keelhauling, keep in mind that the letters require would-be blackguards to post a bond promising to abide by international rules of war.

Of course this idea could be only so much libertarian grandstanding, but given the international nature of the threat, I’m willing to try it out. Well, only if I get to participate, using my impressive array of pirate terminology. And since Connor was born on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, he’s got to come too.

I’m so tempted to buy Connor one of these. Do they make Harleys for toddlers?

Sittin’ thinkin bout mah homies and mah next helpin’ of butternut squash an’ Enfamil.

1001 rules for my unborn son.

seriously. this little fella is wonderful.