Huh?

Another beautiful waste of taxpayers dollars...

Lyric of the Week (8/12-8/18), Heavy Mental

As we begin-racing like a sparrow through the narrow population seeking purification,
the destination is the holy land, of Bethlehem.  I eat lamb with Abraham and
break bread with the son of man so slowly, hold these hands and stretch forth from
the skies like a rubber band.  As I begin to step you above the land out of
the atmosphere, don't look back why, cause we're almost there.  Just try to
prepare and adapt to the air pressure.

Wedding Musings: New Era, Early Dreams, The Hurdle

A couple of weeks ago I sat amongst large numbers to witness my friend Ben tie the vows with his college sweetheart Lacee. Numerous things surrounding the event have popped in my head:

In many ways, the event was monumental to the jock and top social tier of MHS Class of 2002. His wedding celebration chronologically occurred this July as did Maggie H’s recepetion. Berg was right in coining this era the “Summer of Love”. Given Ben’s continued strong social ties throughout college with high school elite and the pure immensity of his celebration, the wedding has to be considered the symbolic kick-off to adulthood for this class. The movement towards adulthood has extreme importance for other overlapping organizations including The Secret Ninjas, The New Clique (encompassing now both genders), MHS 2002 Jocks, and of course The Racing Red. The historic activities of yesteryear such as gatherings at Web’s house for 21, playing trampoline “games”, lingering in basements playing cards, drinking heavily at various locales in EC, and wandering the streets of North Mitsch can all be placed into the childhood era and looked back in reminiscence.

Ben’s wedding was in reality the quintessential childhood wedding dream of mine. Remembering childhood thoughts of marriage, I wanted the following:

1. A large group setting with close friends at the time (from school in EC) along with a vast numbers of acquaintances and family. Most of Ben’s close friends were there along with notable buddies Jake, Jahn, Web, and brother Nate standing besides him as groomsmen. Legions of others including friends and family roamed the grounds and joined him at the ceremony.

2. The stage of the wedding reception to be in a natural area, the flora, fauna and the earth to be the backdrop of the party. Located in the middle of Minnesota with land bordering the lake and cultivated soil, Ben’s reception took place in a beautiful setting. The reception was primarily in a larger garage/barn, many sat and ate outside as well as participated in ultimate and volleyball.

3. The marriage of myself with a bride who has similar passions and goals. From knowing Ben/Lasee and being present at the wedding, their passions and goals are clearly aligned. It’s amazingly easy to observe that their priorities include relationship with God, service to others, and community with friends.

While vast majority of us are single and trying to figure out exactly who we are, there is the minority that has entered into matrimony and passed some sort of relationship hurdle. For some people who are either lucky or have a head start in the mating game, the opportunity for committed relational bonds is like running the elementary school hurdles (stupid pieces of plastic). But for some of us, we feel like midgets trying to run the high school 110 meter high hurdles inevitably facing nearly impossible obstacles. For myself, I’ve just avoided the game recently and have instead left the track focusing on other tasks and duties so that I may forget about the relational problems I face now and in the future. Ben as well as others who have committed no longer has this hurdle in front of them though there surely are other relational challenges to face.

Be Sure to Visit the Doctor, For Free!

And Mike will be able to take part in this great experiment...have a good time man.

Random Thoughts (8/5)

There seems to be the trend of blaming Bush for transportation issues. Madison Mayor Dave implied back in 2005 that since the government billions on wars (ie Bush), a financially poor investment in the Madison trolley car should be funded. Now, lefties are bashing Bush for the I35W bridge implosion because funding the Iraq War is taking away from funding domestic transportation needs. Poor logic anyone?

Are the hard questions being asked in terms of the possible costs and benefits of climate change rather than just the rhetoric of "renewable energy", "junk science", "global warming", etc. Has anyone thought about the costs of reducing carbon emissions by 80% in the US as some groups are suggesting or what are the costs to low-lying Pacific islands if sea levels do rise by 5-10 feet?

Equating a church's core beliefs to a church member's political beliefs makes absolutely no sense. It would be like saying the Missouri Synod Church believes in helping the poor so I (Tim Schulz) should believe that the US National Government should be helping the poor...this is absolutely what conservative commentator Jan Mickelson suggests in his interview with Mitt Romney on abortion. Pathetic.

When I've asked two completely unrelated self described "very liberal" friends, what issue they are the most conservative (or least liberal) on, they say answered both "abortion". Not that I disagree with them on this issue but this adds to the data of how completely statist our generation is.

Don't underestimate the peaceful and unconstrained effects of a morning walking commute. Pure bliss.

Song Lyric of The Week (8/5-8/11)--Apocalyptic Dan

A vision of a child returning
A kingdom where the sky is burning
Honey I will be there

-Steely Dan, "Any World That I'm Welcomed To"

Rockstar Cities

I would hope that all readers have tasted the pure flavorful ecstasy that is Rockstar. As a substitute for coffee, I partake on average 1-2 times per week and naturally enjoy each and every experience. My favorite is Rockstar Juiced (orange can) though I highly disapprove of the recent move of dropping the juice content from 70% to 50%. One of the things I like about Rockstar is the can! Based on pure asthetics, Rockstar Juiced beats the competition (Red Bull or Monster) with the psychadelic background and the loud fonts. The content of the can rocks with an extended list of ingredients as well as a list of cities where Rockstar should be drank. Rockstar lists a number of American and International cities, we need to examine the validity of Rockstar's US choices and evaluate whether the company could do a better job in determing where people truly live the hardcore lifestyle that is Rockstar.



The US cities currently on the can:

San Francisco
Hollywood
NYC
Miami
Vegas
Detroit
Aspen

The first five cities all seem to fit completely on the can as Rockstar cities. San Francisco has essentially developed into a playground for the very wealthy with numerous cultural and leisure opportunities. Its many famous neighborhods including Nob Hill, Castro, Wharf District, etc. give the city an iconic feel backdropped by extremely scenic coastal hills and vistas. I look forward to partying and exploring the city here soon in September. Hollywood has been an entertainment hub for decades and is symbolic for money, sex, power, and creativity like no other place in America. NYC is indeed the largest and most powerful city drawing singles and upperwardly mobile individuals creating a strong knowledge centered metroplolis, rivaling London and Tokyo for world hegemony. It is indeed the "city that never sleeps". Attesting to this notion, one night some 3 summers ago I took a long subway trip from Flushing (Queens) to Times Square (Manhattan) at 3:00 AM extremely intoxicated and deeply energized after running and hiding from pursuant mobsters. Nonetheless, I hope one day to experience the nightlife of lower Manhattan (SOHO, Chelsea, etc.) and the buzz of Midtown. Miami is the probably the most foreign of the US Rockstar cities to me. Having never ventured this far south in the swampy peninsula (nicknamed America's wang by some)< href="http://www.realtor.org/Research.nsf/files/06MIDetroit.pdf/$FILE/06MIDetroit.pdf">home prices have been either stagnant or decreasing. By some, it is also considered the world's least sexy city. I can't imagine the Motor City being a destination and choice for people with extreme lifestyles. Aspen also seems like a fairly odd choice as a Rockstar city. The city is a winter tourist magnet for the rich and sking along with up-scaling shopping do make for a unique place. It is no more of a sking party city however than Vail, Park City, South Lake Tahoe, or Jackson Hole. Experiencing the city during July 4th probably nearly a decade ago, I was disappointed by their poor firework display and also the lack of buzz associated with the 4th there. I know ski towns traditionally are much more alive during the winter but still the lack of activity was disappointing. I suggest removing both Aspen and Detroit off of the Rockstar can.



Possible Replacements:
1. Chicago-Classic neighborhoods of Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville. Sport-centered city with extreme fans and extreme drinking whether it be Wrigley or Soldier Field.
2. DC-Great historic and political backdrop outside the bars of Georgetown and Adams-Morgan. Singles-centered environment with interns, young professionals, intermingling with internationals, politicians, bureaucrats.
3. Boston-Intellectual capital and pub capital of the US.
4. Other Possibilites-Denver, Dallas, Houston, San Diego, Atlanta

Bush-Cheney Lite: A Worse Charge than Karl Marx?

This last week I received the following email from the Hillary Clinton campaign (I am on their email list from her visit to Reno):

Dear Timothy,

Last week, one of the leading Republican candidates equated Hillary with Karl Marx. Yesterday, one of the leading Democratic candidates called her "Bush-Cheney lite." Can you imagine?? Hillary like George Bush??!! Or Dick Cheney!! You and I both know that Hillary has stood up time and time again to the failed Bush/Cheney policies. Well, I guess this is what Hillary gets for being the strongest, most qualified, the most substantive, the most experienced, the most ready to be president. That's what Hillary has gotten all her career for being willing to fight for change.

Evidently, it was important to send out an email defending herself against Bush allegations but it wasn't important to distinguish herself from Karl Marx. Maybe she can't given her previous rhetoric....

"Fairness doesn't just happen. It requires the right government policies."

"I prefer a 'we're all in it together' society." “For America to get back on track, we’re probably going to cut that (tax cuts) short and not give it to you. We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.”

"I want to take those profits (oil) and put them into an alternative energy fund that will begin to fund alternative smart energy alternatives that will actually begin to move us toward the direction of independence."

"It takes a village to raise a child"

Song Lyric of The Week (9/22-9/28)

But I wanna feel something
Something thats a real something
That moves me, that proves to me I'm still alive
I wanna heart that beats and bleeds
A heart thats busting at the seams
I wanna care, I wanna cry, I wanna scream
I just wanna feel something

--Trace Adkins

Your Responsibility to Help or Someone Else's

A fundamental difference of political ideologies and philosophical visions lies within the joke:

Fred Thompson and Hillary Clinton were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person. Fred, the conservative Republican, gave the homeless person his business card and told him to come to his office for a job. He then took $20 out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless person.

Hillary, the liberal socialist, was very impressed, so when they came to another homeless person, she decided to help. She walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office. She then reached into Thompson’s pocket and got out $20. She kept $15 for administrative fees and gave the homeless person $5.

I stand with ficticious Fred Thompson as we work to make our world and economy equitable, free, and efficient. John Stoessl also agrees with me...

In political life today, you are considered compassionate if you demand that government impose your preferences on others. But what's compassionate about that? Compassionate is "live and let live."

Unfortunately many politicians in Washington and state governments across the country think they know more about service, love, charity, and equitable outcomes than ordinary citizens. I question the government's ability to reach others as well as their motives. What politicians do know a lot about is coercion.

The Mighty Mississippi

A photo epic of a day-long adventure




Across the oak savanna of southwest Wisconsin


By the windmills



A simpler life, being a farmer wouldn't be half bad


Fennimore, WI. Got into an interesting conversation about credit cards and confusing technology with a woman at Kwik Trip, pretty funny.


What the heck is that?


Into the river valley




Wyalausing State Park, confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, cool place





Mississippi backwaters


The S.S. Flash



The impressive main channel of the Upper Mississippi River, seen from an island I landed on in my kayak. I was amazed by how powerful the river was, it pushed me around pretty easily. There were a ton of boats, a couple of them full of extremely attractive women :)


Back to the landing about three hours later. The bridge between Marquette, Iowa and Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. I wasnt able to get a good picture, but Marquette is a strange little town, it looks a bit like a movie set. Well, I guess Iowa is just strange little state.


Sunset

A nice little escape from the "Mad" city back into the real world. The trip was relaxing and rejuvenating beyond all expectation. I did, however, learn a crucial lesson from the day... "I need to get a motorcycle!"

The Flash has crashed onto the scene, just await the thunder!

Are Rooster and Foster still coming?

Still lonely and waiting....

A New Marital Era

When the people you went to high school with start to get married, you realize you are now fully making the transition into adulthood. Thank you Leader Telegram for making me fully aware of this movement. Though many of the Generation Y Yuppie crowd clearly is not even in the mindset of marriage and instead is drawn toward urban tribes, a renewed era of matrimony during the life of Tim S has begun. Implications for me and other similar individuals:

1. The idea of 100% female availablility and "you're saying there's a chance" mantra is now over. A population once large will continue to dwindle as we move through our 20's into our 30's. More and more females known and unknown who you thought were in the realm of possibilities are no longer within reach. A limited supply obviously encourages competition and should promote challenge and conquer even for the most physically, financially, and socially challenged amongst us.

2. The freedom and time of notable friends and acquantances is dramatically diminished within the bounds of marriage. With college, most individuals feel as if they have reached the peak of freedom being able to live on their own outside the rules and guidance of their parents. True freedom though is still limited given the lack of financial resources, sometimes transportation resources (car), and academic responsibilities and constraints. Thus, freedom isn't maximized until leaving college and becoming established in yuppiehood. However, freedom is quickly taken away once you are fully committed to a spouse (financially, leisure, occupational movement, other choices) given that many of your most important life choices are now made together in binary resolutions and consulatations. Individuals may never experience total freedom if they go straight from college to marriage yet that may not be desired. The mark will be felt by independents as partners will have far less time and energy to exert once inside marital bounds. Please observe the Microsoft paint diagram below:
















3. The weddings of fellow friends has a number of implications including the increased travel costs (especially to this West Coaster), opportunity costs of other trip possiblities lost, strengthened or weakened relational ties with bride/groom based on whether one attends or fail to attend the wedding, increased gift costs, additional intersections with old friends/colleagues, incremental networking opportunities, and of course possible openings with restless women.

The Ideal Female Financially

Y = ↓ C + ↑ I + G + NX

Live Phish Moments

Just a few minutes ago, I was up dancing around in some type of ecstatic state. No other band or artist takes my mind and spirit to the places that Phish does. The joyful and frenzied moments (almost all completely sober) that have been experienced through their melodic and intricate jamming are innumberable. Many of these are thanks to the Live Phish Series which I have bought and traded primarily with my brother Chill. A brief look at my favorite Live Phish moments.

Honorable Mention: Simple (Live Phish 17), TweezerFest (Live Phish 18), Antelope Jam (Live Phish 7), Wolfman's Brother (Live Phish 11), NICU (Live Phish 16)

10. The Simple jam in the middle of the second set of Columbus has a number of great moments. Check out the irregular Catapult where the lyrics are sung over the baseline of Simple (after intital 3:00 Simple). Also listen to Icculus with the unique lyrics "You think you're too good for the book?" and others make for an entertaining interlude. --Live Phish 10

9. The synthesizers coming in over the bass-filled groove in Ghost (5:30-7:30). While Trey continues to noodle, Page lays mysterious and mesmorizing chords. This foreshadows the rest of this monster Ghost which will remain one of Phish's best for eternity. --Live Phish 13

8. Gumbo is usually one of Phish's most concise and uniform funky tunes. But in Fujoka, signs were in place early that this wouldn't be a normal version. The tempo was slightly slower than normal and the tone of Trey's voice much more mellow. After the last chorus and more traditional type 1 jamming, around 4:30 the darkness enters. The height of the jam lays in the
mystical chords Trey lays down around 7:00 as well as the completion of the rocking transition around 10:00 to 12:00 into Llama. This sick instrumental prowess was only a foreshadowing of what the night had to come (check out the Fujoka second set with Twist). --Live Phish 4

7. The dark and enchanting jam out of Sneaking Sally Through the Alley (7:00-10:00) is unique given the happy and upbeat tone of the song. The way Phish can changely completely changes the aura of this Robert Palmer cover is worth repeated listen. --Live Phish 16

6. In the middle of Tweezer (6:00), Mike leads with the baseline into Tupac's hit "California Love". Trey soon starts singing the chorus but doesn't actually finish, stopping at "in the city..". This may be the first time Phish covers anything hip-hop. They quickly move back into the a sick Tweezer jam, highlighted by the ending around 7:00 of the track with some moving synthesizer work by Page (a must listen, great transition into Free). --Live Phish 17

5. The horn blasts equally matched the passionate singing/yelling of Trey and Fish on ACDC Bag. The Giant Country Horns joined them on a couple of tours in the early 90's. AC/DC Bag was probably one of the most fitting horn tracks (notable mention of Gumbo, Landlady). Check out the entire 5 1/2 minute track for brass magic. --Live Phish 19

4. Listening to most of Denver Jam, you are left in a fairly anxious and distressed mood as the cacaphonic, jumbled creation hits the ears. The jam spirals around 8:00 into an ambient and tranquil interlude that great contrasts the hard and driving guitar of the beginning part of the set (Down With Disease, Olivias Pool, Johnny B Goode). It transitions into Jesus Just Left Chicago, an ironic choice given the blissful and atmospheric feeling in place. --Live Phish 13

3. Peacefulness and celestrial space enter at the end of Twist (12:00-15:00). In the begining of a second set for the ages, Trey's plucking and Page's atmospheric sounds leave the listener in trancendance and meditation. The listener is lead back to earth in the transition around 15:30 into the chorus of Twist...but only for a shortwhile as the listener is then moved quickly into Fujoka Jam #1. Meant for listening in the wilderness of another planet. --Live Phish 4

2. "Good boy, good boy, Lassie, Lassie, Come Home Lassie" Around 27:00 in David Bowie. --Live Phish 20

1. From start to finsh, Chalkdust roars with authority and strength taking the cue from Wilson. Fastward to the middle of the jam around 6:00 to 8:30, Trey leads the listener as he wails at different times and there is a true feeling of a journey. Trey is quite ready to show us the destination until around 9:00 or 10:00 as the majestic guitar line comes to fruition. Around 10:30, truth is restored as Trey hits the peak in almost triumphant fashion. Orgasmic, enlightening, please leave changed. --Live Phish 8