Archive for May, 2005

For the feminine side…

May 30, 2005

I have, for a long time, searched high and low for some sort of watermelon drink. Not a strawberry/watermelon/banana flavored drink. Just a watermelon drink. Snapple supposedly has one, but it hasn’t found its way to Montana. And there’s some company out of California who’s supposed to be shipping theirs out sometime this summer. But I want something NOW! And I’ve found something pretty close.BacardiSilverWatermelonDetailBacardi Silver. Watermelon. YAY! It’s not quite what I’m looking for, but this is pretty good. Yes, it’s a girlie drink. But I’m secure enough in my manhood to be able to admit that I drink it, and I like it! If watermelon floats yer boat, give this stuff a try! (I’ve also heard that Smirnoff’s has a watermelon flavored drink too, but a little sweeter. Haven’t found that around here yet).


iTunes: Hush, Kula Shaker

Everybody Poops

May 27, 2005

If there was ever a reason that I would never want to watch Oprah (and I’m proud to say that I never have!), this would be it. The title of the this little slide show from her award-winning daytime talk show is called “Everybody Poops”. Other than on the Discovery Channel or TLC, only Oprah could pull this off. She’s the only one who would want to pull it off. Check out the link and view the horror!


iTunes: streaming radio feed Symphony No. 3, Schuman

New Pics

May 26, 2005

I’ve posted some pics from the first Alive @ 5 party in downtown Helena over on my other blog. The highlight, of course, was the time spent with fellow blogger Rachel all night! Check her out–she’s my newest beer buddy!


iTunes: It’s Not Unusual, Tom Jones

Guidelines for “Half-Nekkid Thursday”

May 26, 2005

YOU, TOO, CAN DISPLAY ONE OF THESE BUTTONS!!
A quick and easy way to send your guests to the “Guidelines” page!
And a way for you to proudly announce to the world that you get Half-Nekkid!
Simply copy and paste the corresponding code onto your template!
Be sure to replace all the parentheses ( ) with
Need help? Email me!

HNTbutton
(a href=”http://osbasso.blogspot.com/2005/05/guidelines-for-half-nekkid-thursday.html”target=_blank)(img src=”http://static.flickr.com/27/41652855_6ca8bb2b62_o.jpg” width=”100″ height=”66″ alt=”HNTbutton” /)(/a)

HNT_1
(a href=”http://osbasso.blogspot.com/2005/05/guidelines-for-half-nekkid-thursday.html”target=_blank)(img src=”http://static.flickr.com/26/45229803_19e22a0bee_o.gif” width=”80″ height=”15″ alt=”HNT_1″ /)(/a)

45113638_202b79dc11
(a href=”http://osbasso.blogspot.com/2005/05/guidelines-for-half-nekkid-thursday.html”target=_blank)(img src=”http://static.flickr.com/33/45232051_11095d7b9c_o.jpg” width=”100″ height=”67″ alt=”45113638_202b79dc11″ /)(/a)


(a href=”http://osbasso.blogspot.com/2005/05/guidelines-for-half-nekkid-thursday.html”target=_blank)(img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;” src=”http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5425/1614/400/hnt.1.gif” alt=”" border=”0″ /)(/a)

the-otherhnt
(a href=”http://hntanon.blogspot.com/”target=_blank)(img src=”http://static.flickr.com/51/152199606_c5ea8f9add_o.png” width=”80″ height=”15″ alt=”the-otherhnt” /)(/a)


The Beginnings
It was suggested that I include the inspiration for “Half-Nekkid Thursday”. I would agree. Originally, I credited Cathy with posting pictures for Half Naked Thursdays. I wandered through her blog, and found numerous shots of kid’s tushes, bare shoulders, hubby’s tummy, etc. It didn’t appear to be an organized thing, but a cool idea. So I ran with it. After publicly thanking her for the idea, both she and her husband Doug informed me that the true originator of the concept was The Blue Sloth. He has a HUGE amount of pics on his site–a majority of them of his kids & family. He used to take the kids to the beach and take half naked pics of them. Voila! An idea was born! Many thanks to this unknown genius! I know that he’s been made aware of the phenomenon as it now exists. I hope he takes a little pride in its conception!


The Guidelines
I offer these guidelines for “Half-Nekkid Thursday”:
  • In that North American, Puritanical way that most of my readers think, “Nekkid”, or its variations, somehow insinuates sex, or its variations. WRONG!! The purpose of “Half-Nekkid Thursday” is not to see sex acts! It is the celebration of exposure. Of your big toe. Of your breastbone. Of your knuckles. Of your uvula. Whatever. Of course, sex acts can qualify, so if you want to post those…..
  • “Nekkid” is not the same as nude! Again, nude qualifies, but it is not a requirement!
  • Pictures should be taken of you or by you. Don’t be going to some internet site and downloading “Half-Nekkid” pics. And don’t use Uncle Bob’s pictures from Spring Break ‘72, either. Let’s try to keep this fairly “real”.
  • You don’t necessarily have to be the subject of the picture. By the same token, if you’re not, then the subject(s) should be known to you. No fair going to the beach and snapping pictures left and right. Yes, they might be “Half-Nekkid”, but they don’t follow the spirit of “Half-Nekkid Thursday”.
  • While animals can be included in a “Half-Nekkid Thursday” picture, they are not the focus, therefore cannot be the subject. If an animal is all that keeps your picture “Half-Nekkid” rather than “Full-Nekkid”, that’s OK.
  • You are allowed a very limited number of cute-kids-in-the-tub type of pictures. We’re interested in YOU!
  • Use some originality with your shots. Facial shots should be limited. Artsy body landscapes, conversely, are highly encouraged. If a partner/family member is needed to take the picture, that’s OK.
  • Props can help you with creativity, and their use is encouraged, but not necessary.
  • As we get into this, you may find that you want to post more than one picture for “Half-Nekkid Thursday”. I would discourage this practice unless absolutely necessary. You should hold some pictures in reserve, in case you find yourself without a new picture down the road.
  • While I can hardly control when you post pictures on your own blogs, let’s try to keep “Half-Nekkid Thursday” special, and post “Half-Nekkid” pics only on Thursdays. If you feel the urge to post them more than once a week, I might recommend just emailing them out, rather than posting.
  • Tattoos are certainly an acceptable subject, regardless of location. Scars are also acceptable, but please respect the others who visit “Half-Nekkid Thursday” on a regular basis. Spread out the scar pictures over a few weeks’ time, please!
  • Speaking of scars–If you use a picture of a scar, it must be accompanied by some sort of humorous anectdote as to how you got it. For a long, but good example, go here.
  • Other skin conditions might not be acceptable, due to good taste. These include, but are not limited to warts, zits, lesions, ingrown hairs, boils, open sores, peeling skin, scabies, rashes, or any other assorted gross things. I’m not saying that you can’t post them. Just use your best judgement, for the sake of the rest of us.
  • When referring to “Half-Nekkid Thursday”, please spell it correctly! Not Naked, not Neked, not Nakid. It’s “Half-Nekkid Thursday”.
  • It’s very important to not be dissing other’s submissions! We’re all going to have half-hearted entries from time to time. None of us is better than the other. One the other hand, it’s completely acceptable to heap praise upon those that deserve it!
  • IMPORTANT!–Remember to visit my current “HNT” post and leave a comment indicating that you’ve posted a picture for “Half-Nekkid Thursday”. Consider my blog as the informational kiosk for “Half-Nekkid Thursday”. You’ll be able to see who is joining the tradition. Commenting is much easier for all concerned, rather than updating my blog each time someone posts their picture. I will try to keep the Blogroll in my sidebar updated each week.

I hope that these guidelines help all of you. Get those cameras going!


    “Half-Nekkid Thursday”
    What the people are saying…
    “Os – you are like a god in the blogger world right now!!!” – Steph
    “I predict this idea will skyrocket OsBasso to superstardom…” – Bug’s Butt
    “…naughty, but only as naughty as one wants it to be.” – Andi
    “I’m in. And I’m all-nekkid as I write this.” – aughra
    “No longer an HNT virgin. Damn you Osbasso…” – Ali
    “Gross…” – Anonymous
    “You’re a man’s man!” – Summer
    “You inspire me.” – Chick
    “New to HNT…decided to jump on the bandwagon…” – Mel Mega
    “hnt is the shiz, my niz.” – Ty (I don’t know what that means…)
    “Os is a str8up Internet mack daddy and shit.” – Ty (???)
    “…this is awesome!” – Yoj
    “You know I wouldn’t miss HNT.” – hippigirl
    “…I hope I didn’t break any rules. Gulp!” – Sam
    “Woo hoo! You’re brilliant, Osbasso! =)” – Min
    “Osbasso – Thanks for starting all of this fun…” – Chick
    “Thanks for sharing in my HNT…I feel so naughty…” Nina
    “HNT – the great equalizer” – aughra
    “Our children and their children will one day talk about it’s greatness!” – emily
    “Os, you are a genius…” – yournamehere
    “I’ve decided to do the half-nekkid Thurs too. Fun idea!” – Staci
    “Osbasso: I love this!” – Min
    “Just some nip, nothing exciting.” – C
    “Oh yeah, I’m loving the Half-Nekkid Thursday fun.” – Chick
    “I love HNT!” – Kayten
    “Makes me wish I could see more!” – oxie
    “OMG! I love the bath HNTS!!!” – emily
    “How does this contest work again?” – Egan
    “I blame the TxPrincess Steph.” – Shumpy
    “Come on…everyone’s doing it…don’t you want to be cool?” – Nina
    “I’m excited to be on board!” – Mel Mega
    “HNT is slowly taking over the world.” Cindy-Lou
    “yeah, one more to the hnt cult..i mean, family.” – LE
    “It’s my second HNT…it’s too much fun!!” – Binsk
    “Osbasso, ever feel proud of what you started!? lol” – Leandra
    “Damn, dude. This thing may really take off.” – Darrel
    “…I find HNT to be oodles more fun!” – Redneck Diva
    “HNT is awesome!” – Corrina
    “Definitely strange, but I recognize & appreciate the quality.” – Moos
    “I was hoping for a third nipple or something of the sort…” – Andi
    “…with a little imagination we can do lots with HNT!” – Binsk
    “Interesting concept Os…” – Rachel
    “All of us guys who read this blog owe Os so many beers” – yournamehere
    “Thought I would join the fun- could not resist : )” – Kfarmer
    “…it’s ok to be a perv, embrace it!!!” – Emily
    “Os – this was the best idea EVER!!!!!” – Steph
    “man, you have too much time on your hands” – Moosekahl
    “Os Basso for president!” – Bug’s Butt

It’s Thursday!

May 25, 2005

“Half-Nekkid Thursday”
DSCF1836
Beers with the ever-charming Rachel!
Don’t forget to comment here if you’re joining in on “Half-Nekkid Thursday”!


iTunes: I Got You Babe, Sonny & Cher

Tagged

May 25, 2005

Go-go tagged me with this. Fortunately, I got tagged by a west-coast Canadian in March, so I’ll just update the old stuff. The list for #4 hasn’t changed any. I fully doubt that many of you will recognize many of the titles, but if you’re desperate to know what they sound like, let me know and I’ll get you a file.

1. Total amount of music files on your computer

    531 files. All genres–classical, rock, jazz, country. No rap though!

2. The last CD purchased

    “Rediscovering Lost Scores, Vol. I” – Wendy (formerly Walter) Carlos. Unreleased tracks from movie soundtracks that she/he wrote for–”The Shining”, “Clockwork Orange”, among others.

3. The last song listened to before reading this post

    “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” – Wham (that’s highly coincidental Ago-go!)

4. 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you

    OK, this one takes some effort. Most of these will be important because of how they have affected my future impressions of music, not because they were “our songs” from some ill-fated junior high romance. In no particular order:

    • “Amie” – Pure Prairie League. One of my earliest “favorite” songs. Great acoustic sound, fantastic harmonies. Also helped with my relationships that I had with a couple of different “Amy”s.
    • “Finale” from The Firebird Suite by Stravinsky – Tomita. First time I heard this was on a live YES album (Yessongs). They used it as the pre-concert music as they come on stage. This hit me for two reasons. One, Tomita made his mark by taking classical music and performing them with a wide array of synthesizers. Very groundbreaking in the day. And I was fascinated by that stuff. Secondly, the music is spectacular–the harmonic structure, the change of meter, the magnificent grandeur of the piece. It was the first piece of classical music that absolutely reached out and grabbed me and made me go out and purchase my first orchestral LP. I’ve had the pleasure of performing this piece of music a couple of times, and it’s still as magical now as it was then!
    • “Down To the Nightclub” – Tower of Power. My first exposure to real funk music. Never had I heard a horn section so tight. Honkin’ bari sax, screamin’ trumpets, and the incredible pairing of David Garibaldi on drums and Rocco Prestia (who would look more at home with Jimmy Buffet!) on bass. There is no one who can lay down a funk beat like those two!
    • “Clea” – Matrix IX. Matrix IX (later, just Matrix) was a jazz fusion band (for lack of a better term) from Wisconsin, I believe. Six horns, big rhythm section–many of their members are currently well-respected educators at various universities. They were very big on the college jazz tour circuit in the late 70s. Their fusion was more like jazz/classical/rock. This song is one of the most gorgeous songs I’ve ever heard. No real lyrics–just some wonderful sounds. I actually arranged this for orchestra, which worked very nicely, but doesn’t live up to the original. Unfortunately, none of the old Matrix albums are available on CD, but I just won this particular LP on eBay in mint condition, so the digitizing will have to begin soon!
    • “Clair de Lune” by Debussy. Originally written for piano, it’s been rewritten for full orchestra by a couple of people. I’ve always liked the music, but I heard an orchestral version used in the movie “The Right Stuff” during the scenes between the fan dancer in Texas and the shots of Chuck Yeager flying, and I was hooked. The climax of the piece will give you chills (like a good climax should….).

    Just for good measure, and without explanation, here are five more “favorite songs”:

    • “I Wanna Be Like You” – from the Disney movie The Jungle Book
    • “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana by Orff
    • “Moonlight Serenade” – Glenn Miller Band
    • “Choose Something Like A Star” from Frostiana by Randall Thompson
    • “Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor” – Chuck Mangione

Sorry this was a long one! I hereby tag Rachel, Crystal and Moose (who didn’t do it the last time).

Technical Question

May 24, 2005

Anyone know how to slow down an animated GIF? My guy peeing on Microsoft up there is going to sprain something if he keeps going that fast….

UPDATE–Fixed!

“We have contact…”

May 22, 2005

Lots to write about this morning. Yesterday was a long and eventful day. Bloggerworld clashed with Realworld again. Twice. With vastly different results. Sleep was missed, a race was run (no, not by me–be real!) and music was made. And of course, beer was consumed, so the day ended on a high note!

To start the day off (at some time shortly after midnight), I got home after symphony rehearsal and some beers. I jump online to run my circle of bloggers. This is where BW and RW clashed first. I read a very disturbing post by one of my bloggerfriends, and without going into details, caused me to not actually fall asleep until well after 3 AM, and even then I didn’t get much sleep. Damn my bloggerfriends for making me actually care about them!

Had to get up early for a dress rehearsal for the concert. And early enough to get through the barricades. The Montana Race For the Cure was run yesterday. I have been blessed with not having to confront the breast cancer issue in my family or friends. Participating in a race is not something that I would do, or have ever done, regardless of the cause or reason. That’s just not me. But I usually like the spectacle of these things, and generally support their efforts. Unless they inconvenience me. Like yesterday. When the race actually starts, the multitude of volunteers on the race route set out their barricades so that cars aren’t plowing down participants. These volunteers are the Race Nazis. You CANNOT cross these barricades. If you try, a gaggle of Nazis will stop you using any means necessary. And since the race blocks the streets necessary to get to the concert hall, you’ve got to go early to avoid them. But it was a sunny morning, and enjoyed it, even though I was tired.

My second clash of BW/RW came at the concert itself. I emailed Rachel to let her know that I left two comp tickets for her if she wanted to use them. With such short notice, I didn’t know if she would or not. Lo and behold, I’m about to leave the stage at intermission, and I hear my name from the audience. “Os, Os…” (well, not Os, but I digress). It’s Rachel! At least I think it’s Rachel. The only picture we’ve seen is the one she put up for her profile. And she wasn’t dressed up for a symphony concert in that one! After clumsily tiptoeing over and around instruments, I make it down to her. We officially introduce ourselves and hug. “Houston, we have contact!” She is the first bloggerfriend (Moose & the Goddess don’t count) that I’ve met face to face! A real flesh-and-blood person! I think we hit it off great–we’ll definitely be drinking beers with her in the future. Our conversation was only about 5-10 minutes long, but I loved it! I think there was a tinge of awkwardness–sort of that meeting-the-blind-date feeling, but we got over that quickly (I did, anyway). Obviously, this clash of the two worlds went much better than the first clash of the day.

The concert went well. The governor of MT narrated Copland’s “A Lincoln Portrait” without embarassing himself. The president of Carroll College won the chance to conduct “Stars & Stripes Forever” at an auction and did a very credible job. The whole concert was more “Americana” than patriotic. Call me a commie, but I really hate patriotic concerts. Too much fake pride for me. This was more a celebration of American music, with just a touch of flag-waving. Since yesterday was also Armed Forces Appreciation Day around here (was it anywhere else?), we played the standard musical military salute, and we also did a couple of John Williams pieces to honor fallen heroes, survivors, and the police/fire departments. All in all, a nice way to end the season. A feel-good concert in all respects.

Then alot of us went to the Brewhouse and drank beer (sense a theme?) and unwound. Thus ends a long day. Where I had problems getting to sleep the night before–I was out like a light last night. Not even my horny birds could wake me this morning!


iTunes: Real Good Feelin’, Jack Mack & The Heart Attack

Score!

May 20, 2005

Alison Krauss & Union Station
Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bozeman, MT
Thursday, August 4th, 8:00 PM
2 tickets – FLOOR, Row 6, Seats 19 & 20 (center)

HAPPY DANCE!

Poll Results VI

May 20, 2005

The non-question poll from this past week saw one big weener. For whatever reason, Ago (who now seems to have changed her name to Ago-go) beat out Andi, Julie and LBB. The other blog names didn’t even get one vote. What does all this mean? Who knows? But congrats, girl! Results from this past week (only answers that got votes are listed):

Blog Names

    Ago (4)
    Andi (1)
    Julie (1)
    Lightning Bug’s Butt (1)

The Goddess and I went to the new Star Wars movie tonight at the new theater I mentioned in an earlier post. Surprisingly few people for the 9:15 show. There were huge crowds for the first showings. Thumbs up on the new theater. As for the movie, I’ve considered myself as a bit of a Star Wars geek. Not in the dress-up-as-a-Wookie geek, but in the I-need-to-see-the-movie-as-soon-as-it-comes-out geek. You’ll hear/read plenty about it, so I won’t bore you, but I will say that George Lucas ties up all the loose ends between Episodes III & IV, as far as I can tell. So this week’s poll asks which of the Star Wars movies is the best. May the force be…well, you know. New poll is up over there on the right—>


iTunes: All I Wanna Do, Sheryl Crow