Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Britney Spears vs. the Earthworm
Ah, the worm. Nature’s rototiller. I’m glad that you chose this peculiar creature today. They are undervalued.
They’re also the reason I could never get into fishing as a kid - even after having a rod and reel purchased for me as a gift....I couldn’t get past baiting my own hook.(I might be needing that sunscreen today)
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 01/07 at 10:14 AMI too appreciate worms. While searching for nightcrawlers, I observed, what I’m sure is worms mating. I don’t doubt earthworms view sex more intelligently than Brad Pitts and Brittany Jolie!
Earthworms seldom suffer the effects of dysfunctional families, weekly divorces, alcoholism and money disputes. Earthworms would be more interesting to look at while waiting at the check out counter in the grocery store. There could be an earthworm quarterly illustrating the fine attributes of the many varieties of worms. With the appropriate knowledge and equipment, one could probably do an earthworm interview and get their perspective on how humans are hellbent on destruction of everything. We could have books of poetry by worms, self-help childraising from an earthworms perspective...how little we know.Posted by Joe of Maine on from 01/07 at 10:57 AMGood morning, Amelopsis. Yes, fluoride is thought to cause a lot of problems. Also some experts believe that PVC and/or plastics have an interesting effect on human biology. I have read in different sources that it acts like estrogen in both males and females. I didn’t make that up. I read it, honest I did.
Mickey...I love earthworms. They are kind of cute and they definately are more important to the survival of the planet than Brad or Paris or Oprah. I also like inch worms. Once I spent an entire afternoon watching them do their tricks. Nature is fascinating. I could set my clocks by the time the rabbits in my yard come out to eat their supper every day. And squirrels, in many situations they outsmart humans. Someone could make a bundle of money if they could design a fool-proof way of keeping squirrels from causing power outages.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 01/07 at 11:09 AMJoe...I love your comment. You are right. I have met a lot of earthworms, and not a dysfunctional one in the bunch. Yes, we need a down to earth-worm type of school system.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 01/07 at 11:12 AMmorning all…
I’d rather watch a worm eat dirt than britney sing crap any day.
Posted by JOS on from Oak Park 01/07 at 11:28 AMHey everyone, thanks for asking or wishing well about my new arrival, I posted a couple of pics at the end of yesterday’s post, go see if you’re interested. Only ten months old and she’s already running the place here.
JOS, as to your question, I suppose there’s a reason that I’m talking about my cats so much, right?
And RMJ, how did you know how good my haircut looks? Have images made the airwaves somehow?
And yes, it’s still disturbingly warm here, but not as much as yesterday.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 01/07 at 11:28 AMGood morning, Expendables! I thank all, not to mention sundry, for their kind words about my possible new job from yesterday. I finished training my chickadees last night at 8pm, and look forward to new challenges. And more money. And health benefits.
Earthworms are fascinating. I think back to the first earthworm I ever saw, in my mother’s garden behind our house in Los Gatos. I was uprooting her radishes when this horrible, terrifying flesh colored snot string came up from the ground. Being three, I was equally fascinated by it, so I screamed blue murder while picking the slimy thing up. Mama, to her credit, focused on teaching me to appreciate the earthworm and left the grumpiness over the half-grown radishes aside.
JOS, from last night, the non-existent love life will end when you want it to, so what is it you’re looking for in this (pardon the pun) down-time?
RMJ, sleek old radicals abound here...just trained one, a former commune-dweller who has the most gorgeous baritone voice, is fluent in both Spanish and Chomsky, and thinks Democrats should be held more sternly to account than Repulsivecans for their support of this idiot war because they are marignally smarter than the four-neuron-havin’ conservatives.
CatLady, well, money is better than no money in this capitalist money-based economy, so back to Mogan Stevie doesn’t sound as bad as all that. As for your third pussy’s integration into the pride, well, straight males are all alike, aren’t they? One day I’ll write a memoir called I Married a Straight Boy about you, husband dear, and I’ll be especially harsh about your cat fetish. Actually, there’s already porn about that, so I don’t need to do much....
Empress, it’s eerie how warm this winter’s been up there. Of course, one winter’s warmth doesn’t say diddly about global warming, but it’s hard not to make the leap...the trend is so steadily towards warmer temperatures that I can’t resist thinking that this is a harbinger of future events.
MZ, hey there sexy old man! How’s that heart-melting smile holding up? I’m in the midst of running the publishing contest, reading all the NaNovels my group submitted for our ultimate thrill of a lulu.com published book, so I haven’t asked about YOUR NaNovel. Unfriendly of me, and I apologize. What did you end up doing with yourself (ABOVE the waist) this November?
Posted by Mudge on from Austin, Texas 01/07 at 11:33 AMMudge it’s nice to have you back here in case I hadn’t already mentioned it. Good news on the job front too - money falling from the sky would always be nicer, but I’m glad to hear things are on the up. As for our warm weather, I think the harbingers are gone and the future is now.
RMJ I can and do spend hours watching the crawly and flying wildlife in the summers. No rabbits, but cicadas and butterflies are just as fascinating as the little dirt intestines.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 01/07 at 11:39 AMOOPS! James the new cat is quite a sexy beast! I like cats with a little eyeliner like she’s wearing. (this comment will only sound unhealthy if you want it to!)
My two cat companions made friends with their dog cousin over the holidays! (ok ‘friends’ might be pushing it a little, but it was a successful encounter none the less) Good vibes not least due to the gentle demeanour of the canine girl.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 01/07 at 11:43 AMOh Mudge, As for straight males, well no, this 3rd one is a girl, which worried me at first, but the other two are slowly taking to her, or at least not hissing or swiping at her so much, ignoring her at worst.
But an odd exchange it was-- my bike was stolen the night I got her, when I locked up outside the subway since I couldn’t carry the cat-carry box home while riding… damn it. I’m going out to check the streets again, more futile quest.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 01/07 at 11:48 AMHello Expendables...from sunny Miami, I mean, NYC. Today’s comments demonstrate why I love this blog. I can post about rats, worms, etc. and get such interesting and passionate replies.
Cat Lady: I concur with Empress. Sonja is a sexy beast.
Mudge: I did complete a novel called The Adventures of Jesus Hitler during November and I’m currently shopping it around (along with my 2005 novel). I’d like to get a book deal of some sort soon. As frustrating as it can be, it’s been too long. I’ve got a few things—fiction and non-fiction—cooking...but it’s always a long, strange trip.
Hello Empress, JOS, Joe, RMJ, and everyone else.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/07 at 01:07 PMHey MZ, glad to hear you’re still swinging for the Green Monster. Jesus Hitler sounds intriguing; I hope it won’t be homeless for long!
How many Expendables use LibraryThing? Its online catalog boasts users with copies of all Our Host’s books! Put your library online for free, and increase Mickey’s profile on this obsessive-reader forum! http://www.librarything.com/
Smoochings all around, I’m back to reading manuscripts.
Posted by Mudge on from Austin, Texas 01/07 at 01:29 PMHow about Nematodes?
Jack Tempchin wrote the song for the Eagles, “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” On his own he is intensely creative-- and his website is a pleaure to explore. I recommend ALL his music… if you can find it (it’s rare now), get a hold of his early album: The Funky Kings. Unlike the Eagles, who were at best accomplished performers, Tempchin has the real soul power.
So how about Nematodes?Jack Tempchin writes:
“There’s a reason for everything. Did you ever notice how often you accidentally run into the very piece of information you need? Knowledge is only useful to you at the moment you become able to understand it.” -Posted by Robert B. Livingston on from San Francisco, California 01/07 at 02:32 PMIf worms are so great, how come they’re always running for public office?
Posted by anon on from Endicott, NY 01/07 at 03:20 PManon #14...just goes to show you that not all worms are perfect.
Mudge...how about sending some of those sleek old radicals up here. We are suffering from a shortage in these parts.
WHCU in Ithaca NY has asked me to do another on-air interview. I will be on tomorrow morning at about 9:30. Is there anything special you want me to say?
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 01/07 at 04:25 PMIt sounds silly but I can sit and watch a worm for a long time and not get bored.
A few days back you posted about your belief that there is no God. I’m glad you did. I am not convinced either way and find myself stuck in the middle.
I went to a catholic school not because my family was catholic but because my mom didn’t want me bussed to a far off school. I always had a concrete belief in God up until a few years ago. There wasn’t one certain thing that made me question my faith but rather lots of small things.
For instance, Why would an all loving, all powerful, & fair God create humans without giving them a choice about it and insist they worship him or spend an eternity burning in a lake of fire.
On the other hand if we are just nothing more than flesh & bones held together by skin why did humans evolve so much father along than animals. How did we get to the top of the food chain? we have no natural defense system. Most four legged predators would of had no problem making a meal of us. Our advantage of course was our superior brain power. Why did nature give us such overwhelming power and no other animal comes close?
Mickey you resemble a figure who is prominent in the bible. He fought for the weak and downtrodden. He didn’t care much for rich powerful people. He fought against the mainstream church. You remind me alot of Jesus. How did you develop such compassion if indeed you are nothing but biological soup? The law of nature is that the strong trample over the weak but we humans are capable of compassion towards the weak. Why is that?
Posted by David on from Louisville KY 01/07 at 04:31 PMCaptcha says “faith”. That’s pretty profound.
Peace!
Posted by David on from Louisville KY 01/07 at 04:54 PMI appreciate worms as well - more than Madonna probably, although I quite like her music, I must say. Thanks for the ‘worm lesson’, Mickey.
‘Hi’ to Amelopsis, Joe, Rosemarie, JOS, James, Mudge, Robert B. Livingston, anon and David from a slightly cooler Daylesford - only about 80F today. Although we have had a little rain over the weekend, it is just not enough to break the drought even if most bushfires have been ‘contained’ if not extinguished.
Auf Wiederkommentieren,
Helga‘I did complete a novel called The Adventures of Jesus Hitler during November and I’m currently shopping it around (along with my 2005 novel)’. Good luck, Mickey - I look forward to reading both books.
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 01/07 at 05:52 PMHello Nematodes.
I just had to reply to David: Jesus?
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/07 at 05:56 PMDavid...you bring up some very profound thoughts. I have recently been researching “empathy” as demonstrated by non-human animals. There have been some interesting experiments. I am coming to the conclusion that humans are lacking in compassion as compared to some non-human animals.
In the 4th paragraph you question how “God” thinks. If there is an Ultimate Cause (my name for god, if there is a god) It probably doesn’t think in the same way that we do. It must be a very different kind of entity, otherwise we, too, could create a universe. Right?
And about Mickey, I think he is more of a Robin Hood than a Jesus.
I remember a Rod Sterling story that made the point that none of this exists in reality. Why would god or any other entity create a universe when the same thing could be accomplished as an illusion in our minds.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 01/07 at 06:11 PMRobin Hood, huh? Hmm…
RMJ: I just read a novel by Nick Mamatas and will post about here later in the week (tomorrow, I’m posting abot a different novel I just read, btw). Anyway, in the course of interviewing Mamatas, he talked about how his protagonist tried to create a micro-state, separate from the U.S.: “The book deals with the foundation of microstates that ultimately recapitulate the problems of the U.S., shows that the political question isn’t just a matter of individual lifestyle, or of choosing one nation over another. We’re in a world system, after all.”
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/07 at 06:21 PMMickey...that was a compliment. Robin Hood is one of my heroes. I still think that we should have a National Robin Hood Day and everyone should do what he did on that day.
That novel sounds good. It reminds me of something that the Car Guys (Click and Clack) said once - the US should break up into groups of 10 because any system becomes unworkable if there are more than 10 people in it. ....One thing is for sure, in my view, the usa is just way too big. Sometimes size matters.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 01/07 at 06:39 PMThanks, RMJ. I took it as a compliment, trust me.
I’ve often mused about America being broken into 50 countries. You know, Oregon could be anarchist, Alabama could be Christian, Idaho could be all white, etc.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/07 at 06:44 PMSo what would NYC be? ...assuming it’s its own country separate from the rest of the state.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 01/07 at 07:00 PMJames...maybe NYC should be turned over to the Indians since it was acquired by fraud - same thing for the rest of the State. I have been reading some not-so-nice things about Henry Hudson.
And about Vermont...it could be the State for Pretenders. Here the politicians pretend to be opposed to the war but they continue to vote for funding it.
And Pennsylvania...it could be the State for Immigrants. I have been following the mean-spirited way in which Hazelton has been treating fellow human beings.
My captcha word is “peace”...how about that !
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 01/07 at 07:18 PMIt might be a fun Expendable project to conjure up 50 nations—one for each state (and we could then move on to Canadian provinces).
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/07 at 07:29 PMC’mon Mickey, Jesus stayed in good shape and was a champion for justice. If you haven’t yet, Please read his sermon on the mount here:http://tinyurl.com/y4nmzg. I trust you can see the similarities.
Captcha says “believe”. That’s two profound captchas in a row!
Peace!
Posted by David on from Louisville KY 01/07 at 07:54 PMI spent 12 years in Catholic school, David. So I know Jesus pretty well. My reaction to you is, well, it’s really nice to have folks think highly of you...but I’m no Jesus (at least as he is portrayed in the book).
Plus, I’m pretty certain my mother wasn’t a virgin…
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/07 at 07:59 PMI meant to convey that of all the people I know who go to church, You live your life the way I would imagine Jesus would have were he alive today. I don’t mean to embarass you or put you up on a pedistal.
I meant to use the comparison to point out something that is a mystery to me. What gives us the ability to have compassion for people we don’t know.
Posted by David on from Louisville KY 01/07 at 08:09 PMWell, thanks, David. I mean that.
Personally, I think compassion comes naturally. The trick is not letting other humans beat it out of you.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/07 at 08:19 PMAre you still going to take the N train to the city? Or are you just going to walk across the east river from now on?
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 01/07 at 09:43 PMheh heh…
I missed a lot today..too bad...even Mick “The Jesus” Z.
I’ve always liked Jesus. He just had the wrong guys preaching his teachings...a lot of false propaganda...and many bad business managers over the past 2000 years.
I hear you on compassion, David…
Good night all.
Posted by JOS on from Oak Park 01/07 at 11:41 PMoh and Mudge...subconsciously I think I just needed a break from romantic relationships...consciously I think about women about every 5.2 seconds or so. In my downtime I’ve taken on the beautiful dream of being a poet. I think I’ve written 75 poems in the last couple of months…
Posted by JOS on from Oak Park 01/07 at 11:47 PMI think Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are famous for their controversies.
All information about Britney Spears in www.britjeanspears.org, the most interesting blogs in en.bitacle.org or one of the best Britney Spears blogs in www.britjeanspearsnews.blogspot.comPosted by britjeanspears.org on from spain 01/08 at 03:59 AM
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