Sexual suffrage...

Today is International Women's Day...

Like so many tongue in cheek kind of guys, I was quick, in my mind, anyway, to attempt a snarky come back about suffering with women, or cross continental penis afternoon, or something.

But I won't. Why? Well, for one thing, women have only had the right to vote, in America, for LESS THAN 100 YEARS, to start with.

Other unfortunate truths? Women still earn less doing the same job a man does in some fields. Media still glorifies the attention whore starlet over ideas of strong, intelligent, and capable women. Women still get taken advantage of at places like auto mechanics, and with some service contractors.

It's uncomfortable to think about, being a member of the great tripod oppressors, but the rights of women aren't really that old, here in the United States. (Less so for minorities - another subject all together.) And, in other countries, just mentioning women's rights can get you jailed... or worse.

And I really find that odd; seeing as how most of corporate administration is run by women. It's, usually, the woman that runs the household. And women make up the majority of teachers in our public school systems. Women can also govern quite well, we're seeing; filling roles in health, domestic and world affairs, serving in law enforcement, and civil services. And, in other countries, have even been head of state.

Some of the most talented, intelligent, and most persevering friends I have are women. My best friend is a woman; health administrator for one of the country's largest universities, and a near literary expert. (She also commands one of the largest personal storehouses of useless trivia, ever.)

The point is, that even though we feel so accomplished in our little world, the fact is we still have a long, long way to go in regards to establishing, and protecting, the rights of citizens, and our fellow human beings.

The mysteries of womanhood may be lost to me, but the need to defend... no, fight for the rights of my fellow citizen aren't. Tonight I raise my cup to the women in my life, and in my world; because, guys, let's face it, we wouldn't be here without any of them.

The Union of Earth and the state of Man...

I know it's been quiet over here at my office for the past week. More on that, soon. Right now I'm digesting the State of the Union speech from our current president. His message was very positive, and forward thinking.

Unfortunately, this is all I could hear...

I want so badly for the peoples of the world to wake up, look around, and realize what we're becoming, what we're losing, and what we have yet to gain. I want it so bad I sometimes cry over it.

A thought, a prayer...

Taken by a Routers' photographer in Hu Yuanjia, On November 25th, 2011. The uncredited photographer recalls:

“I remember clearly that it was about 5 p.m. on November 25. I was just finishing an assignment photographing retired military soldiers bidding farewell to their comrades at the train station. On my way out, I heard someone yelling from a corner and soon after lots of people gathered around. I ran towards the sound and made my way to the front of the crowd, only to find an old man dead on the bench. As I raised my camera, a Buddhist monk walked out of the crowd and went directly towards the dead man. The monk bent down to hold the old man’s hand and started to chant scriptures. I began to take pictures immediately. One minute later, police came over and cordoned off the area. After the monk finished the ceremony, he bowed to the old man and quickly disappeared among the other busy passengers.”

I think of all the images of the past year, this one will stay with me for the rest of my life, for many reasons. Maybe it's the comforting idea that someone may be there to guide me to whatever afterlife I may meet. Maybe that someone will actually care, if if he, or she, is a completely random stranger.

Or, perhaps, that that person may end up being me...

Peace and grace be with you. Whether we end up breeding a world of such compassion and thought, or not, be the warm light of hope to your neighbor; regardless if they be familiar, or not. Better yet, go introduce yourself...

See this, and the rest of the set from 2011 here.

NO TICKET!

Whether you want to give the credit to being Scottish, or not, is okay;

either way this tosser learned a valuable lesson...

Conductors have friends. Big friends.

Oh crickey... Oh crumbs...

That's a wrap, Mr. Hall. Thanks for all the hard work!

A little over a week ago, the world of animation lost one of the great creators, Mark Hall; who gave us Danger Mouse - the story of a one eyed white mouse in a white jump suit who, living at a mailbox at 221b Baker street, fought evil with his bumbling side kick Penfold.

What? It was the eighties, for crying out loud.

Many were the afternoons I would hurry home from school to catch the zany antics of this pair as they fought a host of diabolical megalomaniacs, such as Silas Greenback and Count Duckula. Dispatched by Colonel K, the pair would gallivant the world to protect it from evil. 

Anyway, anyone who is in the know has obviously connected this wonderful gem from my childhood to its modern day tribute in my car, The Dangermouse; the story of how it earned its name is legend among my friends.

So, thank you Mark Hall; wherever you may be. I never met you, but your cartoon lives on in me... and my car.

Occupied...

With all the hype from media outlets pratcially demonizing the Occupy Wallstreet movement, and its growing, global following, memebers of Fark, armed with a camera, thought it a good idea to head down and see for themselves if this was the spoiled, self entittled, group of whiners that were portrayed on the news.

Meanwhile, as the fight for our country rages on, it might be important for the rest of us to follow the example of middle America, tighten our belts, and deal.

It's a two sided front to save "The American Dream", but one worth fighting!!!

Norway in my heart...

A bomb, or bombs, at the capitol, and a coordinated attack on a youth camp with a total of 80 dead, and counting. A nationalist, "conservative" gunman and a government that declares retaliation with "more Democracy".

It's been a crazy world, these past few weeks. But coming from a country that strikes out against terror with terror, I pause to reflect on the small nation of Norway. And, I find my heart goes out to them in many ways.

With respect, and hopes for peace and a speedy recovery, The Conductor's Office now presents the Norwegian National Anthem...

This is presented, not as an American to a Norwegian, or as one member of a Democracy to another. But, instead, in solidarity; from one human to another, one Earthling to another. There will come a day when the fears and superstitions of the past will fall, and the dark hearted peddlers of their hate will rein no more. On that day, we, as one people, will rise against the dark and proclaim; "We were not afraid. We will never be afraid. And as one we shall endear to a bright and wondrous future."

Let's check this, okay?



This...



...does not equal this...







... because of this.

Recently, of the ensuing riots in Vancouver over the loss of the Canucks to the Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals, I heard a commentator remark how similar he thought the mid riot make out session of the horny love birds was like the celebration kiss of New York at the end of World War 2...

Yeah, that guy can suck it...

Fifty years, and counting!

April 12th, 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of

the first man ,Yuri Gagarin, to orbit the Earth;
officially launching both the space race, and the Space Age.



Headlines don't lie...

Sometimes the jokes, they write themselves...

I've heard of "giving your eye teeth" before...

... but this is a little too literal.

Spider-man saves autistic boy!

Just a little something inspirational for your Tuesday.

From the internet to real life!

Pirate versus Ninja about to become reality!

Remember remember the fifth of November!

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

Cue the big synth organ!

I don't know what deserves the comment; the fact we picked up a signal,

or the fact that no one has reported it... until now?!

How many sic-fi disaster epics start like this?

If Awesomeville goes off air tomorrow, you know why.

Hope the flame doesn't ignite the sky!

Welcome to the *cough cough hack weeze* 2008 summer games.

And then... the world blew up...

A little food for thought...

And cue REM...

And then, the world blew up...