Newscoma

Dear Hoots,

Thanks. You helped me out tonight. You helped me find my lost swagger.

From watching cats that liked me (I was surprised and delighted) walk on dog chains at the Engineer and the Grad Student’s house to hearing Dirk Diggler talk about his son to the talk of True Blood to eating at the new sushi place to talking about my mom …

Let’s say, you gave me what I needed tonight.

Small towns are pretty cool if you look for what lies beneath the stereotypes.

And, listen to this and do it now because I’ve always had a raging crush on not only Hal Ketchum but the movie, Terror of Tiny Town.

Love,
Newscoma

I’m a bit busy today but I feel that everyone in the free world really needs to see this.

It doesn’t look like that much fun to me but one never knows what will be popular. Yes, I bought a Pet Rock.

I LOVE Calvin and Hobbes and I can’t wait to see this.

Calvin and Hobbes, with Bloom County, are absolutely my favorites.

Because The Old Crow Medicine Show makes me happy.

We must hear William Shatner sing The Pulp’s Common People in the Star Trek cartoon because that’s how we swing here at Casa Coma.

I’ve been thinking of the next best thing. You know what I mean, that thing that is just as groovy as the moment that cavemen discovered that that white stuff that comes out of cows could indeed make cheese, which was a very good day if you ask me.

That isn’t really going anywhere but it was on my mind.

I’ve talked about politics a lot this week and I’m sort of tired of it, but I do want to implore you guys who are so inclined to take five seconds and follow the directions of whom I call the Two Steves and join the TNDP.

I also want to say one thing to Frank Strovel, who fought a battle he didn’t want to this week for all of us with the Associated Press. I adore Frank and I have just two words for him.

Thank you.

He didn’t ask for what he got served earlier this week, and he fought the battle admirably with class and style. Go Frank because you proved that one voice DOES make a difference.

On to other things, and that is I’m quite smitten with Hoots this morning. I guess I don’t say that enough but today I’m feeling quite good about my little place in the world other than we need a sushi bar AND a sports bar that shows more than just Nascar. Those are petty issues really but I realized last night as I saw friends and acquaintances and there was an easy comfortable feel to my random meetings last night (not meetings, more like ships passing in the sea) but it made me feel very warm and fuzzy. From the retired fireman who wants me to help an abandoned dog left at his home find her family to talking to Squirrel Queen’s mom who told me last night while she was out of town I could bring bloggers to her house (which is a huge difference from a couple of years ago when she thought the tubes were filled with evil people who wanted to, I guess, get naked with us, take pictures and put them on YouTube.)

I feel warm and fuzzy because I like my friends and I love my family. Sometimes, as I referred to in the opening graph, I keep looking for the next best thing when it was right in front of me the entire time.

So I bid you a lovely Friday, and one of significance, and I leave you with this song posted by GingerSnaps of Dolly Parton getting her religion on (and if you look very closely, you will see Ms. Snaps singing in the choir.)

Image via Monkeys For Helping

Ron Hogan has an extensive guide on Peep Culture.

And this photo cracks me up.

We being with my day where my buddy Dirk Diggler gave me a tiny spy camera. We, of course, found Bigfoot before the first round of the OVC tournament between UT Martin and Tennessee Tech. This camera is little bitty, and Bigfoot was needing on for his vacation later this year.

Then it was time to go to the game.

No, the team is not named the ‘awks. Where’s the H?

There it is.

Trudy, one of the hardest working people I know, who also has to deal with painted college students. It’s part of her job, which amuses me. She also is a superhero.

Gratuitous picture of Matt Maxey, assistant sports director. Some of my Nashville peeps may know Maxey who was wandering the floor after the game.

Rare photo of Squirrel Queen at work with Mr. Hudson

Yes, this would be the voice of the Skyhawks as he was breaking down equipment.

Mabel at 1 a.m. for Captain Kona.

Well, Shaq kind of makes me feel good. I don’t know why but he does.

I think Valentine’s Day is sort of goofy and a corporate holiday of mass proportions but what the hell, if it works for you, have fun with it.

So, here are my favorite cards that you can send me if you are so inclined.

First of all, we have this one that makes me laugh with a Darwin theme.

Then this one that is my kind of Valentine’s Day sentiment:

Now, on to political valentines including this one.

And for you Hoff fans out there:

And go check out Jane’s valentine from her mom. Hysterical!

From the master, Barry White.

Yeah, it’s my Valentine’s Day edition of Feel Good Friday.

This is actually quite beautiful. A camera on a conveyor belt in a Tokyo sushi restaurant. The song is “Lost In The Moment” by shrift.

From the minds of Casualty of Design via Neatorama