Looney Talk

Tim Looney on Being a Musher

2011-08-21T22:07:00.000-05:00

Being a Musher

2011-08-21T06:36:00.002-05:00

Angie Looney: Angie Looney: Keep on Running

2011-08-16T13:16:00.000-05:00

Angie Looney: Angie Looney: Keep on Running

http://tvnewsworkshop.wordpress.com/

Dreams reveal....

2011-07-15T10:12:00.004-05:00

I had a weird dream early this morning. A kid whom was working at this hotel I was at, was showing me the directions to park my vehicle. So I followed him, got in his small golden colored late model car. The windows were roll downs and they had been rolled down. He drove us into the water. I said, "What the bleep?" I started swimming out of the car and he started coming after me. I said again, "What the bleep?" and started swimming harder to get away from him. That is all I can remember.

I did not look it up in my dream dictionary, but I am guessing it has something to do with the suspicion I have of a man who is dating my BFF. If I do not return from my class reunion activities this weekend, I want you all to know of my impending doom.

Signed,

Angela J. Looney

ps-I wish I were kidding but I am not.

Summer Heat

2011-07-15T10:04:00.002-05:00

The days are hot. It is summer and that means humidity. Summers are suppose to be a time to enjoy canoeing, fishing, picking berries, gardening, mowing the yard, running, playing ball, biking and swimming. It is not a time to go head in the house to escape the temperatures. Instead, kick your shoes off, cut up your old t-shirt, put on your sunscreen and wear a hat. Get outside and enjoy the heat. It is summer after all.

Brought to you by the summer lovers fest.

Living in a Modern Commune

2010-05-11T13:55:00.002-05:00

So I was thinking on Mother's Day as I was sitting around the campfire by myself this thought popped into my mind. It would be great if I could live here on my farm, maybe raise a pig and a cow, along with the chickens, cats and dogs, and have a garden. And I would count on my neighbor to grow the feed for the livestock. And we would shop at the local General Store that would NOT get their items from foreign countries but from other crafters within the state or county. And we would gather together in times of harvest and planting. We would share in joys and sorrows. And no one would go without. Everyone would have enough to eat, and warm place to sleep, food in the pantry, food for the livestock, and a place for the children to run and play without fear of stranger abductions.

Is anyone else out there interested? I realize some would say, hey join the Amish. Or some other religious cult. But I don't need religion. Religion is what has caused the great divide of humanity. I am looking for others who wish to commune with others on this spiritual level, who wish to live together as a human unit.

A Conversation with Sarah

2010-04-12T12:46:00.002-05:00

Test using QTfor web.mov

2010-03-22T13:40:00.001-05:00

2010-02-14T15:36:00.001-06:00

Reverence to Life

2010-02-14T13:47:00.008-06:00

I saw the rope
Innocently blowing gently against the silver maple trunk
root bound on top of the concrete
It is what its forced to do

But no complaints come from the tree
until the wind blows
starting slowly, gently, rocking
to and fro
lullaby for finches
and chickadees,
who fly around in a buzz
scrounging for their supper

Alas, I have gotten off the subject
of my suicidal discoveries

I saw the rope
and cut it
but it was tough
cotton, old and covered with
a film of moss

as I sawed the salvation
to my suicide
my arm began to wear
such work to off one's self
why all the bother?
there should be an easier
way
or at least a less dreadful
effort to send the soul to the
other side.

Finished.
The rope is now cut,
the curious dangling rope is
but a stump of a rope
still attached to the Silver Maple
forever, soon to become
swallowed up into the abyss
of organic life.

My thoughts of giving up life
by using the rope
is now being taken by the life force of
the Silver Maple
forever being locked up to be found
by some palenentolgist from
another galaxy
exploring Mother Earth by a
future being.

Even in death, life continues
in perputual motion
forever and ever.
Only dust becomes us
and in that moment
it ceases to be just a particle
but nothingness.

Reverence to Life

Angela J Looney

What Happened to Your Machine Tim?

2010-02-04T20:27:00.002-06:00

If you read all his posts after his nose surgery and all those pictures of Tim with his shirt off covered in his mask, you also would wonder what happened? He is not wearing his mask at nights. Why not you ask? I don't know he won't answer. Maybe all that drama for nothing.
Oh well.....I'm too tired anymore to ask him about it. Time to go to bed and get up at 5:15 to ride along with a 14-year old driver. A driver who stops when we turn corners! And he likes to drive on the left side of the road. Are we in England?
Crykey, I'm gonna go to bed. G'nite.

A Concept

2009-11-23T09:21:00.008-06:00

Sometimes, I come up with the idea and have to let it out. Not wanting to wait, I wish to spit it out like that bad taste of Black Velvet that hits my lips when the husband says, "Here, mouthwash! I want everyone to read my words. I want to share with the millions of Looney Talk subscribers. And then the worry sets in. Like a black film beginning to build on the surface of the bathroom mirror as my spouse is in the shower. The confidence police start circling, waiting for the slightest moment of inadequacy. Hoping to catch me in the act of failing. And then the paranoia hoovers like a Black Hawk helicopter, waiting for me to finish my repulsive act and it strikes me hard to the cool, damp ground. They all are taking over my ideas, my words, my concept.

Shakespeare wrote "to be or not to be, that is the question?" After all the years of trying to figure out just what the bleep he was talking about, I think I have it figured out. If I were to write about my concept right now, it would be open to ridicule before it was even polished. It could possibly be stolen, someone else could take credit for it. All the creative flare I have dedicated to my project- taken in one swift move, similiar to that of a hawk making off with our farmyard chicken.

So, should I write my concept down in the blog? Let the readers put their two cents in. Or wait for the day when I actually do write my concept. Write it down and submit it to some twenty-something year old Hollywood script reader who wouldn't know a good story from a hole in his shoe. He would scribble on my script, "This would not sell! No one would watch. No one would read this." Oh, the negativity monster creeps in, taking all shred of human value I possess in my soul.

Pondering the infamous question of Shakespeare, I will sit upon my rock and challenge my mind, to be or not to be.

Death on 380

2009-10-20T10:32:00.003-05:00

It was not a pretty sight. In one of those moments you see happening in slow motion, it was happening to me. Three vehicles ahead of mine. Playing out for all drivers to see. Or at least those who were wide-eyed and bushy tailed. By almost eight in the morning, at least half a pot of coffee has been ingested by myself. The drivers on the other side, were they paying attention? That is my question. When I saw it happening I wanted to honk my horn and come to a screeching halt. But I knew the drivers behind me weren't paying attention. They were too close. So letting off the gas as the accident happened was all I could do. To my amazement they must have seen it happen as well.

Running as fast as it possibly could, a beautiful doe had decided it was time to cross the busy interstate before 8 o'clock. Thank God she didn't have her fawn following. She was alone. Probably chased by a sexually charged buck or blood-thirsty hunter. Either way it was the final curtain for our little lady. I was three automobiles back. She came running past on the western side of the interstate without getting hit. She was halfway through. But there were a line a traffic on both northbound lanes. A black SUV in the fast lane hit her with its left headlight. Bam! She went straight down in the median. Just as fast as she came out of the corn field did she fall to her death. Murder on the highway. There was nothing to do. Everyone kept going. No one stopped. No one pulled over. Not even the SUV. Everyone drove on by. I kept finding myself slowing down the rest of the commute. Looking and scanning the horizon for her family and friends. No deer anywhere. Guess they all are waiting for their turn to run across the deadly highway.

It is a sad day for the deer and the driver. Their insurance will probably go up. They will likely have thousands of dollars of repairs. I will have that vision of the deer's final seconds of life play over in my head. It's like a movie that you can't take your eyes off. Mesmerizing in a morbid way. Death on 380.

Bedtime Story

2009-09-13T20:14:00.010-05:00

After a month of using the CPAP I can report – underwhelming effect!

It took a while, but I am finally becoming adjusted to wearing it. The hardest part was under my nose, where the mask presses my mustache hairs into my skin. That still hurts by morning.

The other main adjustment was in sleeping position. At first, I slept on my back, but that hurts my lower back. Eventually, I was able to sleep on my side facing the direction the hose went. It took about three weeks to finally get comfortable sleeping on the other side as well, when the hose has to come up over my neck. But it is the only way I can sleep, as I toss and turn and must sleep on both sides.

I am still learning about the humidity level. I do like having cool, moist air when it is hot. We’ve had some cool mornigs, so I am trying out various temperature settings, although th eaother morning, something was weird and I nearly drowned!

But, still no “amazing energy burts” that other users had promised me I would experience. I know my level of sleep apnea is not very high, and ther pressure setting is fairly low, but I still wish I could feel something! I now need to work on getting to bed earlier (thanks a lot, FaceBook!) but I’ve never really been able to sleep more than six or so hours.

So, my report is practically “no report”, at least as far as benefits go. The longer I wear it, the more I get used to it, but I sure hope to feel the effects kick in sometime!

Friday Night Music

2009-08-29T06:29:00.004-05:00

With the change of the seasons come the change of our music format. Or at least this time. Instead of cranking up the stereo and playing everything loud, we went unplugged. We didn't shake the house last night, but it was a rumbling good time had by all.

Music night started out with a girl and her guitar and her man singing. We had started playing together over the weekend and found out that we enjoyed playing together. We started the evening with a Ryan Bingham tune "Hard Times" and I think this one is a keeper. With Tim on the vocals doing a Dylan-style melody the followers the Looney's may find it entertaining. However, having said that don't be mislead that we'll be fashioning any open mic soiree anytime soon. Practice must come first. After all we aren't just ammee's here.

Next on the set list, a stunning rendition of Moonshiner. Or was it strumming? This one gets the fingers fumbling and without being repetitive, with one word I can sum this up-practice.

"Tear Stained Eyes"-Son Volt what a great song. It is one of those tunes that you can easily sing along with especially the chorus. It feels simple but it is quite complex which makes it a brilliant piece of Americana. Don't fall off your chairs but we added some harmonies to this one. Another keeper for the Looney's. The capo really helps on this one-Thank You Jeff Schmidt. You rock.

"Passenger Side"-Wilco. God I love this song. Yeah, we got some issues with the beat but it will come together. It is fun to play and sing along with. Another smart writer, a simple song that is complex. Where do these guys get that I wonder? :)

Now the voice is going and the fingers are starting to not work as well. Time for some easier strumming and we're getting ready to close the joint down. Grab that dance partner and start your little jig to "New Madrid"-Uncle Tupelo. A great little ditty-it's a keeper.

And ending our session, a fun song to play and sing along to, "Wagon Wheel" -Old Crow Medicine Show. Now somewhere I had heard that Bob Dylan wrote that song. Guess I should research it before posting but that would require work and time, so for the moment I will CYA with, we were performing OCMS rendition of said song. It's a great song.

Next on the FNMN show we viewed on DVD the 100s from Java House. Performing back in January for IPTV Radio, it was a great performance. Unplugged but not undone. I love these guys. Great songs, simple but highly complicated. Similar to those other guys we mentioned above. Do you see the attraction? I don't know if you can buy this, but I believe every now and again, the cable channel in Iowa City shows these past performances. It was a great show-Vern McShane rocking the place on the pedal steel. I especially loved the bass solo on the "Picture" song. The only thing about that gig that I disliked was the small room and crowded stage. Not anyone's fault, it just was tight. Great night of music folks. If you have never heard any of these tunes before look them up on google. It is worth the little bit of effort to find them.

Peace,

Ang

Friday Night Music Night: Back on the Air

2009-08-15T08:57:00.003-05:00

After taking some needed creative time, Friday Night Music is back. Thanks in part to sister Jill for her awesome Christmas present. And another thanks to boss Bob Burns and his CD at work. I'll explain how those two brought us here.
As I was driving to work Friday, I like to jam out. So I looked in my CD lunch bucket case and pulled out a CD Jill made for me for Christmas. Remember those days of "Mixed" tapes? Yes, this was one of those. I remember the other one she gave me and with a slight hesitation I put it in, fearing the worst. (That's another story for a different day.) Heard some great tunes including a Kinks cut. So I wrote to Looney and told him about it and he wrote me back about going to a Kinks concert and the opening act blew him away-Cheap Trick. Well, Bob had a Best of Cheap Trick on his desk several weeks ago and I asked him if I could take it home and listen to it. So Tim had finished burning it that day and when we got home, there was the Cheap Trick CD. So there is the back story now here is how the night started.
Goth girl was looking great and I wanted her to listen to a Pat Benetar song that I thought Adam Lambert should have performed on Idol when doing songs from the 80's. "Hit me with your best shot." So we jammed to that, she knew the words and danced around the basement and air guitared the solos....Looney still has it. Next cut, and Goth girl was so excited...."Carry On My Way Word Son -Kansas....so turn the dial up some more! It was great. The three of us carrying on and such. Next cut (this is off the CD Jill had made it remember?) "Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth. Oh, the great times of high school that song is. Goth girl doesn't know it, asks what's this? and leaves. That means she will check it out later without the parental units watching. Meanwhile, we dig it. Next cut is the Kinks-"Captain America" which cut then leads us to Cheap Trick. Following us now? So we listen to a cut that has Chrissie Hynde "walk Away" which I had never heard before. I had wanted to hear some Pretenders stuff so this was a nice treat. Loon says the Pretenders have a country album out so we really need to check that out. After hearing "She's Tight" "Southern Girls" "If you want my Love" and "Dream Police" we moved on to a band that maybe listened to RUSH......The Police. Great times we listened by all. Played "Answering Machine" by the Replacements, who must have influenced Uncle Tupelo because I hear so many nuances in Jeff Tweedy's music. I hope he is ok with this. I think Paul Westerberg is a genius. Drugs and alcohol is the downfall of a lesser man no doubt. Paul is still doing so stuff out there so look him up readers. I will do more research and see what I find out and post at a later time.
Played "seven Chinese Brothers" -REM. We had a nice discussion about REM. I told Tim I liked them when they were a college band, before they hit it big. He said he thought they were a bit pretenses and too artsy fartsy....my words not his.
I think (a couple of beers and a nice glass of scotch tend to fog up the later part of the night) we ended on the Police's Message in a Bottle-but I can't remember. Oh wait we spun a U2 song (Tim picked-can't remember the name....oh the edge sorry. Wait, Tim is looking it up...."The Fly" off Achtung Baby. And I think I ended it with Sinead O'Connor-"I don't want what I haven't got."
A great night of some of the finer music of the late 70s and mid-80s and into very early 90s. Tune in for updates on our picks.

Bed Head

2009-08-08T09:02:00.012-05:00

Snoring Cure Part 3

The journey continues!

First was the breathing doctor who sent me to the sleep center - see: http://looneytalk.blogspot.com/2009/06/sleepless-in-cr.html

The diagnosis: Sleep Apnea. It turns out I stopped breathing 14 times an hour!

Then the really bad news: I can't be fitted for a C-PAP breathing device because I don't move enough air through my nose. Surgery will repair a deviated septum and reduce my turbinates. "Hopefully" that solves the air-flow problem and I can get a C-PAP. Otherwise, the next thing we'd be looking at would be to remove my tonsils. While that is a relatively safe and easy procedure in children, it is one of the most painful and hard to recover from surgery for adults! As in, "Most people schedule it for the day before Thanksgiving so they can save on the sick leave." Yikes! Don't want that!

So, after a full physical and more blood tests, off to the hospital. What typically is an out-patient procedure will require an overnight stay for me - since I stop breathing so often.
Relaxing in the prep room as the drugs kicked in - and a thunder storm hit outside! Hope they don't lose power while I'm under the knife!

Next thing I know, I'm waking up in recovery! Then off to my room. I feel like I have the worlds worst head cold - perhaps due to the miles of gauze shoved up my nose? My nose is tender, but the drugs are preventing much pain. My biggest complaint is my neck - I think they broke it during surgery!

So, after an un-restful night, I can finally go home. Sounds good, right?

Well, the pain killers were strong, but not enough to eliminate all of my nose pain. My neck still was the worst, plus I have to sleep upright on several pillows, killing my back as well.

I've had surgery before, I thought that staying home for a week would be fun - movies, TV, internet - I thought I'd clean some files off an old computer. Boy was I wrong! The drugs made me brain-dead! I couldn't concentrate on anything. I couldn't follow a movie or even get into a televisions show. All I could watch was HGTV - I could wake out of a daze, say, "That's a nice kitchen" then doze back off.

So, it's gotten better since then. Flushing the nasal passages feels better than it sounds!

Finally, it was time to head back to the sleep center.

I scheduled it for a Friday night so I wouldn't have to deal with it at work the next day. I was pretty tired going in, and the Ambient kicked in fairly quick. I got wired up and had the C-PAP strapped to my head. Nice, cool air gently blowing into my nose. (When I opened my mouth, the air blew out lol!) With stuff between my eyes, I couldn't focus on the TV, but it didn't take long and I was out. She woke me up once to have me roll back onto my back, but otherwise, I slept the whole night - from about 9:30pm until 4:30am. I won't say I woke up refreshed, and honestly, I think I had a hangover from the Ambient, but it wasn't bad sleeping with the mask on. Other than the headpiece was too tight and gave me a headache. In fact, getting ready for bed Saturday night I kind of wished I had the nice, cool, gentle air forced up my nose!

But I could still get the report that it was ineffective and I need tonsil surgery, so I'm not going to rest until I know for sure.

To be continued...

Alice, Nicky & Mom

2009-07-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

Iowa Sunrise

2009-07-09T11:50:00.006-05:00

The old saying, it's darkest right before dawn could be changed to this: The best light is right before dawn.

The rays of the sun being bounced to our view, the reds vibrant and sure making the green of the grass an emerald color waiting to be selected in an old woman's jeweled ring. The blue tint of the sky, sharper in focus than any fool photographer could ever be. The description of my morning sunrise.

What started out as a sudden attempt by a higher calling to get on an exercise morning, turned out to be one of the most gorgeous skies of the summer. As I woke, I decided I would listen to that voice in my mind who said, WALK NOW. I did. Accompanied by Biscuit leash-free we started walking down the gravel road. The sun was not yet up, but its light was bouncing on the eastern horizon. Fire red at the horizon. It fuel my walk up to the mile corner. Living out in the country they old timers tell me every corner (generally speaking) is approximately a mile. So I take their word, and Biscuit and I walked for a mile then turned around to walk home. The walk back we were looking directly at the sunrise. It was now getting brighter, the dark-vibrant red was replace with a yellow glowing ball, Father Sun. I looked at my cellphone to check for the time. Always curious and for some odd reason like it really matters about the time, but it was 5:52 (am for you who may not be following along closely or for you others that are seriously-educated public-criticiser's. The bottom line is this, Iowa has great sunrises. Every morning. Tuesday Father Sun "winked" at me. No kidding. He was starting to rise over the big hill that I call mountain just to the east about a mile or two from the Looney farm. It was a loving gesture to say "Good Mornin' Mrs. Looney!"

Today, the horizon was blood red and clouds above. Clouds everywhere, except along the horizon. Just enough for me to say "Hey Father Sun, how ya' doin' this morning?" And what would you think he said back? He caught me between walking by the tall corn, and being ever so polite because that is his nature, he says to me, "Glad to see you are getting those dogs back on the exercise plan."

Sometimes, it is so hard to get out of bed, the body just wants an extra minute of rest. The body is lazy. It doesn't want to work it wants to lie awhile and "dream," dream about things that don't really matter and flying. Flying around the earth to see the sunrise. Then the mind has to wake itself up. C'mon, get up silly. Time to get to work. The mind is willing but the flesh is exhausted. So walking the dogs at sunrise is a great way for me to get some exercise, have the dogs get some exercise, and see Father Sun. How about that! I can do it every morning, view an Iowa Sunrise. Right in here.

Eight Heads in a Perfect (Gale) Storm

2009-06-29T05:33:00.002-05:00

Just heard Gale Storm died, so that's now 5 celebrity deaths - one to go? Ed McMahnon, Farrah, King 'O Pop, Billy Mays, Gail.

Our movie viewing got a little better, as we watched a movie off of Frankie's fav list: 1997's "8 Heads in a Duffle Bag". Joe Pesci, David Spade, Kristy Swanson, great roles by George Hamilton and Dyan Cannon. Madcap comedy. Falls in to the "Plot A" category: Miserable loser overcomes odds to win in the end. (We'll be exploring the basic plot themes as time goes on.) Great writing, funny situations, good time.

Later, we watched 2000's "The Perfect Storm". Good cast, with George Clooney, John C. Reilly and Marky-Mark Wahlberg (better actor than singer!). Had this NOT been "based on a true story", then it probably would have been Plot A, and they would have come home succesful.
However, too much Hollywood drama added to "spice up" the story, I'm sure all of the marital and personal subplots were added. This was probably better on a theatre, with the huge waves crashing. Too predictable, such as the subplot of John and his nemisis fighting but then of course making up. Yuck! The stupid and unexplained scenes with a wasted casting of Karen Allen were presumably added becasue it really happened, but made no sense and were just a waste of time.
I like George, but to quote Angie, "Where's Mark Greene?"

The lame won this round. Let's hope we get another chance at the movies!

Movie Review-The Governess

2009-06-28T07:35:00.003-05:00

Absolutely one of the worst movies made in this decade. Actually, think it was produced in the 1990's but will look it up for sure.

Tom Wilkinson and Minnie Driver star is this slightly erotica but based upon one guy's dream of teen Jewish sister's talking about semen in their bed at night. Let's make our heroine the Governess one of the first female bootie photographers. Every scene, either Tim or I were knocking out each line spoken, what the action was to be. The only thing I predicted that didn't happen was a pregnancy, which should have because it would have put an natural twist on an extremely stupid movie plot. Fact is, Tim was awaken in the middle of the night with yet another problem in the movie. The Governess, who is Jewish, pretends to be a Christian to accept a job as a Governess with a Scottish family. This could have been slightly funny, or it could have been dramatic but the dialogue, the motion of the characters were not thought out.

Sorry folks, it looks like we wasted our time watching this movie-I want my money back. Alas, it gave me a chance to at writing a writhing review.

Now, what to watch next?

FUNKY Friday Night Music Night?

2009-06-27T09:05:00.002-05:00

What I really wanted was some great 80's rock music but what turned out was a lot of funky tunes from that decade.

I wish we had a turntable, and I know the Loon does too. But with his nose recovering from surgery there was no way it was going to get hooked up. So this is what happened.

I put on Talking Heads, "NAKED" cd. Why did I buy this 20 years ago? Beats me. I looked for the "hit" and couldn't find it. Damn. I know I used to crank this mother as loud as possible, but with my memory so to is it....gone.

Living Color-again, another problem with too much funk and not enough rock. Gone, with my memory. So at this point I am not impressing Loon.

He puts on Nels Lofgren....Primus and Rush. Ok. Pretty good actually.

And we played a couple of cuts off the Outfield, 1985. Now, we are talking about great 80s rock.

So we put in an Eric Johnson DVD-killer. That guy is one of the greatest guitar players I have ever watched. Watched Alejandro and Alice in Chains. So, we went from some why did we ever listen to this music to finish it off with great stuff. To sum it up, sometimes the funk leads us to ...fill in the blank readers!

Friday Night Music

2009-06-26T05:32:00.004-05:00

Fans, followers, readers, and yes, family. Well, probably only "family" actually read this but I wanted to let everyone know that I have received a list of "plays" for our Friday Night Music Night. Let me say, it is a pretty good rundown of stuff we should take a listen to.

Here are a couple of examples: Alice Cooper. The Beatles. And we have had both of these groups on the show. Love it to Death and Abbey Road. Two great albums with a plethora of classic rock songs that helped shape my musical life.

What's on tonight? Darned if I know. I wish we had some way of getting our LP's into rotation but right now with "Mr. Nose out of Joint" music man not a lot of reorganizing and repositioning is getting done. I'm sure all would understand. Being on codeine and BV and trying to move the plasma around is not a good mix. You may remember what happened last year when we rearranged our living room/TV viewing room. That required a new TV-thus the Plasma. So, we'll not get the turn table hooked up for tonight's show. We'll just wait and see what happens....maybe our dear Brother-guy we've looked up to our whole life (or since we've known him) and his lovely wife Jules will come out to the Looney Farm and surprise us!

Keep reading and we'll let you know what happens......

'til Saturday

Ang

Under the Knife

2009-06-18T06:19:00.000-05:00

Friday I go for surgery to correct my deviated septum and to trim back my turbinates. Necessary before I can be fitted with the C-PAP breathing device. And that will entail another trip to the sci-fi sleep center! The fun never ends!

Hopefully there won't be a big story in this.

2009-06-10T17:14:00.001-05:00

Mushing Loon Iowa Sunrise Run

2009-06-10T12:44:00.001-05:00

Sleepless in CR

2009-06-05T05:42:00.005-05:00

It was straight out of a '70s sci-fi flick: sterile hallway, a young man in beige scrubs with his hair tied back, my "sleep tech" Kayne. Over twenty "Sleep Suites" yet it seemed we were the only ones in the building. Suite 17, my room, full of wires, gear and a remote-controlled video camera. Just relax and watch TV for a couple of hours, with electrodes glued to my legs, chest and head, as the drugs kick in. Am I going to wake up as a programmed zombie?
It was difficult to sleep with the wires everywhere. I woke up cold and had to pee. "Hey" I say. "Be right there" Kayne replies over the intercom. He comes in and helps me up, disconnects the wires and I go to the bathroom. He brings another blanket. I fall asleep and dream that he pushes my bed outside because he double-booked the room. Then he comes in and tells me I'm done. It's 4:10am. He had not attached a C-PAP, but that doesn't mean I won't need one. He of course can't tell me the results. That's up to the doctor in a month.
Time to shower and then get some breakfast and go to work early, as opposed to driving home and turning around and driving to work. They told me ahead of time that it would be a "normal" night's rest, but that was way wrong. As Kayne said, it was a medical test, they needed to get good data, it was not supposed to be a comfortable night's sleep! So I fought through the fog in my brain from a bad, weird-night's sleep all day. And I'll have to go back if they decide I need a C-PAP so it can be set properly.
I can't wait - but then, I might just be programmed to say that!

The 100s-"(Just Call Me) Slow"

2009-06-03T12:50:00.002-05:00

Friday Night Music Nights

2009-05-28T12:15:00.003-05:00

Readers:

With our new dogs, we have been extra busy! We need help from you dear readers. Send us some suggestions on what you would like for us to listen to on our Friday Night Music night. Please indicate the album/DVD/CD the song is from because we may have to track it down on the internet if we don't have it available.

Remember, we like good music and LOUD on friday night music nights.

Take care and Rock on.

Guitar God Wannabe....

Ang

Alice Waiting to Run

2009-05-27T13:29:00.003-05:00

The Loon and His Dogs on Our Farm

2009-05-26T14:25:00.001-05:00

Check Out THE 100s!

2009-05-26T05:36:00.002-05:00

A new video of some behind the scene footage of the 100s is now available on YouTube. Check it out at "angielooney" . Sorry for whatever reason forgot my password and had to make a new account. LAME!!!

You can still see the older stuff at "theangielooney@youtube.com"

Angie has posted some videos from different hunnerts gigs. Enjoy.

Friday Night Music Night

2009-04-11T07:18:00.003-05:00

4/10/09
What a great way to kick off the weekend then to crank out the tunes. This week's repertoire inspired by Angie's guitar lessons, was a look back at some of the greatest songs written and performed from the 1950's and 1960's with a pinch of a modern day band.
Here's the list: Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young-Name of Love(This is what inspired us to take a look back at the early stuff. This album (American Dream) came out in 1988.
The Association-"Requiem for the Masses" & "Enter the Young" (These came off the album Greatest Hits which both Tim and Angie had the LP when they were kids.
Simon & Garfunkel-"Cecilia" & "The Boxer" again, both off the Greatest Hits LP.
The Beach Boys-"Darlin'" & "Don't Worry, Baby" again, off Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
The Hollies-"King Midas in Reverse" & "Bus Stop" again, off a Greatest Hits CD.
Buddy Holly-"Rave On" off The Original Master Tapes. (Talented & gifted musician, tragic loss)
The Monkees-"Love is ONly Sleeping" 1967 off the Looney Tunz The Monkee Collection CD. (Mike Nesmith sings, awesome.) & "Your Auntie Grizelda" 1967-Weirdly wild.
The Byrds-"From a Distance" & "Eight Miles High" -again off the 20 essential tracks From the Boxed Set 1965-1990.
The Mamas & the Papas-"California Dreamin'" from the Forrest Gump Soundtrack. (Reminds Angie of the Variety Show in high school when Becky Griffin and her performed this song dressed in "hippie garb" and nailed it.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band-"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" & "House of Pooh" again off Greatest Hits CD.
Hank Williams-"Jambalya (On the Banyou) again 20 of Hank's Greatest Hits CD.
The Derailers-"Then She Kissed Me" Produced in 1999, it's the most modern produced CD of the night, but you would think you were back in time. Excellent band, fun and great to dance in your basement.
Lefty Fritzell-"If You got the Money I've Got the Time" 1950. The Legends Of Country Vol. 1 Looney Tunz.
Carl Perkins-"Honey Don't" 1954. The Legends of Country Vol. 1 Looney Tunz.

Angie's Project Test

2009-04-07T16:08:00.001-05:00

2009-04-07T15:37:00.001-05:00

Carissa on the Move

2009-04-07T14:25:00.002-05:00

Brownie and Biscuit Getting Ready!

2009-04-07T14:06:00.004-05:00

This is what we do when it snows.

Snow on Saturday

2009-03-31T21:35:00.002-05:00

Did anyone else go out in the snow and play? We almost had enough

Publish Post

to hook up the dogs and take them on a run.
But I am ready for spring, is anyone else?
And I don't think that it matters if my little poems don't rhyme or even keep time. It is a loose form of prose.
And that is all I have to say about life at the moment.

Which Arrested Development Character Are You?

2009-03-22T17:53:00.002-05:00

If you are on Facebook, then by now you are used to be innudated with requests to take this quiz and test your IQ, and find out which sexy lady are you type tests. After awhile, they beyond annoying. Fun at first and tiresome by the about the fourth one.
So, in contrast to those lame quizzes that everyone does, try this not quite as lame as those quiz.
You tell us which Arrested Development Character you most identify with.
Now, because those characters are so complex you could be part Gob part Tobias....but I want to know who you most identify with.
Have some fun...and remember it is all in fun and it's a damn shame that the show is no longer but rumours appear to be revealing a movie in the works.

Angie most identifies with..... "Maybe"

Friday Night Music Night

2009-03-22T17:41:00.002-05:00

We had an abbreviated Friday night music night because of the daughter's high school play. So here is what we chose to watch AFTER the play.

RUSH in RIO.
DVD-2003

So it turns out I am a HUGE fan of RUSH and didn't know it most of my adult life. Today I am a huge fan of RUSH and knew it from the instant. How can this possible be? RUSH is like the classical of rock and roll music. With movements of musical masterpieces, it is up to each individual listener to take away the notes, the tones, the tempo, the rhythm and make a decision for themselves.
Imagine over 40 thousand fans, 50 thousand fans, 60, 70 and 80 thousand fans, jumping up and down with their hands clapping into the air, singing at the top of the lungs to the songs they know and love. This is what RUSH in RIO is all about. These fans are Brazilians. And they know the words to Tom Sawyer, New World Man, Roll the Bones, Limelight, 2112. You get the idea. Amazing is all I can say every time I watch this DVD. There is no mosh pit. The fans were getting into their music, singing along, jamming and experiencing the RUSH experience. What a great show. What an amazing DVD. If you have not seen this, it is well worth your time.
And how do you follow up RUSH?
You don't.
Like I said, it was a late Friday Night Music Night and when the first artists you start with is with some of the best, most talented musicians the world has heard, you call it a night. Goodnight!

Signs of Spring

2009-03-22T17:36:00.002-05:00

My tulips have broken through the ground.
The grass has a greenish tint.
Tim is obsessed with the Iditarod.
Tim is obsessed.

The buds are bursting on the maple trees.
We can sit around the campfire at night
Tim is obsessed with the Iditarod.
Tim is obsessed.

I always can feel when it is spring
the air is warmer,
the dogs take off for hours at a time
Tim is obsessed with the Iditarod.
Tim is obsessed.

Guess What was Waiting for Me?

2009-03-11T22:20:00.002-05:00

I arrived at work later today by about fifteen minutes. So that put me in the parking lot of at 8:15am. There was not a train on the track. Until I got out of my car and heard the alarm and saw the lights go on. Drat! I will never make it. I am telling you I have bad train karma. Today the train was using its brakes and the squeaking was making a horrendeous noise. I reminded me of when someone runs fingernails on a blackboard. Oh yeah, doesn't that just drive you off the edge of the cliff?

Train, Train

2009-03-08T18:45:00.003-05:00

by Angie
By now you know things just happen to me. Little things that tend to blow up to become "crisis" situations. Well, not exactly but at the time they sure seem to be. So this is my story on the train karma I am experiencing.
I drive approximately 65 miles to work one way. I park my Honda and walk an additional 15 minutes on a smooth ice free sidewalk day. I don't mind the walk, it gets me invigorated to start my day at my cool job. But a few weeks ago, I had heard something on the morning news. It was exercising for 10 minutes was just as good as exercising for 30 minutes at a time. I missed the last half of the report because I was leaving the house to drive to work. So I really don't know if this is true or not but in my mind leaving that morning it was all true. And when I parked at my assigned lot, I thought great I'm going to count how many blocks I walk to see how far I walk in 15 minutes. As I turned my head around while walking forward I tripped falling flat on my chin on the hard, cold sidewalk. Right in broad daylight. No one saw me, or stopped to help. The only thing broken was my pride. My chin hurt and my whole jawline and my ears ringed for days. I made it through work and walked back to my parking lot when the train was stopped on the track. It had not moved for a good five minutes, but it felt like five hours. There were a couple guys that dared to cross the train to get to the other side. You see my parking lot was just on the other side. It had been a long day. My chin hurt, my ears were ringing, my jawline was sore and I had broken my pride. I just wanted to go home. I waited for the train to get going and finally it moved forward about seven cars and then it came to a halt. Now what? No one was around and the train didn't make any sounds. I looked left. I looked right. I looked behind. No one was watching. No one to help if I jumped on the train and it started to move would save me. But I really thought I could do this. Just give me one last chance to prove I am still gracefully. (Family members be quiet!) I grabbed the ladder and pulled myself up. There was not any railing on the end of the car so I walked quickly to the other side and lowered myself down on the opposite ladder. It was all good. As soon as I got into my car, the train moved. Ok....that was not as much fun as I thought so next time I will walk 3 blocks out of my way to get around. The next night, there it was waiting for me. The train. Just sitting there, watching and waiting and not moving. C'mon I needed to get home. So I walked out of my way and got home late. The next week, the one day that I needed to get to work early because of a meeting there was the train, waiting for me. Silent on the tracks. Not moving. Begging me to jump on it. Just try me, that is what the train was whispering. No way, I'll walk around. So I did. I was right on time, but sweating and looking all disarrayed from the extended brisker walk. That same night, trying to get out of there to make it to a variety show at my kid's school, the same train was just sitting there on the tracks. No movement. No grinding. No thrusting. Just waiting for me to try and cross. I walked around again barely making it on time to my engagement. By now I had decided to call the train a word with an adjective in front. What did I do? I crossed when I shouldn't have and realized that wasn't smart. I know. But c'mon this has got to stop. I was having a bad train karma week. The next morning, again I am running about 5 minutes behind schedule. I parked my car and jumped out of the vehicle when I heard it. The train whistle. You have got to be kidding me. I ran over to the sidewalk and jumped across the cement wall that divides the parking lot from the hill sidewalk. I stopped at the tracks. It was moving slow and it was coming at me. It was about one block away. Do I cross? Do I test fate? Would I trip on the tracks? I looked left. I looked right. No one was watching me. No one to rescue me. What should I do? The train was still half a block off. Probably it was going to stop and not move for hours. Now there was a car that came up to the crossing. Was it going to cross? Would I?
I decided that my train karma was indeed in alignment with some positive influences. The car crossed without getting smashed. I walked the extra blocks to maintain my train composure. What will happen tomorrow? Will that train be waiting for me or will I not see it for weeks? I'll keep you posted.

MUSIC NIGHT IS BACKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-27T19:21:00.003-06:00

FRIDAY NIGHT
It's back....music night. Now that Angie is working regular normal business hours Tim and her will enjoy some music cranked up on Friday night. Are you wondering what is on tap for tonight? Well here's what Angie has piled up.....

Now you know the way it works...Angie first then Tim...or if Tim is in a bad mood Tim goes first.....if I pick a song and another Tim picks one song then another....we always try to out do one another. Now, I am not sure if we'll get thru this list tonight but here's the sneak peak at what is on Angie's list....ssshhh.....don't let Tim know ahead of time. Comments?

REM-Murmur
Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet...Bela Fleck-Casey Driessen-Ben Sollee
Patti Smith Group-Radio Ethiopia
King's X-Gretchen Goes to Nebraska-"summerland"
Michael Monroe-Not Fakin' It-"Dead, Jail, or Rock n Roll"
Led Zepplin-Bringin it on Home

Tim's Picks..from what I remember....
RUSH-"By-Tor and the Snow Dog"
FIGHTER-(Bill Heller is an awesome guitar player)

Mushing in a blizzard-Iowa style

2009-02-22T16:37:00.004-06:00

Saturday's blizzard was my first opportunity in weeks to take advantage of a little mushing. Brownie was already outside, on the loose. I went into the barn and harnessed up Biscuit, leaving Krunchy alone in the barn, crying to come along. No way was I going to let Krunchy come along with us. He ran half a mile ahead of us and did whatever he wanted to do. It is not fun when he gets the other two all excited and not paying any attention to me. After harnessing up Biscuit I brought the pretty vivid red harness for Brownie. She sat at my feet and let me put it on her. She usually is hard to get dressed but today she wanted to go for a run. Got everyone hitched and went to get the sled that hangs in the garage. We headed east to the waterway. There was about 4 inches of snow on the ground in places, and just covering the grass in others. Temperature was 12 degrees but falling. We saw a big green Chevy truck and thought it was Dad so we ran back home. It was not him. So we attempted for the second time to head east to the waterway. When we went about 30 yards and got to the same spot we were at when we saw the other truck, there was dad. So we ran back to the house to talk with him. Then we headed west out to the cornfield.The wind from the northwest was howling and blowing hard snow pellets into our face. I walked alongside the sled and let the dogs trot ahead not having to pull any wait. It is hard walking in the earth turned field. Bumpy and the remnants of corn stalks sometimes snags the sled. Alas, we made it to the waterway that goes to the timber. This was great, smooth sailing for the most part. The dogs were happy to run along and I would push off with my left foot keeping my right foot on the sled. Then we came to the edge of the timber. I stopped to get the newly made brake out because I knew the hill down to the river bottom was steep and fast as that is the one the Loon wiped out on weeks ago. So I checked out the new brakes and decided it would be safe and worked. SO mushing the dogs down the trail, ever so slowly we walked down the trail. The snow was too deep, it got caught up on the brake so every 10 yards I would have to stop to clear it. So much for going fast. When we got to the bottom of the hill I could see the river, the Wapsipinicon or the Wapsi as everyone calls it. IT was moving fast for this time of the year. I wanted a closer looked so anchoring the dogs I walked quietly and carefully to the edge of the river. IT has a steep bank and the edge of the river is frozen unlike the other side that was moving swiftly. I laid down on my belly to watch. I had to keep the dogs a distance from me or they would have given me kisses and licks and jumps and more kisses and licks and jumps. Biscuit loves to love. Getting up carefully, we left to continue on the trail. It is a snowmobile trail but no one had been along for weeks. The dogs did pretty good until we were on ice. Now, I didn't know how deep the water was where we were on. Usually during the winter months, the river is low and the bottom timber is dried up. But we were walking on ice. The dogs decided they didn't want to pull so much, so I ended up just walking behind the sled, laying my arms across the handle bar on the sled. The ice was cracking and we were watching closely, because the last thing I wanted to do was to fall into some waterhole that had just enough water to soak me, without drowning and I would have to walk back to the house pulling the sled. As we followed the river, I noticed we were below the level of the river, not sure what it meant but beginning to feel a little edgy. Just as I thought we were close to being out I slipped and fell. Oh shit. Was the ice going to break? That was my first thought. Quickly, I jumped up before the dogs could jump all over me. I notice the creaking of the ice and needed to get off this stuff right away. Looking to the south I saw we had a bank to go up and we would be high enough the water would not get us if there were a flash flood. We weren't in any real danger, but I think about stuff happening so I will know what to do if and when it ever does happen. Living on the edge. So there I was, just steps from climbing out of the river bottom and I couldn't climb up the bank, it was ice covered. I couldn't get a grip. I was yelling at the dogs, pull me pull me get going but they wanted to love me, kiss me, jump on me, and love me, kiss me and jump onto my face. WHY? Didn't they know we could be trapped out here, never to return until the spring thaw? After finally getting Biscuit to relax was I able to crawl on my knees and fingers to the top of the bank. And running as far as we could away from there. Walking thru yet another cornfield, partial plowed with cornstalks sticking up to grab onto the sled every twenty steps, and Brownie not wanting to pull at all now, it was still a blizzard and I was sore from falling on the ice, twice. About every 10 steps there would be a different smell. Rabbit? Deer? Fox? Squirrel? Only the dogs knew for sure and they wanted to check out every smell, one at a time. By now, the blizzard was rolling strong and I was having to just walk behind the sled. They would not pull me at all, not even with me pushing with my left foot. I had a good mile plus to walk. And I forgot to go to the bathroom before I left. I just wanted to get out there and forgot to go. Now I am a mile from home, beat up from falling on the ice, twice, and I have two dogs that only want to stop every ten steps to smell what lies below the snow. Needless to say, it was a long journey for half a mile until we reached the eastern waterway. Now, we were within site of home and I fell again. Into a big hole. I didn't see it, but it was there and so was Biscuit right on top of me. Love and kisses and jumping. Double duty for Biscuit. And Brownie didn't want to pull at all. I finally stopped the sled and tried to see what was bothering her. She let me take off her harness but in the process she began overly excited and ended up putting her mouth into my nose. OUCH! It hurt and she didn't mean to bite me, but that is what happened. So now she is loose, I am sore and have a bloody nose and it is a blizzard, and I have now almost wet my pants. I didn't have a phone with me and my husband was not around. I forgot to tell him where I was going and when I would be home. As good fortune would have it, he pulled in the driveway with his big-ass truck. He noticed my nose and wondered what happened. I told him he could read all about it on our blog. The blizzard continued for several hours, and I felt fine until the next day. Sore all over. My nose is ok and Brownie and Biscuit are ready for some more mushing fun. Tune in next week to see what happens.

New Technology: Welcome to the 21st Century

2009-02-19T19:21:00.002-06:00

It's happened. Angie has finally suctioned herself to Facebook. Of course, the daughter and her sister Jill had to assist setting herself up. Yeah, she doesn't really know all the ins and outs of Facebook, but she is learning.
And learning too about her newly found social status, her suspicious husband. Why would he be suspicious about me and all my friends. My dad, my sister, his bandmate, old friends from my past and new friends from my job. I don't understand his hesitation.
Do you have any ideas, readers on how I can handle his insane jealousy of a new hobby? Talk amongst yourselves while I post this.

Sick Kid

2009-02-19T08:41:00.003-06:00

Remember the days when you were a kid and sick? What did your mother do to make you feel better?
My mom always came when I called, or mostly yelled out her name. MOM!
The boy is sick today. He has been sick since Monday. In fact, Sunday night he was at his dad's and wanted to come home early because he felt sick. I told him to just wait and he'll feel better. Was I wrong.
Now, we are waiting to go see the doctor. I don't claim to be a doctor, but here's my diagnosis: he has the flu. So there may not be anything to give him, but he has asthma so we need to go. I should have taken him earlier but I thought whatever he had would run its course. I didn't go to the Dr. when I was a kid until I passed out and they figured out I had strep throat and mono. I was out sick for 3 weeks, right in the prime season of detasselling corn. I missed out on a bunch of money. And I was only 15. Bummer.
Comment today on your memories of being ill and having your mother, father, grandmother, or other caregiver nursing you back to health.

Mushing Photos

2009-02-01T11:35:00.001-06:00

Check out some photos of us mushing at The Loon's Mushing Report.

WHAT I HAVE DONE RECENTLY

2009-02-01T11:08:00.004-06:00

BY ANGIE
It's Feb. 1st and I have been busy this year. Just wanted to share some of the things that have been keeping me busy. I'm sure you all are on the edge of your seats so here goes.
I got a new job. No longer am I slaving over writing promos for the news department at kgan/kfxa tv. I have been appointed at the University of Iowa as Educational Media Coordinator II at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When I figure out exactly WHAT my title means I will share it with you. For right now, I am the assistant to Head of the Production Unit, Bob Burns. Bob used to work at KGAN. So, it has been a blast so far. Just finished my 3rd week on the job. Tim came over after his gig on friday to get the nickel tour.
The 100s had two gigs in Janaury. One around Jan 10th. at Springville at the Legion. Good show. We went out for breakfast afterward, which meant driving to Cedar Rapids. Tim was mad at me, but I was hungry. A girl has got to eat.
Then the 100s played an unplugged gig at the Java House in Iowa City, Friday Jan. 30th. Filled the room and more. Great show. It aired on the radio, IPR so cool. They did videotape it so you can watch it somewhere, sometime, at a date which I don't know.
We have been taking the dogs out on the snowmobile, or snowmachine, trails about once a week to get them some exercise. Tim wiped out, as you may have read last weekend. We went today and had a better run. We did not let Krunchy go with us so it helped Brownie focus on leading. HEr and BIscuit did a great job. PRoud of both of them. They pulled me a long ways. Tim made a new break for him when he went down the mountian trail. He didn't wipe out, the break worked great. We are now in the house, sweaty and tired but feeling great about the dogs. They did a super job.
The daughter is performing in speech and is going to the state contest for her group mime. We are proud of her.
The teen son is using Motley Crue to wake us up ev ery morning. At 6:15 every morning. Even when he is not here. He is playing basketball, and although I have only been able to attend one game, Tim took the video camera and I was able to watch another. HE seems to enjoy it and even remembered the other guys from the other teams that he played against during football. That is the cool part about playing sports, meeting the other team and sometimes making friends.
Saw Tim's other son at the gig Friday and turns out he has class in the building I work at. Maybe he'll look me up more?
Would recommend reading the book "winterdance" by Gary Paulsen, if you like reading about life, obstacles, dogs, outdoors, dreams, and the iditarod. Good book. Easy reading, fast paced. Good. 5 stars. And I finished the book I got for Tim for Christmas, by Neil Peart "Roadshow" good book and again, easy to read, fast paced, could keep reading for hours on end if I had the time. He (Peart) is similar in many ways to Tim. Or vice versa. So I totally understood his lack of enthusiasm for being a rock star. Like I said, great book worth the read. Especially if you are a Tim Looney fan, a Rush fan, or a DRUMMER.
Now we are preparing for Feb. the time of the year when winter doesn't go by fast enough. Looking forward to selecting seeds from the catalogues, planting new trees, and baseball and softball season.
Stop in and visit friends or family. We welcome ya'll.

What was your first job and how much money did you earn?

2009-01-28T21:11:00.008-06:00

So I got a call mid-morning today. I wasn't sure why the daughter was calling me and I am at my new job so I really didn't want to disrupt what we were working on, but I answered my cell. The girl wanted to know my first job and how much I earned. Here's my first job that I can remember where I had to have a social security card and all that jazz. I worked at the cafeteria at Upper Iowa University. I believed I earned about $1.10 an hour. I would work at banquets waiting on tables, and clearing the tables. Guess it was ok. IT must have made an impression that I didn't want to get into that line of work.
Looney reader's share with us your story of first job and how much you earned.

Come on, what are you waiting for?
Angie

Loon's Big Mushing Wreck

2009-01-25T16:29:00.000-06:00

Read about Loon's big mushing wreck here.

Reading Material

2009-01-19T06:17:00.002-06:00

Looney Talk readers here is another chance for you to voice your opinions. This week we are asking you what are you reading? Go ahead and share your latest adventure book, your romance novel or the best darn article you've read from your favorite mag rag.
Here's what on my list.
Road Show-Neil Peart
(Gave this book to Tim for Christmas and I read it first. How mean am I? If you don't know anything about Tim, you probably shouldn't be reading this blog. However, if you do know and love Tim, you'll know and love this book as well. Neil writes about his travels from one show to another, night after night all the while on a motorcycle. Great look to the inside of a working rock band. I like his style of writing. Reminds me of brother Pete's writing styles. Pete Looney, keep writing and work on publishing your work. I'll read it.
Winterdance-Gary Paulsen
(I am not finished with this, but it is a book I gave Tim for his birthday. OF course, he picked it out, found it on line and bought it for himself. But it was for him. IT is a great look at what it is like to even BEGIN to start racing sled dogs. It is a funny story of a man who really doesn't have a clue to what he is doing. Kinda like someone else we know and love. His mistakes are what makes me laugh out loud. Knowing that I, too, would probably have done what he did. So far so good. I could hardly put the book down last night.

This Is Not A Film

2009-01-14T08:52:00.004-06:00

This past weekend, the Loons watched the 2003 film "This Is Not A Film". A pseudo-documentary of a young man who makes a video-reenactment of his relationship with a lost love.
Through the act of remaking their dates, combined with the analysis of the woman who portrays his lost-love, he begins to discover his part in the downfall.
A clever device, and a decent exploration of the differing views on a relationship, he was searching for Grace, which is the ultimate theme - searching for grace.

I give it a 3 out of 5.
Angie says this is her summary: This film took an idea and made it into a movie. Some parts I liked. Some effects I did not like. In fact they were extremely annoying to me. The jump cuts just bothered me. I can't stand it. It seems to be the "latest" hip technique, but I am old-school and declare the director/editor couldn't come up with an original transitional technique.
I give this film a 2.75 out of 5. (Hey, a 5 is considered a 10 so it was not a bad film at all. Go ahead, watch it yourself and comment. Dare YOU!!!)

Latest Musical Influences

2009-01-11T16:48:00.005-06:00

We know we all have been influenced by bands, musicians, poets and teachers when we were young. But who is the latest person to have influenced you musically?
Here's my list: the 100s-Hubby's band but they have influenced and continually support my goal of playing guitar.
Alejandro Escovedo-This guy has been around a long time and has been through a lot. He writes great music and puts on a heck of a performance even if there were only 20 people at the bar. He is a great musician and just to be able to hear him and see him was amazing, a life changing moment.

Tell us who influences you. Share and compare. My list is short because there are so many bands that I can't list them all right now.

Doors and Cats

2009-01-07T07:50:00.002-06:00

Have you ever heard the pawing of your cat, trying to get into the room you are occupying? Now here's another question. Have you ever had a cat who gets into the room, closes the door than can't get out? That is what we have here in Looney Land. Smoke, that crazy cat of ours does it on a semi-daily regular basis. We have had to put door stops in (loose weights, amp's and heavy stuff like that) in front of the doors so he won't lock himself in. And the worst of it, he always has accomplishes. Little Dottie and Meredith. His little harem. Besides the obvious of tossing him outdoors to fend for himself, what can a mother cat do?

New Movies Angie and Tim Watched

2009-01-06T10:10:00.002-06:00

Now look, we don't claim to be hip, happening nor on top of things. In fact, one person could say we are middle-aged hippies who are working for the man. Tim of course, works for the "coolest, hippest, man. While Angie does work for the man. In order to maintain my great status with the company, no further talk of this will occur.
My point is this, we watched a great movie several weeks ago and we are of course way behind schedule with the rest of the "world."
Here it is: Juno. Yes, great movie that we will watch over and over again. Maybe not as much as Tim is watching "Once" but something along those lines. IF you have not seen Juno, don't wait any further. Put it on top of your list. Humanity in a nutshell. Well written and well-shot cinematography. Great actors who were able to tap into each's other emotional state of their character's.

Mushing On Ice

2009-01-05T19:29:00.001-06:00

By Angie
I'll admit it. I am now a musher. And in the two plus weeks I have taken out my two dogs, Brownie and Biscuit with Krunchy off-leash leading our way, I have bruised my elbows, hyper-extended my knee, and almost flipped myself over the sled onto the ice glacier of an Iowa waterway. This is the most dangerous sport I have ever done! Just when it starts getting fun, something happens and BAM! I find myself beat up. Realistically, I don't think my body can take it. It is tough. So kudos to all those mushers. I'll stick to being an amateur. And my question to you is this: How do you run dogs on solid sheets of ice?

101 Things About The Loons

2008-11-14T06:35:00.000-06:00

Yes - it's our 100th post! (OK, so we missed it by a few!)
So here, by Internet Decree is 100 things about us! (Plus a bonus!)

Angie's:
1. Drummer Addict. Found my Drummer so you can call me recovered Addict. Forever dealing with the dum, dah, dum, dum, DUM.

2. Coffee Addict. Black the first three cups, and the rest of the morning a shot of cream please. And make it a BIG shot.

3. Favorite Sub-Tuna Salad Sub covered w/Black Olives, Jalapenos, Banana Peppers, Lettuce, Tomato, and Dill sauce. Yum!

4. Worst Job EVER-Peeling Hard boiled eggs for 10 hours a day. The smell made me puke every morning. My hands were never out of cold water the whole time of standing at the table. AWFUL. Made me thankful and gave me incentive to continue my education and NEVER, EVER, have to work in an assembly line job again.

5. Chair Addict

6. Wrote my first play at age 8. My first stage production by 9. Editor and CEO of my first newspaper age 10.

7. My first TV job paid $4.50 an hour. Was able to live on my own, drive a new truck, and have a land-line phone. No cable. No bar-hopping. Great time!

8. Collected Caterpillars in a red vase as a kid. Brought them to my bedroom every night and they would disappear by morning. Found out several years ago, my sister HATES caterpillars because my missing "alive" collection!

9.Ran the mile on high school track team for four years. Beat a guy once!

10. Interviewed presidential candidate Ross Perot in a skirt and high heels.

11.Peruvian Shoe-Shiner at the Dulles Airport proposed marriage. I said NO but thanked him.

12.In a Made-for-TV movie starring Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. Role: TV news photographer. I nailed it.

13. Professional Jam Maker.

14. Editor High School News Paper.

15. Staff Reporter Northern Iowan.

16. Interviewed two former first ladies, Lady Bird Johnson and Barbara Bush.

17. Interviewed Hal Holbrook in his hotel room. Just him and me. (Nothing happened except for a conversation about his play.)

18.Read every Nancy Drew book in the Fayette library.

19. Read every book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

20.Weekly visitor of the fire station at one point in my life.

21. Worst place I lived was a flea-bag trailer house, and I am not exaggerating. My sister and I lived with my boss while I worked at a hotel in Florida. We appreciated his hospitality, it was the most disgusting place ever. Bought huge shares in the RAID company.

22.Before having children, only knew how to cook tuna melt sandwiches.

23. Once shared a elevator ride with Leon Spinks. Funny story. After the ride was over, my friend Marlys yelled out, "We just rode down with Leon Spinks." We jumped up and down screaming. My other friend Teri stopped jumping and asked point-blank, "Who is Leon Spinks?" We all died laughing.

24. Guitar Player-Teaching myself.

25.Secretly wants to perform on the guitar to audience.

26.Huge fan of Brokedown Stranger.

27. Now addicted to guitars and find other guitar players far more interesting than before.

28.Wanted to be a network photojournalist.

29.Thought I should move to LA, live in Hollywood and hang out with Big Hair Bands.

30.Bottle Feed kitties. Yes, I am a Cat Mom.

31.Fast becoming fascinated with Italy.

32.Meet and interviewed Stevie Ray Vaughn, one of the nicest "celebs" I ever met.

33.Dream of walking across Scotland for a vacation.

34.Would love to own my own business.

35.I like to trout fish, just don't have my license.

36.Enjoy walking with my dad while he is hunting. I don't carry a gun.

37.Been married twice and have never been on a "honeymoon" guess that means try for a three? Just kidding!

38.Would wear vintage clothes everyday to work if possible.

39.Wrote my first play in 3rd grade.

40.Directed my first backyard play by 5th grade.

41.Directed, produced and edited 4 music videos by age 27.

42.Start a lot of projects, some get done and others are always "waiting to be finished."

43.Would love to open up my own "treasure" shop with my sister Jill.

44.Would love to go on a family vacation with my siblings and parents and my hubby's family, the whole Looney clan.

45.Dream about quitting my job and living on the farm for work.

46.Love to read Non-fiction works.

47.Had a photo published in a book, titled...."Eating His Christmas Pie." Cute shot of Ryker with his face in the holiday pie. Yes, we all skipped dessert that day.

48.Wants to have a cow.

49.Unfinished project right now is a screenplay.

50.Would love to make a difference in someone's life.

Tim's
1. First person born in Johnson County in 1960.

2. Youngest of 6 children.

3. By age 18 had learned how to play and publicly performed:
trombone, guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and oboe.

4. Founding member of rock band Voyager.

5. Currently drummer in The 100s.

6. Have two ex-wives

7. Ate nearly nothing besides Skippy Chunky on white bread (folded sideways) until age of 45.

8. Graduated after first semester of senior year of high school.

9. Graduated from Kirkwood Community College.

10. Nominated for "Communications student of the year" at Kirkwood.

11. Started in television in 1985.

12. Learned to love Jalepeno peppers in 2005.

13. Read nearly 20 years worth of back issues of "Reader's Digest" as a kid.

14. Love the Hawkeyes

15. Read Agatha Christie books as a teen.

16. Had my favorite dog, Pandy, from 1972 until 1981.

17. Coached youth baseball for several years.

18. Have two sons.

19. Worked at Howard Johnson's while in high school.

20. Had a kidney removed in 1985.

21. Have a secret love for "Rock Chicks". (Am currently growing my own!)

22. Once studied French.

23. Have been to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico twice.

24. Am obsessed with Alaska.

25. Own every Rush album produced since 1971 (17).

26. Want to mush sled dogs.

27. Lived on a farm the first 18 and last 5 years.

28. Have had 4 "best friends" since jr.high: Ray, Steve, Bob, Angie.

29. Love Bud Light.

30. Drink Black Velvet regularly.

31. Love Johnny Walker Black Scotch.

32. Have wanted to live in Mexico

33. Have wanted to live in Wisconsin

34. Have wanted to live in Maine

35. Have wanted to live in Oregon

36. First car was a huge, white Buick LaSabre, “The Beast”.

37. Hate peas

38. Think politics is easy – you either think that the government is there to work FOR you, or you think that “May the strong (and rich) survive”.

39. Collects shot glasses

40. Has a huge CD collection

41. Love to watch movies and TV with the Babe Wife

42. Wrote a newspaper as a kid.

43. Sang in a quartet in kindergarten

44. Sang in a quartet in High School

45. One concert in High School played the drums in Jazz Band, accompanied a vocalist with a guitar, played trombone and performed an oboe solo in concert band.

46. Have been to Wrigley Field twice

47. Once shot an elephant in my pajama’s. How he got into my pajama’s I’ll never know!

48. Currently contributing to three blogs.

49. Love Monty Python

50. Love ALL my kids

51. Love my wife

Tonight is the Premiere of "Toughest Race On Earth: Iditarod"

2008-10-14T10:13:00.001-05:00

Tonight is the premiere of the Discovery Channel series "Toughest Race On Earth: Iditarod".

The series will air at 10PM Eastern Time tonight, and repeat at 11PM ET, 2AM ET early Wednesday, Friday night at 10PM ET, early Saturday morning at 2AM ET, and Saturday morning at 11AM ET.

Tune in for coverage of the race start in Anchorage and Willow. Meet mushers and their dogs. Learn behind-the-scenes strategies and training methods. See exclusive interviews.

Favorite Foreign Films

2008-10-08T09:14:00.002-05:00

Here's your chance, Looney Talk readers. List in no particular order or number your top pick in foreign films. Don't be shy. Share your picks.
1. Johnny Stecchino
2. Bread n Tulips
3. Jules and Jim
4. The Pianist
5. Wild Strawberries
Now there are many more, however it will take me additional time to list. So this is it for RIGHT NOW. Come on, comment.

Road Creatures

2008-10-06T13:19:00.002-05:00

This fall as you walk down an Iowa gravel road, maybe you'll notice those creatures in nature we call slimy, creepy, crawlers. As it turns out, this season there are so many caterpillars crossing the roads and the snakes as well. All summer I have been looking for the snakes. Not too often did I see them slithering in the grass and into the underbrush. I thought maybe the chickens killed them all. But alas, they are out in full sun on those dusty roads the dogs and I walk most every morning. Today was no different. About every 20 steps there is a caterpillar creeping across. The black and brown fuzzy ones. The same type I captured every fall and brought them into our house. I never knew my sister didn't like them. I would put grass in their home and sticks. Every morning they were gone. The vase I kept them in was short and shallow. I guess they escaped. The dogs love to check out each one as we walk the gravel. IT doesn't matter how many we look at, they all need to be investigated.
Speaking of wildlife, every time I drive past the hog confinement center about 3 miles from our home, I see the same coyote hanging out. He is reddish brown, kind of shaggy. I guess you would say he is living high off the hog. Loon wants him dead. I like to see him. As long as he is not killing chickens, he can stay over there.
And readers, we got our harnesses and ropes for the sled dog team. Loon and I took them out yesterday (Sunday) and walk the waterway to the neighbors road and back home. We were only out there for an hour, but we were beat after doing it. Biscuit is the leader. We tried Krunchy, he kept trying to go to the right. HE pulled pretty hard. Brownie is the best sled dog. She is so good. She just stays in line and follows Biscuit. His ropes are too long. They need to be shortened so he is not too far ahead of everyone.
We'll get some pictures and post sometime.
Keep on reading and write in your comments readers!
Angie

Vice Presidential Debate

2008-09-30T16:24:00.002-05:00

Is it going to happen? Word on the street from a guy I know who we'll just call Josh, he says Palin is going to back out of the race. Yeah, she's gonna go home and play Mommy and drive around the hockey team. Or something along those lines.
I think it is great to have someone who is "real" and who is in way over her head. Because that is what life is about. Somebody throw her a life ring or something. Does anyone remember Dan Quayle? Or am I the only one that is drawing the comparison between Sarah and Dan. Remember the spelling of potatoes? Or was it potatoe? I'll have to look it up sometime when I'm not tossing and turning over losing sleep because Sarah Palin may be next in line to run our country. Has anyone seen the headlines recently? What have the fat cats on Wall Street, Congress and across the country in board rooms been doing lately? I'll tell you what they haven't been doing. They haven't been cutting coupons. Or cancelling their vacation to some remote paradise. Let Sarah have her day in debate. It makes great TV. McCain you can't win, no matter who or what you have as a running mate. You may as well have Osama Bin Laden as your vice president. At least we would finally catch him.
Just another of my rants.

Hook Up those Pups!

2008-09-30T08:53:00.002-05:00

It's official. The Looney's are getting some harnesses and ropes and all that great stuff that Loon has been dreaming about ordering. Biscuit will get a custom harness, because as it turns out he is small for a sled dog. Go Biscuit. We always root for the underdogs. Did you know Biscuit is a wet nurse for kitties? Yes, it is true. We'll keep you updated, racing fans and dog lovers. Don't worry. No puppies will be hurt on our shift. In fact, I see one old lady getting thrown off the wagon somewhere in the middle of nowhere on occasions. And I see an old man getting left behind in the wilderness without his bottle. Life is gonna be good real soon.

CR Mayor: Sleeping on the Job

2008-09-23T14:10:00.002-05:00

Rant if I must,
Hell, it's my blog.
Watching the videotape over and over again,
it's hard to believe the little white haired sleeping woman is the mayor of Cedar Rapids.
If you view multiple times like I have,
you will notice yourself getting sleepy.
I guess that is our way of following along,
isn't that what the city council is doing?
No one seems to be proclaiming, Mayor Wake Up!
We're talking about a flood recovery plan of 1.5 billion dollars.
Shouldn't that be incentive to wake her majesty?
If I were a Cedar Rapidian,
you would sure find me at every council meeting,
Probably yelling at the Mayor,
Wake up it is morning Madam Mayor,
Wake up Madam Mayor, it is afternoon,
Or Hey, you old bag, Wake up.
Seriously. I will gladly help support any Cedar Rapids resident
to the best of my ability to help take in your cause,
of finding some resolution from your council.
Angie

Brownie the Good Dog

2008-09-22T11:30:00.002-05:00

Smoke the Cat
Looks like Brownie, the dog is the starting member of the dog team at the Loon farm. She has learned the art of staying at home. She seems to understand her mom and dad, finally. Biscuit and Krunchy remain in the dog house. And on the kitty report, MJ has returned no thanks to Mom. Poor tabby. He just wants to hang around with the family. However, he doesn't seem to get along with the other cats. Probably a bit on the snobby side I would side, Meow.

Walking the Dog

2008-09-16T07:39:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a great day to walk your dog. It should have been National Walk Your Dog day. Why humans, you may ask? Because yesterday was overcast, cool and a Monday. What better day than Monday to get off your bee-hind quarters and move those hams. SERIOUSLY. And can you imagine NOT exercising at least once a day. Imagine the shape dogs would be in if we didn't get out there and walk. Can you imagine that? Hey, Dad are you reading this? Sinking in? Time to get in shape for the great dog race.
Your loving Doggie Daughter,
Brownie

Royal Viewing

2008-09-14T15:42:00.004-05:00

This weekend we watched two movies about royalty:
Marie Antoinette (2006) was a modern look at the queen and her struggles to fulfill her duties to her family and her country. Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it had a modern feel, used contemporary (primarily '80s) music, and modern English. Kirsten Dunst was an interesting choice as the star, who she played as rather clueless and manipulated. Harmless entertainment, but not exactly a historical, period piece.
Angie says this: The music at first look was so distracting, I could hardly contain myself. I thought I was sent back to the 1980's and was expecting Madonna dancing around with her off the shoulder shirt. But the movie developed somewhat. It was just a strange juxtaposition. If my last name was Coppola, do you think I would be able to getting funding for making a movie?

The great actress Dame Helen Mirren starred as The Queen (2006), an impressive look at Queen Elizabeth II, during the aftermath of the death of Diana. With the always enjoyable James Cromwell as Prince Phillip, and Michael Sheen as a convincing Tony Blair, this film portrayed the precarious position of the crown with regard to Diana's death. While it was an intriguing look at the inner workings, I have to wonder at the accuracy. It was billed, after all, as "Based on actual events." I would watch it again to enjoy the performances, as well as the scenery, presumably shot in Wales.
Angie says this: Loon, I thought we read credits that had listed shot on location in Scotland? Now I am confused. Great stag! Loon could barely sit there and watch without making all sorts of grunting noises. I was totally expecting some guy to start whispering, ...."oh, look at the size of that rack. We're about 100 yards away, the breeze is from the north, so the old stag can't smell us. Great time to get a shot off....BOOM!!!" This film showed a compassionate, human side of the royals. And it clearly defined the Queen's behavior to her bizarre reaction of NOT publicly reaction to Diana's death. Indeed, time for us to rid of the royal birthline and reward people who become servant's of the people by their "deeds." Long live volunteerism!

WANTED: CHICKEN KILLER!

2008-09-12T09:37:00.003-05:00

DEAD OR ALIVE!
Predator... who killed our chickens.
Armed and Dangerous! Vicious Killer on the Loose!
Shoot on Site! Call Johnny Law NOW!
This message brought to you by the F.B.I. (Farm Buddy Impact)

On the Lamb

2008-09-11T09:08:00.005-05:00

By Smoke
Finally I have escaped. Freedom! Oh, the sweet smell of independence. Of course, I don't know what the crap I will live. I can't catch anything, my food is put before me twice a day. And drinking? I drink from the cup of my paw. From a big bowl. Where will I find water? But I am free. Now I will have to fight those other dozen male cats I hear every night. The ladies! I'll finally get to chase them. Unless those darn Toms chase me off. Never thought about that. And Little Meredith my muse is indoors. Hanging out with old lady and Lil. Maybe I should try to figure out a way to break in?
CAPTURED!!!!
CRIMINAL FELINE CAPTURED AND PUT BEHIND BARS. WITH THE HELP OF THE LOONEY CANINE SQUAD OF CAP'N KRUNCHY AND DETECTIVE BROWNIE SMOKE THE CAT IS BACK HOME IN THE SAFETY OF HIS MOM AND DAD AND BROTHER AND SISTER AND FELINE FOLKS. THE ENDURING ONE HOUR MUGGY AFTERNOON HUNT TURNED UGLY AT ONE POINT. TEETH GNASHING AND GROWLING, BLOOD WAS SOON GOING TO GUSH. KUDOS ALSO GOES OUT TO MEREDITH THE ENTICER. THANKS TO HER HARD EFFORTS, SMOKE WAS FLUSHED OUT OF THE UNDER BRUSH THAT WE CALL A FLOWER BED.

TOUGHEST RACE ON EARTH: IDITAROD

2008-09-10T20:56:00.000-05:00

Discovery Channel has announced the premiere of TOUGHEST RACE ON EARTH: IDITAROD, on Tuesday, October 7 at 10 PM ET/PT.

Produced by Thom Beers, creator of Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers, the six one-hour episodes will follow mushers and their dog teams as they take on the elements, the cold and the trail conditions – as they race each other over one thousand miles across Alaska in The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

View trailer:

Great Day to Run Dogs

2008-09-10T09:57:00.002-05:00

By Brownie
There's a chill in the air, the skies are partly cloudy and it's a good day to hitch up the team and start training. Why hasn't our dad got us a hitch yet? Or whatever that thing is called that Mom can hook us up to and we can FINALLY run. I just want to run. Poor Mom! She could hardly keep up with us today. She looks like a little old lady trying to hang on to a speeding train. Sunday I caught a "wabbit" I sayzz. (Dad- trying to talk DOGGIE talk here but itz nout wookeen.) Mom made me let the wabbit go. Boohoo. Biscuit and Krunchy loved to smell it and tried to take a bite out of its poor little leg. Mom said, "Drop it!" and being the good girl I am I obeyed. And I never ran off. Score one for me. Woohoo...Dad. Let's get with the program here. If you are really going to consider yourself a DOG MAN, then get the stuff for Mom so she can do all the work.
From your favorite teenage wasteland doggie, Love Brownie.

Movie: Bread & Tulips

2008-09-08T20:30:00.005-05:00

Pane e tulipani (2000), an Italian film, was a very interesting and entertaining movie. In a journey of self-discovery, an unappreciated housewife start a new life in Venice - by herself. Through her new friends and newly-discovered sense of self, she comes to realize that her life really was unfulfilled. The romance was barely noticed and quite surprising - to her and the viewer. Romantic and funny, without being overly sweet or crazy, this movie was a pleasant surprise. Apparently, I like Italian films!
Angie Says This: I loved it. The textures of this Italian movie made me want to pack my bags and leave for Venice on the next train out. Seriously. Turns out I too, love Italian films. Not that I have seen more than half a dozen that I can remember. Lighthearted but thought-provoking. The only thing about watching a subtitled movie is this, if you turn your head for one second, you could miss something. So I suggest watching when you have fresh eyes and maybe aren't quite ready to run a marathon. It goes well with the morning's coffee. Ah cafe! Ciao!

Angie's Favorite Band that she has never seen LIVE but heard

2008-09-08T12:41:00.002-05:00

Voyager circa 1979

From Mother

2008-09-08T11:54:00.000-05:00

Distracted, the Mother said to her boy,"Do you try to upset and perplex and annoy?Now give me four reasons -- and don't play the fool --Why you shouldn't get up and get ready for school."Her son replied slowly, "Well, Mother, you seeI can't stand the teachers and they detest me.And there isn't a boy or a girl in the placeThat I like or, in turn, that delights in my face.""And I'll give you two reasons," she said, "why you ought to Get yourself off to school before you get caught;Because, first, you are forty, and, next, you young fool,It's your job to be there,You're the head of the school." Gregory Harrison

The meaning of color and your Birthday

2008-09-08T10:30:00.001-05:00

Here's an email I received from the BABY SISTER. Have some fun and share your answers.
Don't cheat, If you are honest, this tells the truth. It's pretty good. Write your answers on a piece of paper,
and NO cheating!! The answers are at the bottom.
1. Which is your favorite color out of: red , black , blue , green , or yellow ?
2.. Your first initial?
3. Your month of birth?
4. Which color do you like more, black or white?
5. Name of a person of the same sex as yours.
6. Your favorite number?
7. Do you like Flying or Driving more?
8. Do you like a lake or the ocean more?
9. Write down a wish (a realistic one).. When you're done, scroll down. (Don't cheat!)

Answers 1. If you choose: Red - You are alert and your life is full of love. Black - You are conservative and aggressive. Green - Your soul is relaxed and you are laid back. Blue- You are spontaneous and love kisses and affect ion from the ones you love. Yellow - You are a very happy person and give good advice to those who are down. 2. If your initial is: A-K You have a lot of love and friendships in your life. L-R You try to enjoy your life to the maximum & your love life is soon to blossom. S-Z You like to help others and your future love life looks very good. 3. If you were born in: Jan-Mar: The year will go very well for you and you will discover that you fall in love with someone totally unexpected. April-June: You will have a strong love relationship that will not last long but the memories will last forever. July-Sep: You will have a great year and will experience a m ajor life-changing experience for the good. Oct-Dec: Your love life will not be great, but eventually you will find your soul mate. 4. If you chose: Black: Your life will take on a different direction, it will seem hard at the time but will be the best thing for you, and you will be glad for the change. White: You will have a friend who completely confides in you and would do anything for you, but you may not realize it. 5. This person is your best friend. 6. This is how many close friends you have in your lifetime. 7. If you chose: Flying: You like adventure. Driving: You are a laid back person. 8.. If you chose: Lake: You are loyal to your friends and your lover and are very reserved. Ocean: You are spontaneous and like to please people. 9. This wish will come true only if you send this to five people in one hour.. Send it to ten people, and it will come true before your next birthday

Music You've Been Listening to Lately

2008-09-08T08:04:00.004-05:00

Who have you been listening to readers? Which artist is in your Ipod? Or if you are like me in an old fashioned CD player in the car. Can't believe after a mere 20 years, the CD player is a thing of the past. Doesn't it make you long for the days of 8-track's? I hear there is a vinyl comeback. Loon, quick! Get that turntable out so we can spin a few discs. We've ton of THAT music.
Ok.....so here is my list.
Alejandro Escoveda
Blue Mountain-Mixed
the100s-Not yet released CD
Robert Randolph

Viewer's Response.....
Seether. We went to a Seether concert at the Dubuque fairgrounds. With new friend Beth. And her buddy Ron.

Heard 8 bands at the Conesville rally last weekend. Woo hoo!

Playing my acoustic guitar.

Listening to ABBA lately, believe it or not.

Michele Branch.

Deep Purple.

Rush.

A Dog Tale: Teenage Wasteland

2008-09-05T10:09:00.002-05:00

By Brownie
You can say that I am bi-racial. My dad was a full blooded Yellow Lab. My mom was part Chow-chow, part Golden Retriever, and yet another part mixed-Lab. I am pretty. My tail curves like a Chow-chow. With piercing black eyes, I just want to be petted. And to run off like a teenager. Run away and see the world. Chase the rabbits into their burrow. Run the squirrels up the tree. Make those cats screech to a halt. And scare off the white tail deer. Runaway is what I love to do. But Mom doesn't like it when I run off. So I only do it when she is not paying attention. Dad gets VERY MAD when I run off on Mom. But he just doesn't understand I have social engagements to make. I have neighbors who need to sniff me. I think they just don't understand me and my needs. I always come home, just not when they want me to. I come back on my own time. Did I mention I am pretty? I have the putrid smell of defecation splashed all over my matted fur. I wag my tail at the slightest attention. And I have a lovely low bark. I don't like to have my fur brushed. Except maybe my neck. That feels good. Too bad my parents just don't understand my teenage-like mind.

My Name is Lily: Life on the Farm

2008-09-04T14:34:00.002-05:00

By Lily the Cat
Today it is raining. I am a cat and I am stuck inside the warm farm house. We live in the country. There are more cats outside. There are three wolfish-like dogs living out in the barn. Chickens run free on the ground out here. Sometimes, an owl or sly fox eat the chickens. I see this through the windows. But all I ever tell my Mom is "Meow."
Today I licked my Mom's fingers. It tasted of spicy chicken. I did not see Mom go outside and kill the chickens. She must have gotten them from that great food place that I only see what she brings home. I love to sneak in places I don't belong. Today I decided to hide in the top shelf of the cupboard in the kitchen. This is where Mom hides all the grocery bags, cleaner's and odds and ends. Stuff that she doesn't like to see but uses everyday. When Mom got home from that great grocery store, she jumped when she opened up the door to the cupboard. There I was sitting on top of the used grocery bags. How did I get up there? Maybe you should stay at home and watch me. I do more than just take cat naps.

Labor Day Weekend Movies

2008-09-04T06:04:00.008-05:00

We started Sunday morning with 2 French, subtitled movies, written and directed by François Truffaut.

Jules et Jim (1962) is a dizzying display of love and devotion. The title characters, two men, have a loving friendship that no woman can come between. Even Catherine, the "love anyone, anywhere, anytime" woman who blows into their lives. While the men value their friendship more than their love of Catherine, they do take turns being with her. And she uses poor Jules as a doormat, constantly cheating on him. All-in-all, I'm just not sure what they see in her. Ditch the skank!

Le Dernier Metro (1980) stars Catherine Deneuve as the wife of a Jewish theartre director, during the German occupation of France. She runs the theatre and stars in the production, while her husband lives in the basement and gives notes. Gérard Depardieu is her co-star and also part of the resistance. While the acting is first-rate, the story just watches the action, without really involving us. Not really a message, more of a documentary, almost.

Then we watched The Cars That Ate Paris (1974) from Australian Peter Weir. A weird and quirky film about teenagers in a small Australian town who use the tricked-out, Mad Max-styled cars to wreck hapless passer-bys. The entire town profits from scavenging the wrecks, even while the townspeople protest the "shiftless" teens. But, nothing is done to attempt to stop them, until the mayor "adopts" one of the innocent victims. Sound confusing? It was! However, it was dark and twisted, with the great "ball" scene at the end. This movie allowed Weir to direct his next film, Picnic at Hanging Rock. At least this one had an ending!

We then changed gears (double-pun!) and watched Transamerica (2005), starring the fantastic Felicity Huffman as a transgender woman ready to have surgery to complete the process. In a complicated, movie-only reason, she drives her unsuspecting and unknown son across the country. They of course get to know and respect each other, even though she never tells him she's his father. Some of the scenes are funny, and the concern seems genuine. The most moving scenes, perhaps, are when the grandparents, who are overly-critical of their "son" and his transformation, completely dote on their brand-new grandson. Classic! In the end, life isn't perfect but the two seem to come to grips with their relationship. More or less a Hollywood ending, but the great acting holds up throughout this interesting drama.

Keeping with the theme, we finished the day watching Boys Don't Cry (1999), with the Oscar-winning performance by Hilary Swank. Based on a true story, 20-year-old Teena Brandon masquerades as a boy, Brandon Teena. Dating girls and being one of the guys, drinking, partying and getting in trouble, she/he's heading for trouble. And trouble finds her in the form of the male friends she makes, as she gets serious with Lana, Chloë Sevigny in another star-turn performance. The man discover the truth about "Brandon" and the movie ends in a savage way. Sadly true, a very emotional story.

Monday night we watched You Kill Me (2007), a dark comedy starring Ben Kingsley as an alcoholic hitman. Sent to San Fransisco to dry out, he is "guided" by Bill Pullman (doing a great job, actually "acting" in a surprising role where he is not the ex-husband or nice-guy, but a rather dark and dangerous and unattractive loser) and helped by his AA sponsor Luke Wilson, in an unnecessary role, under-utilized and merely cast to add a younger "star", IMHO. Ben meets Tea Leoni (an executive producer and unsuspecting wife of sex-addict Fox Mulder) and guess what - they fall in love! Thanks to his new love, he cleans up his act and gets back to what he does best - killing people. While the great acting of Ben Kingsley (add him to the list of must-see actors) and Bill Pullman are fun to watch, the movie ends up with a fairly traditional (including the obligatory "twist") ending. A fun diversion, just don't hope for a deep message.

And that was the holiday viewing, down on the farm.

Should've Gone Canoeing!

2008-08-30T12:42:00.003-05:00

Three years ago this weekend, the Wife said, "Let's go canoeing!" Foolishly, I said, "Nah, it's a holiday weekend, there'll be too many people on the river."

So, we bought paint and painted the house and garage!

The moral of the story is: Always go canoeing!

What Would I Have Changed?

2008-08-28T09:42:00.002-05:00

By Cold Chewy
Have you ever been asked that question? What would you have changed? Maybe you were in a job interview. How are you suppose to answer that? Do you want the truth, future employer? What is the right answer. Honestly, I ask? What exactly are you looking for? Do you want a crystal ball reader? The last time I was asked this, I said in a nutshell, I really wish I wouldn't have put my foot in my mouth. Now, too honest? What gives? Provide me with some insight readers. Yes, you know I am looking for something, because I have yet another story to pass along. You are going to have to wait for this one.

Oh to be a Lawyer!

2008-08-27T20:05:00.003-05:00

What a glorious job - Attorney at Law

$100 an hour.
I'll get back to you.
What was it I was going to do for you again?
Oh, that's right. I'll get right on it.
I'll call you.
I'm sorry, I was really busy.
What were we talking about?
I'm glad you called me.
I have it here somewhere.
Don't worry - I'll take care of it.
Sorry, its been crazy around here.
Now what was it again?
I'll send you the bill.

I Wish I Were a Mute

2008-08-27T10:17:00.002-05:00

Do you ever have days when you think that? I mean to speak well. I mean to sound intelligent and smart. But some days things just don't roll off the tongue like I intended. Either be a mute or hire a vocal editor? Oh, yeah, that's it. Have someone to take my words and rewrite all while I am in the interviewing process? Great idea. Any one out there know how we can patent this idea. I think it is a million dollar maker.

THE COPING DIET

2008-08-27T09:55:00.002-05:00

Only girlfriends can understand this one. This is a specially formulated diet designed to help women cope with the stress that builds during the day.

Breakfast
1 grapefruit
1 slice whole wheat toast
1 cup skim milk

Lunch
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken
1 cup spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 Hersheyʼs kiss

Afternoon Snack
The rest of the Hersheyʼs kisses in the bag
1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips

Dinner
4 glasses of wine (red or white)
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family size supreme pizza
3 Snickers Bars

Late Night Snack
1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)

Remember: Stressed spelled backward is desserts

Send this to 4 women and you will lose 2 pounds
((You see....by posting this I don't have to send it and I'll still lose 2 pounds. Probably 2 million because that is how many readers we have reading our blog.))

Concentrate

2008-08-27T09:46:00.002-05:00

email
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.' Something good will happen to you today; something that you have been waiting to hear. This is not a joke; someone will call you by phone or will speak to you about something that you were waiting to hear.

Now how many of you get these on a daily basis and they sound REALLY great until you get the bottom and it says if you don't email 5 people in the next 5 minutes you'll get 5 years of bad luck, or something along those lines? So, I just posted this on our blog, you can read it and concentrate and think about it and realize that the spirit that makes us is pretty cool. Now, if I get to work and find out that I'm f**ked out of a job, that might suck at first, but somebody else will think it is good. (Probably not the family banker man!)

Looney Farm Inventory

2008-08-26T12:16:00.008-05:00

And just what do we keep on the Looney Farm, you might all be asking yourselves?
20 chickens (and declining!)
including the bad-ass rooster Wino, and his butt-boy sidekick Blackie

18 outdoor cats (The actual Matriarch of the family was Nellie. Father was Big Balls)
Grey Mama(Her Mom was "Talkie" and Talkie's Mom was Marshmellow and her mom was Nellie) - matriarch and nice, albeit somewhat feral, main-mama
Black Mama (Her Mom was Sylvia and her mom was Nellie)- and not a very good one at that - so no more motherhood for her!
M.J. (Murphy Junior) - a super nice gray-brown tabby Tom that we love so much we got him "fixed" so he wouldn't run off. He still picks fights with the other males, however. He looks a lot like Murphy.
Tippy - white with brown markings, tips of her ears and tail are white. Deep blue eyes. Twin sister to one of my all-time favorites, Squeak (named for the way she would yell at me as a newborn as I walked by the box the kittens were in). Poor Squeak lost an eye and nearly lost a leg and eventually used up all 9 lives. Squeak really loved me and I still miss her.
Patch - White with patches (get it?) of gray and brown. Nice cat who lives in the woods, but comes in to eat and go on walks.
Bootie Barker - beautiful silver male with white booties, named after a NASCAR crew chief.
Precious - a fluffy orange MALE, very cranky (possibly due to his name?)
Henry - named after Henry Rawlings, as they both yell a lot, he is a sweetheart orange tabby who was under-sized at birth and we weren't sure he was going to make it.
Diego - another orange male tabby (ankle-biter!) Diego's brother Baby ran off, (another name issue?) we think he's the top Tom prowling the neighborhood. Dad was a wandering, dark orange tom with dark yellow eyes named Norman New Cat.
Blondie - little orange tabby female (and my special friend!)
Simba - Blondie's twin sister who is extremely feral!
Myron - smallish gray-brown tabby with beautiful blue eyes!
Sausage & Cheese - pretty, fluffy calico, aptly named by Iron Man
Tigger - nice orange tabby, very friendly kitten
Frosty - (or Frosted Alps, Frosted Flakes, etc.) Tig's twin sister, extremely feral!
China - another wild kitten, cool black and gray mottled color, named after Asia, similar in color, who had the map of Asia on her forehead! (R.I.P., Asia)
Socks - kitten similar to Bootie, very cute, we are desperately trying to tame him!
Meredith - had a sibling, Grey (Meredith Grey, TV fans) who didn't survive living in the barn. Meredith is the sweetest little calico you could ever meet. (See below)

3 dogs
Krunchy - big, black, loving Alpha dog (His Mom was Annie and died 4 weeks after giving birth. I had to bottle feed him and his other 3 littermates. He came to work with me. Cutie.)
Brownie 2- she's so pretty and, ahem, blond! (She was named after the other Brownie who was Krunchy's littermate, who was runover on my birthday. Devestating to everyone. And she was "Pinky's" special dog. So the next week, I gave in to those tears of loss. We tried Sunshine, Goldie but only Brownie would do. How could I say NO to that face?)
Biscuit - spastic, hyper and intelligent little hyper dog. Oh, did I mention he's hyper?

3 indoor cats
Murphy (Anna, Josephina, Elizabeth) Brown, Investigative Kitty - my 15-year-old cat, I've known her longer than just about anybody, we've been through a lot together, she's my "divorce kitty", she saved my life when I was down and out. (Since his 3rd marriage, she's mellowed and is a super nice kitty. She fit in way before the Loon did.)
Lily - Pinky Brewster's beautiful cat, loving and sweet and incredibly clumsy! (She has been to school. She's a celebrity.)
Smoke - The Babe Wife's "special friend", the most beautiful silver coat you've ever seen. Named after Babe's fav driver, Tony Stewart (See? I'm secure!) he is her "dog-cat" in that he acts and lays on the floor like a dog, he's the little dog she never had! (Smoke does tricks for his treats. He can jump pretty high. And he loves to lick Meredith's butt. So I call him the official butt-licker.)

What Do I Wear?

2008-08-26T10:24:00.002-05:00

by Apple Pantie
What should I wear ladies, to an interview? I don't own a full blown suit. Any suggestions? And if I wear open toed sandals, should my nails be painted? Are hose required, or is skin OK?
Help me out ladies. Not taking comments from over-sexed men.

I Want to be a Musher

2008-08-26T08:39:00.002-05:00

By Apple Pantie
For years I have had a dream. One that keeps me up late at night. It wakens me from a dead sleep. The thought of running a team of dogs along the mountains in Alaska makes my heart race. The idea of having not just 3 dogs, but 300 dogs makes me giddy like a school girl. And scooping the poop. Oh, the smell of the decaying feces in the heat of an Iowa summer, just makes me wanna snap a photo as a keepsake. And exercising my team of dogs. Yes, exercising my dogs. I can't wait to get up every morning at 5 to take the team out. And again in the evening. Depending upon the time of year, sometimes late into summer's night. In the winter running early while it is snowing and blowing. The more bitter the wind, the better.
Yes, dear readers, this has been a dream. The reality? I don't have enough money to feed 300 dogs. I don't have enough money to add a cat to the house. And exercise? I barely have enough time every morning to walk the 3 dogs I have. And today, they got all excited over a coon up the road. I could hardly contain them. They almost dragged me down the gravel road. Wouldn't that have been a sight? Some middle-aged woman being dragged by a pack of wild dogs. I wonder if I could have called in sick? And last but not least, where would we put 300 dogs? We have almost 5 acres of land. Every inch is taken. We have an east woods. We have an open field. We have a veggie garden, herb garden, west woods, north woods and the open range of the front yard. Doesn't seem to me that we have enough room for any more dogs. Instead, I think I'll get back to my dream of being in a punk band. I already have a name for my band.....keep on blogging folks. I can't tell you everything in one blog.

Hey, fart-joke fans

2008-08-26T05:50:00.005-05:00

And all fans of testosterone-driven humor:
Check out my new side-project, the Land O'Loon.
I'll be sharing things from around the 'net that might not fit in between gardening tips, child-rearing questions and rips on me.
Don't worry, I'll still be here with those oh-so-popular, comment-driving posts that have made Looney Talk the hottest site on the web.

So for all your fart jokes, stupid signs, inappropriate humor and
MONTY PYTHON - LOTS AND LOTS OF MONTY PYTHON
needs, head over to the Land O'Loon.

Not trying to be catty here, but

2008-08-26T05:36:00.004-05:00

HOW MANY CATS DO WE NEED IN THE HOUSE?

There appears to be a campaign under way by The Babe Wife, Pinky Brewster and even Iron Man, to add to our in-house cat population. We already have three (3) indoor cats:
Murphy Brown, my 15-year-old, cranky, hairball-puking, old-lady cat;
Lily, beautiful, nice and clumsiest cat you'll meet;
Smoke, Ang's precious dog-cat, with a beautiful silver coat, crazy, dog-like poses, attacking the other cats and generally being a pain in the arse (he's a cat, after all!)

The object of our affections is Meredith, a gorgeous, sweetheart, tiny little calico. So I ask you, dear readers:

How many indoor cats are enough?

Discuss.

Straight Hair or Kinky

2008-08-25T12:00:00.002-05:00

Getting ready for an interview two weeks ago, I heard a great report about straight hair vs curly hair. Who do guys like? Who do kids like? Who do potential bosses like? Now I ask you, millions of LooneyTalk blog readers.
Girls, would you date straight hair guy over curly-headed dude?
Guys, would you?
Kids, who is better looking curly hair?
or straight?
Boss, who would you hire?
Straight?
Curly?
Comment.

Bigger is Better? Future Predictions

2008-08-25T11:53:00.004-05:00

Here's an article Loon found and I thought we should put it in our blog. Small schools are what makes up this great state of Iowa. But if we don't do something, those charming schools will be shut down forever and we'll be busing our kids into Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City. Kids will be sleeping in dorms as transportation will become unbearable for parents. If your student is an athletic or musician they'll be housed appropriately. Read this article and let us know what YOU THINK.
Officials predict more district consolidation
Associated Press State and school leaders say there is a new wave of school district consolidation that could alter the landscape of education in Iowa. The consolidation is happening in school districts that are facing budget crunches because of shrinking enrollment, skyrocketing expenses and troubles cutting back. And the cash-strapped schools arent getting the same type of help they used to from the state. Theyre in a real balancing act,said Judy Jeffrey, director of the Iowa Department of Education.I think theres going to be another wave of consolidation. Just how many Iowa school districts will consolidate depends on whether some can dig themselves out of a financial hole. State officials say enrollment has dropped in twothirds of Iowas 362 school districts. Those districts lose more than $5,000 in state aid for each student who leaves. District leaders were warned last spring that 60 school districts were on track to operate in the red in 2008 and 2009. I see right now more districts in potential financial difficulty than Ive seen in the almost nine years Ive been doing this,said Larry Sigel, school finance director for the Iowa Association of School Boards. He helps train school leaders on how to manage their budgets. Experts say Iowas tradition of local control had enabled even the smallest school district to survive, but thats changing. In 2004, lawmakers started to phase out a state budget guarantee that bailed out schools struggling with declining enrollment. And last year, the Legislature gave the Iowa Board of Education power to shut down school districts that run in the red for two years in a row. The new practice has been put to use. Last spring, the boards members shut down the Russell school district, where leaders blamed financial troubles on declining enrollment and mismanagement. Jeffrey said that sent a message to other districts. Some schools had made major efforts to avoid Russells fate. For example, residents in the West Bend-Mallard district in northwest Iowa raised $850,000 to save their school district. But voters in some districts have opted not to keep their school districts open. Voters in Taylor County decided not to bail New Market out of its financial hole. In Millersburg, the towns only school will be empty this time next year if voters agree to merge the Deep River-Millersburg and English Valleys school districts, which have about 600 students between them. I think people have accepted the inevitable,said Twila Gerard, 67, a town historian who was part of Deep RiverMillersburgs first graduating class in 1958. Theres not enough children.

Political Window View

2008-08-25T10:49:00.003-05:00

By Angie
Now that the Olympics are over what are we going to be talking about and watching every night? Looks like the democratic convention this week.
I know politics and families don't mix. So conservative family members, be forewarned!
Here's just a couple of things I would like to point out.
1. I have one house and one house only. It's not a big house, but it's home.
2. Hanky Panky. It's great until you get caught. It feels good so you do it. No one WANTS to get caught, but sometimes it just happens. Kinda like taking a dump when you are at someone else's house. You don't want to but it just needs to be released.
3. Politicians are PAID to talk about how great they are. The rest of us have to figure out ways to make ourselves sound not so self-serving when having a conversation with our friends/families/co-workers.
4. The last haircut I had, I paid $25 and that was with an eight dollar tip. What did Obama and McCain pay?
5. Does knowing the names of foreign countries make a person experienced to run the country as the president?

It will be interesting to watch, the DNC this week. I know I will because of my job. And when I get home, we'll be catching up on all the shows we missed because of the Olympics.

How Many Arms Does Your Dog Have?

2008-08-23T07:49:00.003-05:00

By Angie
Readers, can you believe I overheard this? I never met a dog who has arms, but I found out last night that my Biscuit has two arms. And he had a stick through one of his arms. Can you believe that?

Recommend A Book

2008-08-22T15:59:00.002-05:00

Hey All...... Iron Man needs to read a "chapter" book as he calls it. Something that a male middle-schooler may read. A book that is easy to get into to and maintain the reader. Not too long. Any recommendations would be considered and appreciated.

I Didn't Mean To: Reading the Fine Print

2008-08-22T11:46:00.004-05:00

By Cold Chewy
Mark this up as experience is all I can rationally say. As you know millions of readers, I am on a career quest. In doing so, I have been hitting all the Internet sites of available jobs in the area. Everyday I hit it hard from the comfort of my own living room. It is quite easy and I have been finding a lot of different job opportunities. Now, however, the computer and myself have a relationship similar my marriage. We respect each other but sometimes we aren't on the same page. And once something is said, written, checked, or marked, and the SEND button is launched, it is out there forever.
Here's the completely insane part. I am applying for an editing position. One that requires me to look over other people's words and papers and whatever else they want me to read over for corrections or edit. Detail-oriented and all that jazz. Well...OK. So from the comfort of home, I fill out an application. I attach a resume and cover letter. I go through the painful, lengthy process of filling out the employment application and quickly read the other unimportant pages that require either a yes or no checked. Hell, who cares, right? Yes I agree to that. Yes, I comply to all that. Yes, I am a convicted felon. WHAT? I checked YES that I have been convicted of a crime other than a simple traffic violation or misdemeanor. OH S**T. F**K!!!!!! Now what have I done?????? I got an email back from this prestigious company, the company that employs about half of Iowa City and anyone who needs a job that knows how to write or edit. Yeah, they said they could not use a person who is a convicted felon. "BUT I'M NOT" I plead. "I simply checked the wrong box. I didn't read the fine print." My pleas go unheard. It doesn't matter. Now I may as well BE a convicted felon to them. Nothing I say or refill out will ever change that. Yes I checked. F**king YES I checked. So stupid. I am so stupid for not reading all the fine print. The boring print. The material I gaze at and say to myself, "too much boring stuff to think about much less read. " So I say to you my fellow readers, you too can be a convicted felon if you don't read the fine print. I guess I would not have been a very good EDITOR would I?

New Comedy Series

2008-08-22T07:16:00.002-05:00

A new series is coming to IFC (Independent Film Channel):
"Z Rock"

Based on a real-life band from Brooklyn, it is the story of brothers Paul and David Zablidowsky and their good friend Joey Cassata, who play in the metal band "Z02", which has opened for Kiss.
However, to make ends meet, they also perform at children's birthday parties and bar mitzvahs as "The Z Brothers".

From the press release:

In the show the band members play fictionalized versions of themselves, exaggerating their actual experiences — including a pitched rivalry with other New York-based children's musicians — pursuing the recording contract that long eluded them.

Like the dialogue in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "This Is Spinal Tap," much of that in "Z Rock" is improvised, though with the players working off highly detailed outlines. Most of the situations in which their characters are placed by the show's writers and producers — who include Mark Farrell, a former producer of "Curb" — are adapted from tales the band told in hours spent sitting around a table.

For a supporting cast the producers surrounded the musicians with stand-up comedians and improv players, including Lynne Koplitz (who plays the band's dedicated if addled manager, Dina); Greg Giraldo (as a powerful record producer, who delivers an endlessly profane reprimand to Paulie Z after the band is late for his son's birthday party); and Jay Oakerson (as a club manager who repeatedly propositions Paulie, who is straight).

Among the many musicians playing fictionalized versions of themselves in cameos are John Popper of Blues Traveler (who agrees to sign the Z Brothers, not ZO2, to a recording contract, but only after Dina sleeps with him); Dee Snider of Twisted Sister; and Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors. Joan Rivers plays Joan Rivers, but reimagined as Dina's aunt.

"It seems on the show like we're reckless, but we're not in real life," Mr. Cassata said. "We never put the ZO2 career in jeopardy. That stuff is definitely artistic license."

"Z Rock" premieres this Sunday night, Aug. 24 at 11:30 p.m. ET.

What's YOUR Name?

2008-08-22T06:00:00.005-05:00

Readers. Now is your chance for some inter-active fun. Just follow the directions . You know, if it says to name your pet rock....Loon is BLUE and ANGIE is pink. I thought that would be easy to distinguish. Added is one of our FAVORITE READERS...FRANKIE! She's in orange. Pinky Brewster is PINK.
1.. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)Pandy Ranger
Scooter Pilot
Cthulu Windstar
Lily Lumania
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)Vanilla Chocolate Chip
Cold Chewy
New York Fudge Snickerdoodle
Cookie Dough Peanut Butter
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)T-Loo
A-Loo
F-Sto
D-Cla
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)Detective Black Dog
Detective Black Cat
Detective Purple Owl
Detective Pink Panda
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)Michael Solon (that sounds like a porn name LOON!)
Janine Sigourney
Diane St Luke
Rayn Austin
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
LooTi
LooAn
StoFr
Cla-Da
7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The" + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)The Red Whiskey
The Purple Coffee
The Orange Cola
The Light Purple Gatorade
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)Deyo
Ham Herbert
Posey Deyo
Sam Les
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)Drakkar M&M
Obsession Free
Cabotine Snickers
Paris Hilton Starburst
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names )Phelan S.
Leslie Sue
Edith Smith
Janine Reinhard
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)Fiala Fresno
Heyer Houston
Casady Chicago
Higgins Helena
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)Fall Morning Glory
Halloween Bleeding Heart
Autumn Hollyhock
Christmas Lily
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you're wearing right now + "ie" or "y")Banana Shorty
Apple Pantie
Pear Crocky
Peach Capri-ie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)Coffee Cottonwood
Granola Oak
Soy Maple
Cereal Christmas Tree
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: ("The" + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + "Tour")The Drums Raining Tour
The Guitar Thunderstorm Tour
The Sudoku Storm Tour
The Volleyball Snow Tour
GIVE IT A SWIRL AND TELL US YOUR NEW NAMES! I will add your new names to our list if you send them in to us.

News Report

2008-08-21T20:37:00.000-05:00

This just in from your reporter in the field, A. Looney:

"I'm waiting for them to find that freakin' professor. I think he ran off with MaryAnn."

An Open Letter

2008-08-21T18:38:00.001-05:00

Dear Blogsphere inhabitants:

I hereby apologize for my terrible ~~intelligent~~ behavior in the past few ~~years~~ days. I realize now that my fears were just a symptom of my ~~beautiful mind~~ insecurities. I will try harder to ~~ignore the reality~~ relax about the ~~factual~~ so-called "dangers" on the internet.

From here on out, I ~~freaking~~ swear to allow my ~~insane~~ loving wife to write any ~~stupid~~ thing that crosses her ~~empty~~ mind with no ~~rational~~ objections at all ~~out loud~~.

Further more, any and all personal details of my ~~miserable~~ life can be ~~gossiped about~~ discussed in great detail. No more ~~commenting editing revising~~ censoring shall take place. Feel free to contact the wife ~~Angela J. Looney, SS#555-74-6789~~ at her email address ~~or come on over - the house is never locked - 235 Mulberry Dr.~~ for any of our "intimate" ~~ha, ha~~ details!

In closing, I'd like to quote ~~finally some intelligent remarks~~ Monty Python ~~again?~~ who can best express my ~~repressed~~ emotions:

Manager: I want to apologize, humbly, deeply, and sincerely about the fork.
Man : Oh please, it's only a tiny bit... I couldn't see it.
Manager: Ah you're good kind fine people, for saying that, but I can see it.., to me it's like a mountain, a vast bowl of pus.
Man: It's not as bad as that.
Manager: It gets me here. I can't give you any excuses for it - there are no excuses. I've been meaning to spend more time in the restaurant recently, but I haven't been too well...

AND NOW THE PUNCH-LINE
Man: Lucky we didn't say anything about the dirty knife.