joeyblog

Demons? Or mental problems?

2012-01-17T14:20:00.000-08:00

The more we learn about nature, the universe, our biology andpsychology, the less superstitious we become.

Many religions, like Scientology, think that that depression is aspiritual problem. When we grow past this kind of fundamentalistthinking... are we better able to target and treat people with theseissues?

Or.... is spirituality really the ultimate cure-all?

How many honest-to-God christians struggle with deep depression, andhide it, because they're not "supposed" to feel that way if they're"saved"? How many christians have other mental problems? Saved peopleshouldn't have mental problems. They're saved. They feel only peaceand joy in Christ, right?

Not so, it seems. When hardcore superchristians struggle withpost-partum depression, should we tell them to shake it off, pick themselves up and be happy in Christ? Are they doing something wrongspiritually?

Warren Jeffs told his FLDS congregants that he isn't getting out ofjail because they aren't spiritually "right" with their God. Notpraying enough and being 100% obedient. The rest of us non-mormonfundamentalists roll our eyes at this guy, but fail to realize how wedo the same to our own friends and family. If you're depressed orsomething is wrong with you, it's because you're "not right with theLord". It's always your fault.

I wonder... if the wiring in our brains is what determines ourpersonality and decisions.... is spirituality actually just a decentplacebo for some people, while others not so much?

Thisis a sad story, below. But it shows how much our collection of organsand cells and neurons need to function properly, for us to lead stableand happy lives. Otherwise we make entirely different decisions---some can bepositive, others can be negative.

Does this mean we're possessed by demons?

Some willsay yes. I no longer think so.

Not to saythe spiritual world doesn't exist. I've never personally seen it, but if it does, I'm just pretty damnsure it doesn't exist in the form we're taught by all the generationsthat have come before us.

Thereare more than 120 types of brain tumors, according to the National Brain Tumor Society, and personalitychanges can accompany a glioma, depending on its location and size inthe brain.

"It's not typical, but it can happen," said Dr. Dan Barrow, chairman ofthe department of neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicinein Atlanta.

One of the most infamous caseswas Charles Whitman,the so-called Texas Sniper. The University of Texas student killed hiswife and mother, then killed 13 others shooting from a tower in Austinin 1966; 33 others were wounded.

After an autopsy, doctorsrevealed he had glioma blastoma. "Indeed, much of his behavior wasattributed to that," said Barrow.

"It's not rare for peoplewith brain tumors to present, among other things, a personalitychange," said Barrow. "Sometimes it's subtle and noticed only by lovedones."

Wife Slips IntoMadness As Husband Dies of Brain Tumor

http://gma.yahoo.com/wife-slips-madness-husband-dies-brain-tumor-170825388--abc-news.html

Brainwashing

2011-12-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

Beware brainwashing, kiddos. You'll find it in every aspect of life, especially politics and faith, and often by very genuinely wonderful, well-meaning people. Read and think.

It's so hard to think for ourselves.... isn't it....

A radical experiment in empathy

2011-10-04T23:12:00.000-07:00

True empathy... it played a big role in radically changing my own previous, highly idealized christian worldview, over the past few years.

This is really good for all of us to think about: Sam Richards: A radical experiment in empathy | Video on TED.com

Awesome drawing by Gabe Sprenger

2011-08-28T23:26:00.000-07:00

Awesome birthday present from Gabe Sprenger----Belle rocking out to 5FDP. One of the coolest drawings EVER.

I don't always draw...

2011-08-24T00:11:00.000-07:00

But when I do, I draw my friend. Pooping.

Victor Navone's animation reel

2011-06-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

LOL. Victor Navone has the longest demo reel ever. But so amazing that you don't mind sitting through it. Since Aliensong, he's been kinda my animation hero. I have an inspirational email he sent me when I was in college that I've kept ever since.

Victor Navone's Pixar Reel from Victor Navone on Vimeo.

2011-05-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

"And you say you had money, you better be sure....
'Cause these hard times will drive you from door to door"

2011-05-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

Just some thoughts...

Christians are calling this Camping guy, who predicted the May 21st rapture, a "false prophet".

I call B.S. False Prophets don't lead people to being "saved" by delivering the message of salvation through the cross.

This is just another christian who firmly believes in a literal interpretation of the bible and thinks the rapture is going to happen in his lifetime.

If you listen to Camping's message, and that of Family Radio, it's the same as the rest of the evangelical community----that Jesus Christ suffered and died for the sins of the world and that belief in him is the only path to salvation.

He just wants to get the hell out of here. A world packed with humans always has been, and always will be a crazy place. Who of us wouldn't want out, to the happy world of pearly gates if given the opportunity?

But most Christians will just take the easy path and write him off as a false prophet, instead of empathizing with him as a man who isn't very different than any of them.

They'll still believe in the rapture----a widespread false teaching----anyway. Just not Camping's rapture, because he put a date stamp on it and that's a big no-no.

Sucker Punch: Madam Gorski sketch

2011-03-25T00:20:00.000-07:00

Doodling in meetings

2011-03-16T22:45:00.000-07:00

Started as a doodle in a meeting, but I'd like to try adding some color

dragon

2011-03-15T00:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday, Portland

2010-05-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Alex in Space

2010-05-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

Congrats to UP

2010-03-08T09:31:00.001-08:00

Congrats to UP peeps, you guys deserved it. I won't try and compare you to other animated films anymore..... you can only compare a Hattori Hanzo sword with another Hattori Hanzo sword :)

Alex's Dirty Little Secret....

2010-02-25T23:34:00.000-08:00

"Lost" returns.....

2009-12-30T13:20:00.000-08:00

Annie Awards

2009-12-02T10:56:00.001-08:00

Coraline Nominations:

Best Animated Feature - "Coraline"
Character Animation in a Feature Production - Travis Knight
Character Design in a Feature Production - Shane Prigmore
Character Design in a Feature Production - Shannon Tindle
Directing in a Feature Production - Henry Selick
Music in a Feature Production - Bruno Coulais
Production Design in a Feature Production - Christopher Appelhans
Production Design in a Feature Production - Tadahiro Uesugi
Storyboarding in a Feature Production - Chris Butler
Voice Acting in a Feature Production - Dawn French (Miss Forcible)
Special Achievement - Martin Meunier & Brian McLean (For Rapid Prototype)

Alex's Thanksgiving Dinner

2009-11-29T22:06:00.000-08:00

Puppet of a Thousand Faces.

2009-02-17T11:09:00.000-08:00

The secret's out!

One Step at a Time for the Puppet of a Thousand Faces.

http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=4924

Thoughts on Coraline and its crew....

2009-02-03T23:49:00.000-08:00

I might just be biased because my wife worked on it, but Coraline has become my favorite stop-motion animated film, ever.

I've developed a respect for the ruggedness of stop-motion.... these people are another breed of animator. Rough around the edges. They get burned, poked... they bleed on the job. They sweated in a warehouse, on 98 degree sets throughout the summer, under broiling stage lights.

Very different from us comfy, air-conditioned, computer types.... :)

I mean, I at least get to preview my work, and then make adjustments. Good grief, when I was 11 years old I had an Etch-A-Sketch Animator device.... even that thing had a previewer!

I don't know where I'd be without the animation preview (or in Maya, the "playblast"). Heh heh, probably sobbing in a gutter somewhere, disoriented and malnourished.

Stop motion animators? They get one try to animate something. Oh, did you bump the camera, Mr Animator? Go ahead and start your shot all over.

Don't take this the wrong way----I work with are crazy hard-working people on the CG side of things. They put in long, stressful, depressing hours in front of life-sucking computer monitors attached to crashing machines. They need to be equally creative, experienced, and talented to pull off an outstanding film. And computer-types like Michelle certainly played a significant role in Coraline.

However, I think it's worth pointing out the utter lack of CONVENIENCE involved with stop-motion animation. So I want to give credit where credit is due!

Hats off to you, Coraline crew. Thanks for your blood, sweat, tears, and creative brilliance... enjoy your hard-earned spotlight :)

Deep

2009-01-30T09:40:00.000-08:00

Mad birthdaycake skillz... jealous?

2009-01-05T23:50:00.001-08:00

Sure, I missed the part of the recipe that called for a half cup of vegetable oil.

But as you can see, I'm really good at taking the cake out of the silicone bundt pan, so it's all good. Totally redeemed.

And of course, after microwaving some frosting and pouring it on top.... well.... as you can see, the rest is just pure cake perfection.

A woman gets nothing but the best birthday cow pies when she reluctantly agrees to be JOE'S wife.

Happy 31st birthday, Michelle! I know you enjoy this high-class living, baby.

_

The Brave Rat-Slayer

2008-12-27T20:23:00.000-08:00

Baby, it's cold outside

2008-12-25T13:05:00.000-08:00

It's that time again!

2008-12-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

Woke up to snow this morning. Without hesitation, because after all, it's tradition of course, I tossed Jingle into it.

Talented guy, awesome song....

2008-12-09T21:35:00.001-08:00

Pierogie and Halushki

2008-12-04T00:27:00.000-08:00

Pierogie

Halushki

Nose pictures always deliver the cute.

Whew.... it's been a long day.... goodnight!

Jourdan Biziou painting

2008-11-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

I'm a fan of Jourdan's paintings, wanted to share a recent still life he did, so that others can enjoy as well.

CNN's Star Wars tech

2008-11-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

EVIL

2008-10-24T13:10:00.001-07:00

Spider eats bird
© The Cairns Post

THESE amazing images of a mammoth spider devouring a bird were taken in the backyard of an Atherton property, west of Cairns.

And the images, which are being circulated via email worldwide, are real, according to wildlife experts.... http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/10/23/11601_local-news.html

Obama's Loss Traced To Nick Reid

2008-10-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

Obama's Loss Traced To Nick Reid

Uncanny

2008-10-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

The bailout's uncanny resemblance to fearmongering in 2003, which fooled so many of us into believing it was necessary to go to war with Iraq.

Good point, Daily Show.

We should take this as a sign that the $700 billion bailout is probably equally as unnecessary.

2012

2008-09-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the increasing 2012 buzz lately. There's a good chance 2012 will be similar to Y2K, in that people will greatly profit from it.

2012 will come and go, but I bet writing one of these temporary prophecy books can hook you up with a nice retirement for when the world doesn't end anytime soon.

I'm actually very serious----you know people will want to read books like these in the hard economic times ahead. At the very LEAST, I should be printing "I Survived 2012 and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" shirts.

I should get on Cafepress right now, I'll make a mint.

-joe

The Lake of Fire expected this year?!
Enoch's 70 generations of 70 years set to expire

Posted: September 24, 2008
8:57 pm Eastern

© 2008 WorldNetDaily

The author of a unique best-selling book on the year 2012 and the return of biblical Nephilim claims mankind may be on the precipice of an earth-shaking event far beyond the imagination of most people. In "Nephilim Stargates: The Year 2012 and the Return of the Watchers," Thomas Horn quotes the prophet Enoch concerning the history of powerful angels who descended from heaven onto Mt. Hermon "in the days of Jared" and used women to produce giant offspring.

But the history surrounding these demonic beings may not remain in the past. In fact, things may be about to get very scary, Horn claims.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=76099

Wii FAIL

2008-09-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Aaagggh, You're bending it....

2008-08-31T00:43:00.000-07:00

ROFL!!! Surprised his hand didn't crumble off.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain reacts as a supporter grasps his hand a bit aggressively at the end of a campaign rally where he introduced his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in Dayton, Ohio., Friday, afternoon Aug. 29, 2008.

(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

Cyclopsig Vs Count Biziou

2008-08-22T00:32:00.000-07:00

Who's about to get pwn3d? Vampire Jourdan or Optic Alex?

You decide.

Government funds chemical assault.... on rednecks

2008-08-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

Wow.

Exclusive: Sneak Peek at Coraline!

2008-08-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

We'll be unveiling an exclusive Coraline video every day this week, so remember to check back with us! Coraline will be out in theaters February 2009.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/coraline/news/1748615/exclusive_sneak_peek_at_coraline

She won a Toyota...

2008-08-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

The Annointed One

2008-08-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, impressive. McCain's campaign just made the entire bible belt sh*t itself.

Preying on their apocalyptic fears.... very clever tactic. This could work in his favor.... what we've learned from the past is that anything can change before November.

I don't trust either of these candidates, but Obama is not the antichrist, he's just a politician. People need to calm down.

Caution

2008-08-01T14:14:00.001-07:00

This made me laugh

Tiny.

2008-07-30T22:36:00.000-07:00

Click on the image for an amazing animated gif.

How Alex heats his food.

2008-07-29T23:04:00.000-07:00

Pixar's Up Trailer.

2008-07-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

I keep hearing wisecracks about Pixar's "UP" teaser trailer. I have a theory that many people secretly desire the day when they can finally trash Pixar for making a bad film.

"Dahhh, hey George, daaahhh, what's so cool about an old man and some balloons? Huh George? Huh???"

What's cool about it? It looks unique. Just like a movie about COOKING, of all things, was unique to animation. "The Incredibles", a movie about superheroes, doesn't sound unique..... except that it's actually a movie about a family that's probably a lot like yours. "Monsters Inc." wasn't just a story about monsters in a closet... it was about some guys who are monsters for a blue-collar living. Refreshingly unique.

Pixar knows that every studio is making movies about cute animals right now, so they're venturing outside that mainstream. Awesome! A movie about an old guy! In the 80s there was had Cocoon and Batteries not Included.... I really loved those films as a kid. Pixar did well with "Geri's Game".

So here we have a story about an older guy, made by some people with badass imaginations. What Pixar seems to be teaching us, is that just about anything can be made into a good story.

They've earned our trust. Don't forget how sceptical everyone was about "Wall-E". I even remember people scoffing at the "Finding Nemo" teaser.

I think I'm actually more excited about "Up" than any of their films, (with the exception of "The Incredibles"). This is going to be something new again. These guys and girls have imaginations as wonderful as a 6 year old.

Check out this link-------I think with the exception of "Cars", every Pixar film over the last 10 years, were #1 rated films of their release year.

Golden Tomatoes: The 10 Best Movies for each of the Last 10 Years

And now with that in mind, watch this teaser trailer below. Cool huh???????

Yayy!!!!

Drawergeeks Hellboy

2008-07-25T00:07:00.000-07:00

I almost never participate in Drawergeeks anymore..... I'm too damn critical of myself and usually give up in frustration. I can always see a mentally better version of my drawings, that my skill level doesn't allow me to achieve.

I forced myself to sit through this one kicking and screaming. (Not out loud-----in my head of course, where all sorts of crazy shouting conversations happen with myself).

It's not finished but I'd better to get to bed on time.

This entertains me. Highly.

2008-07-23T21:14:00.001-07:00

More Fleisig Fun

2008-07-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

Indian Beach

2008-07-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

Went to Indian Beach on the Oregon Coast. Nice place!

Forgot the camera, but here's the beach:

Silver Star Mountain hike

2008-07-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

We didn't finish this hike because we hit some unexpected, slippery snow fields (in the middle of June???), which made the steeper slopes difficult. I pushed Michelle to keep going anyway, even after our shoes were soaked.

Michelle wanted to kill me.... you should ask her about it sometime.

Or not.

I plan to try again whenever the snow melts.

Eagle Creek hike

2008-06-28T22:43:00.000-07:00

Photos are large and zoom-in-able

Alaska photos

2008-06-23T23:02:00.000-07:00

Finally finished sorting through the 1300 photos that I snapped on the trip. I created an online photo album---click the photos below to access it.

More Yukon photos

2008-05-31T22:48:00.000-07:00

What continued to amaze me about the north, is how perfectly pristine, dramatic, and untouched the landscapes are. It's completely wild up there. Awesome.

Our trip ended with a "bang"

2008-05-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

So we get back from Alaska today, and we're driving home from the airport.... and ended up in our 2nd acccident in a week!!! It was our first accident in a car :(

An older gentleman hit us from behind as we slowed down for the traffic on our exit. It's a crazy thing to see pieces of your car flying in the rear-view mirror.

We're all okay though, no one was hurt, thankfully. God's really looking out for us lately---it could have been so much worse because there were a lot of cars on the highway.

Sheesh... we're counting our blessings, I guarantee you.

Death or dismemberment?

2008-05-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

That was ALMOST the situation a few days ago in the Yukon wilderness. Our inexperienced bus driver ran off the road, which had a steep little grade.

We're thinking it was a miracle of some sort, because the thing really tipped past the point of no-return. Then all of a sudden we're back on the road and everything's fine, except for a few scratches on the side of the bus.

You had to be there to believe it. We were going over, no doubt.

Imagine a busload full of gray heads and golden girls (we're the youngest people on the bus by a long shot) landing into an explosion of glass and dirt.... in the middle of literally nowhere. Bad, bad bad situation.

Wonder if it would have been death or dismemberment for me? I was on the side that was tipping, right by the window.

We're all okay though. More photos to come.

Holy @#$%

2008-05-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

Quick post from the Yukon territory, found some wi-fi here.

We've been a lot of places in only 4 days-----Starting in Vancouver, BC, to Juneau and Skagway, Alaska, and today in the Yukon Territory. Not enough words to properly express what we're seeing.

Here's just a few photos, but even they don't do justice to this place.

Hot diggity damn.

Leaving Vancouver, BC... the rainbow is a sign of a good trip coming, especially in the dreaery northwest.

Lots of clouds at sea on the first day, extremely cold and windy.

But that's ok because the clouds broke up that evening for sunset.

The next day was all like, HOLY FRIGGIN CRAP. I actually got a decent sunburn... I greatly underestimated the Alaskan sun.

Lots of Killer Whales and Humpback tails.

Probably the most beautiful lunch I've ever had. (Food was amazing, too)

We're off the ship and exploring by land, now. There are 2 Bald Eagles in this photo taken high above Juneau, Alaska.

Juneau

We've spent most of today in the Yukon! Here's "Emerald Lake", strange to see a lake this color up here, but definitely pretty.

Old structures from the Klondike Gold Rush. Learning about that period of time has been one of the most interesting parts of this trip. We've actually been following the same route those people took back in 1897, killing themselves trying to make it over the mountains.

I have about 500 more photos but I need to get to bed, doing some more hiking or something tomorrow.

All New Toyota Prius

2008-04-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

2008-04-13T00:50:00.000-07:00

Amazing

2008-03-30T16:16:00.001-07:00

Clopsig

2008-03-20T23:36:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving 2007

2008-02-24T15:36:00.001-08:00

Forgot to upload photos from last Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Dinner table Panorama

George eats.... don't blink or you might miss it.

Danger attacks! Then takes a leak.

Make your own word-bubbles

Burke's newest puppy, "Danger"

Kristie you lush :)

At first I didn't know this was Burke, because he's not pointing at the camera.

Alex daydreaming about the meaty taste of turkey before his vegetarian days.

Alex, really happy about the turkey drum he ate when no one was looking. He blames it on the dogs.

If you look closely, you can see turkey blood on Alex's hands

Fin

Jingle with a dead fly in her whiskers.

2008-02-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

HA HA HA

Lunar Eclipse

2008-02-20T22:29:00.001-08:00

Wish I could sleep like Jingle.

2008-02-19T22:35:00.000-08:00

HAHAHAHA

2008-02-19T12:31:00.000-08:00

The (creepy) first Ronald McDonald! LOL

Squirrel Jingle, squirrel!!!!!

2008-02-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry. I am SO SORRY I didn't get this story on video.

Jingle's little porch friend, this red squirrel, was visiting today so I decided to let Jingle out to go play with him.

Now, Mr. Squirrel was intently working on a peanut, with his back towards the house. Usually the thing runs away as soon as I open the door, but today the noise coming from the overflowing creek next to our house must have masked the "jingle-jingle-jingle" as she trotted up behind him.

Jingle didn't know what to do, as usual, since she's an indoor cat. So she did that cute cat-thing where she raises one paw, all tilted-like, and gently paws at Mr. Squirrel.

That thing flipped out like he'd been attacked by a pack of wild dogs. After frantically rolling over a few times and almost falling off the deck, he tore off down the stairs, probably never to be seen on the porch again.

Jingle's reaction was the same as when she'd chase the rabbits in Texas... feline instinct drives her to kinda chase it, but she doesn't really go after it because she'd never know what to do if she caught it. So she obeyed me like a good girl, and came back in the house. I was proud. In her mind, she "got" the squirrel!

Needless to say, Jingle earned a treat.

I wish I could have shared it with the you guys... but Mr Squirrel usually runs away as soon as the door opens, so I didn't think to bring the camera.

Here's a picture of Mr Squirrel before the Jingle "attack":

And here's the movie I took only seconds before letting Jingle out:

Amazing Lyre bird

2008-02-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

Snowshoeing

2008-01-27T22:28:00.001-08:00

We rented some snowshoes this weekend, and headed out to Mt Hood National Forest. We hiked up to a lake, which was frozen and buried somewhere deep underneath us.

The snow was heavy, and the air was cold.... by the time we were out of the woods, the sky was dark. I can see how people get lost and freeze out there.

Mish in the woods

Lunchtime

2008-01-21T23:30:00.001-08:00

Brought in my lunch today so I could squeeze in a hike nearby. It's been a while since the sun paid us a visit, soI didn't want to miss the opportunity to enjoy it. It won't last.

The wind was icy cold, in that Pennsylvanian sort of way... but hey----I lived in Edinboro.

I can deal.

The Brian F Menz Show

2008-01-20T15:48:00.000-08:00

A coworker recently mentioned that Brian F Menz reminds him of Drew Carey (link), only with dark hair. I've had that same thought in the past.

Got me thinking.... if Brian had a TV show, I bet it would look something like THIS:

Ron Paul raises almost $20M

2007-12-31T20:39:00.000-08:00

As of 8:00 tonight, Ron Paul is at $19.5 million raised in the final quarter of 2007. Like I've written before, he doesn't accept money from lobbyists or corporations, this is all donated by individuals. No matter how the media continues to play this down, there really seems to be a kind of "revolution" going on here and I think it's very serious.

You just don't raise almost $20 million in a matter of 3 months without having a significant chunk of the population supporting you.

Go to the link below for a 4-part interview with Ron Paul on "Meet the Press". He finally gets a chance to detail his more controversial viewpoints (like abolishing the federal reserve, the dept. of education, etc.). In my humble opinion, he does a FANTASTIC job explaining himself, especially when he's undermined by Tim Russert. This interview has a lot of substance, you'll get some of the meat here instead of a few "sound bites".

I need to say this----there are still areas where I disagree with him. The only candidate you ever agree with 100% is yourself. BUT.... it's clear that the guy believes in his goals and I'd gladly give him the chance to prove himself.

For me, that's the difference between Ron Paul and every other candidate----I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, even his ideas to which I'm opposed. I think a lot of other people feel the same way. He has a fantastic way of inspiring confidence in people, and he's done it with honor, integrity, and a congressional record to prove it. People are willing to stand back and say "alright man, let's see what you can do."

Remember, Ron Paul is all about transition.... change over the long-term, not abrupt radical changes. The only immediate change he'd make would be bringing the troops home (which apparently is a popular idea among them----supposedly he gets more donations from American troops than any of the other Republican candidates). Pulling out the troops right away is where I personally have a difference of opinion, but we'll see how this plays out. It's going to be an interesting year.

Good luck to Ron Paul.

"MEET THE PRESS" INTERVIEW WITH RON PAUL---CLICK HERE

___

2007-12-31T11:50:00.001-08:00

Ha ha! This made me laugh pretty hard.

BUSTED!!!

2007-12-19T20:25:00.000-08:00

Well well well, what have we here? Someone likes to disobey when her owner isn't home. Here's some video surveillance of a certain cat, home alone, over the course of one hour.

BUSTED. Mwa ha ha ha.

We kinda figured.... but we didn't think she'd jump up there so many times in just an hour. She enjoys the defiance.

Part 3

2007-12-19T01:08:00.000-08:00

Click for part 3.....

Christmas Cheers

2007-12-16T21:43:00.000-08:00

Joe and Brian sit down to enjoy a Christmas toast.... but inadvertently set out on the adventure of a lifetime when Jingle the Cat suddenly attacks. Wackiness ensues.

Birdies Jingle! Birdies!

2007-12-12T22:41:00.000-08:00

Sigh.

2007-12-02T18:13:00.000-08:00

Joy

2007-11-20T22:54:00.001-08:00

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the good news. There will be no more DMV stories for a while, until I move again.

It's pathetic how proud I am that I rocked the exam with a 97%.

Of course, my uglyass face is in a half-blink. But I didn't even care, I was just so happy to be holding my little temporary license that had brought on so much rage. I didn't know I was capable of so much anger. Where did it come from?

Only the DMV can bring forth such rage even in normally quiet, peaceful people. It finds the dark recesses of your mind... and stirs up these unholy monsters which have lain dormant for millennia.

Truly hell on earth.

DMV

2007-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

I'm going to the DMV this morning, trying for the 7th time to get my license.

Can't wait for today's fun. I bet they suddenly decide they won't accept my property tax statement as a proof of address.

"Sirrrrr, we only accept firstborn children now, you're just going to have to to go have a son and come back another day."

DMV

2007-11-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

I was going to go to the DMV this morning but I got up too late, so I didn't go.

Later on in the day I realized that it's Veteran's day. Can you imagine my face if I travelled to the DMV again today only to realize that it was closed for a government holiday?

I can imagine my face. It would have looked like this:

Nice try, DMV. But too bad you got saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacked.

Chocolate Banana

2007-11-10T10:52:00.001-08:00

I'm listening to Alex's newest music this morning, it's really good. Still has some of that goth in him. He's a one-man band, like Tay Zonday. Except with music you'll actually want to put on your iPod.

You can listen here:
http://www.alexfleisig.com/my_music.htm

Here's a picture of him in his recording studio. (He moves away from the mic to breathe in)

D-M-F-ing-V part 18

2007-11-09T14:48:00.000-08:00

There's a really well-written show you should watch, called "Reaper". It's by Kevin Smith, and it's about a guy who is forced to work for the devil, by collecting demons who escape from hell.

One really brilliant idea about the show, is that the DMV is actually "hell on earth". So appropriate. That's where the main character goes to have the demons sucked back to the underworld, via vacuum tube.

Last year I wrote about how I'd unsuccessfully tried to obtain a drivers license from the Oregon DMV 4 times (read the original post HERE).

I forgot to tell you about the 5th time.

Oh yes, on the 5th attempt we brought acceptable proof of address----pay stubs----which was deemed worthy for the Lord DMV.

But don't go thinking I got my license that day, because I didn't. During the computer test, I made the mistake of:

Not knowing the top speed of construction and farm vehicles (25MPH, but why do I need to know that??)
Thinking it's ok to signal a tailgater to drive around me (it's not, you're supposed to just slow down until they get pissed and drive around you)
Thinking you're always supposed to stop for pedetrians at a crosswalk (you don't have to stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk if they're still within 6 feet of the curb)
And one other ridiculous test question which I can't remember.... the fury had taken over completely by that point.

And that's enough to fail you. Pay please! And try again another day.

The rage was so intense that I swore I would not return to my Lord DMV for a year.... until I was worthy of its blessing.

A year has passed..... so today I returned with confidence and determination to prove that I, Oregon Joe, have gained the wisdom and knowledge to obtain an almighty Oregon license.

So I travel to the far opposite side of Portland, only to wait in a traditionally long line, (as is customary). When one of the Princes of the DMV finally calls my name, I have in hand, my passport, my birth certificate, my social security card, my driver's license, my checkbook, and my paystub as proof of address.

And guess what? I am not kidding, he says----

"Sir, we no longer take paystubs as proof of address."

Is this a dream? Are you kidding me? Please tell me you're joking!!!!!!!! Massachusets is giving IDs to illegal immigrants and you can't let me use my paystub as a proof of address????????

Coming to this DMV location takes hours from my day. I had to wait 15 minutes just for a streetcar to arrive, to take me back to northwest Portland..... only to realize that it was going in the opposite direction I needed to go. Then it's like a 30 minute ride from there.

You know what woud make me feel better? I think I'm going to screw with them next time.

I'll bring all the proper documentation and proof of address, etc. right? BUT.... FIRST I'll present UNACCEPTABLE identification, like my Safeway Club card. Then, when that's rejected, I'll present a photocopy of my birth certificate, which I'm sure they'll hate. "We hatesss it, it hurts usssss!"

Then, how about an envelope addressed to me from myself, as proof of address? Then, a photo of my house---"Look, you can kinda see the address on my mailbox". Then I'll give them my checkbook. Then, my paystub. Oh, the fun I'll have on that day.

Chuckle. Mwa. ha ha.

HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

Thisnovember5th.com

2007-11-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I donated $$$ to a presidential candidate for the first time. You could watch in real-time, people around the country sending him money electronically. Definitely a historic day, and not only because the record for donations to a presidential candidate in a single day was broken, but also because it proves that this guy is a legitimate candidate, regardless of how he's disregarded.

I've been a Ron Paul fan since around February... but I've also been one of those pain-in-the-ass naysayers that drives other Ron Paul fans crazy. I've always said he doesn't stand a chance, mostly because of the way the media purposely tries to selectively keep him out of the race (it's especially noticable in the republican debates, if you watch those---they frequently cut him off, while letting people like Giuliani and Romney ramble on well past their time limit). But I also think he won't make it because he's not here to help out any of those big government or corporate agendas----there are too many who would prevent a guy like him being voted into office.

I disagree with him on a couple things, but when was the last time you saw a politician with such a consistent voting record, and one whose values aren't phoney. I've gotta see what it's like to have an honest, decent human being in the White House. It would really be nice to vote for someone I actually believe in, instead of settling for less. These politicians just come out of the woodwork because and we're supposed to settle for one of them.... but the nice thing about Ron Paul is that individual, private citizens seem to be the ones keeping him visible. His publicity isn't coming from his own money, not big corporate donors or lobbyists. What a great feeling to have even a scrap of hope.

Yeah he's too good to be true, he probably won't make it. But I've begun thinking... just maybe there's a tiny chance....

http://www.thisnovember5th.com/

!!!

2007-10-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

This guy is awesome. AWESOME I say.

How The Cat Wakes You Up In The Morning

2007-10-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Jingle's a chicken now.

2007-10-17T00:11:00.001-07:00

Weekend Hike...

2007-10-15T23:19:00.001-07:00

The rain is getting a little aggravating because we've gotten used to getting out a lot. These are some photos from a couple days ago. Later on I stupidly left our digital camera up on Mt Hood at Timberline Lodge. So we had to take the long drive back on Sunday to go get it.

At least it's really nice up there.

I stitched most of these photos together since our camera doesn't have a wide-angle lens. It always takes too for me to do, it's kinda frustrating.

Mt Jefferson in the distance. You can actually see the lake we visited earlier in the day---look way in the background on the right.

Achmed the Dead Terrorist

2007-10-13T00:07:00.000-07:00

I don't usually find ventriloquists funny but this guy had me rolling with his "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" bit.

Part 2...

2007-10-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

Click for part 2....

Click for Miscellaneous Adventures...

2007-10-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

Part 1 of

Alex?

2007-10-08T10:51:00.001-07:00

2007-10-02T19:51:00.001-07:00

Goth-Sig

2007-10-01T22:58:00.001-07:00

Fall is here

2007-09-30T00:15:00.001-07:00

Fleisor

2007-09-30T00:11:00.000-07:00

Best 30th B-day present

2007-09-20T21:18:00.001-07:00

I get home from work the other day and I've got this huge box sitting on the living room floor. It's a bithday present from longtime friend of 21 years, and electrical engineering genius, Imre Knausz. (http://www.knausz.com)

He BUILT me a tube amp----no kidding!! It sounds fantastic.

If you go to this LINK
http://knausz.dyndns.org/tubes/SE_6L6/index.php
you can see photos taken while he was building the amp, along with detailed explanations of what he was doing.

Go to this LINK
(http://knausz.dyndns.org/tubes/speaker/index.php)
to see how he built the speaker.

I'm astounded and humbled that he did this for me, what an awesome present.

One of my good memories is this bird house he built for me on my 11th birthday, summer of 1988. I watched birds use it for years in my backyard.

Nothing beats a hand-crafted gift. Many thanks to the Knausz.

One of our best hikes ever...

2007-09-08T23:07:00.000-07:00

Michelle summited her first peak today. We did a 7 mile hike up a and back, with jaw-dropping views all the way. My legs are feeling it, though... we climbed a lot higher than I ever thought we would.

Definitely one of our best hikes. The day was cool and the atmosphere provided some great visibility, so we were able to see Mt St Helens, Mt Ranier, Mt Adams, Mt Jefferson, and of course Mt Hood from the peak.

More photos to come, but I really liked this one so I'm uploading it first. I snapped multiple photos of the scene, and then composited them together to portray a better wide-angle view. It's not a perfect composite because I had trouble matching the color in the sky in one corner... and I'm tired and want to go to sleep instead of photoshopping.... but there never seems to be a way to take 1 single photo that will even begin to give you a sense of how big the sky and mountains are here. So I think that compositing several photos is a good solution

Try it! You'll need geeky skills in photoshopping. I used the rubber-stamp, free transform, eraser, and color-manipulating tools on multiple layers to make this composite of Michelle and Mt Hood.

Tricky but fun.

Things that aren't fun.

2007-09-03T00:24:00.000-07:00

I'll take the category of "Things that aren't fun" for $400, Alex.

"Uhhh.... What is... ummm... ungodly large spiderwebs"?

Spiders turn Tawakoni trees into giant web sight
No one's sure of variety or why, but Tawakoni spot is a silky tangle

12:00 AM CDT on Friday, August 31, 2007
By JAMES HOHMANN / The Dallas Morning News
jhohmann@dallasnews.com

WILLS POINT – A large pocket of trees and vegetation has been overtaken by spider webs on an out-of-the-way path at Lake Tawakoni State Park. The freak anomaly has stumped entomologists and park rangers, who cannot agree on what variety of spider is filling the tree, let alone why.

One thing is certain: The area east of Dallas will not become a Mecca for arachnophobes. (Story continued...)

http://www.dallasnews.com/ohcraptheyretakingover

___

Mountaintop removal

2007-09-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

!!!!!!!

I was surfing Google Earth today and discovered a new feature under the Global Awareness Database, called "Appalacian Mountaintop Removal"

Absolutely horrifying.

If you have the latest version of Google Earth, I recommend navigating the sites where mountaintops have been removed, and viewing the various stages of removal. It's insanity.

If you don't have Google Earth (you might as well be living in the dark ages), you can watch this video and become outraged at how badly this coal mining technique poisons and destroys ecosystems, streams, homes, and communities nearby.

http://www.ilovemountains.org/multimedia

___

2007-09-01T18:06:00.001-07:00

joeyblog

Demons? Or mental problems?

Wife Slips IntoMadness As Husband Dies of Brain Tumor

Brainwashing

A radical experiment in empathy

Awesome drawing by Gabe Sprenger

I don't always draw...

Victor Navone's animation reel

Sucker Punch: Madam Gorski sketch

Doodling in meetings

dragon

Happy Friday, Portland

Alex in Space

Congrats to UP

Congrats to UP peeps, you guys deserved it. I won't try and compare you to other animated films anymore..... you can only compare a Hattori Hanzo sword with another Hattori Hanzo sword :)

Alex's Dirty Little Secret....

"Lost" returns.....

Annie Awards

Alex's Thanksgiving Dinner

Puppet of a Thousand Faces.

Thoughts on Coraline and its crew....

Deep

Mad birthdaycake skillz... jealous?

The Brave Rat-Slayer

Baby, it's cold outside

It's that time again!

Talented guy, awesome song....

Pierogie and Halushki

Jourdan Biziou painting

CNN's Star Wars tech

EVIL

Obama's Loss Traced To Nick Reid

Uncanny

2012

Wii FAIL

Aaagggh, You're bending it....

Cyclopsig Vs Count Biziou

Government funds chemical assault.... on rednecks

Exclusive: Sneak Peek at Coraline!

She won a Toyota...

The Annointed One

Caution

Tiny.

How Alex heats his food.

Pixar's Up Trailer.

Drawergeeks Hellboy

This entertains me. Highly.

More Fleisig Fun

Indian Beach

Silver Star Mountain hike

Eagle Creek hike

Alaska photos

More Yukon photos

Our trip ended with a "bang"

Death or dismemberment?

Holy @#$%

All New Toyota Prius

Amazing

Clopsig

Thanksgiving 2007

Jingle with a dead fly in her whiskers.

Lunar Eclipse

Wish I could sleep like Jingle.

HAHAHAHA

Squirrel Jingle, squirrel!!!!!

Amazing Lyre bird

Snowshoeing

Lunchtime

The Brian F Menz Show

Ron Paul raises almost $20M

Top 10 - Videogames 2007

BUSTED!!!

Part 3

Christmas Cheers

Birdies Jingle! Birdies!

Sigh.

Joy

DMV

DMV

Chocolate Banana