Portland Porch Cool.

AKA Snapdragon (see Dizzy Life) in the house for the summer. Sporting shades courtesy of Jesse Blair, hat by Mum (AKA Djinn).

Analog Dog!

Happy 65th Birthday to Mick Jagger.

Rave Shark Interviews Obama.

If you are elected on land, will you fight to protect the oceans? And underwater rave culture in general?











Well, certainly the plight of the worlds oceans is an environmental concern of mine. Global warming is an issue we can't ignore.









I like it warm. Red is my favorite color.

Introducing Monkey.

This character has seen his share of good times. That is if you consider waking up on the floor of a '71 Pinto reeking of vodka, paint thinner and burnt monkey hair a good time. That is how I found him (no, it wasn't my car - but the door was open and things looked ugly in there). I took him home, ran him through several heavy wash and spin cycles with bleach, and this is how he came out. Rather fluffy and self satisfied. Actually I don't think he ever sobered up, but it suits him. Some of his favorite things include: AC/DC played at maximum volume, anything with an alcohol content above 10%, random solvents, crack and cheap sugary snacks. He is a liability, but I've had him treated with fire retardant. Give it up for Monkey!

Monkey Interviews McCain Pt. 1

Monkey: The other day I had the radio on, and right after AC/DC there was some news. Before I could change the station I heard you talking - you were saying "I know how to win wars." So I thought that was pretty cool. Where did you learn how to do that, and which ones did you win?


McCain: Well, what I meant by that was, we can't lose. And we must be winning, or else we're losing.


















Monkey: Right. When I get stoned out of my mind I like to go crazy with the Crackerjack. It's so good, sometimes I forget about the little prize inside the box... then I'm not sure if they forgot to put one in there, or if I ate it.
I hate that.

Monkey Interviews McCain Pt. 2

Monkey: I've just got to ask... have you ever brought opium back from Afghanistan?









McCain: I can't recall ever doing that. The border between Afghanistan and Turkey is heavily guarded.

The British Empire is dead - Long live Ray Davies.

Last night in Portland, Ray Davies played at a lovely venue called The Crystal Ballroom. Yours truly was first in line (a first for me), with the lovely Djinn (see A Dizzy Life), soon followed by a guy from New Jersey who appeared to be the biggest Kinks fan in the USA. He and his girl had travelled from the east coast, through Canada and down to Portland following every stop on the tour. For anyone who doesn't remember, The Kinks were one of the first British Invasion bands of the early sixties with hits like "You Really Got Me", "All Day and All Of The Night". Later they became one of the more entertaining bands of the early seventies with occasional hits such as "Lola" and "Celluloid Heroes." Anyway, Ray was the singer and songwriter, along with his brother Dave on guitar. Over the years Ray Davies has written an absurd number of brilliant songs, many of them performed at this show. He is without a doubt in the upper pantheon of songwriters from any era. Witness this clip of him performing one of his best songs.

Oversimplifications simplified.

Oversimplification #1: We must drill for oil here at home so we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil.


Simplification: In ten years, when this new oil is eventually produced, it will end up on the WORLD OIL MARKET, where it will go to the highest bidder. Oil pumped from Florida beaches and the Alaskan wilderness will very likely end up in a Chinese gas tank. It's like telling a heroin addict to grow poppies in his back yard, then processing the drug for sale to junkies worldwide. At least we're contributing to the supply...

How to reinterpret Bob Dylan, display effortless lyricism on the guitar; wear orange successfully and charm the pants off everyone in 1967:

Unofficial history of White Boxers i.e. Analog Dog

The White Boxer is so named due to his reflective nature. It serves to keep him cool, which is a good thing considering his tendency to overheat during debates. It's not that he is disagreeable or opinionated, which he most certainly is (although he would likely argue the point), but that his lineage actually pre-dates color, back to a time when everything was viewed in black & white. Of course there are reams of misinformation alluding to an inferior upbringing and a general reluctance to assume splotches. But this is mere prejudice. Some little - known facts about A. D. include: he is a direct descendant of the first dog to join bands of English workers (AKA Luddites) who destroyed machinery, esp. in cotton and woolen mills that they believed were threatening their jobs (1811–16); he has a great fondness for tea and biscuits, intolerance for actions unbecoming to cats and squirrels, unfortunate hearing loss leading to misinterpretation of the facts, tragic jukebox selections, and a tendency to call people by the wrong name. He is also convinced that his only recourse in dispute resolution is a challenge to fight -- a direct result of getting into the dictionary late one night, tearing half the pages out and happening upon the entry for "Boxer". He lost interest after the first definition. This is a dog to be reckoned with. He is a spokesman for the underdog, the intolerant, and the hard-of-hearing. But in spite of all his shortcomings, he still has standards. He will, when all is said and left in dissaray, apologize in earnest. AND HE SHALL NOT BE DIGITIZED!

ANALOG DOG!

Very brief toast to "BLACK BOOKS"

Marc Chagall & Plastic Bertrand

Happy Birthday Marc Chagall (who's dead). This song will celebrate all that is, uh... French Art?
This works for me:


Ca plane pour moi.

Wham! Bam! my cat Splash
lies on my bed with his tongue puffed out
by drinking all my whisky.
As for me, not enough sleep, drained, persecuted,
I had to sleep in the gutter
where I had a flash
Oooo-ooo-ooo-ooo!
in four colours

Allez-oop! One morning
a darling came to my home,
a cellophane puppet with Chinese hair,
a plaster, a hangover,
drank my beer in a large rubber glass
Oooo-ooo-ooo-ooo!
like an Indian in his igloo

This works for me, this works for me
This works for me me me me me
This work for me
Oooo-ooo-ooo-ooo!
This works for me

Allez-oop! The chick***, what a gas!
what a vibration!
to be sent on the door mat
filed, ruined, drained, filled
You are the King of the divan!
she says to me in passing
Oooo-ooo-ooo-ooo!
I am the King of the divan

This works for me, this works for me
This works for me me me me me
This workss for me
Oooo-ooo-ooo-ooo!
This works for me

Allez-oop! Don't mind, don't worry
Don't affect me
It’s not today
that the sky will fall on my head
and I'll be without glue
Oooo-ooo-ooo-ooo!
This life’s for me

Allez-oop! my chick has gone away,
flew away, finally had enough, to break
the sink, the bar, leaving me alone
like a complete jerk
Oooo-ooo-ooo-ooo!
I've put my foot in it

This works for me, this works for me
This works for me me me me me
This workss for me
Oooo-ooo-ooo-ooo!
This works for me
This workss for me, this works for me
This works for me me me me me

RETURN OF ANALOG DOG.

Welcome To The Neighborhood.

On a stroll yesterday. Records, Roses, Shacks and Snacks. Click to enlarge...

Big Sur, California USA.

Big Sur was love at first sight for me, sometime around 1982 when first I breathed it in. This spot on the rugged coast is impossible to describe in words. No camera can contain it. It is now in the path of extreme wildfires burning toward the ocean. Nature will survive, Big Sur will still be there, but it will be changed. Selfishly perhaps, I take comfort in the thought that it might remain untouched, preserved as I remember it, so that I can return someday and breathe it in once more. Huge love to you Big Sur, California USA.

False Rumour #1

Some have suggested that I have too much time on my hands. Not true. I had a small amount, washed my hands without thinking, and now it's too late. Gotta run!

Introducing: ANALOG DOG

The Word: "Patriotism"

This word is defensive by nature and surely a problem child. It threw food on the floor and screamed bloody murder if you didn't pick it up. It exists only to suggest that you probably aren't... It grew up in the same playpen as "Believer," and the pair of them continue to run amok like the brats they are.