Never Enough Jury Observations Department

Today I was selected to serve on a jury--and of course I cannot comment on the case itself. But, I was intrigued with two elements of being on a modern jury in Washington State. First, jurors are allowed to take notes during the trial, as long as they do so using the notepad provided by the court. You must leave the notes behind when leaving the courtroom, but the jury gets to use the notes during deliberation. That's an incredible addition to the jury's resources. But, that's not as great as the ability to write questions for witnesses. The bailiff gathers the questions--written on sheets with cover sheet, so other jurors can't see the questions--and then the judge shares the questions privately with the attorneys before deciding which questions should be allowed. Aside from clearing up any questions we might have about the case, the interactivity certainly makes one feel much more involved.

I'll mention the case itself later--once there's a verdict. (No names.)

Never Enough Bug Porn Department

Some people wonder how I wound up a SubGenius minister. Wonder no more.

Actually, this video link may well make you wonder more. Sorry, that's not my problem. Blame it on your local micro-Conspiracy. I do--every single day.

More SubGenius videos available here. I recommend "The Day of the Subgenius" [sic] by The Bolex Brothers, or maybe the SubGenius commercial for those with shorter attention spans. (If you look carefully, you'll see my hand among the lab-coat wearing zombies.)

Never Enough Kick-Ass Boots Department

After looking over the "shoe obsession" posts at Daily Dose of Queer, I figured there's no reason to hold back on my favorite footware obsession: Boots. Boots, of all kinds, from the practical to the faboo to the dangerous, make my world go 'round, and if I had limitless income, I would certainly have an impressive boot collection to match.

First, there's what I typcailly find to be my favorite boot: Flat soles, soft leather, convertible (although I usually wear them uncuffed), and surprisingly durable for such a cheap boot. One pair survived dew-sogged, overgrown fields; mudholes; firepits (including a hot piece of iron that seared the plastic sole); and constant wear day in and day out.

Of course, I kind of wish I could afford something that's even more durable, and maybe a little butchier, for those "hey-look-at-that-dyke-with-the-killer-boots" days. Something like these. They look awesome, and yet they're utterly practical. They cry out for serious butt-kicking, followed by a loving polishing. Ah, yes.

Until that day, I'll have to settle for my beat-up pair of Corcoran side-zip jump boots. They're quite worn at this point, not looking nearly as nice and shiny as the ones on the link, but they're still handy for those metal/punk shows where toes might get squished.

I haven't worn western boots since high school, but that doesn't keep me from dreaming. Think about it--black doeskin cowboy boots...! They must be so nice, so comfortable, and yet so handsome--it brings the hick out in me, it shore do.

Let's not neglect these lovely Renaissance boots which I own and love.

I'm still looking for the perfect granny boot, of course.

So, where are the high heels? In the bedroom, of course. Heh heh.

Never Enough Japanese Weirdness Department

I must say, I like the Japanese. They revel in their weirdness. Take this music video, courtesy of my clenchmate Rev. Exile, which isn't weird because of the ironically crossdressed singer or because of the variety of his backup singers/dancers. It's the inexplicable appearance of James Brown, sassing the crew and failing to dance well with the rest of the crowd. Let me repeat: James Brown. Failing to dance well. This--this is a sign of the EndTimes.

The clip inspired me to search Google Video for Japanese videoclips. For instance:

• With my allergies, I can relate to this one.


• Circle jerk? Circle shave? Shaving jerk? Wha...?!? Double points for the shaving cream bukkake.


• Ah-nold tries to sell an energy drink called "Bwain" and acts worse than he did in Scavenger Hunt.

What a way to spend a Sunday....

Never Enough Stop Motion Animation Department

Per Boing Boing, a photographic essay cum stop motion featurette on the seasons in Norway. Nothing like a slice of eternity to make you appreciate eternal beauty.

Never Enough Leather Cuties Department

No Pity
Originally uploaded by Szmytke.

I don't regularly blog solely about pictures, but this picture was so adorable! Those tough leather gloves! That bad-ass hat! Those doe-like, freckle-embellished eyes!

AWWWWWWWWWWWWW...!

Never Enough Human Nature Schmuman Nature Department

Daily Dose of Queer reported that the religious right group American Family Association is protesting the upcoming NBC series "The Book of Daniel" due to the fact that it dares show human beings as, well, human beings. Apparently the portrayal of a drug-dependent Episcopal priest with a lush wife and a gay Republican son, among other things, is disrespectful to the kinds of Christians the AFA wants seen on TV. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize that depicting people's foibles, failings, and dramas was always and automatically a bad thing. I must've missed that verse in Leviticus that talked about boycotting TV networks if they show real life situations in their shows--it must've been sandwiched in-between the verses regulating slavery and separating menstruating women from everyone else for a week.

Ah, what a wonderful vision the AFA must have, of an America full of Mrs. Grundys. Of course, I guess it'd be too much trouble to keep the TV on PAX or ABC Family. Take pity on them--they only want what's best for their own limited, sad notions of morality.

Never Enough Conservative Necromancy Department

I don't believe in magick in terms of it affecting the physical world in any direct way. You can make changes in your own consciousness through magick, but changing lead to gold, or causing Ralph Reed to spontaneously combust, just ain't gonna happen. I know, I've tried.

That's a shame, too, because I'm sorely tempted to perform necromancy on Barry Goldwater. Yes, he's a conservative. Yes, he was borderline racist. Yes, he was opposed to any attempts by government to create a more equal society. But, more to the point, he was staunchly against using the military for "regime change", deeply distrustful of the religious right, and wary of giving political power to big business. In short, he'd be livid to see what his party, and the movement that claimed him as its figurehead, has done in the past few years.

Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice," Goldwater said. And what could be more extreme than bringing the dead back to life, seeking revenge? Plus, you must admit, Zombie Barry would be a delight to watch. The only downside is if, following the stereotype, he craves human brains. Even after he was done with both houses of Congress, he'd be starving, and probably a little nauseated to boot.

Never Enough Happy Holidays Department

Merry Christmas to any and all who might be reading today!

Happy Hanukhah, too. And Good Yule!

In our household, we celebrate all three holidays--Christmas, out of a sense of tradition; Yule, because we're "a bunch of goddamn pagans," as I've heard us called before; Hanukhah, because my stepson's half-Jewish.

Someone tell Bill O'Reilly so his head can explode, already. Me, I like all three holidays and my head's throbbing as is.

It doesn't help that someone successfully broke into my house two nights ago and stole the most expensive gift while my family was shopping. Not much else, thank the ghods--an old Playstation and a few of its games were the only other things taken. But we resolved not to let this get to us.

Oh, and Thea? I absolutely adore the little Kali statue that you got me. (N.B.: "Kali" is one link, and "statue" is another.)

Happy Holdays, everyone.

Never Enough Eternity Department

Two perspectives on eternity:

First, DarkSyde's post on DailyKOS regarding the infinity of time.

Then, an old IBM educational video regarding the vastness of both inner and outer space.

What need have I for bibles, churches, or even our culture's particular, anthropomorphized ideas of gods, when I have a nearly unimaginably vast and ancient cosmos to contemplate?

Praise "Bob", anyway.