"Q. Which is better, an oboe or a bassoon? A. The bassoon, because it takes longer to burn."
Don’t see many bassoon jokes, these days, you gotta admit. Nor an oboe player who likes Ben Folds.
UPDATE: Ah, it seems there really are a lot of bassoon jokes out there, after all. More.
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Posted in Scribbles
Tagged bassoon, Ben Folds, Des Moines Symphony, oboe
"He would threaten them with dire punishment, and they would start crying. This called for hugs and chewing gum all around."
When it works, it works.
Seems the email story–poo-pooed by some–about the Marines being left on the tarmac at Oakland International Airport is true. Seems like those California airport officials could have–at the least–arranged free delivery of soda pop and snacks. Although I’m sure it would be better to land in Dallas or some other Red State, where real consideration for the military is the norm. Maybe they should plan to do that in the future.
UPDATE: Like this volunteer effort to greet the troops in Dallas, for instance
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Tagged Marines, Oakland International Airport
"With only two days remaining in September, U.S. forces are on pace for the lowest number of monthly fatalities in more than a year."
Good news, especially considering the pols and the MSM have made American casualties the primary metric of judging military campaigns. But check back in late Oct-Nov to see if this really is a trend.
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Not too surprising, considering how his offensive line was unable to protect him for most of the game. But it could also be that he’s just not tough enough to play college football.
UPDATE: Indeed, he suffered a "mild concussion," and may not play next week.
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Posted in Texas Football
Tagged Colt McCoy, Texas Longhorns football
For years I have been alternately praising and cursing my Suzuki DT4, depending on whether it ran or didn’t, as if it was able to understand me. But, seeing as how I was mainly interested in sailing and only used the outboard once in a while to get in or out of the marina, I never really knew what was going on with it. After reading this book, I at least have an understanding of how it works. Not, necessarily, enough to fix it. But its recent refusal to idle, for instance, looks like a fuel problem. Possibly contamination of some kind clogging the fuel pump, leading to gummed up carburetor jets, particularly the ones that control the idle. Gives me a few ideas to try. If they don’t work, I’ll figure it’s likely the fuel pump and/or the carburetor needs cleaning. So I’ll siphon the gas out of it and take it to the shop and tell them to look at both. Much better than exasperation, anyhow. And while it’s there, I’ll look again at a Minn Kota electric, and consider blowing off this combustion baloney.
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Posted in Sailing
Tagged Outboard Engines: Maintenance, Suzuki DT 4, Troubleshooting and Repair
It’s McCoy’s return today to playing Kansas State, the team that knocked him out last season and sent the Longhorns to the Alamo Bowl. That’s not expected to happen today, but we’re going to find out.
UPDATE: Did we ever. History repeats: Colt is hurt, again, and the half ends at 24-14 Kansas State. I’d like to be there for Vince’s halftime locker room pep talk. If Colt can’t play, I hope his backup John Chiles can throw.
2nd UPDATE: Colt came back, only to throw more interceptions and get sacked and blown up repeatedly, and with about eight minutes to play it’s obvious K State, at 41-21 so far, is going to win this game for the second year in a row. It’s heresy to say so, but, in addition to an O line, we need a new QB. Trouble is, we don’t really have one. It’s going to be a looong season.
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Posted in Texas Football
Tagged Colt McCoy, Kansas State, Texas Longhorns
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 