Rich Engle

We had something down here this a.m. on Wink News (Ft. Myers, FL) where they were trying to cover the tail end of the story. Live broadcast. At the end the newsmen just totally lost it, almost falling off their chairs and stuff. rde No more buying hot dogs. Not even White Hots (I have around a dozen of them in my freezer, and I mean the real ones, anyone interested?)

Thank you, Rich. I appreciate the kind remarks. One reason I haven't published very many books is because I don't see the point unless I have something original to say. Nor do I see the point, as many authors apparently do, of essentially rewriting the same book over again in various forms. That would bore me to tears. And the notion of plagiarizing someone else's material repulses me. I identify with the autobiographical comments of various writers. One of my favorite comments is by Montesquieu, author of Spirit of the Laws, one of the most influential books of the eighteenth century and an important text in the history of classical liberalism. Concerning this book, which took many years to write, Montesquieu said: "I swear, that book almost killed me." Any writer who has invested serious time and labor in a book will know exactly what Montesquieu meant. If a lot of your blood doesn't go into a book, then it probably wasn't worth writing. Ghs I see your point, George. But on the other hand, what you wrote right there is more intriguing than most people do in posting alone. You have a defined style as a writer, and it flows well. Sort of like the thing with Howard Stern . . .the Stern haters actually listened to him longer than the Stern lovers. Reason: wanted to see what he would do next. You're fine, dude. Roll like a fuckin' pirate, per usual. EDIT/ADD: I hate when afterthoughts come, but to clarify a bit more, by way of example, I can tell instantly when you write, because it has that unique fingerprint. And I read a lot of stuff. You have a voice. Oh, you handle heavier topics than I ever will, and it might take a few lines to see it, but in the end I always know it is you. Isn't that one of the things writing is about? So, yeah, GHS lifting. Sure. I bet you wake up every morning thinking about that. rde Ops Normal Books are extraordinarily difficult for me to write, but for some reason I can write quality shorter pieces, such as posts on OL, very quickly. About "defined style" and "voice." I agree, which I one reason why it was so weird and disturbing when I first read TRW. It was like looking at a picture of myself but being told that it is a picture of someone else. Here is an interesting story about that dreadful evening when Sharon brought a copy of TRW at one of JR's Beer Busts in SF. At one point, while skimming the book and shaking my head in disbelief, I did the following: When I located a passage in TRW that began with a verbatim line from my FOR transcripts, I handed the book to someone else and then completed the paragraph from memory. In every case I came very close to being correct, word for word. Spooky, very spooky. And unsettling beyond belief. Ghs You know, you basically said what I was already considering, in a certain fashion. I mean, I'm way too vain to be a GHS fan or apologist or whatever. But you got me going on the thinking. Normally, I won't hold onto something this long. First time for everything. For what is worth then, I am going to Hold Forth. I was around even before all this started. Green screen, Atlantis, whatever. I got the better part of it, including reading Wendy's posts. I was there because I was trying to learn. I am a music instructor by trade, and one of the things I picked up on early (much to my success) had to do with continuous learning. So I read, and participated lightly. It was a brutal thing, back then. But, you stuck out--I always knew when it was you; you didn't have to sign it, though you always did. I digress, sorry. I think there is such a thing as reverse plagiarism, I do. But there is a line to it. When I use things, which I often do, they are, hopefully, obvious, and loving. You know, like if I drop in some Hunter Thompson or whatever. I'll say "savage burn," and you either get that, or you don't. And I see this crap in the guitar gunslinger biz all the time, for fuck's sake. There's quoting, in music improv, and then there is quoting and acting like you own it. Just the usual crap. Toss it off to creative problems, whatever. In your particular case, I felt like she was drifting off your tail quite early on. So, you could say she regurged early on. Then, assumed credit for her "style" and threw it back on you. Happens all the damn time. These are not joyous makers, people that have such mentality. It is entirely possible that she really feels she has a case, but is not conscious of her beginnings, which, as I remember, largely involved your influence. That kind of thing. I just move on. I am glad to say that many things have been said about me, but I have never gotten the plagiarism shit. And I know why. And I know you wouldn't do it, because you simply aren't wired that way. You're just not. That's about as clear as I can make it, but it lights my ass up to hear about this junk. It smells like a ham and feet sandwich, to quote Drew Carey. Finest Kind, rde Play "find the quotes" in that post. There are a bunch, and I did them on purpose.

Thank you, Rich. I appreciate the kind remarks. One reason I haven't published very many books is because I don't see the point unless I have something original to say. Nor do I see the point, as many authors apparently do, of essentially rewriting the same book over again in various forms. That would bore me to tears. And the notion of plagiarizing someone else's material repulses me. I identify with the autobiographical comments of various writers. One of my favorite comments is by Montesquieu, author of Spirit of the Laws, one of the most influential books of the eighteenth century and an important text in the history of classical liberalism. Concerning this book, which took many years to write, Montesquieu said: "I swear, that book almost killed me." Any writer who has invested serious time and labor in a book will know exactly what Montesquieu meant. If a lot of your blood doesn't go into a book, then it probably wasn't worth writing. Ghs I see your point, George. But on the other hand, what you wrote right there is more intriguing than most people do in posting alone. You have a defined style as a writer, and it flows well. Sort of like the thing with Howard Stern . . .the Stern haters actually listened to him longer than the Stern lovers. Reason: wanted to see what he would do next. You're fine, dude. Roll like a fuckin' pirate, per usual. EDIT/ADD: I hate when afterthoughts come, but to clarify a bit more, by way of example, I can tell instantly when you write, because it has that unique fingerprint. And I read a lot of stuff. You have a voice. Oh, you handle heavier topics than I ever will, and it might take a few lines to see it, but in the end I always know it is you. Isn't that one of the things writing is about? So, yeah, GHS lifting. Sure. I bet you wake up every morning thinking about that. rde Ops Normal

Napoleon's Penis<tm>. Lest We Forget.

Oh, my. Uh, off-rip: 1. "Don't threaten me with a good time." 2. "Charnel-woman, my ass." 3. "In case you didn't notice, this is what happened to my last husband." 4. "You just don't send me flowers, any more. Which is good, because it's a real bitch to plant shit around here." 5. "I just sharpened the blade on this bitch. Care to tango?" 6. "If you bother to sniff it, you will notice the butt-end of this smells vaguely like chicken. Wanna know why? DO YOU?" 7. "The best thing about all this is that I kept my receipts, and I fully plan to return both of these to Home Depot. Once I get finished, that is." rde

The bottom line of it is, George, simple: that you are so talented you would never find the need to steal. Too good for that. I just can't see someone like you ever having such a need. Best, rde

Pay-for Skype session via www.kink.com . So they say. Most myths are based in fact, no? As legend goes, the quote was, from her "Damn, Bobby Evans, (or should I call you "Big Boy?") that's a fine piece of man-meat. Please, please, part my own powerful meat-curtain." Personally, I am pretty sure I saw it myself, back in the 80's. It was plastered in a phone booth over on Hollywood Blvd. It had weird stuff on it and smelled sort of like chicken. And I don't mean the photo. r

Check out the book titles listed under "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought...." Titles include: All Jacked Up: Rough Riders, Book 8 Here Kitty, Kitty: Magnus Pack, Book 3 Cowgirl Up and Ride: Rough Riders, Book 3 Rough, Raw, and Ready: Rough Riders, Book 5 I love titles like this. Btw, take a look at the hunks on these book covers. That's how I used to look before I did drugs. Let my cautionary tale serve as a warning: Just say no! Ghs Well, yeah. You know, it lends to credence to the idea of writing off the title. You gotta start somewhere, no? Thanks, GHS. I'll tell Rachel. I'll tell her that you are probably quietly fouling yourself and bought everything on the suggested list. Regards, rde Hoping everyone knows how to buy Kleenex in bulk.

It wouldn't stop you from having a couple of them, if they came over. rde

Geezus H. Xstian, George . . . How long does the Fear last? Is there a way to do TedRemoval<tm>? I ask you as a professional. Lordy knows, I have tried, and hit it pretty hard. I think one of the most annoying wounds is one of those like, say, where you get bit from a Brown Recluse Spider, and it starts creating necrotic flesh on your ass. He reminds of that. Anyway: Possible Solution. Read, review, purchase "Punk Rox Warriors." Buy a bunch of copies (@3.99, I'll go in for a few dozen). Send to him. After they arrive in a shipping carton, it is pretty much up to you how you wish to proceed. I mean, we could really get into this, if your tolerance levels have dropped. Tempting, George. Real tempting. But I think we are both busy. Either way, have at it. I'm sure you'll figure something out. EDIT: Or, we could just start up on the Angie/CNN jokes, but that is fairly well-mined. Options, friend: options. PS: I was there through all that. Let's say it simple: Wendy is a cunt. You heard me. Regards, rde

Yes, that was all very cute, boys. Very predictable, though. Oh, run the crucifixion jokes. Jesu Xsti, I thought I had that done a few years ago. You better be careful, or the next you know, you'll become a narcissist, and, for sure, I for one don't want to see that happening. I'm not even an Xstian and those riffs you are running are just weak. If you want to get to work on this thing, you're going to have to bear into it. Blessings, and let's get this fuckin' party started. rde

Here is the Amazon link: Punk Rox Warrior, Rachel Cron Enjoy the just-appropriate whoo-hoo. rde

I have also read this book, simply do a search on Amazon for it. My wife's review below, there are other around: I am Rachael's sister-in law. Knowing for her long as I have known her (and in fact, we haven't for that long, if you don't count 15 years), it is amazing for me to be able to tell you that, by the verbiage, the experiences, with assurance, that they all come from her. She creates the visceral experience. Simply put. When you read her work, you are "there." It is that good. She has a natural ability to create a dynamic writing flow; and that is very hard to come by. This book book draws the erotic romance reader into the highs, and the lows of "R's" experience. In other words, she is so good at her work that she can allow the reader to experience the highs, and the lows. This means that she has command of range in writing. And, still manages to make it come off sexy Check it out, boys and girls: it is a great read. Best, rde Darlene Passarella

I just like the word "mount." Heh heh. huh....heh rde Channeling Beavis

The header is enough to get it. rde Come, Tool, roll over, get the stick.

OK, I got started back up on this one because I was attempting to joke around with one of my music partners, Lesley--she runs the folk group I play in known as Silver Branch. I have no idea whatsoever as to why this came out of me; perhaps it was the sheer trauma of the situation. So I will hold forth: Back around the late seventies, and extending into the early eighties, I was working at two music stores, one of which I started working at when I was 18 years old. I bounced around the two stores, but the primary one was a small, highly-developed boutique guitar store: Oh, you know, we sold Fender Custom Shop guitars, Valley Arts guitars, and so forth. It was a helluva shop. So, one day I am working said shop and I get this, er, rather disturbing phone call. After I do the greeting, I get a question, with a rather creepy voice behind it: "What kind of socks are you wearing?" Now, I don't care who you are, but when you get that kind of call, off-rip, it creates a certain sort of internal confusion. Should I answer him? It is just that disarming. I looked down, because I actually was not sure what kind of socks I had on. I discerned that I was wearing sneakers, and white athletic socks. So, I answered--"White." He said "OK, fine," and hung up. You can imagine what rolls through ones' head at that point. This, in the middle of conducting business. My boss, owner of the biz showed up to relieve me, and I was clearly remaining in a slightly disturbed state. He asked me what was wrong, and I told him of the phone call. He said "Oh, that's just the Sock Guy--he calls all the time. You just have to tell him what kind of socks you are wearing and then he leaves you alone." Right. As the time progressed, six years, this went on. Actually, the more honest you were about describing your socks, the quicker the engagement was. You kind of got used to it after some time. And, he was quite polite; most times he even thanked you--very professional on the phone. Eventually I discovered that our store was not the only target. There were at least 3 or 4 other unrelated businesses in the area that he was calling. I guess he had a call list, or something. After awhile, we all kind of got used to the routine. And then, it just stopped. I don't know what ever happened to the Sock Guy, but in a certain respect, I admire his artistry. rde Never Looked At Socks The Same Way Again

It's very much OK, I think. It is quite basic, but I find that fine, in that any type of spiritual practice (which this is, accept it or not) that resonates to atheists is a very good thing. I would say this: understand the word "Blessed" when using it. If it is only cynical in application, not such a good thing. It is, in fact, a very heavy word; one of the heaviest ones out there. Very good, though! I like it! In the UU church, I would say that, although the diversity is amazing, more or less you have a very large contingent of secular humanists. And, secular humanists are some of the most reasonable people in the world. I have a lot more fun with the pagans, though. I can hardly wait to play at their summer solstice. The folk group I play in, Silver Branch, is headlining that one. I'm telling you, those people know how to have a good time! rde Blessed Be

I used to be comfortable with the idea that most myths are based in fact. Somewhere. It serves me well, and often, even nowadays. But, if there were ever a writer, or a movement, or a philosophy that would actually manage to be ill-served by this . . .even this . . ., it has to for sure be the Objectivism. In the end, after all these fucking years, I still see pretty much only two manifestations. One is newly awakened, via the liberation that reading Rand can give. The other is a very blind type of state that resembles religion, while attacking religion. Those are the two big boys. It is like being vaccinated, but also contracting a disease. Humanity prevails in the intellectual world, even, though. When I get so fed up with the writings of the confused, I can go to the great ones. Or the crazy ones. And they will always be there. That is where Reason Prevails. That is where even love, joy, humanity, those things prevail. There are a lot of great ones, but for now I will say that there has been more than one time that Dr. Robert has pulled me out of the fire. And I'm a "religionist." Yeah. Good people do good things. Right? Right? EDIT: And Mike effing K., too. All you sane bastards. Warm Blessings, rde

You never experience the universe unless it flows through your body. And you have to notice when that happens. So, pricky Objectivists, go be miserable. Be miserable bastards, by trade. rde

Yep, great book. Some weird Rand loving musician from Florida recommended that I read it! Thanks again. Rich. By the way, the Roku box with Netflix is phenomenal!!! Adam Oh yeah, she gets it done. r

Well, I don't even find good words, but I will try. Michael is one of the most beloved, brilliant, kind human beings I have ever met in my life. I love him dearly. And, he's funny! Belated though it be. I kind of waited. Celebrate, Maestro! Namaste, rde

If you read the Dali's most recent books, it gives you a better perspective. His unique position. There are so many, but I like this one a great deal: The Universe in a Single Atom His anecdotes alone are worth the read. Blessings, rde

Mike Hill just shared this on Facebook. Sort of a recap of the whole thing on Lake Erie. I remember when this first started. You'd go out in Mike's back yard, sit on lawn chairs, and wait. All about 5 minutes from my former home. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug9-szKFAgc&feature=player_embedded

Fuel, fire: Worst Country Song Titles * If You Don't Believe I Love You Just Ask My Wife * Timber, I'm Falling in Love * You're the First Time I Thought About Leaving * Love Will Beat Your Brains Out * You Can Tell the Man Who Boozes (By the Company He Chooses) * I Think I'll Drink Myself Into the Past * I Got Tears in My Ears From Lying on My Back Crying on My Pillow Over You * Sleeping Single in a Double Bed * The Pint of No Return * Your Negligee Has Turned to Flannel Nightgowns * Guess My Eyes Were Bigger Than My Heart * It Ain't Love but It Ain't Bad * Thank God and Greyhound She's Gone * I'd Rather have a Bottle in Front of Me Than a Frontal Lobotomy * Don't Let That Doorknob Hit You (on the Way Out) * You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without * This Time I'm Gonna Beat You to the Truck * You Blacked My Blue Eyes Once Too Often * Walk Out Backwards Slowly So I'll Think You're Walking In * I Forgot How Bad My Good Woman Could Be * You Done Stomped on My Heart (and Smashed That Sucker Flat) * Let Me Love the Leavin' from Your Mind * Somebody Shoot Out the Jukebox * My Legs Won't Walk Away From You * What's a Fool Like Me Doing In a Love Like This * I've Been Roped and Throwed by Jesus in the Holy Ghost Corral * If You Can Live With It (I Can Live Without It) * She Got the Gold Mine (I Got the Shaft) * Hell Stays Open All Night * I'd Be Better Off in a Pine Box * I've Got You on My Conscience But At Least You're Off My Back * Bridge Washed Out, I Can't Swim and My Baby's on the Other Side * The Worst You Ever Gave Me Was the Best I Ever Had * If the Phone Doesn't Ring It's Me * I've Got a Funny Feeling (I Won't Be Feeling Funny Very Long) * Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger (When You Go Out at Night) * How Can a Whiskey Six Years Old Whip a Man That's 32? * I Knew I'd Lean (But I Never Thought I'd Fall) * She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye * We Used to Just Kiss on the Lips But Now It's All Over * You're the Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly * If You Keep Checking Up on Me (I'm Checking Out on You) * It Don't Hurt Half as Bad as Holding You Feels Good * I Don't Know Whether to Kill Myself or Go Bowling * I'm Gettin' Gray From Being Blue * I Keep Forgettin' I Forgot About You * Mama Get The Hammer (There's A Fly On Papa's Head) * Heaven's Just A Sin Away * She Made Toothpicks Out Of The Timber Of My Heart * If Fingerprints Showed Up On Skin, Wonder Whose I'd Find On You * I've Been Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart * She Feels Like A New Man Tonight * Velcro Arms, Teflon Heart * The Last Word In Lonesome Is "me" * When We Get Back To the Farm (That's When We Really Go To Town) * You Stuck My Heart In a Old Tin Can and Shot It Off a Log * He's Been Drunk Since His Wife's Gone Punk * I Bought the Boots That Just Walked Out On Me * Ever Since I Said "I Do," There's a Lot of Things You Don't * The Next Time You Throw That Fryin' Pan, My Face Ain't Gonna Be There