april 30

leaf green, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

it's my birthday! the sun is shining! the birds are singing! i'm going to see tea leaf green tonight!

motto

why cheat when it's so easy to break up?

not really

homeless will work for puppy biscuits king charles cavalier spaniel

dots

dots have something in comma

hug a bush

reaching azalea branches, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

azaleas reaching

skippy appleseed

cute 9 year old chubster riding by on a bike: excuse me ma'am?

me unloading cardboard boxes in the driveway: yeeees?

boy: um, do you have like a dollar or two for me & my friend to get somethin to eat after we go to the park? that's where we're going now.

cute 9 year old not-so-chubster on a bike: i'm not with him!

me: i have an apple? you want a couple apples?

boy: naw, we was gonna go to dunkin donuts

me: apples are better for you than donuts

boy: they have biscuits...

me: apples are better for you than biscuits

boy: you dont have like a dollar or two?

me: nope. i'm sorry. all i have is apples. or a gatorade. want a gatorade?

boy: naw that's alright

me: okay come back if you ever want apples

flowering kwanzan cherry tree

flowering kwanzan cherry, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

these trees are ornamental & don't bear cherries.

i think i'm gonna like it here - annie - 1982

grove park inn

grove park inn, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

it's nice how the roof & colors make it look like part of the mountain relatively

precisely

me: what time will your show start?
the high windy band: probably no later than 9 but not before.

redbud booties

redbud booties, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

elf slippers

lookapeer! lookapeer!

when you put your itunes on 'party shuffle' and 'bird calls' from 'three amigos' movie comes on, don't expect your dogs to just lie there.

legalize it!

From NORML.ORG:

NORML's Keith Stroup: Celebrate 4/20-ReLegalize It 4/21!

April 19, 2008

Dear Friend of Freedom,

I’m writing today to urge you to be a part of history. That’s right, I said history.

For the first time in nearly 25 years, NORML is spearheading a campaign in Congress to end the federal prohibition of marijuana. Congress created cannabis prohibition, and the courts say time and again to reformers: ‘Congress is the place to change marijuana laws.’

Bi-Partisan Support in Congress for Reform
To wage this long-overdue effort, NORML has teamed up with two of our closest Congressional allies: Democrat Congressman Barney Frank from Massachusetts and Republican Congressman Ron Paul of Texas. Over the past several months I have worked closely with these courageous Representatives to draft legislation that would strip the federal government of its authority to enforce marijuana possession laws. This legislation is now pending before Congress as House Bill HR 5843, an ‘Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults.’

Yes indeed, for the first time in more than two decades, we have legislation in Congress that, if enacted, would end the federal prosecution of adult marijuana consumers!

The Federal Marijuana Decrim Bill
As introduced, NORML’s proposal would eliminate all federal penalties prohibiting the personal use and possession of up to three ounces of marijuana. Under our measure, adults who consume cannabis would no longer face arrest, prison, or even the threat of a civil fine. In addition, this bill eliminates all penalties prohibiting the not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of pot. In other words, for the first time since 1937, the possession, use, and transfer of marijuana by adults would be legal under federal law!

I must admit, in my 40+ years working on marijuana law reform, I’ve rarely been as excited about the introduction of a piece of legislation – or its prospects of success – as I am today. That is why I’m humbly asking you to join me in making this effort the success I know it can be, but only with your help.

Sustained Funding Drives Successful Congressional Educational Campaigns
Waging and maintaining a high-profile Congressional campaign like this one requires sustained funding, and it requires the involvement of tens of thousands of dedicated citizens like you. By donating $50.00 or more today to NORML’s 2008 ‘Re-Legalization’ Campaign, you will enable us to:

Lobby the Democrat Congress for hearings in support of ending the federal government’s war on weed;
Build a broad coalition of diverse and powerful allies to petition Congress to pass HR 5843 ;
Coordinate national media efforts to generate frequent news stories and television appearances favorable to HR 5843.

Of course, generating substantive support for HR 5843, requires more than just your financial assistance; it also requires a small donation of your time.

Celebrate Cannabis On 4/20 — Help Re-Legalize It On 4/21!
For a moment, just imagine the impact of 1,000 phone calls to Congress – all on the same day, all at the same time, all with one single message: stop arresting responsible marijuana consumers! Now imagine the impact of 10,000 phone calls – or even 50,000 calls – jamming the Congressional phone lines! That’s the outpouring of support we need to show to Congress, and it’s the type of support we intend to generate – with your help.

You are receiving this heartfelt appeal from me today, as are hundreds of thousands of other NORML supporters. And on Monday, April 21, we need every one of you to send an unmistakeable and unforgettable message to the 110th Congress.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
LET’S MAKE APRIL 21 A DAY THAT CONGRESS NEVER FORGETS!

NORML needs you to call your Congressional Representative on Monday, April 21, and deliver the following message:

“Millions of hard-working Americans use marijuana. Most consume it responsibly, in the privacy of their own homes, and in a manner similar to alcohol. Why then are we spending millions of dollars each year to arrest these otherwise law-abiding individuals? It’s time to end the madness; it’s time to stop arresting responsible marijuana consumers. I urge you to support House Bill HR 5843, an ‘Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults’.

(You can contact the office of your US Representative directly dialing the Congressional Switchboard at 202-224-3121.)

After you have done so, we also ask that you please e-mail this message to Congress. Simply click here and enter your zip code and NORML will instantly send a pre-written message in your name to your Congressional Representative.

Imagine the ‘buzz’ on Capitol Hill as thousands upon thousands of phone calls and e-mails begin pouring in to the Congressional offices in support of legalizing marijuana. Never before has the marijuana law reform movement made this sort of political statement to Washington; we intend to make it a statement that our elected officials won’t soon forget. As I said at the opening of this letter, we truly will be making history!

Sincerely,

R. Keith Stroup, Esq.
Founder
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
legal@norml.org

it is so easy to call that number (202-224-3121), read that paragraph, and send that email. stop the reefer madness! today!

i just did it myself. you call & tell the lady your zip code. she connects you to your representative. when they answer, say you live in ____ (your town) and would like your representative to support House Bill HR 5843, an ‘Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults.’ they say 'thank you, i will pass that message along.' SIMPLE.

holden a joint says do it!

green the country

from the recent vanity fair green issue article by Robert f. Kennedy, Jr. - "The Next President's First Task: Politics & Power"

The United States has far greater domestic energy resources than Iceland or Sweden does. We sit atop the second-largest geothermal resources in the world. The American Midwest is the Saudi Arabia of wind; indeed, North Dakota, Kansas, and Texas alone produce enough harnessable wind to meet all of the nation’s electricity demand. As for solar, according to a study in Scientific American, photovoltaic and solar-thermal installations across just 19 percent of the most barren desert land in the Southwest could supply nearly all of our nation’s electricity needs without any rooftop installation, even assuming every American owned a plug-in hybrid.

let's do this. free from oil asap.

photo voting

i took 14 photos for the 'day in the life of asheville' photo project that happened Friday and Saturday. dozens of people are submitting photos to a flickr group and local judges will pick a set to be printed and hung at the Pack Library. you can submit 15 photos to be judged & pick one as your favorite that automatically gets hung. i have one i'm leaning towards but if anybody cares to opine anonymously on this poll or anywhere else please do. you can vote unlimited times.

here are the photos - http://flickr.com/photos/skippyhaha/sets/72157604627950112/



i have until april 23 to decide if i should enter, and thank you!

self portrait 2005

self portrait 2005, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

speaking of black widows, here's a fingerpainting from 2005 that i called 'self portrait.' the hourglass is full of marriage license, the marriage was 5 years ago today. at this point i had never seen a real black widow. since then i have seen dozens. i think karma sent them to live with me.

(latrodectus mactans) post from 2006

moving

moving, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

he may pork her

he may pork her , originally uploaded by skippy haha.

finish your breakfast

black widow

black widow, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

another motherfucking black widow in a different fucking window. the house is absolutely infested i am convinced. while moving this week i have killed 3 others. all small like this. but all block weedows, i am positive.

Kali Yuga Seeds

Tea Leaf Green's Kali Yuga from the album Living in Between available on the box set "Seeds" - released April 22nd, 2008 - Earth Day on Surf Dog Records, video by AG



Kali-Yuga

how far will we go on monday
i asked cause our speed had increased
that germ of transcendence is
always within us, at least

i know we’ve got to keep on going
a fast car won’t ever rust
and these hands of invisible organic forces
are pushing and pulling us

it’s a long way
through Kali-yuga
age of iron
cooled in the ocean
and mountains
are for exploring

devils have danced on my doorstep
and angels have sung in my yard
wise men are hiding in the mountains
while most of us are working too hard

speed is our last great invention
we race and we roll to arrive
by mineral, by mountain, by magnet and meteor
it’s hard enough to just get by

it’s a long way
through Kali-yuga
age of iron
cooled in the ocean
and the mountains
are for exploring

dgold.info/green for all tea leaf green lyrics

"that germ of transcendence is always within us, at least"
a lyric doesn't get better

7 year old bargaining tactics

[Ha Ha Ha}

Dear mom i would like a smelly earesar from thorpes

love,
Loveable
little
Heather

(i remember the ones i got - mint green & looked like a telephone & purple shaped like grapes.)

relief

stopped at a red light on the way to the dermatologist this morning, the four cars behind me smashed into each other in a crushed metal and plastic chain reaction. thank you to the driver of the volvo behind me for hitting your brakes hard enough to not hit me.

my moles are beauty marks! keep em covered & come back in 2 years. he didn't even mention my bruises.

the man who signed in ahead of me at the office was born in 1912. he drove himself to the doctor in a spotless new honda civic and walked tall into the office unaided. he was pretty wrinkled, i think he was there for botox.

i went to pick up my computer with the repaired power supply and the computer at the computer repair shop was broken so they couldn't process credit cards and want me to send a check instead.

it's freezing cold but there was no snow.

bruised & battered

my move yesterday was a success. i drove a 26 foot truck around these winding asheville streets, even backing out of a narrow lane, without hitting anything. two incredibly amazingly nice friends helped me move all my big heavy furniture to my new place, and my arms and legs feel dead and are covered in scrapes, scratches and bruises the size of dill pickles. my back is in a constant state of clench. the toilet in the new place is still a hole in the floor.
i have a few moles i want a dermatologist to look at and say 'beauty marks' so i called to make an appointment back in december and my insurance is so lame they wouldn't let me go to any just any doctor, so i have to go to a male doctor & the earliest appointment they had was for four months later - 815 tomorrow morning. it's supposed to be snowing tomorrow morning. and i am covered in bruises. but i am also fluorescent white which i think is a good time to see the dermatologist about sun spots.

bagel bush

bagel bush, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

either somebody threw a bagel at my house or this is the ultra-rare bagel bush that blooms once every 50 years

what do you put in the fireplace?

farrwood, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

customers

i have sold 3 peanut butter safes so far.
the buyers' last names were van sickle and stoner
swear

Melissa Kaye Bakatsas

Melissa Kaye Bakatsas

Asheville - Melissa Kaye Bakatsas, 38, of 21 Timberlake Drive, Asheville, NC died April 5, 2008. A native of Cobb County, Georgia, she was the daughter of Nicholas E. and Faye Packer Bakatsas.

Kaye was employed as a teacher of Family Consumer Science at A C Reynolds High School. She was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Asheville. She was a graduate of University of Georgia and received her Masters degree from Western Carolina University.

Kaye loved the outdoors, animals and she was especially close to her mom, dad and her only brother Steve. Teaching was the joy of her life and she had acquired many friends due to her ability to embrace life. Her motto in life was take it easy.

A Trisagion Prayer Service will be held in the Chapel of Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Ave., on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 1:00 PM with the Rev. Fr. Demetrius Iliou officiating. Burial will be Friday, April 11, 2008 in Atlanta, GA.

Condolences may be sent through the website at www.Morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com

asheville citizen-times


kaye was also the fastest female to play kickball in asheville, always smiling, genuine, compassionate, warm and friendly, she was the first person to hug me in this town. after meeting her last year for the first time at kickball, she gave me a big old southern hug in the parking lot. gone too soon, rest in peace my friend.

shoot asheville

where's cesar milan?

walking nacho last night

my shoe came untied

i said "nacho, SIT" and put his leash on the ground and knelt down to tie my shoe

nacho kept standing, his tail wagging slapping me in the face

i said "NACHO SIT DUDE"

no sitting, wagged in the face with the tail

i said "nacho good boy"

syndrome

i got kidnapped in stockholm...and i loved it!

a lot of nothing

no uhauls available this weekend
computer repair said the fan on the motherboard broke and has fried the motherboard
tried to switch to gmail and it is not working and i DONT HAVE THE FUCKING PATIENCE
crying at the public library

chaos

no progress on toilet/bathroom in new house

a friend of mine that i played kickball with here in asheville died this weekend from complications from her diabetes, her memorial is tomorrow. she was in her mid-30's.

want a cave

not gay josh

notgayjosh1, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

i made this a couple years ago, i think it's still applicable, the fellas go ga-ga for this guy

athens 4 5 08

athens4508, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

tea leaf green played at the 40 watt in athens last night, and brought the fuego start to finish. allie kral from cornmeal came out to fiddle on the "devil's pay" encore & it was one of the most rousing musical performances i've had the great fortune to witness. i hope if i'm lucid on my deathbed that memory comes back. total joseph campbell unity connection moment. josh clark and trevor garrod are just amazingly creative musicians, i can't praise this band and the people who keep them on the road enough, it's an all-star family of genuine sincere gritty hardworking prodigies.

now for crap news, my computer melted this morning when i turned it on, i actually smell burning rubber. 1 year old. ridiculous. computer repair's not open til tomorrow. i might get a mac. does everybody who has a mac love it? should i need a new computer every 6 months? i'd like to beat it with a golf club.

kitchen living room

kitchen living room, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

i seriously love the wallpaper

toilet

toilet, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

here's the one and only toilet in my new house.

i met the carpenter who is fixing it, and he was very nice and tidy and competent and said it should be done in a few days.

the healthy hippie

hop on over to healthyhippie.net for a real good time.

they are incredibly cool people and dish out all kinds of tips on what to eat and how to make it, great new music and show reviews, how to fix and build your house, how to care for your furry friends, MANTRAS to help you through your daily quagmire, just all around good info.

you can sign up for the free email newsletter, and you can subscribe to their bitchin new magazine (100% recycled, with plant-based ink) coming out this spring.

here's the healthy hippie taraleigh interviewing mike rempel from the band lotus about how he stays healthy on the road.



solar power turns her ON!

bread eating champion

bread eating champion, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

i eat bread faster than you

bodybuilding & physics

bodybuilding & physics, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

here's a nice thing jim reilly made for me in physics class 15 years ago. i had just started throwing the shot put for the track team. today is his birthday.

rainbow wheel-o

original wheelo