Happy Holidays To You

Note: A.A.(P.) will resume publishing in the New Year.

Sincerely,

"Allan Smithee"

postscript: And Thanks Again for reading Automotive Acne (Productions)

Holiday Recipes

Jalepeno Rice with Cheese

Saute' in oil: 1 cup white rice, until clear. Do not brown. Add 2 cups cold water, salt, wedges of 1 onion, 1 clove garlic, sliced. Cook until fluffy. In oiled Pyrex (I use a 2 qt round) but probably any will do, put one layer of rice, one layer of sour cream and top with shredded Monterry Jack cheese. Bake at 350 until hot and cheese is bubbly.

mix the sour cream with a small can of sliced chili peppers for some good zip!!!

--------------------------------

Cheese Straws

2 jars of Olde English sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 lb butter
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp red pepper (cayenne) I usually add more

Mix cheese with softened butter. To this, add dry ingredients and mix together well Put into cheese gun (I use the disk)
and squirt out onto oiled cookie sheet. Bake in oven (300 degree?) until they look dry. DO NOT BROWN!!!


Note: Requested Recipes from my Mother. Not known where they were originally published.

Team Logo Toasters

Friday - 3 Link Digest

Charles Krauthammer: On Left, The Agony Of Victory

"Most Democrats aren't smart enough to understand the political coup Obama pulled off with the tax-cut deal."


Dana Milbank: Obama Finds His Backbone

"Even though the President is fighting them right now, Liberals should be relieved. His next battle may be on their behalf."


Leonard Boasberg: Tax Deal A Defeat For Obama And The Public

"Once again, the President gives away a lot for a little."


Previously:

Tom Tomorrow Editorial


Another Round: Heard in the (Local) Hall

She's Not Used To Pulling Punches

Monday's Meal

Dec. 13th

12 oz. can of beer
16 oz. can of Yuengling Premium
2 pints of Rolling Rock (*)
liverwurst on toasted rye bread with mustard/onion/cheese
pickles on the side
16 oz. can of Yuengling Premium

(*) plus one additional pint

................................................

Studio Visit With Alex Da Corte

In Collaboration with Fleisher/Ollman Gallery



Brideshead 2010 - Plastic china, ribbon, silicon, flowers, flock, flies, basket, beads

Just visited Alex Da Corte's studio with about 15 other people. There were about 20 assemblages (sculptures) in various stages of completion. Very strong work.

Was there for about 45 minutes. Had a cup of coffee and lots of laughs. His work has a wonderful sense of humor... left the studio with a very positive feeling.


Addendum/Postscript: After thinking about the Sat. studio visit, kept trying to remember where I had met Alex Da Corte and seen his artwork before. Just remembered, saw his one-day Pinata Piece at ICA a few years back and had a short conversation with him just before this video was taken.

Note:

Alex Da Corte will be in group show opening Dec. 16th at Jolie Laide Gallery (Philadelphia)

Manifesto for a Margin of Utility

The dearth of critical voices in the current aesthetico-political matrix serves as a silent imperative to all of those who strive to articulate an alternative set of aesthetic, political and theoretical practices. The silence of this imperative resounds with increased urgency in times of a consensual progressivism intent on meager reformism, which is nothing short of a brief distraction in the obdurate apology for the systems in place. It is the explicit goal of the Machete Group to give voice to the resounding silence of this imperative by breaking with the dominant social and political imaginary through the creation of public forums for articulating alternative collective discourses and practices. We hold these truths to be the most worthy of being put to the test of collective actualization:

- theory without practice is empty and practice without theory is blind

- the present is only a myopic mirage if it is not inscribed in history, and it is devoid of interest if it is not interrogated from the point of view of possible futures

- the facile opposition between an absolute revolution and acquiescence to the present state of affairs is a mere subterfuge that plays into the hands of revolutionary nostalgics and the corporate executors of the present

- aesthetic practice is inseparable from political stakes, and politics constructs regimes of perception that shape the world and frame its possibilities

- works of art are not autonomous instances of creativity originating in a subjective void but are decisive modes of intervention into the shared fabric of our world

- artistic and theoretical practices are not exempt from incisive critique and must not be protected by the superficial niceties of good taste or the debilitating accoutrements of socially refined behavior

- education is a collective and dynamic process unrestricted to the formal hierarchies and bureaucracies of academic corporations

- it is imperative to jettison quietism and indifference in the name of cutting into the present and assuming the consequences of one’s position, with all of the requisite exclusions that such a commitment entails

- there is a margin of utility that can and must be made use of!


The Machete Group

A.K,D.D.,E.D.,E.R.,L.F.,G.R.,P.K.,T.T.,Y.Y.,Z.R.

Art Collection - Recent Additions (*)

(*) Homeless Artists & Years Completed Unknown
Acrylic on PosterBoard

4 Bio Excerpt (*)

Rod Willmot

If I go alone,
I'll lie in the wildflowers
and dream of you

"Prior to 1948 I think I was a hermit thrush somewhere in Algonquin; when reincarnated in Toronto as a human being I felt distinctly out of place. I was born with several incurable diseases - writing in my bones, music in my blood, and an inability to sit still. Spent my youth biting the dust all across Canada. I discovered haiku when a friend edited one of my poems down to the last three lines; since then I've always had the highest regard for brevity and illiterate friends. However, when my book Haiku (1969) was published, I decided to write novels instead."


Foster Jewell

Cows paw at the snow-
turn - and seeing what I am,
go on foraging.

"From 1956 to 1958 I was living in a remote section of the Arkansas Ozarks, tramping the woods in search of black walnut suitable for sculpture - a helpful exercise, also, in awareness of the processes and manifestations taking place in field and forest, and from which came my first book of verses, Strato Lanes in Star Grass, Sangre de Cristo Press, 1959."


Mabelsson Norway

On the top fence-rail
she lights, knocking off some snow-
a common sparrow

"It was in Massachusetts that I was born to my mother, Marysdaughter Mabel, sixty-two years ago. When I was thirteen she took me with my sister, Mabelsdaughter Nan, to France, where for two years I lived and wandered in their company. Since forsaking home at sixteen, I have dwelt for long periods, not only in Massachusetts, but also in Minnesota, Alabama, Florida, Mexico, Alaska, Colorado, New York, Vermont, Hawaii, Peru, and British Columbia, where I an now to be found. The joys and terrors of my shade-loving life are nature, womanhood, and words. As it takes shape in me, poetry draws its own life directly from the objective logic, from the elementary grammar, of these not unusual passions."


Larry Wiggin

wind:
the long hairs
on my neck

"Born in Northfield, New Hampshire, November 15, 1919 ... usual schooling ... served in the Army during World War Two, in the South Pacific ... taught elementary school for four years ... operated a dairy farm for thirteen years ... am a certified Swedish Masseur, practicing since 1963 ... am presently in Laconia, New Hampshire.

"Interested in brevity, started with short stories of Hemingway ... interest in haiku began with a Peter Pauper Press edition of The Four Seasons, a collection of Japanese haiku ... dislike detail in writing, save a necessary scientific explanation of how something works, or how to open and cook a package of frozen peas ... believe the majority of poets get carried away with their wan rhetoric and what they have to say could be said in half the space ... Bible is an excellent example of compression of expression.

"Note: was asked to write this sketch in first person, and so I have, leaving the "I" understood. Hate the damn word, personally!"



(*) The Haiku Anthology

Edited by Cor Van Den Heuvel
Anchor Books, 1974

Free Library - Current Checkouts

The Forever War by Dexter Filkins

The Devil's Own Work by Alan Judd

The Quants: How a New Breed of Math Whizzes Conquered Wall Street and Nearly Destroyed It by Scott Patterson

The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson

The Bullpen Gospels by Dirk Hayhurst

The Diary of a Nobody by George & Weedon Grossmith

The Girl Who Loved Animals: And Other Stories by Bruce McAllister

The Cave by Jose Saramago

War Dances by Sherman Alexie


Holds:

Life by Keith Richards & James Fox

Pick Up Location: Richmond Branch

Position in Holds Queue: 38

Availability: Unavailable for pickup

Philadelphia

Port Richmond: Nov. 25th, 10:35 a.m. - 10:36 a.m.

Thanksgiving Photos from Zoe Strauss

Addendum - Sweet Note also included with photos:

Dear Friends,

I'm roasting some cauliflower right now and I have to suggest it to people who don't like cauliflower because it's totally different than the "broccoli, cauliflower, carrot" frozen food mix. I like it and I thought cauliflower bit a high hard one.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Whether you celebrate it or revile it, have a great day filled with love. A lot of love is coming from me in this email.

With Love,
ZS

Happy Thanksgiving

"If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice."

—Meister Eckhart


Holiday Hat-Tip:

Patrick McDonnell & Mutts

Fridge/Freezer

Gear (*)

(*) Above items purchased at thrift stores, garage sales, and bars/taverns.

total cost: less than $20

Philadelphia Flyers

Reigning Eastern Conference Champions

2010 - 2011 Record:

(After 19 Games)

12-5-2

2009 - 2010 Record:

(After 19 Games)

12-6-1


Philly Sports Continued:

Click Here

Alex Queral needs phone books!

We knew it was coming but never expected it quite so soon.

The phone companies are in the process of eliminating the production and distribution of the residential white pages.

This is the essential material in Alex Queral's carved telephone book portraits.

Please give us your phone books!!!

If you're in the Philadelphia area, please bring them to the gallery.

If you're near Miami, bring them to us at either the Red Dot or Verge fairs in December or Miami International Art Fair in January. If you're near Palm Beach, bring them to us during Art Palm Beach in January.

Because we are very mindful of our carbon footprint, we are not asking anyone to mail them to use.

We would love to have any and all residential white pages. Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, anywhere in between. However - PLEASE NO YELLOW PAGES.

Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors. Alex will recycle them into beautiful and unique pieces of art.




Projects Gallery
629 N 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Veterans Day Remembrance

Also, Happy Birthday to my Mother & younger brother Christopher.

+36 Hours

Haven't Had A Smoke Since Sunday Evening

Say It Ain't So

"I'd like to see it standardized. My Preference would be to eliminate the DH. That's just me personally, but I've always felt that way."

Nolan Ryan speaking about the designated hitter like a true transplanted National Leaguer.


Published Sunday, Oct. 31st
page 64
New York Daily News

Note: Of the 5 readily available daily newspapers (Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, New York Times, New York Daily News, & New York Post), The NY Daily News <--- Metro Edition, has the worst up-to-date Sports Coverage.


Baseball Continued:

2011 World Series Odds

Philadelphia Phillies 4-1

New York (AL) 9-2
Boston 8-1
San Francisco 10-1
Tampa Bay 12-1
Texas 12-1
Atlanta 15-1
Cincinnati 15-1
Minnesota 15-1
St. Louis 15-1
Colorado 20-1
Los Angeles (NL) 20-1
Los Angeles (AL) 22-1
Chicago (AL) 25-1
Detroit 28-1
San Diego 28-1
Oakland 35-1
Florida 40-1
New York (NL) 40-1
Chicago (NL) 45-1
Toronto 50-1
Milwaukee 80-1
Houston 100-1
Washington 150-1
Arizona 200-1
Baltimore 200-1
Cleveland 200-1
Seattle 200-1
Kansas City 250-1
Pittsburgh 350-1


Published Wed., Nov. 3rd
Philadelphia Daily News

Keystone Mercy

10/29/2010

"Allan Smithee"
(Real Name Redacted)
Philadelphia, PA

Reference #***-*

Re: Personal Health Information of "Allan Smithee"

Dear Allan Smithee,

Keystone Mercy Health Plan wants to let you know that our staff copied your member identification number and health screening information onto a portable computer drive. The drive was lost within our office September 20, 2010, and we have not been able to find it. Please accept our apology. We deeply regret that your information may have been shared.

You do not need to do anything. We are monitoring your Keystone Mercy ID card to make sure no one else is using your card inappropriately.

If you have questions or concerns, please call us. We have set up a special toll-free phone number you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call if you want more information about this incident or the specific type of information disclosed about you. You can also write to us.

We have thoroughly investigated this situation. We can assure you we have taken precautions to prevent this from happening again. We have put safety measures in place that will not let our employees put unencrypted (or un-coded) personal information on a portable drive. We have also re-trained our employees on the importance of protecting the privacy and security of confidential information.

We work hard to protect your personal information. We are sorry for any trouble or concern this may cause your.


Sincerely,

Barbara G. Jones
VP, Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer

More - Inside Outsider:

Questions For Garry Wills

The Historian Talks about President Obama's Need To Please

Q: As a presidential historian and emeritus professor at Northwestern, you’re well aware that the Democrats are facing the likelihood of an electoral setback this Tuesday (Nov. 2nd). Yet President Obama continues to be the object of scathing criticism among Democrats, including yourself. Why won’t you give him credit for getting things done?

A: He gets things done in a very crippled way. The health care plan and the finance plan — he made so many bargains along the way.

Q: You’ve accused him of excessive ingratiation, or “omnidirectional placation,” as you wrote in a blog post for The New York Review of Books.

A: As a black man with an odd name, he often had to ingratiate himself in the companies that he kept, and he does. Beyond that, I think he may have a principle of trying to compromise, but that has proved to be a big mistake.


Click Here For Complete New York Times Sunday Magazine Interview by Deborah Solomon

If You Don't Vote Nov. 2nd...

You're An Idiot!

If You Vote Republican...

You're Even More Of An Idiot!

Remember...

Your Vote Counts!

Random

When hearing songs from Led Zeppelin's "In Through The Out Door" on the radio, the first thing that *always* enters my head is... "Sad Zep."

A cartoon image of Jimmy Page & Robert Plant (with slack guitar & limp mic.) also pops into my head.

Even though I generally like the songs, especially the two hits, I know the cause/trigger is Rolling Stone Mag's review of said album which I read while a high-school student during "study period" in the school library.


First Concert:

Santa Esmeralda not featuring Leroy Gomez at the Civic Center (BorderTown, Tx.)

They played their hit "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" twice. Once as an encore. Also happened to sit next to future "1st serious" girlfriend. She literally snored & slept through the second half of the show or at least pretended to.


First Beer Buzz:

During Sophomore Summer year of High School, did the tennis tournament tour of Texas. Was in San Antonio, staying with my Uncle (Mother's youngest brother and law school student) & his wife (Braniff Airline flight attendant).

Saw the Spurs play, starring George Gervin, aka "The Iceman," at the Hemisphere Arena. The Spurs won though don't remember who they played. And I drank 3 or so beers.

Lost my first round match the following morning.


First Concert Experience:

Saw Rush in S.A. during the Hemispheres Tour.

Was lucky enough to hear about the Greyhound Bus Trip sponsored by a local (BorderTown) radio station. Every seat was sold & occupied (price also included a Rush concert ticket).

The "Rush Bus" was a 2 1/2 hour drive (5 hours round trip) to San Antonio. Upon arriving in S.A., the radio station manager passed a hat around, asking for tips/donations for the driver.

Can you imagine driving a chartered bus 156 miles, filled with loud male teenagers, all of whom, for the most part, were smoking marijuana joints or passing pipes of weed to each other?

Purchases: Two black short-sleeve concert tees (different designs)

Note: Triumph opened the show


First Neil Young Album Purchased:

Rust Never Sleeps (newly released) @ a convenience store/truck stop in Austin, Tx. while attending St. Stephen's Academy during the school summer session.

Note: All single vinyl albums at the time sold for $6.99 ($7.34 with tax included)


First Concert Souvenir:

Saw the Pretenders (Pretenders II Tour) in Akron, Ohio.

Was staying at my Uncle/Godfather's home in Hudson (Columbus), Oh. At the time, was about to attend a college in Steubenville, Ohio. Went with my Aunt's (*) younger brother who was also staying with them.

Don't remember who opened but during the Pretender's set, Chrissie Hynde had a Martin Chambers' drumstick in her hands while swaying her hips and dancing slowly sort of like Axl Rose used to do.

She let the drumstick fall to the stage whereupon I bum-rushed said stage and grabbed the drumstick.

Right when I clutched it, was kicked in the head by Hynde and at the same time very physically shoved back into the crowd by a security guard.

Note: Am no longer in possession of the "logo/stamped" M.C. drumstick

Purchases: Sleveless white concert tee. 1st Pretenders album cover on the front. Pretenders II Tour Dates on back.


Another Round - Inflation Index:

16 oz. cans of Yeungling Premium at Dakotah's went up $0.25 from $1.25 to $1.50 two weeks ago

Pints of Rolling Rock @ Julie's Corner Bar stayed constant at $1.50


.............................................................................


(*) Aunt is a former nun/sister who, after leaving the convent, married my Uncle.

Found Notebook (*)

(*) Found Friday, Oct. 15th
Corner of Richmond St. & E. Somerset St.
near #15 Trolley Line Stop

From The Files

Home Run Payoff - $10,000 Winner

A teaching assistant at Kingsway Living Center in Moorestown, N.J., Kathleen Rollo was the first $10,000 Philadelphia Daily News Home Run Payoff contest winner of the season.

Rollo, a self-proclaimed lifetime Phillies fan who lives in Haddon Township, won the money on Jimmy Rollins' grand slam in the sixth inning last night (Oct. 1st) in Atlanta.

Rollo could not think of the first thing she would possibly do with the money; she did say she could probably find some bills to pay, though.

"I'm not going to quit my job, I know that," Rollo said

Rollo grew up in Philadelphia watching the Phils and has stayed strong through all the bad times, as well as the good. It looks as if her team has decided to pay her back for her supreme loyalty.

When the Daily News reached her to tell her the good news, Rollo was already in shock, having listened to the game. Rollo said she has sent in contest entries for the longest time, but her brother always told her that it was a waste of stamps and that nothing would ever come of it. It looks as if she got the last laugh.

Six other collected prizes in the Daily News Home Run Payoff contest last night Oct. 22nd.

The Daily News pays $1,000 for a home run hit in the payoff inning and $10,000 for a grand slam.

Contestants whose batters fail to hit a home run receive a gift pack, which includes a variety of Phillies-related items.

This season, the Daily News has paid out $33,000.


--Alex Falk
The Philadelphia Daily News
Oct. 2nd, Page 37


Click Here For More Recent Home Run Derbies


More:

Everytime A Phillie Hits A Home Run, An Angel Gets Its Wings, And You Get A Free Beer



Base Ballin' Continued:

Newspaper Editors Dig Bad Headline Puns;

Click Here For "Body of Article"

Still-Life

HouseHold Shelf & Art Supply Cabinet

Jury Duty

Service To The Courts of Philadelphia

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010

8:15 a.m.
Criminal Justice Center
1301 Filbert St. - Room 101
ID # *****1085


8:15 - 10 a.m.

Fill out Juror Information Questionnaire (Confidential - Not Public Record)

25 Questions - Yes or No answers
(Note: Questions 17-25 apply to civil cases only)

Receive (stick-on) Juror Badge (yellow/black)


10 a.m. - 10:15

Assigned to Criminal Case in Courtroom of Judge Erdos (room #608)
Am Juror #16 (of 40 potential jurors)


10:20 - 11:45

After receiving instructions from Judge Erdos and being sworn in, Wait in back juror room until questioned individually by Judge Erdos in main Courtroom.

Sent back to small room for a few minutes and then told to report/return to Room 101.


11:50 - 1:30 p.m.

Given Lunch Break


1:30 - 2:10 p.m.

Wait in Room 101 for further instructions/court-case assignment


2:15 - 2:25 p.m.

Am dismissed from jury duty (one full day or one court case) & paid with $9 check upon leaving room.

No City Wage Tax taken out.


From Check Stub:

"The Board of Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the City of Philadelphia extends its gratitude and appreciation for your conscientious, diligent, and meritorious service to the Courts of this City."

Hon. Pamela Pryor Dembe
President Judge

Gerard P. Shotzbarger, ESQ.
Jury Commissioner

Hon. D. Webster Keogh
Administrative Judge, Trial Division


More: Pa.'s Highest Court Will 'Right an Ancient Wrong'

George B. Vashon will be admitted to the Bar 163 years after being denied over race.

A.A.(P.) Shutdown

Am reporting for jury duty tomorrow so don't know when I'll be able to post/update.

Take Care

Letter To The Editor (*)

Re: Ranger In Chief

"George W. Bush does not appear to be a luxury suite type of guy."

Is the writer of the article, Michael S. Schmidt, stoned? Or just stupid?

Sincerely,

(Name Redacted)

Philadelphia


(*)Letter Not Sent to NY Times

Update

Am currently at Fishtown Branch Library (Free Library of Philadelphia).

Just saw two shows:

PG-2 @ Crane

Pinhole Dreams @ Nexus

On the way back to Port Richmond (via Kensington) found a unicycle in somebody's recycling pile. At first, thought there must be something wrong with it. But no.

Wheel rotates. Tire has air.

It's cherry (orange-y) red with adjustable black padded banana seat.

Good Find.

Cheerios!

Sat. Itinerary

Addendum:

Before - Glassphemy @ Crane Arts Building

After - J. Meejin Yoon - Light Drift @ Schuylkill River (between Market/Chestnut Streets)


Hat-Tip: Philebrity.com


More: Ramonita de Rodriguez Branch (Free Library of Philadelphia)

Am currently at said branch using a public computer. Had a smoke and a coffee before entering. Never before *really* looked at the Mosaic Murals gracing/wrapping said branch building.

Incredible. Informative. Beautiful.

Pictures/Video soon (maybe).


Unrelated: Physicist Resigns In Warming Fight

Calls man-made global warming 'pseudoscientific fraud'; Says research 'money flood' perpetuates scam

Fridge