I just finished reading The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi. Although this is his first novel, Paolo can really tell a story. It’s set in a not so distant future full of blister rust and genetically engineered new people. Calories are king and corruption is everywhere. A great read.

I’m now going to his earlier Pump Six and Other Stories.

For the full effect, turn this up really loud! Check out the guy holding the product. He’s dancing around to help drive up the bid price. Too funny. (Note to self: Stop taking vertical videos.)

We bought:

1 five gallon stoneware crock (for making sauerkraut or pickles) = $21

2 knarled walking canes (one for Naked Paw Paw, one for me cause I thought they were cool) = $3 each

4 boxes assorted greeting cards that hold gift cards (guess what you’re getting for Christmas) = $2 each

1 cool looking garden chair made of old picket fence boards = $9

3 pair leather work gloves = $2 each

We had a really fun time. They sold everything from furniture to Little Debbie’s snack cakes. I was saddened to see they didn’t sell one set of teeth or bras.

Back in the day, I thought I was “good” at video games. One night I was waiting on Trudie so we could go out. She said, “Why don’t you play Mom in Ms. Pac-Man? She likes that game.” I thought I had found an easy target. She graciously insisted I be player one. I got through a few levels with confidence. Mrs. Bobbye kept a straight face and started her turn. After about 20 minutes, Trudie was ready to leave. I had not gotten my second turn. I realized I was being hustled. When we returned later that night, I asked long she had played. “Well, after I rolled it over, I kind of got bored and stopped playing.” Rest in peace, Bobbye Badass. I salute you!

What a sweet little song. I’m pretty sure this is a fan video. It certainly gets better a couple minutes into it. Who cares about the video, just listen to the magic.

Every now and then I fall into a progressive hole. Have you ever heard of Tosin Abasi? He has a band called Animals As Leaders. He’s the guy up front. He can play the guitar a little. Give it a listen.

Ever seen a pig with rings in his nose? Of course you have. Ok, maybe you haven’t. I’ll give you the run down.

The idea is to clamp metal rings in the pig’s nose. This makes it’s nose quite sensitive to the touch, I would think, which in turn makes them less likely to root and dig their way out of their pig pen. Now you know about pig rings.

Trudie’s Dad (Paw Paw or Naked Paw Paw) is 81 and the master of ingenuity! His shoes were coming apart. The shoe repair shop said they couldn’t be fixed. “Hell, I’ll fix them sumbitches my own self!”

He proved them wrong with his clever use of pig rings and glue. And just look how stylish!

He was proud to get new shoes but he’s keeping his fixed pair as well. “Them damn shoes are fine!”

You can also see why he’s also called Naked Paw Paw. He almost never wears a shirt anymore.