Thursday, and there is so much to do.

Since it is Thursday it is time to start planning our weekend expedition.  Careful planning insures a successful fishing trip. People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan, after all. Starting with the all knowing, all seeing, all powerful fisherman's friend, the internet, it was a simple matter to find that the lake that seemed so barren so desolate, so lifeless last week actually has fish. It seems that fish are routinely taken out of the muddy, smelly water. Huh, go figure. But, according to the modern Oracle of Delphi, the world wide web, there is a great fishing spot less than a mile north of our last location.  Great.

Step 1, find a new spot, check.

Fishing is like riding a bicycle, you don't forget how, but it takes a while to get comfortable enough to ride in traffic. Fishing is like that, without the likelihood of being run over, or coasting into a tree. Thrill seekers, don't despair. If you are a little careless there is always the possibility of falling into the lake. Since it is fairly shallow by the shore drowning is probably not a concern, and since it is hundreds of miles from the ocean there are probably no sharks, but it is filthy lake water, teeming with bacteria, and industrial contaminants so there is enough risk to keep a daredevil happy.

Step 2, add some intrigue. check.

It is the wilderness, so wildlife is present. Bears, wolves, wild boars, monstrous constricting snakes, huge venomous spiders, none of those are present here in the environs of our medium sized city in the midwest. But, mosquitoes are awful things, and there are going to be some of them. Bees are always a possibility, so it is best to lather yourself up with some reeking, repulsive goo that even insects can't stand. We have some.  There are skunks, raccoons, and non venomous but still sneaky, and startling snakes and plenty of spiders. No matter how harmless a snake is finding one blocking your path to the car is always a nasty surprise. It is best to have a backup route to the car. Fortunately, it is not far, and there are several routes from the shore to the car.

Step 3, find convenient escape route, and check supply of insect repellent, check.

No fishing trip is complete without a supply of snacks.  A sad fact that dawned on me during our first fishing trip, which was last weekend. We had no snacks. Oh, sure we packed in some water, and a few cans of Dr. Pepper*

Step 4. Make a list of all the important list of important stuff for fishing. check.

Fishing is easy if you have a plan, and stick to the steps.

By the way, check out the new logo, it has a spider, and a scared person running in terror, which kind of explains life. If you love it, you should tell +S. Bradley Stoner , he suggested using a spider.  If you are not so crazy about it, don't worry, there are more logos coming down the pipe, or sluice or whatever the appropriate symbol for creative process would be.

Oh, and here is a still from the new movie "Revenge of the Life Explained Jedis Strike Back."**  Coming to a theater near you soon. Unless you are one of them there art snob types, in which case it will be coming to theatre near you soon.

*This is not an endorsement, I am not a paid spokesperson (but I am for sale, if you are interested Dr. Pepper, do you mind if I just call you Doc?) it is just difficult to know whether to use "pop" or "soda." "Soft drinks" just doesn't carry enough weight for a such a masculine, primal thing as a fishing trip into the wild.

** Actually, this is a selfie made with the new "Star Wars" app, Available on the iTunes App Store, and Google Play.  I will have a full review if I ever take the time to do anything except take some goofy looking pictures.  Really, though, isn't that enough.

Everybody needs a back up plan.

It was quite an event when the first star wars movie hit theaters, way back in 1977.  People were thrilled with the special effects, and the drama.  It was a smash hit, with clearly defined, easily identified heroes, outnumbered, out gunned, out space shipped by despicable, power mad villains.

An epic battle ended the movie, when a small force of rebel fighters struggling against astronomical odds managed to find an uncovered, minute exhaust vent.  It seemed desperate, and the heroes were falling like snow in a polar vortex.

However, one pilot, who received his training when he used "to bullseye womp rats," on his home planet of Tatooine.  It really did not look promising at this point.  People wanted to leave the theater, it was almost impossible to believe this wet behind the ears kid, who used to bullseye womp rats, was going to blow up a battle ship the size of a planet!

But, something wonderful happened.  Using an ancient practice of unbelievable power and proportion he managed to drop a couple of photon torpedoes, (wait, that might be Star Trek, let me check my facts here real quick, it was proton torpedoes), proton torpedoes right down that exhaust port, blowing up the Death Star, and winning fame, fortune, cash, and the friendship of a Princess, and a callous, crusty, but lovable smuggler and his huge hairy friend.

Act Now, and we will throw in the "Jabba the Hutt,
Cooking for Big Guys"  you only pay the additional
shipping and handling.

Now, for the first time you can use this power to improve your life.  That's right friends for a limited time we are offering a step by step guide to manipulate the power of the universe to improve your measly life.

With this book you will learn to make people think they are looking for some other droids, not yours.   Impress your friends by holding your large, heavy X-wing fighter aloft for several minutes.

The first 500 orders will also receive the Official Obi Wan Kanobe Flashlight Pen / Light Saber.  Perfect for jotting down a quick note, finding your sandwich in a power outage or cutting off the arm of an intergalactic criminal, wanted in seven systems!!!  You only pay the additional shipping and handling.

You had better acti quickly,supplies are limited.

Not for angry people, people whose mothers have been taken by sand people, or people who are fond of the dark side.  Not responsible for any terrible, disfiguring accidents caused by uncontrolled rage, or terrible battles in a fiery droid manufacturing facility.

A world gone mad.

Recently fans of the cult television show Dr. Who clashed with fans of the blockbuster movie Star Wars at a convention in the UK.  Though, it sounds suspiciously like clashed may be a little too strong of a word, the local police were called and order was restored when the two groups were told to "keep out of each others way."

Problems seemed to begin when the Treasurer of the Norwich Sci Fi club was told to leave while trying to get the autograph of Graham Cole, an English actor who has appeared in multiple episodes of Dr. Who.  Big mistake. According to several self respecting Dr. Who fans, no self respecting Dr. Who fan is going to let one of those Star Wars nerds tell him what to do.

At the same time, it is easy to understand why Star Wars aficionados don't want any of those Dr. Who geeks and their time traveling phone booth messing up a good convention.  After all, they have gone through all of the trouble of assembling and wearing their Storm Trooper costumes, Droid outfits or Jedi robes, complete with light saber, and then some guy shows up in street clothes, acting all suave, and British.  There is bound to be some resentment.

Of course, there are reports of a long running feud between the Norwich Dr. Who Fans and the Norwich Star Wars fans.  Which could spell big trouble for Norwich. Or, maybe the entire universe, so there is quite a bit at stake here.

George Lucas was not available for comment.

Meanwhile, in Berlin the opening of a Barbie Berlin Dream house has caused quite an uproar.  There is  much anger about the giant, pink dream house complete with virtual cupcakes, and virtual Ken outside the virtual window, washing the virtual car.  People are virtually incensed.

One "Anti Barbie Protester" (that is not a typo, there are "Anti Barbie Protesters") was so mad she nailed a real Barbie (a real Barbie doll, not a "real" Barbie person) to a real wooden cross, and burned it in a giant, pink shoe (probably not real).  Wanting to prove that women were not going to objectified, or leered at, on her watch, she performed the ritual sacrifice topless.

Mobilizing right now is the "Occupy Barbie Dream House" movement, (not a typo, either) who are not going to quit, or shower, until this situation is remedied.  It goes without saying that I did not make it far enough through the article to find out what the situation was or how the remedy would be applied.

One thing is certain, though, there is a lot of turmoil in the world and sometimes we all need a safe place to hide from the madness, the cruelty, the inexplicable.   You are always welcome here, my friends, and it will always be free, remember, you get what you pay for.