Translation

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP saying it again )

STOP duplication (Translated by Bing)

Meanwhile On A Random Saturday Night ...

"Michael?"

"Yes?!?"

"Do you always leave the refrigerator open?"

"Yes, I do ... especially when I find someone has left the spigot open on the blender I'm using as I attempt to make a milkshake and the milk I've poured into it is now gushing out the spigot with the force of a government sanctioned dam and, being unfamiliar with said blender and its workings, I'm desperately trying to figure out how to stop the seemingly endless flow of moo juice not only coming out the container but washing atop the counter and onto the floor causing even more of a disaster than I'm currently dealing with. I mean ... I didn't intend to leave it opened. My plan was to execute a rapid pour of milk into the blender then toss the container back to the fridge. But, again, someone may have thought it a better idea for me to put on a circus act of comedy as opposed to closing the fridge door. As a rule? No, I don't 'always leave the refrigerator door open' but escaping cold air doesn't seem to be my priority at the moment ..."

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP leaving the spigot opened* )

*Better yet ... how 'bout checking it to see if it's open in the first place, Michael?

Bob 2, 1952 - 2014

An integral part of the band Devo is lost.

Robert Casale - commonly known as "Bob 2" - passed away. Bob's passing was a result of medical complications which unexpectedly led to heart failure Monday.

Devo has been a favorite band of mine since high school. I erroneously mistook the band for The Cars once, comically asking on hearing My Best Friend's Girlfriend "Is this that 'Devo' band?" Little did I know at the time I would come to love the band, understand and relate to who and what they are and embrace their music. 

Rest in peace, Bob 2.
 

"For you ... it's not for me!"

Below is a seldom seen collaboration with Devo and Neil Young featuring lots of Bob 2.

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Approaching Dotage ...

Age.

Some say that as you age you become wiser.

Others claim it's hell getting old.

Still others? 

"I look forward to it."

"I'd rather die than get old."

"I've got a year or two on dirt."

"I still have a lot of living left to do."

"Just shoot me. Put me out of my misery before I become ancient beyond my years."

There's no denying: Everything gets old. Or at least older. It's one of the constants in Life.

Me? To the best of my memory, I've never wanted to be any older than I was at any given age. I've been content to let the advancing years come as they may. 

Did I want to be 16 and get my driver's license? No. I knew I'd get there. 21? No. That didn't hold any special meaning for me either. I was certain I'd make it. As a kid, I remember thinking about the year 2,000 - it was a distant point in time I wasn't certain would ever become a reality.

But, of course, it came. And I was there, of course.

I think the only time I've ever looked forward to being a particular age was (and still is) this: When I'm old enough to sit on my front porch, pick up my cane, swing it threateningly over my head and tell those damned kids to get off my lawn. Still, though ... that's some 40 years hence ...

Why all this talk about age? Because of a small little incident that took place last evening.

While getting ice cream (coffee ice cream if you need to know) I broke an ice cream scooper. It wasn't the best ice cream scooper in the world by any stretch of the imagination. In fact it was rather the flimsy piece of equipment, truth be told, and it had seen quite a few years. Its paint was faded and peeling, its interior was pocked with tell tale signs of use and, as evidenced by its mid-scoop failure, it was its time.

Interestingly, as I examined it to see if it could be fixed, I noticed it was nothing more than molded plastic with a chrome steel outer coating. The break point where it snapped from the handle was irreparable - it was too shallow to be reworked effectively. I could have gone through the motions and glued it with heavy-duty adhesive but, no matter the strength of the bond, it would eventually fail once more. The fact of the matter was the scoop's day had come and gone.

It was a little sad. And I was sorry it happened. The tool hadn't aged well, but it put in its time and did the best it could.

Its crooks and kinks revealed themselves and finally gave way to Time.

Everything - everything - gets old ...

.......... Ruprecht ( you can't STOP time )

It's All About The Support

Conversation

"This commercial is ridiculous ..."

"Why?"

"It's just dumb. No one cares about where you get a diamond from. It's just dumb."

"I beg to differ. Guys remember this stuff. They appreciate any help they can get about things that sometimes cause them to get fuzzy around the edges. A perfect example is diamond selection. Sometimes we need commercials - just like this one - to help guide us along a proper path."

"No ... no you don't ..."

"So ... you're saying there isn't a contingent of men out there who couldn't benefit from the wisdom of this Jared's commercial? Let me tell you something: It's not simply the educational pluses within the ad itself schooling us, aiding us in our choices. There's the essential support inspiring confidence in us too, you know ..."

"What? What are you talking about ... ?!?"

"Those guys? Talking to John Q. Schlub about diamondality, learning him right about the do's and don'ts of a purchase, answering questions about precious stone language and lore he might not even consider? Leading him through the ins and outs? Then "worrying" over whatever rock he chooses to go with? And, finally, confirming his purchase and sending him on his way, confident he made the right choice? Chicks don't know about that stuff. They gloss over all that importantness. They see that in a commercial and think it's nothing but a bunch of hoo-ha when, in actuality, it happens each and every day ... and to their benefit. Scenarios just like the one in that commercial happen hundreds of times a day across the country ... maybe more! It's the stuff women don't think about. More so, they put it out of their minds because they're concerned only with the rock itself, not with all the back story or history which is the cornerstone of ring buying. It's what bolsters the male ego, makes us consider the implications and, later, the consequences of our actions. Knowing there are professionals who have our backs over our purchases like those dudes in the commercial? Worth its weight in gold, let me tell you ..."

"You know there's something wrong with you, don't you?"

"I'm tellin' you: Out of sight, out of mind, Sister. Out of sight ... out of mind ..."

.......... Ruprecht ( guys won't STOP )

The Clipper!

Edition 24, Issue 22, Zone 2 & 3, "Grumpy Ads" section ...

"The CHP needs to enforce the speed limit on Pleasant Valley Road. If you people can't get to work on time by driving 45 then maybe you should get a different minimum wage job that is closer to your home."

- Anonymous Author

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP driving so fast )

Meanwhile ...

... at yet another gang initiation ... this one for the Bullet Bra Believers League ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )