Gabbly is a new bit of internet magic that allows us olybloggers to talk to each other in real time. Let's kick the tires on this thing and see if we like it. I've put a permanent link on the header.

I've put the link to gabbly in the navigation menu now.

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2006/03/19/local_news/02news.txt

Karan was at the protest yesterday, someone threw coffee at her. Huh.

Stop douching the protester... ...specifically, me.

Yesteday, I participated in this event and for the second time, somebody threw coffee on me. While pleasant enough at first, it quickly starts to smell like Uncle Bud’s late afternoon coffee breath. Next time, I am planning to dress more appropriately...like in one of these.

Discuss over at Karan's blog.

Downtowners Press Release

In both situations an idyllic setting serves as camouflage for an Orwellian nightmare lurking beneath the surface. Both are in a world where technology reigns supreme. Number 6 is captured by a giant ball called a "Rover" whenever he attempts to escape, a ball not unlike the prop associated with Laa-Laa the Teletubby. In "The Village," the keepers of Number 6 try different methods of mind control to break the will of their prisoner. In Teletubbyland, a giant windmill spins, making the creatures quake with fear and obey some silent, pre-arranged command. Both settings have dismebodied voices coming from an unknown source ordering the hapless central characters around.

In both worlds we never know exactly who is in charge. Number 6 is on a quest to discover the identity of Number 1, and the smartest figure in Teletubbyland appears to be a four-wheeled vacuum cleaner.

If you go forward in time from the era of The Prisoner, and backward from the time of the Teletubbies, it is no coincidence that you'll land around the year ... 1984!

So imagine you have been sentenced to live in one of these two worlds for six months, but you have the option of selecting which one. Where would you go?

In May or June of one such election year, one of these wealthy candidates knocks on your door. He has selected YOU out of millions of random Americans. We have to assume you are a natural-born citizen and over the age of 35. This candidate knows that his wealth is actually a handicap, creating a wall between himself and the average American. He needs someone on his team who can give him a reality check, to remind him what it is like to be a wage-slave. He wants someone next to him who will appeal to the everyday voter. In short, he wants you to be his running mate.

He somewhat shamelessly says that he will tout you as his proof that he is connected to the needs and concerns of just plain folks. And if your ticket wins, you will hold a position that will be almost %100 ceremonial. He is up front about it-- you are a token, he could care less about your views on government, politics, or social issues.

In fact, he says that you can say anything you want on the campaign trail. You will be expected to hit the same circuit as most Vice-presidential candidates, but the difference will be that the standard bearer will not expect total loyalty. Indeed, he almost invites you to disagree on issues with him in public as proof that he is tolerant and inclusive. And if you screw up-- well, this candidate believes there is no such thing as bad publicity.

You do not draw a salary for this adventure, but all expenses are covered.

So, can we expect to see your name on bumper stickers and campaign buttons?

There is an interesting discussion about the future water needs of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater. There is a lot of emphasis on conservation, but Bob Jacobs isn't buying it. From The Olympian:

Former Olympia mayor Bob Jacobs is less optimistic that water supply challenges will ever curb growth.

“Totally unlimited growth is kind of an article of faith — a religious kind of thing,” he said.

The one thing almost everybody agrees on is this: Water availability will be the Achilles’ heel of growth in South Sound.

This question assumes you have a second bathroom in your home. If you do not, then you are safe.

Ernest Borgnine (or an actor of his ilk), shows up at your door and offers you $50,000 a year to allow him to live in your bathroom. You can choose which bathroom. He will also have access rights to your kitchen. he promises not to hang out in any rooms. Since Mr. Borgnine (or someone of his ilk) is famous and frequently engaged in time-consuming projects involving long hours away from home, he probably won't even be noticed.

I use the term "ilk" because it is a word I like. In fact "like" and "ilk" are kind of cousins in the word world.

Anyway.

So an older fellow who looks a bit familiar shows up one day on your doorstep and says, "I'm Ernest Borgnine or someone of his ilk and I'd like to offer you 50 grand a year so I can live in your bathroom." What would your response be? Oddly enough, in my informal polling, a majority of people said they would rent their second bathroom to Ernest Borgnine.

As an aside, I know someone who lived next door to Ernest Borgnine's ex-wife in the 1960s, during the McHale's Navy days. Is that a major brush with fame or what?