The Bathroom Graffiti Project Is Here

I need your help testing the beta version of a new Web site that I am launching called The Bathroom Graffiti Project (located at www.bathroom-graffiti.com).

The concept is simple: the best bathroom graffiti from around the world.

Currently there are only a few images in the system, but soon there will be about 100 pictures up. The ultimate goal is to have people from all over the world submit their own pictures and build up a database with thousands of images and stories.

Since this is just the beta version of the site and we have many improvements, I am asking for your help.

Here's how you can help:

1) Visit the site and email me your feedback or ideas for improvement
2) Start taking pictures of Bathroom Graffiti and submit it.
3) Tell your friends about the project.

Let the Project begin!

Pssst! Here's The Unity Stoakes Wish List

Ok Mom. You asked for it. Here's my 2004/2005 wishlist. (click here)

And for those of you just passing by, feel free to swipe ideas for your own list.

The cool thing about Amazon wishlists to me is that if you want something nowadays you don't even need to buy it---just add it to your wishlist. You know it's there, just 1-Click(TM) away at all times. Your items are being safely stored on a shelf somewhere in Seattle or Omaha. Whenever you really need it, just click and UPS will bring it to you. Wishlists are the easiest way to collect stuff without ever really having to buy it, store it, or deal with it.

Happy Holidays!

5 Movies To Rent For The Holidays

Here are five great Netflix picks I recommend for this Holiday season:

The Apartment--The good ol' days in NYC during Holiday season. When Martini's ruled and Jack Lemmon was the man.

The Bicycle Thief--Beautiful black and white Italian film about family and the human condition.

Capturing The Friedman's--You'll realize that your family isn't so messed up after all. You'll be thankful again with your own hand.

Central Station--Brazilian film that shows you how we can all have a purpose.

Mark Twain--Perfect for a snowed-in day at home.

Post your own recommendations in the comment section.

Dirty Found

To my friends: Dirty Found is here.

This is the new companion magazine to one of my all time favorite publications: Found. In Dirty Found, the editors publish the more risqué items that people have found over the years: Polaroid pics, lust notes, short stories, etc. There is nothing obscene or anything so don't be scared to leave it on your coffee table. You will want to tuck it underneath your other 'zines though when Grandma stops by.

At only $10 bucks, it makes a great gift for friends who enjoy humor. You'll be giving them a $1,000 worth of laughs.

OJ Simpson Is Innocent

Stop. Just be quiet. Before you rant and rave and call me crazy, go read this book:

"O.J. Is Guilty But Not of Murder by William Dear."

After reading this book, you will understand why I believe that not only is OJ Simpson "Not Guilty" of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, but he is actually innocent.

The author, William Dear, is generally considered one of the world's top 5 private investigators and has been responsible for solving dozens of major crime mysteries over a 35 year career. You can read more about him when you read the book, which I think will further legitimize the argument laid out in his 6-year private investigation into the OJ case.

Why have I been bringing up the 10 year-old OJ case in recent weeks you ask?

Simple: the context of the recent Scott Petersen trial in which the jury found him guilty of murder based on mountain of circumstantial evidence, again highlights a flawed justice system that continues to be influenced by a biased media, an emotional public, and crafty lawyers.

Don't get me wrong. Unlike OJ, I think Scott Petersen is guilty. With OJ, the problem is that the media and the public crucified an innocent man and continue to do so to this day even though he did not commit those murders (again, please read the book before you try and debate this). Thankfully, the jury did the right thing in this case and listened to the facts of the case. But with the Petersen trial something frightful happened. The media, the public, AND a jury convicted a man of murder without any real evidence. This is serious.

The owe ness must be on the prosecution to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt according to the law, not rely on provocative circumstantial evidence that plays well on Larry King Live. Especially with a death penalty case. It is bad enough for the media and the public to start acting as judge and jury. But if the actual judicial process also erodes, then what protections will the innocent have?

Isn't it better to let a guilty man free, than to take an innocent man's freedom? Let us remember that in many of these cases we are now putting people to death.

Election's Over...It's Smoothy Time!

Ok, the election is behind us and everyone is saying it's time to unite the country. Since the President himself called for "Unity" at his recent press conference, I am stepping up and doing my part. I am giving the country my Smoothy Recipe.

Why not? It's a smooth elixir; it tastes great; and it's healthy for Republicans and Democrats alike.

All you need is a blender and the following ingredients:

1) 1 peeled banana (better when frozen overnight)
2) Handful of frozen raspberries or strawberries
3) Half cup of vanilla yogurt
4) Half cup orange, banana, strawberry juice
5) Scoop of ice-cream (vanilla or strawberry)
6) Other (you can add ice or other fruits to taste if you like)

All you have to do is toss all of the ingredients into the blender and mix for about a minute.

Makes 2 glasses of tasty Smoothy. Take a sip and feel the unification process take hold.

Enjoy!

Election Prediction: Forget The Polls, It Comes Down To Common-Sense

Kerry is going to win the 2004 Election, and it may be a landslide. I have been saying this for almost a year, based solely on this common-sense logic:

In 2000, a weak candidate like Gore, was able to win the popular vote (and electoral vote if you look at the recount), when Democrats were apathetic, Nader was a major vote drain, and millions of new voters were not yet registered in the system.

In 2004, the Democrats have a significantly stronger candidate team with Kerry and Edwards. But more importantly, Democrats are more motivated than ever, Nader will likely only take fringe voters this time around, and millions of new Democratic voters have come into the system.

When you pile this common-sense logic onto all of the troubles the current administration has had over the past year and (in recent days) with Iraq, flu, missing weapons, poor economic numbers, and on and on, it just seems clear that the Democratic candidate will handily win this time around.

Everyone is saying it is neck and neck, but the polls this season are essentially irrelevant because pollsters are polling the past. Any statistician will tell you that you need a representative and random sample to predict accurate results. Yet, they are not polling people who have just registered or who have cell phones. Garbage in, garbage out.

So we'll see in just a few days if my reasoning holds up. And if it does it will be a Kerry landslide.

Unity's Holiday Sangria Recipe

It's holiday season again, which means it's party time. To help spread good cheer and make your life easier when it's your turn to play host, I am sharing my personal Sangria Recipe.

Ok, the key is to prepare this recipe at least 12 hours in advance to let the ingredients stew. In the biggest bowl, pan, pot you have mix the following:

3 bottles red wine (any kind will do as long as it is not your best wine and not corked)
3 apples, sliced into bite size chunks
3 oranges, sliced into bite size chunks with the peel left on
1/2 cup of sugar dissolved into the wine (sugar to taste, but don't add too much)
1-2 cups white rum
1 cup of water
A few spoons of grenadine syrup if you have it
2 cups of gingerale (mix this in right before the party begins)
Ice cubes (add a few cubes to each glass when serving)

Tips: stir ingredients well; taste along the way; cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve; Experiment with your own ingredients as you wish.

Right before party-time serve yourself a sangria, crank up a warm fire, dim the lights, put your favorite mix cd on and enjoy!

The Many Faces Of Bush

I thought these images were particularly funny.
Copyright Unity

MAKE THE PIE HIGHER

This is a short poem made up entirely of actual quotations from George W. Bush. These have been arranged, only for aesthetic purposes, by a Washington Post writer.

MAKE THE PIE HIGHER

by George W. Bush

I think we all agree, the past is over.
This is still a dangerous world.
It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses.

Rarely is the question asked
Is our children learning?
Will the highways of the Internet become more few?
How many hands have I shaked?

They misunderestimate me.
I am a pitbull on the pantleg of opportunity.
I know that the human being and the fish can coexist.
Families is where our nation finds hope,
where our wings take dream.

Put food on your family!
Knock down the tollbooth!
Vulcanize society!
Make the pie higher! Make the pie higher!

Sculpture Quiz

Do you know where this sculpture stands? If so, then you know what a treat it is to visit this garden...if you don't, then email me and I will tell you. This is a place worth visiting.


Copyright Unity

My Secret Cheese Crisp Recipe

Ok, ok, you may call them Quesadillas. But I call them cheese crips. They are a tasty snack, easy to make, and everybody loves them.

Ingredients: flour tortilla shells; cheese*; butter.

*Experiment with different types of cheese. I love Jack, Mozzarella, Colby, and Cheddar.

So here's how to make 'em. Melt a pat of butter in a non-stick pan. Toss a shell in and let it soak up the butter on one side. Flip the shell to heat the other side. Flip the shell again and sprinkle a bunch of shredded cheese on top. Fold it in half. Cook on both sides until cheese is melted and outside of shell is golden and crispy.

Get creative with toppings like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. Or just gobble them up plain.

Enjoy!

Bob Dylan's Chronicles Vol. 1 Out Tuesday

He says he's proud of his new book out on Tuesday, but apparently Dylan didn't enjoy writing his autobiography at all..."Lest we forget, while you're writing, you're not living. What do they call it? Splendid isolation? I don't find it that splendid." (Bob Dylan, Newsweek 2004).

So, that's all I'm writing tonight so I can go out and live.

Hippie Kid Memories

Find out what it's really like to be raised by hippies on a farm in Iowa... Read all about it at www.hippiekidmemories.com.

There Is No Try

Huh?...Try?...Hmmf...Do. Or Do Not. There is no try!

-Yoda

Go Get Found

One of my favorite magazines of the past couple of years is Found Magazine. It's not for everybody, but it is usually a good test to someone's sense of humor whether or not they like it or not.

The magazine is simply a collection of random stuff people have found. It is hilarious, interesting, and sometimes sad. Good to read when you want to laugh. They have three issues out so far and I recommend picking them all up from their Web site: www.foundmagazine.com. They also have a new book out that is essentially the same thing. It is equally as good, just more expensive.

Enjoy!

Will Bush Win In 2008?

I'm tired of the 2004 campaign. It's time to move on already. I know who I am going to vote for, and so do you.

Let's talk about something more interesting, like whether or not Jeb will run in 2008.

Here's my prediction: if W wins then yes; if W loses than yes.

Which leads me to this important question: is it possible to get too much of a good thing?

It's The Windsurfer Stupid!

For many months, I have believed that John Kerry would handily beat George W. Bush this November to win the presidency. No matter what the [irrlevant and often unscientific] polls said, or the blathering pundits squaked about, I had figured it would all come down to this basic logic: Bush barely got by against Gore at a time when the Democrats were apathetic and didn't care. Bush would have no chance, I reasoned, now that so many democrats have been fired up to vote.

This was my line of thinking before I saw the video of John Kerry windsurfing off a beach in Nantucket about a month ago.

I almost fell off of my chair when I saw images on CNN of this supposed leader-to-be riding across the sea on a windsurf board. This was obviously a planned media event, I guess to make the candidate look virile and energetic. Instead, what I saw was an image of a half naked man holding on for his life -- his bare lanky legs sopping wet as he sailed in no particular direction.

This juxtaposed against a man in a cowboy hat who weilds a chainsaw like it's an extension of his arm. Can you imagine Kerry driving around in a FORD with his dog riding shotgun?

Kerry and his team have lost (will lose) this election in my estimation, not merely because they put him up on that windsurfer (or snowboard, or sailboat, etc.) -- but because they don't seem to care what they are actually communicating. They don't understand that Bush knows, it's the windsurfer stupid!