Gordon Gekko vs. JQP:

Thought of the Day:
The more alternatives, the more difficult the choice.
Abbe' D'Allanival


(A candid photo taken at Timmy and Indy-Girls Birthday Bash. If they would of told me there were going to be punk-rock, hairy arm pitted, foaming at the mouth girls there, I would have flown in.)

Will work for Food:
Well, I lasted a total of 50 days in the for-profit world, which I might add is 40 more than many thought I would make. What have I learned, is a new found respect for those of you who work governed by the bottom line, plus an much greater understanding of the produce business and transportation. I will never look at fresh foods the same way again.

I however, have to respect my vocation, I am a public servant, that’s what I am good at and that not big money gives value to my life. All in all, it has been good for me to to step away from my career; I was getting close to burn-out. Seeing only the same thing day in and day out and most telling, not being able to see the good I was doing in order to help others.

Now, I am looking at grad schools and getting a job that while not what I want to do, will at least get me closer to the prize, if the good Lord is willing.

Mrs. JQP has been wonderful, the other night she said: “Remember when you took a job in SC just to have one and you hated every minute of it? Well, it wasn’t worth it. Find something that can either move you along toward your long term goals or get something working on making the world a better place”. She then reminded me that we had planned on me not having to find anything for 6 months in the first place.

Pretty damn supportive, that woman of mine.

Quote of the Day:
If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise.
Robert Fritz

I remain, your unemployed friend sleeping on your futon, eating the food of your soul:

JQP

At Home with JQP:

At you the readers’ request, some candid shots of the environment I have found myself and the Pretty Mrs. JQP living in, as you can see we do tend to move to extremes.

Currently, we are about 100 yards from an Indian Reservation, granted it greatly adds to our commute time, but it does give some local color. The biggest adjustment has been living in the suburbs, something neither of us has ever done, but don’t worry, if you come looking for us, our house is easy to find, it’s the brown stucco one with the red tile roof.











More news at the top of the hour:

JQP

On the Road with JQP Vol:II

Some of the Historical Sites I visited:




(No trip to Oklahoma would be complete without a pilgrimage to the hometown of Mr. Roger Miller and that other great poet sage Mr. Sheb Woolery.)

...and a Natural Wonder:





(Yes, that’s a big ass meteor crater in north east Arizona, only 15.00 a head, a well spent 20 min.)


(The 10 Pound Steak I ate in Texas in under an hour. The downside is that I think I am carrying around 5 pounds of it in my descending colon, what the fuck I got it free. Just follow the bill boards for 150 miles either direction)

JQP

On the Road with JQP:

(When in Cuba, I enjoy a tasteful and filling meal at one of the many local establishments.)


(This particular establishment, being chief among them.)


(Notice the marbling in this particular cut)


(Hickory smoked goodness and ice cold beer, friends is there anything else?)

Stay Tuned:

JQP

Merry Thanksgiving:

(I am big on theme meals and family and friends just love them.)

Canadians eat freshly clubbed baby seals for Thanksgiving.
I am missing my wife primitive tribe’s annual dog hunt in the Michigan UP, this year.
It’s nice to not have to worry about a drunken in-law accidentally shooting me in the face.
Everyone here is from California, Minnesota, South Dakota or Iowa.
Kevin the Cosmonaut and Tattoo John might be having Thanksgiving dinner with my petite and loving bride and I.
Next move I am thinking of South Africa, Australia, or New Orleans, all places we would fit in.
Really, there is a lot I am thankful for and I try to tell the Man Above that daily.

Now, tell me how thankful you are that I am in your life…

JQP

Desert Fever:

I feel like Patrick Swayze kicked my ass (again) but I am on the mend. My current employer called me today and strongly suggested that I take Wednesday off as well, which brings to a total of zero days I have worked. The upside is that I still have a job and am expected to be at work making money for the “man” at 0400 Monday. Long weekend, granted I still feel like shit, but still will enjoy the time with my pretty and over worked bride.

I even went to the doctor today and was given lots of pills, they give out pain pills here for having a virus (cool, I have lost digits in Indiana and was treated with a Band-Aid and aspirin). Granted, I am feeling a bit better…the bugs out here in the middle of no where kick ass.

JQP

JQP on Popular Culture:

(Nerd-Loser, snags his 15 mins of fame by being the first one to buy to new Playstation. I am sure he ran home to his mother’s basement to get started on a wild night of GTA and Redbull.)


(These poor bastards waiting for their chance…hell, I don’t even want to say anything, it would be like beating-up the retarded kid down the street.)

JQP

Dear Dr. Phil:

Thought for the Day:
"Pounding that kid, I really wanted to put a bullet between the eyes of every endangered panda that wouldn't screw to save its species and every whale or dolphin that gave up and ran itself aground” Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club


(I wish more women would follow her lead and work to bring our troops home.)

On being a pussy and other random things rattling around in my brain:
Today was a struggle, around quitting time I wanted to be able to walk across the street to my favorite bar and enjoy an evening of drinks and mean spirited banter & the singing of ballads with my colleagues and cohorts, sadly however friends, only desert and traffic awaited me.

Moving sucks, starting over sucks, granted it is also freeing. I can be “JQP” or “jqp” the decision is mine, but what I am talking about is the feeling of being un-rooted. The time when where your living, doesn’t feel like home and what your doing doesn’t feel right.

When I was younger, these things didn’t bother me, chiefly because I didn’t know what it meant to be rooted, being raised by a roving band of gypsies as I was. We miss what we know and what we are comfortable with, I know that…but there is something more to it than that for me, I miss the value of my friends, the gravel in their guts and the way they think. I miss what I helped to build, to be able to look and know that because we cared a difference is being made.

What I am whining about is that I don’t know which way to go; this is truly a trip that I am along on just for the ride. I am working in the business field for the fist time in my life and yes friends I am going though a little bit of a culture shock.

I am looking a grad schools, struggling with going back into the not-for-profit world or giving this a go and spending a lot of time by myself. The last few times I (we) have moved this whole process took about 6 months to pass, I wonder how long it will take this time.

On another note, I have been active in a few “betterment projects”. I have cut my dinking and hell razing by about 90%, my spending by 75% (I am no longer the major bread winner, so I don’t feel right about running thought someone else’s hard earned money, plus it’s a lot easier than you would think since my ass hasn’t been planted on a bar stool). That and ppl. here don't fistfight, so it limits a fun night out on the town.

On the relationship front, I am currently seeing the Pretty and Loving Mrs. JQP about an hour or two each day, while this does suck it has served to focus us on what is important and folks its not laundry or money. She is pushing 80 plus hours a week...my little worker bee.

So, baby steps, don’t worry I am not retiring just reorganizing, hell I am going to start with a Rugby team here so there should be a few stories to tell, this old dog still has a few tricks left in him.

Today’s Bill:
A wretched soul, bruised with adversity,
We bid be quiet when we hear it cry;
But were we burdened with like weight of pain,
As much or more we should ourselves complain.
William Shakespeare

Quote for the Day:
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
Frederick Keonig

I remain, standing naked in the darkened corner of your soul, flipping my Zippo:

JQP esq.

Benedict and Me:

The nation's Roman Catholic bishops adopted new guidelines for gay outreach Tuesday that are meant to be “welcoming”, while also telling gays to be celibate since the church considers their sexuality "disordered."

Then so the homosexual community didn’t feel singled out, the Bishops decided to go after the 98% of heterosexual Catholic couples who don’t follow the churches teaching in birth control. I will love to see the first time a Priest denies communion to a couple for using a rubber.

I heard one Bishop interviewed today saying that “…we need to force people back into the original teachings of the church”. Force? Dear God, the Bush-Right-Wing agenda lives strong in the leadership of the American church. How about that part “original teachings”, (I would tend to use the words “primitive teachings” not original),

I would like to site one of my favorites, “Thou shall not kill”, not thou shall kill sometimes, or when the person and/or persons really needs it, but “Thou shall not kill”. How many wars throughout history have been fought for God and Country?


Now I have been called a smorgasbord-catholic, let’s see, I follow the churches teaching on birth control, I keep the Holy Days, I go to Mass, but I don’t go to confession, I don’t think my Priest/Bishop/Pope is infallible and I know enough of history to see the works of man in the practices of the church. Bad Catholic, perhaps but I tend to think of it as being the best Catholic I can be.

My suggestion to the Bishops, is to get back to the “original teachings of the church” the Church of Jesus, who was tacked to a cross for raising hell with the power that be, who kept company with whores and the scum of his society, get back to the true church, Catholic, universal, with room for everyone, one of open arms not pointing fingers.

Can I get a Witness...

Fr. JQP (Order of Our Lady of Sealy Posture-Pedic)

Learning New Cultural Folkways:

I am starting to make new friends here in Arizona; granted most are at a Native American run strip clubs, involved in the gaming profession and/or carrying one or two felonies. Beats hanging out with rich people.

10 Things I have done to make new friends:

Waxed my back (etc)

Joined a new Parish and am already on two committees

Got a job with a group on high pressure business professionals, working toward maximization of the American Capitalist dream.

Sunbathe nude

Joined gym

Shaved my head and started selling flowers at the Airport.

Joined over 23 self-help groups.

Hang out at the public library with the homeless.

Joined the McCain camp (just kidding)

Started wearing Mormon style underwear (and I thought Lutherans were freaks)


I even got invited to a party: http://www.rogieisadog.com/fest.html

Sorry I have to run, I am late for my Militia meeting and I have to bring the cookies.

I remain, a man for all seasons:

JQP esq.

Tan, Rested and Ready:

Dateline: In and/or Around the Phoenix Metro Area

Gather around children, I am still alive. Coming to your from the land of Mormons, Mexicans and High Plains Mid-Westerners. I type this from beside my pool, while enjoying a fine Cuban cigar and a tall gin and tonic (dbl lime, as you know). Since I am still trying to work out the bugs on my new laptop, please accept this, my first real post from the Reservation for your edification; however it will regrettably have to be brief.

Let me start with some random thoughts and opinions that may or may not have any relevance:

My departure from the Great State of Indiana was preceded by several weeks of behavior that would make Bacchus blush, when those cloudy, scattered memories surface I push them right down to the bottoms of my feet.

I traveled to the Lands West, with Tattoo John, who needed to leave the jurisdiction of several mid-western states in a hurry.

Don’t ask.

There were photos taken of the many adventures we had along the way, perhaps when I pay the last payment to the extortionist, I will post some.

We ate some good BBQ in Cuba, AR.

Tattoo John and I got asked to leave a tour of an un-named brewery in the City of St. Louis, we did however catch a baseball game.

It’s not advisable to get lost in certain parts of St. Louis, unless of course you’re JQP and Tattoo John.

What can I say, I am a people person.

Oklahoma is really not OK.

It’s a lot like Indiana, but with cows not pigs.

I looked and couldn’t find anyone named Jobe in the Oklahoma City phone book.

The memorial downtown will stick with you.

I made a detour to the birth place of Mr. Roger Miller, I cried, it was so moving.

Tattoo John is a well known author on the subject of Native American pottery.

I got drunk in a bar that had saddles instead of bar stools.

I knocked myself out by falling off of one of them.

I am told I fell, I don’t believe it, I know in my heart I was pushed.

I ate a 10 pound steak in Texas and got it for free.

I am a hero to everyone but cows.

I got my picture taken in Winslow, Arizona.

On a corner with a girl in a flat bed Ford.

I saw a meteor crater, for only 15.00.

They charge a lot more for shots here, a lot.

This city is like a suburban theme park, with Western overtones.

You don’t want to get a DUI in this state, they send you to jail for a few weeks.

Jail here is tents in the fucking desert, where they make you wear pink underwear and the only food is old bologna served thoughtfully on stale bread. On a side note, that also happens to be the weekend menu at the City-County Lock-Up in Allen Co. Indiana.

Note to self: Look into teaching position at the Corrections Culinary Institute.

My pee is always yellow here.

I can’t get used to drinking in strip malls.

Clubs yes, malls no.

There are some very odd people here and I am not talking about those I already knew and/or brought with me.

Historic stuff here was built in the 1960’s.

The pretty Mrs. JQP and I live in an older home, it was built in 2001.

What can I say; she thinks older homes have more charm.

I voted in elections in two states.

I giggled to myself at the results.

Don’t blame me I voted for Al Franken.

People here follow pro sports, not college.

God’s team is ranked #5 today.

There are a lot of plastic tits here.

My new neighbor is a personal trainer.

She is nice, I like her.

I bought new sandals at Macy’s for 200 bucks.

They make my feet smell like ass.

Phoenix has all the fucking traffic of LA, but none of the ocean.

They have a 12.00 cover charge at noon at the strip bars here.

I golfed with Mr. Alice Cooper, well me and 300 other people.

I don’t golf; I do however enjoy eating free food and drinking free booze.

Lil’ Kevin and Tattoo John make me look like a teetotaler when it comes to drinking; sadly they tend to make me look like Daddy Warbucks when it comes to paying for said drinks.

I tend to eat half as much here.

If you Google Earth my current address, you will notice a resemblance to the face of the moon.

I saw the Stones last week (great show) and I am seeing Aerosmith tonight.

There are 100’s of Mexican men standing on the street corners looking for work every morning. Sadly there are not 100’s of prostitutes.

It’s a chilly day here in the valley; it only got up to 79 degrees.

On the plus side the ice in my cocktails didn’t melt as quick.

So far about 20 people are planning on coming and visiting us this winter.

While is has been nice to take a break from saving the world as you know it, I do however miss my work.

I also miss my friends and my bar.

When I got my back waxed, I got talked into a Brazilian wax job.

I have a mountain across the street from me on one side and an Indian reservation on the other.

Well children that’s all for now, baby steps you know, I need to get back into practice. All my love, sleep well little ones or the monsters will chew your eyelids off.

I remain, much like a Planter’s Wart on the sole of body Politic:

JQP esq.

The Official Anthem of No-Love-Thursday Meetings Everywhere:

(Nov. 10th is Big Fitz Memorial Day)

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy.

With a load of iron ore - 26,000 tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconson
As the big freighters go it was bigger than most
With a crew and the Captain well seasoned.

Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ships bell rang
Could it be the North Wind they'd been feeling.

The wind in the wires made a tattletale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the Captain did, too,
T'was the witch of November come stealing.

The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the gales of November came slashing
When afternoon came it was freezing rain
In the face of a hurricane West Wind

When supper time came the old cook came on deck
Saying fellows it's too rough to feed ya
At 7PM a main hatchway caved in
He said fellas it's been good to know ya.

The Captain wired in he had water coming in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went out of sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Does anyone know where the love of God goes
When the words turn the minutes to hours
The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd fifteen more miles behind her.

They might have split up or they might have capsized
They may have broke deep and took water
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters.

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the ruins of her ice water mansion
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams,
The islands and bays are for sportsmen.

And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the gales of November remembered.

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral
The church bell chimed, 'til it rang 29 times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they say, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early.

C Students Unite!

crawford21, originally uploaded by John Q. Public.

Never far:

Margaret Mitchell said once: I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.

That made me stop and think...

JQP