Beagle Is Top Hound at Westminster Dog Show

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/sports/othersports/12westminster.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

He's going Pro

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7206686.stm

Big Bear says: "I'M REAL, AND I'M NOT FREE"

Big Bear, as you all know, was very, very, very strong.  Now, let's not tarnish it's memory by doing something that is the opposite of strong - skipping the bill.  Everyone has paid but two.

Shmimmy, you owe $50.
 

Persons, you owe $100, and your guest (not pictured) owes $100 (sorry the picture is so distorted, but I'm no Graphic Artist).

Time to pay up.  You can mail your checks here:

3424 Lambeth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Or, you can bring the money to that same address this Saturday night, where the "I have a Dream" Pajama party will be taking place.  It's happeniiiiiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIiiiiiing!

- Rousing

Speak now or forever hold your peace

Dearest Ministers,

I regret to inform you all that yesterday afternoon I discovered a large crack and subsequent leak in the habitat of Louie and Nacho Frank.  After a long clean up and discussion, it has been decided to let the beloved IFS turtles run free.  Currently they reside in an ice chest in the Franklin house living room.

The plan is to take our beloved pets to Echo Park Lake tonight and set them free to live the rest of their days in a veritable paradise.  For those worried about setting pets into a semi-natural environment, and ruining a natural setting, don't worry.  As you can see in the attached photo Echo Park lake is enclosed by city streets and greater Los Angeles.  The turtles aren't going anywhere.  In addition to their new larger, more exciting retirement home the turtles will be getting much more UV radiation which they desperately need, and cannot receive in our sheltered apartment.  We have witnessed a number of larger healthy Red-Eared Slider turtles in and around the lake, which indicates the lake can either nurture the turtles to grow to a large size or at least sustain their normal size.
Although we are sad to see our reptilian friends go, we know this is probably the best thing for them.  The residents of the Franklin residence are also growing a little tired of the time and financial burden the little crap-factories have placed on their owners, however we wanted to give anyone the opportunity to adopt Louie and Nacho Frank.  We have everything they need except a tank.  If anyone wants to come forward and adopt the little guys "speak now or forever hold your peace".
If not, we will be making a ceremonial journey to Echo Park tonight to set them free in their own urban lake paradise.  Afterwards we will be eating some Tacos from a trailer in their memory just down the road in Echo Park.  If anyone is interested in adopting or joining in the goodbye let me know before Thursday night.

I love you all. 

More Plans!

Yes it's a G thang whenever we swing, I'm a need Coretta Scott if I'm gonna be King.

- From Make Me Better by Fabulous featuring Ne-Yo

 

This Friday, the Minister of MOM's better half, Julia Lerch, turns 25.  We will CELEBRATE her birthday , and the Minister of Rousing's birthday, this Saturday, the 15th of December at the Franklin Street department. 

We will also be celebrating the arrival of Nacho Frank, Louie's new sea turtle companion.  Nacho Frank may not be as weathered as ol' Lou, but he is a man and he is strong.  MOM hopes to build them a beach where Lou and Nacho will raise little sea turtles of their own, and then eat them. 

The celebration will be Christmas themed.  That means Christmas clothing, Christmas cuisine, Christmas decorations, and Christmas tunes.  It will be followed by a Christmas at Del's Saloon.  And in accordance with their Saturday night karaoke, the Minister of Letters will be treating us with a rendition of Bing's holiday classic, White Christmas.  I spoke to Letters about this on the phone and he said, "This will be the most meaningful and beautiful Christmas performance you have ever seen.  I guarantee it."  So get excited.

To review: Lerch and Rousing's Birthday Christmas/Celebration this Saturday Night at the Franklin House.  Followed by a Christmas at Del's Saloon and an inspiring performance by Letters.  Bring your Christmas finest.

See you there,

Rousing

Big Bear says: "I'M REAL."

Yes, everyone, Big Bear is REAL and less than a month away.  I've discussed these plans with many of you, but for those of you who are not caught up, here's what we've planned:

1) Three nights stay at the Lakeview Mansion in the heart of Big Bear - 1 mile from the slopes and a couple hundred yards off the main road through town.  We have the nights of the 29th, 30th, and 31st booked, with a morning/afternoon departure on the 1st of 2008.  This is the mansion:

2) The Mansion is strong.  It sleeps 16, but has room to sleep many more - the representative said upwards of 26 comfortably.  It is three stories high, with wrap around balconies overlooking the lake and the surrounding nature jam:

The interior features a jacuzzi, a pool table, a Pac Man arcade, an Asteroids arcade, a pinball machine, a big screen, a bar, a couple of fire places, a massive kitchen and a golden eagle:

3) Great location.  We'll be a quick drive or tram ride to the mountain, so picture drunken skiing or, if you want to get SICK, drunken snowboarding (540 McTwist Bra!!  Scratchin'!!!).   Also, we'll be walking distance from town, so a night or two at the local bars will be easy to swing.  There's also plenty of restaurants in town, a couple of which I know are strong from experience (one is a badass haunted prime rib joint).

4) The money.  It is $100 total for the three night stay.  All expenses beyond that are up to you - but figure transportation, food, booze, and rentals, if you are skiing, or snowboarding (Jason!  Sick!!!). 

5) Who's going?  Here's who:

Also, we have 11 more of Team IFS scheduled to go - with a few maybes.  So, this should be very strong - and I'm sure they serve flapjacks somewhere in Big Bear.

With all of that said, the money is due Monday.  So far, MOM, Competition, Interior Design, M+T, Letters, and myself have paid (I'll also be covering Revelry & Spirits).  Also, there are about five of you who have said that you were in, but have not yet paid the $100.  We need to work this out ASAP, otherwise, Amanda will be covering for you, which would be the opposite of strong.  If you haven't yet paid, call me, and we'll figure something out.  If you'd like to mail a check to Amanda, here's the address:

Amanda Farrell
3424 Lambeth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

For everyone else who hasn't yet joined in on these plans, call me and let me know if you're interested.  This will make for a very strong New Year's Eve celebration...Spray Jam in the snow.

- Rousing
(805) 453 - 1103   

Working hard

Technical Details:

Part of my job as the Director of Quality Control is to process GPS points collected in the field to check the Aerial Laser Survey data.  The Field Operations Specialist (Defense) mounts a survey grade GPS antenna on a vehicle, measures the antenna height and drives around the project area.  The resulting data is processed to a very high degree of accuracy (2-4cm) and compared with the Laser points collected in the aircraft to make sure they are accurate.  When the accuracy of the points is good, these charts show them in green.

Just imagine my satisfaction when i checked these GPS points and found they were all of very high quality and in the shape of a cock and balls.  I can just imagine the smile on Defense's face as he charted his path through the central valley, thinking of me in the office, sitting in my cubicle, processing GPS points, taking screen shots and making IFS posts.  Meanwhile the heavy pelican case for the GPS equipment sits atop the shattered sacred documents. A giant green shlong and a job well done sir.  The client will be pleased.

Picture Day

Ministers and Rabbi,

    Although we have had lots of fun at various informal gatherings since Chico, the fact of the matter is that we have some serious business to take care of.  Numerous loose ends need to be tied up and I am looking forward to a very business-like meeting. 

    We will be inducting a new member and as usual it is very important for the organization to maintain our code and conduct.  The new member will be fully endorsed by all necessary parties and will have the paperwork completed before the meeting.
    I propose every member have something to bring to the meeting, no matter how small.  I personally will be bringing numerous items, including the member of the year trophy for the best member of 2007.  Remember what is at stake here.  I implore you, "If you have a responsibility within the group please carry out your required duties."  If you cannot perform your duties, find a minister who can and is willing to help.
    I also proposed a picture day in which we will be taking personal photos for the website and filling out personal bios.  I have prepared the bio forms and will be handing them out at the meeting.  For those members not present, the forms can be filled out and emailed.  It is my vision to work these personal biographies into the website.  So either wear something nice or IFS gear, or both.   
    Sorry about the serious business post.  Do good work,  love your beer, love your flapjacks, honor your organization, honor your country and be good ministers.  That is all.

RIP Arnold

At 5:55pm today I discovered our beloved Arnold the Red-Eared Slider Turtle had expired.  He is survived by Louie and a few goldfish.  He died of natural causes and appeared peaceful, it was a good death.  Arnold will be remembered for his ability to eat multiple goldfish in one sitting, absorbing sun rays on Monkey Rock, and swimming incessantly into the tank glass.  Upon viewing this post, please take a moment from your busy day to remember Arnold and send a prayer his way in Turtle Heaven.  He willed sole possession of Monkey Rock to Louie.  Rest in Peace old boy.

The State of the Many Roles of Kurt Russell Address

In just two days, we will be uniting to form the MANY ROLES OF KURT RUSSELL.  For those of you who missed the first post, we will be uniting to form the MANY ROLES OF KURT RUSSELL at Amanda's house in Los Feliz this Saturday night.  Here's her address:

3424 Lambeth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Here's a "Breakdown" of who's coming and which Kurt Russell they will be portraying:

- Minister of Media and Technology will be Jack Burton from "Big Trouble in Little China." 
- Minister of MOM will be Snake Plissken from "Escape from L.A."
- Minister of Competition will be solar explorer, Col. Jonathan 'Jack' O'Neil from "Stargate."
- Minister of Rousing will be Dean Proffitt from "Overboard."
- Minister of Interior Design will be Coach Herb Brooks from "Miracle."
- Minister of Letters will be Michael Zane from "3,000 Miles to Graceland."
- Minister of Defense will be McCabe from "Vanilla Sky."
- Future Minister and IFS blood relative Ryan Maughan will be Stephen 'Bull' McCaffrey from "Backdraft."
- Longtime Friend of IFS and forever welcome Guest Member Ben Persons will be Captain Ron from "Captain Ron."

That's nine Kurt Russells by my count, just shy of double digit Kurt Russells.  Now, I know that Health/Trade will be attending the party - so if he dresses up as a Kurt Russell, then we'll have ten Kurt Russells total.  Also, Philanthropy is attempting to shift his work schedule around so he can make it as well.  International Affairs, Maritime, Athletics and Shwayne, we haven't heard anything from you four so please comment on this post with your status.  Younger/Taller/Athleticer and Letters will be coming down from SB, and Media will be coming up from the OC, so finding a ride should not be a problem.  Also, here's some last minute costume suggestions that should be easy to throw together:

- As Jeff Taylor in "Breakdown," Kurt wears a Ralph Lauren polo tucked in to khakis, and cool sunglasses:

- Kurt wears a tux in "Executive Decision" and a black suit in Poseidon (granted, you'd have to jump in a shower for this one).
- Wyatt Earp - we still  need one.  Calls for a taller man with a strong mustache and a cowboy outfit, so I'm thinking Esteban.  Whoever takes this role, the all black getup would be the right way to do it.
- "Dark Blue" would be easy.  Black collared shirt, leather jacket, light blue jeans and black sneakers:

Anyways, just some ideas.  Like Competition commented earlier, this seems destined as Kurt Russell made a strong appearance on South Park last night.  I hope everyone can make it.  The more Russells the better. 

- Rousing