Go Ask Alice

First things first! Pop over and tell Deb congrats on her 100th post! She's a fun gal, and why do I have the sneaking suspicion that we could stir up a little trouble together? Just a hunch. She's celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway, including Borders gift cards. What I think is neat, though, is that the grand prize winner gets to name a character in the book she's working on. How cool is that?

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There was an article in this afternoon's online updates from our local paper. No, it wasn't about Notre Dame and Obama's visit...but there were a few of those. [sigh] Is it Monday yet?

Michigan police shock cougar — a toy one — with Taser

Associated Press Report

WARREN, Mich. (AP) — Police responding to a 911 caller reporting a cougar on the prowl in a suburban Detroit park saw what looked like the big cat hiding in a discarded section of cement drain pipe.

So Warren police on Monday shot a Taser electroshock weapon — hitting what turned out to be a large toy cougar right in the stuffing.

The Detroit Free Press reports the toy apparently was placed in the pipe as a hoax. About 10 officers responded to Bates Park. The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens reports the caller said it was a 150-pound cat. Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer says the department is "out there to keep the community safe."

I realize that this isn't all that funny. Someone diverted police officers from doing official police stuff. You know...policin' and junk. If they were ever able to find out who pulled this prank, I'm sure there would be charges brought, something akin to using 911 for non-emergencies.

But I can't help but laugh at this poor stuffed animal getting the crap zapped out of it. Something about it made me think of The Wildcat's Lair! Maybe because Frank is often getting flamed by the house dragons, or getting scalped by a Jedi light saber, leaving his fur crispy and smoking. (I guess you'd have to read it to understand...and if you aren't reading it, why not?! Get over there!)

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I set my alarm this morning and got up at the crack of...well, 9:30. Hey, I was up until 3 AM, so give me a break! I was still up when Ken got up. These are some nutty hours, but I'm sure we'll adjust at some point. Anyhoo, I wanted to be up so I could get presale tickets for Alice Cooper! Yippee! He's coming here August 9th. I've always loved Alice, but never had a chance to see him, so I really wanted to go. Blue Öyster Cult is opening, and I always liked them, too, but didn't dig them as much as I did Alice. I was hoping to get really close, but the eleventh row will have to do. In this venue, the Morris Center, those will be some kickass seats.

I don't know why I always liked Alice so much. I'm sure part of it is my love of horror movies, and Alice pretty much is a living, breathing, singing horror movie! If you didn't know, Alice is a character (literally and figuratively), and the real person is Vincent Furnier, who is apparently as nice a guy as you'd ever want to meet. His dad was a preacher, and Vincent loves golf. Mild-mannered golfer by day, shock rocker by night! He also has a very popular radio show, which I've heard is great, but I rarely listen to the radio anymore. Besides, he made some great music that still holds up. I dare you to listen to "School's Out" and not rock out at least a little bit!

When I was in high school, I had a poster in my bedroom of Alice in all his mascaraed glory. It wasn't exactly the same as this photo, but it was close. I remember it became a battle of wills between me and my Mom. I'd come home from school, and she'd have taken it down and rolled it up. I'd put it back up. When I got home from school the next day, she'd have taken it down again. I'd put it back up. I don't know how long this went on, but if I recall, we finally came to a truce, and I put it up on the inside of my closet door, so she didn't have to look at it when she came into my room. Ha ha! Who would want a poster of Alice Cooper in their bedroom, you ask? THIS gal!

So I'm really excited about the show! I doubt if he puts on the elaborate stage show that he used to (I don't think that we'll see the guillotine or the noose...but I wouldn't be surprised if the straight-jacket makes an appearance.), but he still sounds pretty good. I always liked this song! Here's Alice on Letterman, singing "No More Mr. Nice Guy."