Chocolate Covered Demons Atomiques!

Assalto alla Terra! (Italy), Atomische Duivels! (Belgium/Flemish), Des Monstres Attaquent la Ville! (France), Formicula! (West Germany), La Humanidad en Peligro! (Spain), O Mundo em Perigo! (Portugal), El Mundo en Peligro! (Mexico), One! (Poland), Politiet og Uhyret! (Denmark), Són Elles! (Spain/Catalan), Spindlarna! (Sweden)*, Yön Pedot! (Finland) No matter how you say it, it's killer atomic ants — in my backyard!

THEM!
The Rock
July 2007

•••

I've got 'em! Right in my backyard! The dreaded European Fire Ants (Myrmica rubra)!

How they got out to The Rock in the first place, I can only speculate. (Most likely, with the influx, and in the roots of, the also dreaded, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) that some idiot decided would be great to grow out here.) But, G and I have been gardening around them ever since we bought our house, three years ago. I had never had any contact with them before moving here. G knew what they were right away — and what they were capable of. You see, these little (about 3/16 inch long) red fuckers defend their territory pretty agressively and sting, at first burning like hell, and then (for me at least, being apparently allergic to whatever the little red devils are stinging me with), leaving behind a pretty good size welt.

Not being one for panic and pesticides, I've not had much luck in finding a solution for our predicament (other then walking around the yard with a tea kettle pouring hot water on them), but, I am not beaten yet and, with (according to research, so far,) no redeeming natural qualities, and a potential threat to the environment (especially, mine!), they will not win.

Now, it's time to bring it on! (Or, start eating them!)

* Actually, in Sweden, Spindlarna! translates to "The Spiders!",which might might have been a bit misleading to the viewing public. Or, maybe they just chalked it up to us 'Demons Atomiques Americans'. Who knows?

•••

Ants v. The Universe
(Buy: Richard Laviolette: A Little Less Like a Rock, a Little More Like Home)

Army Ants
(Buy: Tom Waits: Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards)

Ants In The Kitchen
(Buy: Masters of Reality: Sunrise On The Sufferbus)

Antmusic
Beat My Guest
(Buy: Adam and the Ants: Very Best of Adam and the Ants)

Baby's On Fire
(Buy: Brian Eno: Here Come The Warm Jets)

Water Your Garden
(Buy: Lucious Jackson: Fever In Fever Out)

Tutti Nella Famiglia

The Italian Connection: My Father's Side
April 1957

In 1974-77, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, O Rei do Futebol (Pelé), came to play ball with the New York Cosmos. Not really knowing much about the game, but loving to read about and watching great atheletes, my father took us to see him play. I remember it being packed, and not knowing what I was watching (being raised on baseball), but it was exciting. Most of all, I remember the chant of 'COSMO'S! COSMO'S!' ringing so loudly through the stadium everytime they took control of the ball.

What does it have to do with a photograph of cousins and uncles and aunts I have never met? Nothing, except this...

FORZA AZZURRI will rule supreme as the 2006 World Cup Champions by days end (or I will eat my words). But mark my words, either will happen.

Lucious Jackson: Pele Merengue (Buy It!)