Wednesday, November 30, 2005
December...
This time of year is exciting and it sucks at the same time...for me anyways. The whole month of December is the most stressful for me. Here's why: First off its cold. I hate being cold. I like the seasons and i'd be pissed if it weren't cold, but i still don't like being cold. And i don't like being cold when i have to get up early in the morning. I'm not a morning person. Actually i'm not a night person either. I'm my best between 11am and 2pm. So its a very small time of the day when i'm actually eager to do something or go out. But i'm straying here...Also in December is my birthday. I only like to remind a couple of people of my bday. I don't like attention. If everyone else forgot, i wouldn't mind so much. As my birthday rolls near i remember how i'm getting older and not much better. I haven't really done anything exciting in the past year and then i think about how its gonna be the new year in a few weeks. Ah its horrible. And then there's the dreaded yearly review at my work. I'm constantly talking about how work sucks but in December it all comes to a head and i get a raise and it has to last till the next December. I've been complaining tons about work and my life these past few months and i think Pete is sick of it. I understand, no one likes a broken record. He's sympathic of course but he also reminds me that things aren't that bad. I have a working car, two jobs, a nice place to live, etc. A conversation like that usually will last me a few good days, till i sink back in to depression. Yesterday Pete and i hung out. We went driving and i wanted to know where we could go to see some wildlife. I ended up driving into the depths of Altadena where sure enough, we saw wildlife. A coyote! It was good enough for me! On Monday i had a physical therapy appt. Apparently it was cancelled and they had my wrong phone number. Needless to say i was inconvienced. I have another appt. today. Its acutally my first real appt. The first time i went was an evaluation. This time its working out. woo hoo free gym! Sheila's kitty Gretel is getting spayed tomorrow. Poor baby. I haven't seen Gretel in a while but Sheila says she's getting big. Hey did you notice that even when you refresh the blog its adds a number to the bottom. Lame. i think we should take it off. I have got to start Christmas shopping, I have to!!!!! See...stressful. Ok i'm gonna stop now.
A day without a television
Are you ready for a magical journey of the heart and soul? Thats great. Better go somewhere else because I'm just gonna talk about my usual shit. The fact is I wouldn't even be wrting this if there were something decent on TV. Right now on the Starz action channel is a movie called In the Year 2889. It seems to be a really bad zombie movie of some kind. I caught a scene where they were giving some guy recovering from an injury some food and he said "i don't want that, bring me some raw meat." The problem with direct TV is that all the cable channels are on eastern time. So If I'm trying to watch TV at midnight, I'm watching stuff thats intended to be seen at 3am.
I made a pact with myself not to watch any TV today. It didn't really work out but I did better than alot of days. I woke up, made some coffee. I had to clean the coffee maker because my mom lets it get disgustingly dirty. I solved the daily Sudoku puzzle to get the old synapses firing and then I checked the blogs...for about an hour. I'm obsessed. Then I decided I should go for a hike. I suited up and hit the trail. Here's the problem. And I'm venturing to a level of honesty thats really going to sully my reputation and I know Lauri is going to be shaking her head, but hey anything to keep this interesting. So here's the problem. I wear boxer briefs most of the time. I'm not the thinnest dude around and I have a problem with the ol' inner thighs rubbin together so I find a nice pair of boxer briefs keeps me from getting what come to be known as "the rash". So when I suited up I decided not to change my underwear from the day before (there I said it) After all there just gonna get sweaty and then I'd have to put a new pair on again. The problem is that boxer briefs get stretched out ofter a day of use, and their no longer snug. So here's waht happened. I'm hiking, and these fuckers are bunchin up somethin fierce. I've got some privacy out on that trail so I'm able to make adjustments along the way. but goddamn if those things weren't riding up every 2 minutes. I felt like I was wearing a fucking diaper. Well I had my ipod on and I'm keeping a nice pace, but I can't get my mind off how uncomfortable I am with these underwear all up in my junk. So I had to turn around, I couldn't take it.
So I went home and dusted off the last of the turkey sandwiches. And I did watch CNN while I ate. Most of the rest of the day was spent reading. I'm re-reading Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell. I'm picking up a lot more this time around and find myself liking more this time around. At about 4pm i got antsy and decided to take a walk to make up for the aborted hike. I was gonna go out and come back, but i ended up taking a roundabout route to Lauri's where I played GTA San Andreas for about an hour until Lauri got home (Grove Street! What?)
We went to Claim Jumpers for dinner. We drove around Pasadena for a while, seeing the sites singing to the ipod. Did laundry. And that was about it.
I'm tryin to think about some other stuff to blather on about, but I really can't. Maybe I'll read for a while. Maybe i'll sit here and listen to more music. Right now The Who is playing Behind Blue Eyes. Favorite line from that song: "My dreams they aren't as empty as my conscience seems to be."
So i'm gonna do that thing again with the song lyrics, so feel free to tune out now.
Failure
Stuck on you
"Thought I'd drop you easily, but that was not to be. You'd burrowed like a summer tick. ...Turned my nights to sleepless itch."
So i wrote a complaint letter to Blockbuster, but they never got back to me so I'm never going back there again. I'm a Hollywood video guy now, they're bound to piss me off sooner or later too. And I can't do the independent video store thing. I'm gonna be screwed altogether. Bitter and alone with no movies to watch.
Greenday
Give me Novacaine
"Drain the pressure from the swelling, the sensation's overwhelming."
I know this is supposed to be metaphor but it reminds me of my root canal.
No Doubt
Simple Kind of Life
"Not only in love, I was obsessed."
You think that dude from No Doubt ever thinks "god I wish she would stop writing songs about me!" ? Even that song Cool from her solo album is about him and shes been married for like years now. Obsessed is right.
Jack White
Great High Mountain
"once I stood at the foot of a great high mountain that I wanted so much climb. And on top of this mountain is a beautiful fountain that flows with the waters of life."
The Proclaimers
Over and Done With
"This is story of watchin a man dyin, the subjects unpopular but I don't feel like lyin,"
This song is in BottleRocket when Dignan steals that car that breaks down. Its a good song to end a mixed CD with
Wyclef
Yele
This song is in French and I don't understand a word but the guitar is amazing.
Did I go too far in telling you about my underwear dilemma? I don't think so. according to the new sitemeter its just us friends that visit. I'm kind of pissed that I can't think of anything good to talk about. Alex was gonna call me tonight to see a movie called Kiss Kiss Bang Bang but he never called. He was probably working. Did you guys hear that he could have gone on an audition for, hang on...
Tim Eriksen
Am I born to Die?
"soon as from Earth I go, what shall become of me? Eternal Happiness or Woe, must then my portion be?"
Led Zeppelin
Battle for Evermore
"the dark lord rides in force tonight, and time will tell us all."
An obvious reference to LOTR, and not the only one in this song.
(cont.) A japanese beer commercial. He didn't say which one. His agent said if he got it he would have to go to Japan to shoot it. Just think, he could have met his own Scarlett Johanson and had some life changing experience. Anyway, he didn't take the audition. See, this is the fairly interesting things that happen to him, but that he never cares to share on the blog. He figures anyone who reads it, can just be told verbally. I figure I'm a better storyteller in written form so I blog. Each word is agonized over.
Elvis Presely
Blue Moon
"you saw me standing alone, without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own."
I started to like this song when I heard it in Joe vs. The Volcano.
Lynard Skynyrd
Tuesday's gone
"I don't know where I'm going, I just want to be left alone. When this train ends i'll try again"
I discovered this song in Dazed and Confused and frankly like it better than Freebird.
Guns n' Roses
Estranged
The interesting thing about this song is that there are lines cribbed from other songs. Lets see if we can spot them.
"with all the changing seasons of my life" this is from Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
"you don't talk so loud and you dont walk so proud" this is from Like a Rolling stone by Bob Dylan.
alright thats enough, thanks and goodnight. Or good day.
I made a pact with myself not to watch any TV today. It didn't really work out but I did better than alot of days. I woke up, made some coffee. I had to clean the coffee maker because my mom lets it get disgustingly dirty. I solved the daily Sudoku puzzle to get the old synapses firing and then I checked the blogs...for about an hour. I'm obsessed. Then I decided I should go for a hike. I suited up and hit the trail. Here's the problem. And I'm venturing to a level of honesty thats really going to sully my reputation and I know Lauri is going to be shaking her head, but hey anything to keep this interesting. So here's the problem. I wear boxer briefs most of the time. I'm not the thinnest dude around and I have a problem with the ol' inner thighs rubbin together so I find a nice pair of boxer briefs keeps me from getting what come to be known as "the rash". So when I suited up I decided not to change my underwear from the day before (there I said it) After all there just gonna get sweaty and then I'd have to put a new pair on again. The problem is that boxer briefs get stretched out ofter a day of use, and their no longer snug. So here's waht happened. I'm hiking, and these fuckers are bunchin up somethin fierce. I've got some privacy out on that trail so I'm able to make adjustments along the way. but goddamn if those things weren't riding up every 2 minutes. I felt like I was wearing a fucking diaper. Well I had my ipod on and I'm keeping a nice pace, but I can't get my mind off how uncomfortable I am with these underwear all up in my junk. So I had to turn around, I couldn't take it.
So I went home and dusted off the last of the turkey sandwiches. And I did watch CNN while I ate. Most of the rest of the day was spent reading. I'm re-reading Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell. I'm picking up a lot more this time around and find myself liking more this time around. At about 4pm i got antsy and decided to take a walk to make up for the aborted hike. I was gonna go out and come back, but i ended up taking a roundabout route to Lauri's where I played GTA San Andreas for about an hour until Lauri got home (Grove Street! What?)
We went to Claim Jumpers for dinner. We drove around Pasadena for a while, seeing the sites singing to the ipod. Did laundry. And that was about it.
I'm tryin to think about some other stuff to blather on about, but I really can't. Maybe I'll read for a while. Maybe i'll sit here and listen to more music. Right now The Who is playing Behind Blue Eyes. Favorite line from that song: "My dreams they aren't as empty as my conscience seems to be."
So i'm gonna do that thing again with the song lyrics, so feel free to tune out now.
Failure
Stuck on you
"Thought I'd drop you easily, but that was not to be. You'd burrowed like a summer tick. ...Turned my nights to sleepless itch."
So i wrote a complaint letter to Blockbuster, but they never got back to me so I'm never going back there again. I'm a Hollywood video guy now, they're bound to piss me off sooner or later too. And I can't do the independent video store thing. I'm gonna be screwed altogether. Bitter and alone with no movies to watch.
Greenday
Give me Novacaine
"Drain the pressure from the swelling, the sensation's overwhelming."
I know this is supposed to be metaphor but it reminds me of my root canal.
No Doubt
Simple Kind of Life
"Not only in love, I was obsessed."
You think that dude from No Doubt ever thinks "god I wish she would stop writing songs about me!" ? Even that song Cool from her solo album is about him and shes been married for like years now. Obsessed is right.
Jack White
Great High Mountain
"once I stood at the foot of a great high mountain that I wanted so much climb. And on top of this mountain is a beautiful fountain that flows with the waters of life."
The Proclaimers
Over and Done With
"This is story of watchin a man dyin, the subjects unpopular but I don't feel like lyin,"
This song is in BottleRocket when Dignan steals that car that breaks down. Its a good song to end a mixed CD with
Wyclef
Yele
This song is in French and I don't understand a word but the guitar is amazing.
Did I go too far in telling you about my underwear dilemma? I don't think so. according to the new sitemeter its just us friends that visit. I'm kind of pissed that I can't think of anything good to talk about. Alex was gonna call me tonight to see a movie called Kiss Kiss Bang Bang but he never called. He was probably working. Did you guys hear that he could have gone on an audition for, hang on...
Tim Eriksen
Am I born to Die?
"soon as from Earth I go, what shall become of me? Eternal Happiness or Woe, must then my portion be?"
Led Zeppelin
Battle for Evermore
"the dark lord rides in force tonight, and time will tell us all."
An obvious reference to LOTR, and not the only one in this song.
(cont.) A japanese beer commercial. He didn't say which one. His agent said if he got it he would have to go to Japan to shoot it. Just think, he could have met his own Scarlett Johanson and had some life changing experience. Anyway, he didn't take the audition. See, this is the fairly interesting things that happen to him, but that he never cares to share on the blog. He figures anyone who reads it, can just be told verbally. I figure I'm a better storyteller in written form so I blog. Each word is agonized over.
Elvis Presely
Blue Moon
"you saw me standing alone, without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own."
I started to like this song when I heard it in Joe vs. The Volcano.
Lynard Skynyrd
Tuesday's gone
"I don't know where I'm going, I just want to be left alone. When this train ends i'll try again"
I discovered this song in Dazed and Confused and frankly like it better than Freebird.
Guns n' Roses
Estranged
The interesting thing about this song is that there are lines cribbed from other songs. Lets see if we can spot them.
"with all the changing seasons of my life" this is from Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
"you don't talk so loud and you dont walk so proud" this is from Like a Rolling stone by Bob Dylan.
alright thats enough, thanks and goodnight. Or good day.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Music News and Such
So it's Monday. Not a lot going on here at work obviously because here I am blogging. I only have a few cases and they can wait till tomorrow I feel. The phones aren't ringing at all so basically I am completely useless right now. Except for sitting listening to my iPod and downloading songs here and there. I rule!!
So I have been on a Country kick lately. I don't know I never really liked Country before like a month ago. Now suddenly I really, really like it. I found it kind of weird. I do like that a lot of the songs are about drinking there are also a lot of songs about heartache and what not. I don't know it may be a phase but I don't think so. Whatever though you probably are saying to yourself, "I don't really care about Randy's musical tastes." That's cool.
More music news: One thing I don't like about iTunes is the fact that some albums you have to buy to get one good song. I recently ran into this. The soundtrack to "Elf" has a really good song by Zooey Deschanel and some guy, they do a duet on "Baby it's Cold Outside". I really like this song. So when I went to download I was halted by the fact that to get this one song that I like I had to purchase the whole album. Granted $9.99 is not a lot for an album but if all you want is one song it is a lil pricey. Eventually I caved in and bought the whole album and came to discover it's not total crap but besides the one song I wanted nothing memorable or massively worth repeat listening. I feel the draw of iTunes is being able to buy one or two songs off an otherwise forgettable album and not feel gipped. Oh well another life lesson learned.
Yet more music news: Sorry but I am at work with nothing to do but listen to music and download stuff. I am thinking about starting to buy Christmas music. I mean the season is drawing near and a few Christmas songs here and there wouldn't be bad. If it sounds like I am seeking approval it is because I am. Downloading Christmas songs seems like not something I should be doing. Isn't that for girls and stuff. Not attempting to be sexist or anything but guys in general aren't really supposed to be into downloading Christmas songs, right? If I am wrong awesome, but somehow I think I am not and if I start downloading Christmas songs I will be viewed as less of a heterosexual male. So I am going to wait for opinions on this before moving forward on the whole Christmas song thing.
Alright that's it for now, I guess. At the rate this evening is going it could very well be a two post occasion. So for now I will bid you all adieu. Talk to you later. PEACE!
So I have been on a Country kick lately. I don't know I never really liked Country before like a month ago. Now suddenly I really, really like it. I found it kind of weird. I do like that a lot of the songs are about drinking there are also a lot of songs about heartache and what not. I don't know it may be a phase but I don't think so. Whatever though you probably are saying to yourself, "I don't really care about Randy's musical tastes." That's cool.
More music news: One thing I don't like about iTunes is the fact that some albums you have to buy to get one good song. I recently ran into this. The soundtrack to "Elf" has a really good song by Zooey Deschanel and some guy, they do a duet on "Baby it's Cold Outside". I really like this song. So when I went to download I was halted by the fact that to get this one song that I like I had to purchase the whole album. Granted $9.99 is not a lot for an album but if all you want is one song it is a lil pricey. Eventually I caved in and bought the whole album and came to discover it's not total crap but besides the one song I wanted nothing memorable or massively worth repeat listening. I feel the draw of iTunes is being able to buy one or two songs off an otherwise forgettable album and not feel gipped. Oh well another life lesson learned.
Yet more music news: Sorry but I am at work with nothing to do but listen to music and download stuff. I am thinking about starting to buy Christmas music. I mean the season is drawing near and a few Christmas songs here and there wouldn't be bad. If it sounds like I am seeking approval it is because I am. Downloading Christmas songs seems like not something I should be doing. Isn't that for girls and stuff. Not attempting to be sexist or anything but guys in general aren't really supposed to be into downloading Christmas songs, right? If I am wrong awesome, but somehow I think I am not and if I start downloading Christmas songs I will be viewed as less of a heterosexual male. So I am going to wait for opinions on this before moving forward on the whole Christmas song thing.
Alright that's it for now, I guess. At the rate this evening is going it could very well be a two post occasion. So for now I will bid you all adieu. Talk to you later. PEACE!
Dumbasses
Have you heard about these dumbasses going around smashing up liquor stores in Oakland? They say the the Liquor stores are a blight on the community and therefore need to be destroyed. This is as dumb as trying to vote down a Walmart from building in your community. The answer to all these problems is so simple in a freemarket economy...Just don't fucking shop there. If you don't like liquor stores in your community, don't buy liquor from them. Trust me, if no one buys it, no one will sell it. Same thing with the Wal mart, if you don't want one in your community, don't shop there. The problem isn't with the stores beig there, its that people actually use them. I understand where the frustration comes from, I think it sucks that poor communities have liqour store on every corner and I think it sucks that small business gets pushed out by Walmart, but these are just symptoms of a larger problem. Poor people want to get drunk to escape from thier crappy lives and poor people want to buy cheap goods because, well, because they're friggin poor and can't afford anything else. Of course, once a Walmart goes up everyone will start working there for poor people wages and the cycle continues. Don't shop at Walmart, they sell crap anyway. And if you don't want a liquor store on the corner convince yourself and your neighbors not to shop there. Bustin up someone's business is a crime even if they are selling liquor, pornography, or $40 DVD players.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
And thats that
I don't know what to write but I don't want to go to bed either. I was going to write a political rant on my Essays blog about why the left is losing so much political ground, but I think thats gonna require too more synapses than I have at my disposal at the moment.
I'm still having a pretty pleasant Thanksgiving weekend, despite having to work. Last night we went to a little get together at the Gooler back house. That brought back some memories of underage drinking. Now that I think of it, I think I might have been the only overage drinker and had to do lots of beer runs. Anyway, things have slowed down there, and it was a very chill night, which was nice. I really didn't want to go, but Lauri talked me into it and I had a good time. I heard people were gettin bucked up on thursday night at the Fuckineer but I missed that. I can't get drunk after thanksgiving, hell I can barely move. I just stayed in and played video games and enjoyed myself thouroughly. I work again tommorow morning and will be chillin in the evening. Maybe more video games. I still haven't had any desire to get drunk since the last time, I think it scarred my brain. Oh sure I've had drinks since then but its been strictly for show.
I'm still having a pretty pleasant Thanksgiving weekend, despite having to work. Last night we went to a little get together at the Gooler back house. That brought back some memories of underage drinking. Now that I think of it, I think I might have been the only overage drinker and had to do lots of beer runs. Anyway, things have slowed down there, and it was a very chill night, which was nice. I really didn't want to go, but Lauri talked me into it and I had a good time. I heard people were gettin bucked up on thursday night at the Fuckineer but I missed that. I can't get drunk after thanksgiving, hell I can barely move. I just stayed in and played video games and enjoyed myself thouroughly. I work again tommorow morning and will be chillin in the evening. Maybe more video games. I still haven't had any desire to get drunk since the last time, I think it scarred my brain. Oh sure I've had drinks since then but its been strictly for show.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
While we were all enjoying our Thanksgiving weekend a cultural icon has left this world. In tribute, I'd like to share just a few things that I learned from Noriyuki "Pat" "Mr. Miyagi" Norita.
"Must Learn balance"
"You Karate no...safe. You Karate yes...safe. You Karate guess so....Squish... just like grape."
"Look Eye, always look eye"
"Man who catch fly with chopsticks, accomplish anything."
These are but a few of my favorites. Despite, Karate Kid III and the Next Karate Kid, you will be missed Pat Morita.
Friday, November 25, 2005
white russians and white fields
Last night saw the first snow fall of the winter, which i experienced first hand when i left my friends house at around midnight. With a belly full of white russians, i lent into the bitter northerly wind, gritting my teeth as the snow swirled around me. When Wales awoke this morning it was to a blanket of perfect whiteness- dont you feel slightly guilty about stepping out and ruining the perfection?
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Thanksgiving Eve
You know that sublime song from the 40oz. album Scarlet Begonias? I just found out that its a cover of a Grateful Dead Song. Boy am I late to the game!
Well, feelin pretty good today. Day off. Thanksgiving eve as I call it. Its gettin a bit stormy outside, so thats promising.
I don't know where we'll end up tonight, or what we'll end up doing, but it feels like a good night for some fellowship doesn't it? Here's my idea of the perfect thanksgiving eve: A large dimly lit room, cold weather outside, a fire in a fire place, a little music, a little beer, maybe a pool table, and good friends. That would just about hit the spot. Any suggestions?
Well, feelin pretty good today. Day off. Thanksgiving eve as I call it. Its gettin a bit stormy outside, so thats promising.
I don't know where we'll end up tonight, or what we'll end up doing, but it feels like a good night for some fellowship doesn't it? Here's my idea of the perfect thanksgiving eve: A large dimly lit room, cold weather outside, a fire in a fire place, a little music, a little beer, maybe a pool table, and good friends. That would just about hit the spot. Any suggestions?
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Harry Potter Review
Alex Randy and I caught the new Harry Potter tonight. I only made it through half the book before other stuff caught my interest, but I can say that from what I did read, the movie is a very stripped down version of the book. Its very Peter Jacksonish, if you will. Most of the nuance and character development is thrown out and all of the action is kept. Despite this, whats left is a very watchable movie that looks great. Its the scariest of the Potter movies so far and Lord Voldemort scared the crap out of me, though I really don't understand how Harry defeated him this time and why no one seemed all that worried that he was back. I guess I should have finished the book. Head over to The Essays for some social commentary on King Kong.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Yes or No & Thanksgiving
Hey everybody what's going on? It is odd I always start my posts with a question like that since you really can't respond. How you are as I am writing this might be entirely different then how you are when you read this. Oh well.
So tomorrow was one of my days off. But my manager asked me if I could come in and work tomorrow because he had some people going out to set up some additional POS's for the more busy stores so they can be ready to sell, sell, sell this holiday season. So I was like Yeah sure I will come in tomorrow. I mean money is money, right? But then I found out one of the stores they were setting up an additional POS in was none other than Santa Anita Fashion Park which I live like a block away from. So instead of having to come here tomorrow I just have to go to the mall and set up a POS system. Pretty cool.
Yes and No. Yes because I don't have to come here and sit in the office early in the morning. I get to drive down to the mall and set up a computer system in a store comprised of primarily female workers and female patrons. Nice deal, right?
No because technically speaking I have never set up a POS system by myself. I have watched and helped a coworker do one and I have built one at the office but those aren't fully completed POS's those are just to make sure we have the parts and to program them. So I kind of look at this as a test. He seemed like he didn't want me to go but I live a block away how could he resist. So I am thinking if I can pull this off without needing much or any help that will go a long way in helping me to maybe actually go on business trips in the future as well as proving that I know what the hell I am doing and not just the token. So it will be interesting. I am very nervous to say the least. I think I'll be fine though...
So Thanksgiving is on Thursday how exciting. Not really though Thanksgiving is cool it is basically a reason to eat a lot and watch football and see members of your family that you don't normally see. I am glad though that I do have a place to spend Thanksgiving because if I didn't have the Declerk's I probably wouldn't even have turkey on Thanksgiving or if I did it would be some nasty Denny's turkey or something. Anyway I just wanted to thank the Declerks for taking me and my orphan brother in and feeding us turkey and making us feel welcome. THANK YOU!
So now before I get too sappy and start crying or something. I am going to get on outta here and listen to my iPod before I leave work to go see Harry Potter. Peace out. In case I don't post before then. Happy Thanksgiving.
So tomorrow was one of my days off. But my manager asked me if I could come in and work tomorrow because he had some people going out to set up some additional POS's for the more busy stores so they can be ready to sell, sell, sell this holiday season. So I was like Yeah sure I will come in tomorrow. I mean money is money, right? But then I found out one of the stores they were setting up an additional POS in was none other than Santa Anita Fashion Park which I live like a block away from. So instead of having to come here tomorrow I just have to go to the mall and set up a POS system. Pretty cool.
Yes and No. Yes because I don't have to come here and sit in the office early in the morning. I get to drive down to the mall and set up a computer system in a store comprised of primarily female workers and female patrons. Nice deal, right?
No because technically speaking I have never set up a POS system by myself. I have watched and helped a coworker do one and I have built one at the office but those aren't fully completed POS's those are just to make sure we have the parts and to program them. So I kind of look at this as a test. He seemed like he didn't want me to go but I live a block away how could he resist. So I am thinking if I can pull this off without needing much or any help that will go a long way in helping me to maybe actually go on business trips in the future as well as proving that I know what the hell I am doing and not just the token. So it will be interesting. I am very nervous to say the least. I think I'll be fine though...
So Thanksgiving is on Thursday how exciting. Not really though Thanksgiving is cool it is basically a reason to eat a lot and watch football and see members of your family that you don't normally see. I am glad though that I do have a place to spend Thanksgiving because if I didn't have the Declerk's I probably wouldn't even have turkey on Thanksgiving or if I did it would be some nasty Denny's turkey or something. Anyway I just wanted to thank the Declerks for taking me and my orphan brother in and feeding us turkey and making us feel welcome. THANK YOU!
So now before I get too sappy and start crying or something. I am going to get on outta here and listen to my iPod before I leave work to go see Harry Potter. Peace out. In case I don't post before then. Happy Thanksgiving.
Chronicles of a Dry Friday.
Ever wonder what Fridays would be like without beer? Well friends, i can tell you they are very strange indeed. When I went to Randy's on friday last I made is clear that I was in no mood for boozin'. The very thought of beer was still turning my stomach a bit. Plus I had made a silent agreement with myslef to lay off the sauce at least until thankgiving when I would re-evaluate the situation. (you have to be careful about setting deadlines like that, at the end of the period of sobriety you feel you want celebrate the accomplishment. Celebrations like these often end in alcohol poisoning.) Anyway, so we waited for Alex to get home, and when he did he could barely put his stuff down before he was into a game of Smackdown vs. RAW 2 for the PS2. So after a prolonged period of Alex swearing at the game (something about long pin counts and too many reversals) we decided to go to dinner. We went to Paco's for Mexican food. The food was gos and so was the service for the most part. Randy cursed us as sissies for not ordering beers with him. ("You guys suck!" I think were his exact words). We went back to Randy's and played a little Star Wars Battlefront 2 for the ps2. One of the most frustrating games ever invented I might add. Alex and I were so inept at it that Randy actual dried from laughing at us so hard. Lauri who had to work that night, joined us at about midnight. After that we went home. That was it. Was I glad not be hung over the next day? Sure was. But is this post anywhere as exciting as the last one? I doubt it. Where are the drunken schemes? Where's the danger, the suspense the intrigue?
Friday, November 18, 2005
Thursday, November 17, 2005
I got me another complaint
The last CD I bought was the Kings of Leon new album. Guess what came with the CD. I nice little computer program that prevents me from transfering the CD onto my iPod. I am fucking pissed! I bought a music CD that should be mine to do with as I please, you know, like the 200 music CD's I bought before that? I've admitted that internet music piracy is probably wrong and I don't do it anymore. But goddamnit, to make a freind a copy of my CD's? Or to listen to that CD on whatever device will play them, shouldn't be able to do that little fucking thing? So now I have this totally fucking useless CD that I paid too much for to begin with. If I want to listen to the music on my current player, i have to re-buy it from itunes. FUCK THAT. Are we past the days of buying a CD you've heard good things about and then finding the really ggod track that no one knows about? Hell half my collection is tracks like that.
I'm telling you people corporate America is bending us over and screwing us with no lube and our pants on. Kings of Leon was the LAST CD I'll ever buy! Take that your greedy fucks! Steve Jobs is only greedy fuck thats getting my music money now.
I'm telling you people corporate America is bending us over and screwing us with no lube and our pants on. Kings of Leon was the LAST CD I'll ever buy! Take that your greedy fucks! Steve Jobs is only greedy fuck thats getting my music money now.
belief in a cruel god creates a cruel man
...several haggard, blank eyed men sit, huddled around a fire. they beat on their round wooden drums with increasing volume and intensity- what is this? have i stumbled across a lost neanderthal tribe? sadly, for evolutionary science, no. this is the 'eco-dysci african drum group' and i'm their newest member. it dont half hurt your hands, but when you're in that groove your mind goes blank- its almost meditative i suppose.
apart from drumming, i have been reading quite a bit, and found out the following interesting titbit- the following 'sins' are punishable by DEATH, according to the bible: birth control (gen, 38:10-11), homosexuality (lev, 20:13), psychic counselling (chr, 10:13), remarrying after divorce (matt, 5:32), overeating (psalm, 78:31), working on saturdays (deut, 31:15), disobeying parents (deut, 21:20-21), making fun of bald people (kings, 2: 23-24). i dont actually own a bible, so i havn't been able to check these out. i guess it's lucky Bush can barely read or he might start thinking of some more interesting ways to erode your human rights.
also today was my first day back working as a librarian, so expect more of Owens fun facts!
apart from drumming, i have been reading quite a bit, and found out the following interesting titbit- the following 'sins' are punishable by DEATH, according to the bible: birth control (gen, 38:10-11), homosexuality (lev, 20:13), psychic counselling (chr, 10:13), remarrying after divorce (matt, 5:32), overeating (psalm, 78:31), working on saturdays (deut, 31:15), disobeying parents (deut, 21:20-21), making fun of bald people (kings, 2: 23-24). i dont actually own a bible, so i havn't been able to check these out. i guess it's lucky Bush can barely read or he might start thinking of some more interesting ways to erode your human rights.
also today was my first day back working as a librarian, so expect more of Owens fun facts!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Getting Old
I'm getting old. I mean that has to be the reason right? Radios are too loud, people are too loud, things bother me so easily. I'm getting grumpy. Unless things are done correctly and in an efficicent manner i get super rage. So it must be that i'm getting old. Not to mention i'm forgetful and am constantly saying "what?" to everyone. I have bad knees and am joining older people in physical therapy. I am not in touch with the latest fashions or the newest electronics. All i want to do these days is not work, vacation, and sleep. I am running out of patience towards everyone. I hate stupid people............I really don't know where this blog is going or what my intentions were in the beginning of the blog. I'll stop this topic. I just wanted to say a couple of things is all.
Next week i only have to work three days. Then its Thanksgiving. I'm working all weekend at the civic and i think the next weekend too. I'm gonna burn myself out real quick. Maybe i'll back out on a shift. Ok i'm not going to bore you all anymore. I'm starting to sound like Randy here. ;)
Next week i only have to work three days. Then its Thanksgiving. I'm working all weekend at the civic and i think the next weekend too. I'm gonna burn myself out real quick. Maybe i'll back out on a shift. Ok i'm not going to bore you all anymore. I'm starting to sound like Randy here. ;)
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
The Video Game Conumdrum
I know there are only three of us that care about this topic on the blog, but I gotta vent. The video game industry has a serious problem. Its not keeping up with the current technologies. Huh? You say...but bear with me.
I like to play video games. I don't like to buy video games. A playstation 2 video game costs $50 dollars upon first release. I'm not saying that that's a bad deal necessarily, after all a good game can be hours and hours of entertainment. The problem is: How do I know if a game is good before I buy it? Here are my options:
I can rent it.
This is almost a non-option. The rental industry (Blockbuster, Hollywood video) have yet to take the game industry seriously. When a new game comes out, they buy one or two copies of it, and its usually not available for months. literally months. I have a hunch as to why this is the case. See when you buy a game, your object is to beat the game. On a game that isn't that long, you can beat it in the rental period (I did this twice with Gof of War) and then you don't need to buy it. I'll bet the Game Industry is charging a lot for the rental places to get the games in their stores so that gamers are encouraged to buy not rent. Services like Gamefly (online rentals) cost 22 dollars per month. Its cheaper to buy, unless you can find 5 games a month to rent, I couldn't.
I can read the video game magazines.
They have both previews, reviews and demo discs. They also cost $10 an issue. It would be cheaper for me to take my chances on buying games.
I can watch G4 tv.
G4 has a couple shows that review video games. Xplay for example. The problem here is that their programming is so eratic, you might catch a show from 2 years ago. Plus most shows have preview of games that the reviewers haven't played yet so you don't really know if the games any good when it comes out. By the time they get around to actaully reviewing the gameplay, I've probably already played it. Not only that, but the shows seem to be addicted to a 3 out 5 rating so games are always given an average rating, which tells me nothing.
Like books, movies, and music: 99% percent of video games are crap. How do I separate the crap from the good stuff without having to spend $50 a pop and without having to wait a year to play games?
I like to play video games. I don't like to buy video games. A playstation 2 video game costs $50 dollars upon first release. I'm not saying that that's a bad deal necessarily, after all a good game can be hours and hours of entertainment. The problem is: How do I know if a game is good before I buy it? Here are my options:
I can rent it.
This is almost a non-option. The rental industry (Blockbuster, Hollywood video) have yet to take the game industry seriously. When a new game comes out, they buy one or two copies of it, and its usually not available for months. literally months. I have a hunch as to why this is the case. See when you buy a game, your object is to beat the game. On a game that isn't that long, you can beat it in the rental period (I did this twice with Gof of War) and then you don't need to buy it. I'll bet the Game Industry is charging a lot for the rental places to get the games in their stores so that gamers are encouraged to buy not rent. Services like Gamefly (online rentals) cost 22 dollars per month. Its cheaper to buy, unless you can find 5 games a month to rent, I couldn't.
I can read the video game magazines.
They have both previews, reviews and demo discs. They also cost $10 an issue. It would be cheaper for me to take my chances on buying games.
I can watch G4 tv.
G4 has a couple shows that review video games. Xplay for example. The problem here is that their programming is so eratic, you might catch a show from 2 years ago. Plus most shows have preview of games that the reviewers haven't played yet so you don't really know if the games any good when it comes out. By the time they get around to actaully reviewing the gameplay, I've probably already played it. Not only that, but the shows seem to be addicted to a 3 out 5 rating so games are always given an average rating, which tells me nothing.
Like books, movies, and music: 99% percent of video games are crap. How do I separate the crap from the good stuff without having to spend $50 a pop and without having to wait a year to play games?
Sunday, November 13, 2005
The best laid plans...
Friday started off with good intentions. I intended to maybe go on a short hike to start the day right. You know, burn a few calories so I would feel better about myself later. Well it just didn't materialize. Then I went to Randy's at about one o'clock. Again, with good intentions. I wasn't going to go out and I wasn't even really planning to drink I thought maybe we could just goof off and play some music and some dominoes or cards. Well, I forgot the dominoes and lets face it, playing cards with Randy and Alex is trying at best. When they're up they're all smiles, when they're down they're all insults. And Randy will not allow the pace of the game to be slowed by conversations, thats when he starts in with all his funny funny nicknames, and tells you its your turn three times in a row. Like he'll call you by the brand of your t-shirt or by the soda you're drinking. HA! hilarious. I digress.
The seeds of dissent began to grow. In my mind I was in conflict. For a while it was fine. Alex had rented a new game we watched that for a while. When it turned out to be one of those games that are only fun for one person, things began to slow. A change began happening in me. "Where would this day go", I thought. All the recorded TV had been watched. All the DVD's had been played out. I knew one thing, i didn't want to spend too much money, i didn't want to go the Crown or Claim Jumper's or any of the old places. I started to panic about a night of boredom and Alex asking what we were gonna do every five minutes. Things went from bad to worse when Alex's. Then an idea began to start to take shape. Don't ask me where it came from, because I don't know... I thought to myself, how can I get all things I need for a Friday night like chips dip and beer and not go out. It occured to me that I knew how to make salsas and cheese dips. Not only would this stem the tide of our craving for snacks, but it would also be an activity that would take time and stave off the growing panic. I threw it out there. We settled on cheese dip. I suggested Velveeta, ground beef, tomato also know in my house as Chili con queso. What we settled on was Velveeta, Hormel Chili (no beans), and salsa. And lets not forget, lets NOT forget. A 24 pack of PBR $10.99 with our Ralph's card. I'm not going to say we weren't tempted by the 18 pack of Miller lite bottle's for $11.99 because we were. But we're not amatuers and we know the value of four extra beers for one extra dollar. In the end, I think it will be that same sense of value tht will ultimately prove our downfall, but I don't want to give too much away too soon. So we headed out with our mission in our mind. When we returned this situation had gone from bad to worse. Like troops returning home from war, met by hordes of spitting hippies, we had expected the reception of returning heroes instead we had a door slammed in our face. It was Alex's bedroom door. He was in the throes of agony over his Xbox having just taken a shit on him. He was in no mood for chips, beer and certainly not a prepared cheese product dip. We pressed on. I had been where he had been. My PS2 had taken a shit on me just months before. (he'd been bragging that his Xbox had never given him one problem. Karma can be a motherfucker).
Well, as Randy has previously stated the chili con queso was heavy on the queso and not so much on the Chili. Of course, Alex blamed me for not buying more chili because he was so damn pissed. The night was doomed. The only way to save it...Beer. Lots and lots of Beer. We laid into that PBR like parched men crossing the Sahara.
By the time Tom called, we were on the bottom layer of that two layer box. Lauri had arrived and all notions of staying at home had been pissed into the toilet.
We met Tom and Danny at the Crown with the intention of going to the Chalet from there. Yes, the one who didn't want to spend any money was now seekng out the most expensive drinks in town. Such is the influence of that insidious brown liquid known as beer. One drink at the Crown and we were on our way... to the Chalet. I can sum up waht happened at the Chalet only in brief statements because the memories are a little hazy now and are just a collection of images. Most of what I do know is reconstructed from eye witness accounts. So here we go. Stella Artois. Irish Car Bomb. Stella Artois. Walk Lauri to car. (Lauri's leaving could be trouble). Back to the bar. Finish Stella Artois. Blurred images. Some sort of shot. Tom saying, "she bought us shots because she likes us.." she being the six shooter bartendress, and the reason the Chalet was overflowing with dudes that night. Danny doesn't want his shot. Pete does and drinks it, his second, before anyone can stop him. Projectiles from Randy's covered mouth, splash on Pete. Better Pete than one of the many dudes there that night. Exit the Chalet. Driving on the freeway home. Randy and Alex, asking Me questions or perhaps just talking amoungst them selves, wither way I'm getting upset. I yell, "I can't understand what your saying so just stop talking." Somewhere in thier alien talk I get that they are trying to ask me where I want to go. "Lauri's!" yeah let her deal with this mess I've become. I entered the Chalet a sensible man and left a lobotomized lump who no longer had control of his higher faculties, like language. I don't blame the Chalet though. It was all the fault of our overblown sense of value. It doesn't matter what you do afterwards, dusting a 24 pack is gonna lay you low everytime. Well, I go to Lauri's and immeadiately went to a very...very...very dark place. All solids, liquids, and prepared cheese products were immeadiately expelled from my body. You can imagine Lauri's joy to see me. (She got flowers on Sunday when I had reagained control of my body.)
As you can imagine. Saturday was spent vommiting, dry heaving, vomitting and dry heaving again. When I threw up at 9:30pm Saturday night, I was begginning to think they punishment didn't fit the crime. Lauri can tell you about my hangover cylce. I believe its punishment from God and not actually a result of extreme bodily abuse. Oh and I forgot to mention the part where I woke up on Saturday morning, in addition to the hangover, with a left knee that felt like it had been hit with a baseball bat. No one seems to know how this happened. I have my theories. Maybe I fell coming back to the Chalet after walking Lauri to her car. I would have been alone and wouldn't have remembered. Maybe I twisted it while kneeling over the toilet for like two hours. Maybe Lauri actually did hit it with a baseball bat after I had passed out for the night as punishment for showing up incoherent and expelling my innards at her house at 1am. Lord knows she would have been justified.
Am I proud of these events? No I'm not. Did I have fun that night? If I did I don't remember. Did I learn my lesson? Time will tell. Did it make a pretty good story? you tell me.
I started off with good intentions.
The seeds of dissent began to grow. In my mind I was in conflict. For a while it was fine. Alex had rented a new game we watched that for a while. When it turned out to be one of those games that are only fun for one person, things began to slow. A change began happening in me. "Where would this day go", I thought. All the recorded TV had been watched. All the DVD's had been played out. I knew one thing, i didn't want to spend too much money, i didn't want to go the Crown or Claim Jumper's or any of the old places. I started to panic about a night of boredom and Alex asking what we were gonna do every five minutes. Things went from bad to worse when Alex's. Then an idea began to start to take shape. Don't ask me where it came from, because I don't know... I thought to myself, how can I get all things I need for a Friday night like chips dip and beer and not go out. It occured to me that I knew how to make salsas and cheese dips. Not only would this stem the tide of our craving for snacks, but it would also be an activity that would take time and stave off the growing panic. I threw it out there. We settled on cheese dip. I suggested Velveeta, ground beef, tomato also know in my house as Chili con queso. What we settled on was Velveeta, Hormel Chili (no beans), and salsa. And lets not forget, lets NOT forget. A 24 pack of PBR $10.99 with our Ralph's card. I'm not going to say we weren't tempted by the 18 pack of Miller lite bottle's for $11.99 because we were. But we're not amatuers and we know the value of four extra beers for one extra dollar. In the end, I think it will be that same sense of value tht will ultimately prove our downfall, but I don't want to give too much away too soon. So we headed out with our mission in our mind. When we returned this situation had gone from bad to worse. Like troops returning home from war, met by hordes of spitting hippies, we had expected the reception of returning heroes instead we had a door slammed in our face. It was Alex's bedroom door. He was in the throes of agony over his Xbox having just taken a shit on him. He was in no mood for chips, beer and certainly not a prepared cheese product dip. We pressed on. I had been where he had been. My PS2 had taken a shit on me just months before. (he'd been bragging that his Xbox had never given him one problem. Karma can be a motherfucker).
Well, as Randy has previously stated the chili con queso was heavy on the queso and not so much on the Chili. Of course, Alex blamed me for not buying more chili because he was so damn pissed. The night was doomed. The only way to save it...Beer. Lots and lots of Beer. We laid into that PBR like parched men crossing the Sahara.
By the time Tom called, we were on the bottom layer of that two layer box. Lauri had arrived and all notions of staying at home had been pissed into the toilet.
We met Tom and Danny at the Crown with the intention of going to the Chalet from there. Yes, the one who didn't want to spend any money was now seekng out the most expensive drinks in town. Such is the influence of that insidious brown liquid known as beer. One drink at the Crown and we were on our way... to the Chalet. I can sum up waht happened at the Chalet only in brief statements because the memories are a little hazy now and are just a collection of images. Most of what I do know is reconstructed from eye witness accounts. So here we go. Stella Artois. Irish Car Bomb. Stella Artois. Walk Lauri to car. (Lauri's leaving could be trouble). Back to the bar. Finish Stella Artois. Blurred images. Some sort of shot. Tom saying, "she bought us shots because she likes us.." she being the six shooter bartendress, and the reason the Chalet was overflowing with dudes that night. Danny doesn't want his shot. Pete does and drinks it, his second, before anyone can stop him. Projectiles from Randy's covered mouth, splash on Pete. Better Pete than one of the many dudes there that night. Exit the Chalet. Driving on the freeway home. Randy and Alex, asking Me questions or perhaps just talking amoungst them selves, wither way I'm getting upset. I yell, "I can't understand what your saying so just stop talking." Somewhere in thier alien talk I get that they are trying to ask me where I want to go. "Lauri's!" yeah let her deal with this mess I've become. I entered the Chalet a sensible man and left a lobotomized lump who no longer had control of his higher faculties, like language. I don't blame the Chalet though. It was all the fault of our overblown sense of value. It doesn't matter what you do afterwards, dusting a 24 pack is gonna lay you low everytime. Well, I go to Lauri's and immeadiately went to a very...very...very dark place. All solids, liquids, and prepared cheese products were immeadiately expelled from my body. You can imagine Lauri's joy to see me. (She got flowers on Sunday when I had reagained control of my body.)
As you can imagine. Saturday was spent vommiting, dry heaving, vomitting and dry heaving again. When I threw up at 9:30pm Saturday night, I was begginning to think they punishment didn't fit the crime. Lauri can tell you about my hangover cylce. I believe its punishment from God and not actually a result of extreme bodily abuse. Oh and I forgot to mention the part where I woke up on Saturday morning, in addition to the hangover, with a left knee that felt like it had been hit with a baseball bat. No one seems to know how this happened. I have my theories. Maybe I fell coming back to the Chalet after walking Lauri to her car. I would have been alone and wouldn't have remembered. Maybe I twisted it while kneeling over the toilet for like two hours. Maybe Lauri actually did hit it with a baseball bat after I had passed out for the night as punishment for showing up incoherent and expelling my innards at her house at 1am. Lord knows she would have been justified.
Am I proud of these events? No I'm not. Did I have fun that night? If I did I don't remember. Did I learn my lesson? Time will tell. Did it make a pretty good story? you tell me.
I started off with good intentions.
Wow I really did nothing today!!
Hi everybody what's going on? I am just sitting here at work, it's 5PM on a Sunday and I have my days off coming up. That's right I just had Thursday and Friday off now I am getting Monday and Tuesday off. I think it is part of a conspiracy to not allow me to get ahead on my work or maybe the less they see of me the better. Maybe they are tired of the round eye.
So anyway yeah I have two days off. I really don't know what to do on a Monday and Tuesday but something will hopefully open up for me. Well what else is going on . I don't want to make my post boring.
A quick comment here:
I bought some Jolt Cola remember that stuff. Well I bought twelve of them and they come in these really big cans. 24 oz. I think. I had two this weekend to wake up before work and I must say for the most part they worked. Although today better than yesterday, but yesterday I don't think much would've helped. Too much drinking the night before. So anyway about the Jolt, I think I made a good investment, Pete. I do not believe it was a waste of money and yeah whatever.
Gosh I wish I had more to write about. Last Thursday I hung out with Tim, Alex and Lynlee(hope that's right). I got way too drunk way too fast but I did have 4 large High Lifes at The Boat. Then we went to Claim Jumper and had 2 pitchers. By then I was pretty much done, but according to Tim their night had just begun as what can only be referred to as a whirlwind trip around Pasadena drinking. I unfortunately went home and passed out by like 10PM lame I know.
Friday we went out but drank beforehand and needless to say I got pretty trashed Pete said he yelled at me in the car but I don't remember that so I forgive him. I had an issue with regurgitation but it was only a bad burp, you know what I mean.
Alright I don't have much more to say I hope everyone has a great week this week and stray tuned for my exciting recounts of Monday and Tuesday days off. I am sure it will be riveting.
So anyway yeah I have two days off. I really don't know what to do on a Monday and Tuesday but something will hopefully open up for me. Well what else is going on . I don't want to make my post boring.
A quick comment here:
- Sheila I am so sorry for making that lame-ass stupid wisecrack about your cat. After typing it out I realized how stupid and mean-spirited it was. I apologize.
I bought some Jolt Cola remember that stuff. Well I bought twelve of them and they come in these really big cans. 24 oz. I think. I had two this weekend to wake up before work and I must say for the most part they worked. Although today better than yesterday, but yesterday I don't think much would've helped. Too much drinking the night before. So anyway about the Jolt, I think I made a good investment, Pete. I do not believe it was a waste of money and yeah whatever.
Gosh I wish I had more to write about. Last Thursday I hung out with Tim, Alex and Lynlee(hope that's right). I got way too drunk way too fast but I did have 4 large High Lifes at The Boat. Then we went to Claim Jumper and had 2 pitchers. By then I was pretty much done, but according to Tim their night had just begun as what can only be referred to as a whirlwind trip around Pasadena drinking. I unfortunately went home and passed out by like 10PM lame I know.
Friday we went out but drank beforehand and needless to say I got pretty trashed Pete said he yelled at me in the car but I don't remember that so I forgive him. I had an issue with regurgitation but it was only a bad burp, you know what I mean.
Alright I don't have much more to say I hope everyone has a great week this week and stray tuned for my exciting recounts of Monday and Tuesday days off. I am sure it will be riveting.
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