DollarShots

The beginning of Fall

2011-10-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

I've been writing a lot in a journal I started to keep after I quit writing on this blog a little more than a year ago, mainly because filling up pages in a notebook was more fulfilling to me than sitting down in front of a computer and typing for a while.

Today I was writing yet another entry and became nostalgic for a moment that happened not too long ago. Going back, reading what I was thinking at the moment made me realize that I make so many mentions to see things I see around me, and how those things influence my actions for days afterwards, I feel the need to return to a digital medium. Not only because I can incorporate items (pictures, news articles, websites) that influence me, but also I can look back and experience these things again - for good or bad.

While I get back into the blog writing, I plan on playing with the template as well - I half-heartedly attempted to incorporate the blog on to my website, but that's turning out to be more work than I'm willing to invest. Looking down the road though, I can see it will ultimately be where I end up putting all my content. I'm happy to be back - and looking forward to posting things on here rather than FB/Twitter.

Nap Time

2010-05-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

I've found myself napping more and more during the long week days that I try to fill with applying for jobs. In the event you haven't applied for a job in the recent past, it's an entirely new animal that I thoroughly hate. Signing up for every fucking job site is so annoying, just makes me want to take a nap.

The State of the Republican Party

2009-11-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

"The Republican party has a favorable rating of 23% and an unfavorable rating of 66%. (Democrats are at 42%-50%). Republicans in Congress have favorable-unfavorable ratings of 15% and 70% (Democrats are at 40-53). If this is a resurgent party that has captured the national mood, I'm Herbert Hoover.

It's no coincidence that voters give Republicans such abysmal ratings. The Republican party stands for absolutely nothing other than the pursuit of power. For 30 years, the Republicans have claimed to stand for 3 things: (1) small government (2) family values and (3) strong national defense. They don't actually stand for any of these things, and it's not clear that they ever did.

The small government myth Reagan and GW Bush loved to talk up their small government bona fides, but each spent like there was no tomorrow, running up unprecedented deficits and debt. Small government also seemed to get put aside when it came to the bedroom and privacy. Reagan and Bush both supported a constitutional amendment prohibiting abortion. Bush also supported a constitutional amendment prohibiting marriage equality for same-sex couples. Not exactly libertarian positions: in each case, the goal was to use government to enforce specific religiously based prohibitions on private activity. Bush did Reagan one better when it came to civil liberties. This champion of small government presided over an era of warrantless wiretapping, torture, and government-sponsored propaganda. (That last point is not my opinion, it was the conclusion of the Government Accountability Office.) Republicans cheered on Bush's campaign against civil liberties at every turn, arguing it was necessary to provide security. And then, when it became painfully clear that only government could save the mismanaged economy from the worst disaster since the Great Depression, Republicans couldn't line up quickly enough behind Bush to support government bailouts of failed corporations.

Family values-just a slogan Republicans have chattered on about family values for decades, but elected Republicans who fail to meet these standards often pay no political price. Mark Sanford, John Ensign, and David Vitter are just a few prominent Republicans who believe family values are only something you gush about when you want to fool voters into thinking that you're an old-time moralist committed to clean living and righteous indignation. Of course, when it comes to other peoples' families, especially gay and lesbian couples seeking to marry and raise families, it's time for a heavy dose of sanctimony.

Republican bungling of national defense The past three decades are filled with examples of disastrous decisions Republicans made that undermined our security, starting with Reagan's and the right wing's backing of the mujahideen in Afghanistan (they called them "freedom fighters", but it turned out their ranks included some guy named Osama Bin Laden). Reagan's administration also came up with the nifty idea of trading arms for hostages, which meant selling arms to Iran and using the proceeds to fund another merry band of freedom fighters in the mold of Paul Revere - the murderous contras. Once again, GW Bush would not be outdone. In August 2001, he brushed aside a memo warning of Bin Laden's determination to strike the United States. After the memo proved terribly prescient, Bush proceeded to invade a country that had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks, diverting resources from going after the people who actually had attacked us. A National Intelligence Estimate explained that Bush's misguided decisions had left us less safe, and his administration handed over two unfinished, mismanaged wars to its successor.

If the Republican party does not actually stand for its supposed core principles, what does it stand for? Essentially, a very focused quest for power and the willingness to use smear tactics, lies, and fear in an effort to achieve that goal. Whether it's lying about death panels, health care coverage for undocumented immigrants, or President Obama's uncanny resemblance to Adolph Hitler, the Republicans and right wing have set new standards for indecency. Just as they've broken new ground, they always seem to go further-witness yesterday's anti-health care reform rally where elected Republican officials spoke to a crowd that included someone waving a sign reading "National Socialist Health Care: Dachau, Germany 1945" above a stack of piled corpses from a Nazi death camp. It might make some people feel better to dismiss this as an isolated example, but the Nazi comparisons are coming fast and furious, and elected Republicans are condoning or even joining in on the "fun".

Some progressives say-good, no problem. The Republican party is falling apart and rushing to back uninformed extremists who can't win elections--so be it. I see the logic, and in the short-term, the Sarah Palins and Doug Hoffmans of the world may be electoral losers. But so was Barry Goldwater in 1964. 16 years later, the Republicans nominated a presidential candidate who would have been too extreme in previous elections but won two easy victories in the 1980s. He was followed by the even more extreme George W. Bush. Pushing the envelope makes me nervous. Extremism starts to seem normal. We've already seen that with some of the over the top rhetoric-it has become commonplace for right wingers to denounce Obama and the Democrats as Nazis, Marxists, terrorists.

I don't want to take the chance that extremists who take over the Republican party, or perhaps establish a third party, might ultimately see electoral success. I would much prefer to see the few relative moderates who remain in the Republican party gain control, even if it makes the party more palatable to voters. Richard Lugar, Chuck Hagel, and even Olympia Snowe don't scare me. Mike Huckabee, Michelle Bachmann, Dick Armey, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and Sarah Palin do. The latter group is aiming to make the extreme mainstream. Some are doing it for ideological reasons, others may be exploiting fears simply because they see a path to victory. Either way, the lack of a functioning media is allowing these extremists to pass themselves off as mainstream, and that's not good for anyone."

It is going to be really interesting in the coming elections these next few years seeing how the Republican's can reinvent themselves, or more accurately, can they reinvent themselves.

New office, new people

2009-08-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the extended delay in posting. It's seems I never have time to just sit down and type, in part though because I haven't had a computer since January. It's been more or less a good thing, I've been able to get a lot of things down around the house, been reading quiet a bit.

Last week I made a change to a different department at work, I haven't really gotten my mind around the change yet. The work is basically the same, but there are different procedures and processes for things and has made me very uncomfortable and I don't like it at all. I'm at the point to where I'm looking for a different job in the area. We'll see how that pans out.

More later...

Doin' Time

2009-03-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

The lengths to which the police in this country will go, to apparently raise revenue in a world where shrinking operating budgets have become the norm, continues to shock me. I should have known I was going to run in to problems heading to the border. I just should have known..., what I didn't figure is that I would end up in the nastiest of jails and my car impounded.

After I picked up my friends from the airport on Friday evening, we began the journey to Puerto Penasco. We were making great time and stopped at the Circle K in Ajo. Went to the bathroom (surprisingly clean), bought a few snacks, and it was on the road again. It wasn't more than 5 miles outside the town we spotted a sheriff, and on came the lights. I was initially pulled over for a burned out license plate light, but then it was discovered I had a suspended license. About two years ago Jon and I had gone to Laughlin for a semi-vacation to see my grandparents..., while leaving I was pulled over and ticketed for going to slow in the fast lane (I was going 30 in a 40). Well, I didn't think much of it. Somewhere along the line I misplaced the ticket and never thought of it again. Well, after non-payment, the court suspended my license.

Fast forward to Friday night, because my friends were not family members, they could not take possession of my vehicle, and it had to be impounded. I called around to see if friends could make the trip down to pick my lugagge and friends up...luckily I have great friends.

So I spend the night in the Ajo jail, in the morning Jon makes the trip from Puerto Penasco to pick us all up, and down to Mexico we finally went. Laid on the beach, got entirely too drunk, and that's that.

Now, Monday, I have since paid off the aforemetioned ticket..., and tomorrow after work I'm going to battle the MVD to get my license in order. My court date is 4/7 in Ajo...so much fun. More updates later.

Mexico

2009-03-25T18:47:00.001-07:00

I've been out of commission for the past few weeks, because of several reasons. It's allergy season here in Arizona now, and my allergies are much worse here than back in Minnesota. So much so that some days are nearly debilitating, I've joined the pill-popping crowd for about a month. Throw in that, my birthday, and not having a computer..., I haven't been online in quite some time.

So I've purchased a cheap laptop ($420 after tax!) and I'm back on the tubes. I figure I really just need something to get me through the home purchase, then I'm going to invest in an Apple. I feel my creative outlet has really been stifled and looking to breakout in to the marketing work in some capacity. Surely I won't be working for the man all my life.

Tomorrow I head to Mexico for some relaxation, not that I deserve or need it. A friend from work owns a home in Puerto Penasco, about 3.5 hours southwest of Phoenix, that's a nice little getaway that's right on the ocean! And with a sweet deal, you can't turn it down. I'll post some pics of the crystal clear water, beautiful people sure to be there for spring break, and my ice cold drinks I'll be enjoying all weekend long.

The Weekender

2009-03-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

I wish I could have a great big count down til my move in day, unfortunately I don't have a definite date. I kind of think this is unusual even though I don't know the normal procedure or time period needed to secure the underwriting, but I still think it's taking too long. I'm just going to chalk it up to my impatience, have another drink, and enjoy this unbelievable weather we've been having. I'm blogging in shorts..., just shorts, on the patio, with a glass of Scotch, and glancing up ever-so-often to watch the sun go down past the mountains (what a change of scenery).

These past few days have been entirely too much fun. HoYin and I went to see The International, and although I'm beginning to think Clive Owen is becoming typecast into a jaded, scruffy, and sometimes clumsy character victim of happenstance, I enjoyed the movie. I wish the trailer would have given less away, but the movie has its twists and turns, I'm happy not everything is spelled out.

I've been concerted in watching what I've been eating, and aggressively..., that's too harsh...umm, progressively becoming more active after work. My typical routine after work brings me home, a small walk with the dog, dinner avec Wheel of Fortune, the some reading before bed. Now, I'm fitting some aerobics (typically a 90 minute jog, lifting light weights, and a lengthy stretch), an abnormally well-proportioned meal where I eat until I'm full instead of til the food is gone, and minimal TV. I can all ready see results, which only drives me harder.

This is one of my current obsessions, and although it's not the best audio quality, it's one of those songs....if it doesn't move you, I feel sorry for ya.

A place to call home

2009-02-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

For the past few months I've been making offers on properties, hoping that one of my low ball offers would go through. The Phoenix area has been hit hard by the foreclosure wave, if not the hardest in the country. Most of the homes I've found need some major care, not just some new paint and carpet, I mean like a major remodel. Being not the most handy around the house (even though I strive to be self-sufficient and think of myself as sort of handy), I opted to try a different approach. Rather than just finding the best deal, I did some research on specifically what I wanted in the home, and then narrowed down my search to a specific neighborhood.

I decided to stay pretty close to where I'm renting my apartment now. It's basically the best possible location - it's close to a major park (if not the biggest in the area), the age distribution skews younger, close proximity to work so I'm able to bike, and in the North Tempe / South Scottsdale area. The home had to have a pool, preferably a three bedroom/two bath, with minimal carpet. Using those criterion, I located nearly the perfect home for a great deal. It turned out to be a short sale with a decent facade, and minimal upfront work for me to move in. I should be closing on the loan sometime this week, which is fortunate for me as my lease is up in five days. Yay!

Milk

2009-02-22T19:24:00.001-08:00

This is from a blog I regularly read, its topical and informative..you can view more at towleroad.com (link on the side).

30 Years Later
Dustin Lance Black

I grew up in a very conservative Mormon military household in San Antonio, Texas. I knew from the age of six what people would call me if they ever discovered my “secret.” Faggot. Deviant. Sinner. I’d heard those words ever since I can remember. I knew that I was going to Hell. I was sure God did not love me. It was clear as day that I was “less than” the other kids, and that if anyone ever found out about my little secret, beyond suffering physical harm, I would surely bring great shame to my family.

So I had two choices: to hide—to go on a Mormon mission, to get married and have a small Mormon family (eight to twelve kids)—or to do what I’d thought about many a time while daydreaming in Texas history class: take my own life. Thankfully, there weren’t enough pills (fun or otherwise) inside my Mormon mother’s medicine cabinet, so I pretended and I hid and I cried myself to sleep more Sabbath nights than I care to remember.

Then, when I was twelve years old, I had a turn of luck. My mom remarried a Catholic Army soldier who had orders to ship out to Fort Ord in Salinas, California. There I discovered a new family, the theater. . . and soon, San Francisco.

That’s when it happened. I was almost fourteen when I heard a recording of a speech. It had been delivered on June 9, 1978, the same year my biological father had moved my family out to San Antonio. It was delivered by what I was told was an “out” gay man. His name was Harvey Milk.

"Somewhere in Des Moines or San Antonio, there is a young gay person who all of a sudden realizes that she or he is gay. Knows that if the parents find out they’ll be tossed out of the house. The classmates will taunt the child and the Anita Bryants and John Briggs are doing their bit on TV, and that child has several options: staying in the closet, suicide. . . and then one day that child might open up the paper and it says, “homosexual elected in San Francisco,” and there are two new options. One option is to go to California. . . OR stay in San Antonio and fight. You’ve got to elect gay people so that that young child and the thousands upon thousands like that child know that there’s hope for a better world. There’s hope for a better tomorrow."

That moment when I heard Harvey for the first time . . . that was the first time I really knew someone loved me for me. From the grave, over a decade after his assassination, Harvey gave me life. . . he gave me hope.

At that very same moment, without knowing it, I became a pawn in a game of political power wrangling that is still shedding blood from DC to Sacramento, El Paso to Altoona.

In the following years, I watched careers, political and otherwise, cut short through revelations of this or that official’s sexuality. And in 2004, I looked on with horror as a President won re-election by pitting homophobes against gays and lesbians. If there had been a Harvey Milk, if there had been a movement of great hope and change, I certainly couldn’t see it from where I stood four and a half years ago when I started this journey to tell Harvey’s story.

Thirty years after Harvey Milk was assassinated, in the summer of 2008, with antigay measures on the ballot in several states, I tuned in to the Democratic National Convention to see how his message had fared. Back in 1972, Jim Foster, an openly gay man, stood up in front of the convention and on prime-time national television said, “We do not come to you pleading your understanding or begging your tolerance, we come to you affirming our pride in our life-style, affirming the validity to seek and maintain meaningful emotional relationships and affirming our right to participate in the life of this country on an equal basis with every citizen.” What did I hear at the DNC in 2008? Almost nothing. And then there was the Republican National Convention: Sarah Palin, John McCain, flashy, divisive, patriotic speeches. And even there, not a mention of gay or lesbian people. . . bigoted or otherwise.

I imagine Harvey would be surprised that words like these would still be needed in 2008. What went wrong? Why did the GLBT community lose a civil rights fight that Harvey could likely have won thirty years ago?

To me, the answers are clear. GLBT leaders today have been asking straight allies to stand up for the gay community instead of encouraging gay and lesbian people to proudly represent themselves. The movement has become closeted again. The movement has lost the message of Harvey Milk. Who is to blame? The philosopher George Santayana said so long ago, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I didn’t grow up with any knowledge of GLBT heroes, but there are many. I didn’t grow up with any instruction about GLBT history, but it is a rich history, filled with valuable, universal lessons. It is only in recent years that Hollywood has agreed to risk its dollars on films that depict gay protagonists, and only now, thirty years after Milk’s assassination, that Hollywood has agreed to risk its dollars to depict one of the gay movement’s greatest heroes.

Now, thanks to the bravery of directors like Gus Van Sant, producers like Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, and companies like Michael London’s Groundswell and Focus Features, I was given a shot at creating a popularized history that young people, GLBT leaders, and our future straight allies can look at and learn from. With this and the many other films I hope will follow, perhaps we are not doomed to keep repeating the same mistakes of our past.

But even in these difficult times, all is not lost. By example, Harvey taught us that from our darkest hours comes “Hope.” The night after this year’s election, I attended a rally against the passage of Proposition 8, and the speakers onstage were mostly the folks who had waged the failed, closeted “No on 8” campaign. Yes, they were saying inspiring, fiery words about the injustice. Yes, there were some cheers, but mostly the mood was restless. And then something magical happened.

The young people in the crowd started to move. Perhaps it was instinct, perhaps they knew more about their own movement’s history than the folks onstage, perhaps they just weren’t willing to continue the current leadership’s policy of closeting and good behavior. They started to move. They marched away from the stage. They started to march out of the gay ghetto of West Hollywood and up to a straight neighborhood. Within minutes a public march, eight thousand strong, had begun. It looked almost identical to Harvey’s marches up Market Street in San Francisco in 1977. Young people, old people, gay people, lesbians, bisexual folks, transgender ones, and many, many straight allies marched up to Sunset Boulevard, took over the city, and started doing what Harvey had talked about. They started giving a face to GLBT people again. They showed the world who was hurt at the ballot box the night before. They came out. They weren’t asking straight people to advocate for their rights. In their chants and on their signs, they demanded equality themselves.

In 1977, Harvey Milk claimed Anita Bryant didn’t win in Dade County when she overturned all of their gay rights laws. He claimed that the defeat in Florida had brought his people together. It seemed the same thing had happened thirty years later.

And yes, those demonstrators on television, and Harvey’s message in theaters, are exceedingly important in the continued fight over Proposition 8, but they are important to me for another, more personal reason. . . because I feel certain there is another kid out there in San Antonio tonight who woke up on November 5, 2008, and heard that gay people had lost their rights in California, that they were still “less than,” and I know all too well the dire solutions that may have flashed through his or her head.

Those demonstrators on television sets all across the country aren’t just making a statement against the bigotry of Prop 8; they are sending a message of hope to that child in San Antonio: “You are not less than,” “You have brothers and sisters and friends, thousands of them,” “There is hope for a better tomorrow,” and like Harvey said, “You can come to California. . . or you can stay in San Antonio and FIGHT.”

These photos and the accompanying quotes from my research interviews in this book don’t tell the story of a man born to lead, but of a regular man with many flaws who did what many others wouldn’t . . . he did what his people need to do again today, thirty years later . . . Harvey Milk stood up and fought back.

Dustin Lance Black
November 2008
Los Angeles

Vegas

2009-02-15T19:39:00.000-08:00

Just got back from Vegas, although didn't win big I had a good cheap vacation with HoYin and Jon. This time we actually stopped at the Hoover Dam.

Clearly you don't go to Rogue

2009-02-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

Went out with the gang today...initally was going to head out the danceclub, like Forbidden or something, but then just opted to head to Rogue. Rogue is the infamous bar near my place, we've had several great times here, it's nearly impossible not to. They play great music, have a pool table that's cheap, and darts.

Rock 'N Roll Marathon

2009-01-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

Liz talked me in to volunteering at the PF Chang's Rock N Roll Marathon, so here I am, up at 0545 on a Sunday, because we have to be at the finish line by 0700. Mind you the actual marathon doesn't start until 0800. I'll repeat that...it doesn't start until 0800. So we stood around for a while, waiting for the racers to come in..., but once they did it was like a war zone. People throwing up on one side, collapsing on the other. Craziness.

Boston!

2009-01-12T18:53:00.000-08:00

I headed to Boston for the weekend to see a good friend Alicia, who I met in San Fran when Evie was still living there. Alicia, who's a traveling nurse, is living in Boston for a few months before heading to Africa. I'm so jealous!

We had such a good time..., it was basically just a nice relaxing vacation for me, so we played it cool. Didn't do too much, but that was the point. Hit up some of the local bars in her area, ate some great Italian food, had a gay bar night, shopped at a delicious bakery (for drunk night food), and caught a showing of the Blue Man Group...which I had never seen before. I don't remember the theme of the show, but it had something to do with tubes. At the end of the show there was a bunch of toilet paper thrown around. Good time!

Christmas Cheer

2008-12-28T17:09:00.000-08:00

I think most of you know my hesitation for going home, especially during the holidays; however, this year I had really no excuse not to go. I smuggled Mocha on to the plane, her carrier looks just like a small carry on bag...and provided that I block people, pets, and kids from her sight she makes no noise. This was essential, as NWA charges $250 one way, for the privilege to bring a pet on board.

My parents recently moved in to this new home, and although I had seen the home previously when I was home in September, I hadn't seen the home during winter. It's really quite a difference, and going from 60 degrees or so to -30 degrees was a welcome change. We went skiing, tubing, and generally just enjoyed the outdoors. I miss it. So did Mocha, she jumps like a deer through the snow..it's a sight.

My grandparents came over for an early dinner one day. It's always a pleasure to see them...they are so pleasant to be around. I know that might sound weird...why, Ryan, would it be weird or unpleasant to be around grandparents. Well, I know some of my friends' grandparents can be downright mean...so yeah.

My brother and his girlfriend stayed the weekend I was home too..., it's good to see he's making progress with school. At the time he was still working part-time at Circuit City, but acquiring a job where Hannah (his girlfriend) works. My youngest brother is precocious as usual, using words he has no business even knowing yet. I see a lot of him in me when I was that age. Ahh, to be young again.

Thanksgiving break

2008-11-30T19:49:00.000-08:00

There was a whole host of things that I wanted to get done during the Thanksgiving Weekend break from work including: reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, organizing my vast picture/music collection, do a few loads of laundry, and finally thoroughly clean the kitchen. Sadly, the one item I really wanted to get done (read Alice) I didn't even start...but its something I've committed to doing. I want to read the book before the movie comes out. I recently saw a picture of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter...awesome!

My realtor called on Wednesday afternoon with some bad news, the bank holding the condo property countered my offer. I told him I didn't want to purchase the property at that price, so it's back to the search. I've found some interesting prospects, including some foreclosures that appear financially benefitial. One, in particular, is a five bedroom three bath, two-thousand square feet home just north of where I live for a ridiculous price. And, just in case I was wondering, horses are not allowed.

I'm always trying to make friends...now I know what I can't make any.

Condos and Poles

2008-11-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

So we're just a few days from Thanksgiving, and I'm a few weeks from potentially being a homeowner! The prospects are very exciting, and although I'm not purchasing the condo for its investment opportunity, it has the potential to be a great investment.

Work has been good lately, most of the office has been slow except for a few of us. There has been a large push for training during this lull in work, so a good number of workers have been training, while myself and two others are continuing to work on customer work. It's good to stay busy and I love being outdoors, so the precons and field checks are a great break in the day.

X, her boyfriend, myself, and HoYin went out dancing recently. X was wanting to get on that pole all night...she finally did.

Vaca, pt. 2

2008-10-02T21:49:00.000-07:00

Monday -

I arrived around noon on Monday, didn't really do much this day beyond getting my barrings. I had an awful lamb souvlaki lunch/dinner, then strolled around Plaka at browsed the shops and restaurants. It was a very relaxing pace from Paris. I signed up for a Delphi trip as soon as I got to the hostel, I didn't want to miss out considering it was so cheap. We leave tomorrow at 0845. I found out pretty quickly that the language barrier was going to be an issue. The words are very hard to decipher, and most of the population I have encountered so far does not speak any English. So my theory and practice so far and from here on out is to find the youngest adult I can find on the street if I have a question. More than likely they will have learned some English. Also, I bought a charger on the plane here (about $12), so I'm able to charge my iPod and fall asleep quickly. I just have to find a blackberry charger now...

Tuesday -

I had no problem waking up early and ready for the trip to Delphi, I had to be up around 0600. The hostel serves an absolutely terrible breakfast, some weird bread that we are supposed to toast to make edible, and some hard boiled eggs. The hostel is run and over-run with Aussies, so this might be a typical Australian breakfast. As we were walking towards the coach, I noticed right away there was going to be this Spaniard I was going to obsess over...sigh, I miss HoYin. It's difficult to be in such romantic places without my love.

So we make the 3 hour trip to Delphi, and en route our "guide" told us that she wasn't a licensed guide yet, so we would have to pretend that we were all just friends going to the site, and that she wasn't actually giving us information. Right. So basically like five steps in to the place the official came right up to her and a confrontation ensues. Most was in Greek, so I had no idea what was being said, but it was awkward and heated. And right at the end when the official was content that she was just going to come along with us and not give us information (but still clearly saw through the, "we are just friends seeing the site" routine), some ego-centric Belgian pilot came up and said, "we're trying to pretend like we are friends and that this isn't our guide." We all looked at each other perplexed, the official just shook her head and then preceded to follow us for a good distance just to make sure Zoe ("guide") wasn't telling us anything of importance. I was somewhat unimpressed with the site, because for some reason I thought the Oracle at Delphi and related structures were on a cliff, overlooking an expanse of some grandeur. As we made our way up the hill, Zoe would tell us to take pictures of things that might not see significant, and that she would tell us about them later. *note, had I known that this was going to be a post-visit photo guided tour, I would have paid less. So we saw the sights, and on the way back we stopped in the town of Arcovia, where most of the buildings sit at a 90 degree angle with the mountain, quite impressive considering the area has frequent earthquakes. Apparently it's used by the Grecians as an Aspen-esque town, where people go to fake ski on the mountain above, then come in to town with apres-ski outfits, look pretty and spend a lot of money. I had a great time though, I met some good people which I will probably continue to hangout with for the rest of the week. Three people in particular, Kat(ie?), Guy and Kip, all from Britain, I hung out with a lot That night, we decided to make plans for a day trip the next day to Sounio, at the tip of Attica (coined the southern most point of the Balkans) where the Temple of Poseidon is.

Wednesday -

We all awoke around 0800, headed down for our terrible breakfast, and headed out around 0900. It took around 2 hours to get to Sounio, but it was worth the trip. For anyone that has ever driven along the Californian coast, that's what it's like. Expansive views of the sea, windy fast roads. It was great. As we approached the Temple, I thought to myself, this is what I thought the Oracle at Delphi was going to be. High on a cliff, the ocean crashing onto jagged rocks below. It was just so great. After the 20 minute experience of looking at the Temple, we had the intention of going down to the beach for the day. It was a five minute walk down a rustic path littered with napkins and other trash...but when we got there it was just picturesque. The perfect serene beach picture, complete with sailboats anchored while the wealthy explore the Temple above. We spend much of the day there, alternating between basking in the Mediterranean's bright sun and floating in a complete state of relaxation in the salty water. We had lunch at the cafe near the beach. Our return trip was much less thrilling, as we opted for theinland route figuring it would be nice to see something different. We ended up stopping at every bus station from Sounio to Athens, in the suburbs..., so it took about three hours to get back home. I was so tired and clearly a little burned, I went right to bed after we got back.

Thursday -

The four of us met in the lobby again today and had intentions on going to the ancient cemetery. Along the way, the clouds looked a little more blue then the typical morning gray cover that disappears around 1100 or so...we figured it was going to rain. So we saw the cemetery, which was interesting, and then headed to the National Archaeological Museum. It was very interesting and expansive, but I'm glad I didn't have to pay the full ticket price. Thank god I brought my student ID, it has saved me probably 100 euros so far. After the museum, we headed back to the hostel to make lunch, then headed to the National Gardens. Sort of like their Central Park, it's full of winding paths, animals interspersed, with ancient ruins. We caught the changing of the guard, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, caught a late dinner full of drinks and conversation. It was nearly 2200 and as we paid the bill it started to downpour. We tried to wait it out but the rain did not relent, so we made the five minute run to the hostel. It was the Brits last day, so we said our goodbyes, our facebook adds, then I went to bed.

Friday -

I went to see the Acropolis, ancient agora, Roman agora, cemetery, and Monastiraki.

Saturday - Tuesday (11 days)

Met up with Andy, and headed to the Islands. Our first stop is Mykonos, the gay island. What a great time that was...the white-washed buildings, salt in the air, great beaches..., I can't wait to go back! We rented scooters and explored the whole island. The next island was Ios. We scored a great place called Hermes, a hotel with an amazing view of the ocean (pictured). After that we headed to Santorini, the island of the black sand beaches. Amazing.

Vaca, pt1

2008-10-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

I decided to start my vacation in Paris, my good ol' back up anytime I'm feelin down...it's always there for me. I really don't need any plans here, I can always stroll into a neighborhood and become ensconced in the everyday life of a Parisian. One of the few cities that makes me feel at home. I flew in on a Friday, and spent most of the day just trying to stay awake, fortunately at nearly every corner one can find a cafe. I did a little people watching around the Notre Dame and Marais areas, and attempted to find where some of the gay hot spots might be. My plan, dare I say, had been to go to at least two gay clubs in the Marais area while I was there (mission accomplished). At any rate, went to bed around five o'clock on that Friday due to jet lag.

Got up early on Saturday, did some shopping at the farmers market in the Latin Quarter, brought my goods to the gardens around the Louvre, and enjoyed the brisk Fall environment. I spent most of the day reading up on my next destination: Greece. I basically used the time I was in Paris to learn about Greece, specifically about Athens, its environs, and the islands. Saturday night I caught a movie near the Eiffel Tower, then headed to one of the few clubs for some drinks and dancing.

Sunday I awoke very early, caught up on some emails at the hostel, then headed to the airport for my trip to Athens. I am now feeling the affects of my stupid decisions the first day I arrived in Paris. I thought it would be a good idea to look good on my initial trip to Europe, so I wore some nice but comfortable clothes, and some good dress shoes. The thing I neglected to remember is that I wouldn't be able to check in to the hostel until later that day, so I was stuck walking the streets of Paris with raw feet. I was glad to be leaving such a romantic city, missing HoYin a lot, it was hard not to think of him...not only being in such a love-filled city, but to see gays roaming the streets freely and showing their love with fear of what others might do. Ugh, the U.S. has so far to go in terms of social equality, it's disgusting. Also, on a side note, I wanted to shoot myself in the fuckin head for not remembering my power adapter. Now I have a useless iPod and a camera with three batteries, thank god I charged all of those before I left.

Vaca

2008-09-28T00:46:00.000-07:00

So I've been keeping a journal of my daily travels, lest I just haven't had the time to transfer them on to here...and to be honest I didn't really want to waste the time in front of a computer typing it all when I can write all the info down on the beach with a drink.

Things have been going really good...I feel relaxed, just enjoying the sites and sounds of Greece and recharging those batteries. Today I meet Disch, then we head to the islands...although we didn't do the timing really well because most of the travel agencies are closed today (Sunday). It just makes for a more interesting trip to the port, not knowing if we'll make it on to the ship. But my trip has been a shoot-from-the-hip experience anyways, I'm just going with the flow and seeing where it takes me.

While in Athens I went on some really interesting and random day trips to some surrounding ancient sites which really made the time there go by fast. Everyone had said that 6 days sounds like a lot in once place, but a combination of not having been here before and day trips, I can't believe it went so fast. And again, I'll write more about that later.

A New Club

2008-09-05T22:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a random picture I took a couple months ago when we received a lot of rain, and the desert hills turned green! We actually had flowers everywhere.

Yesterday I had an eventful day. After work, I biked down to ASU to meet HoYin. He was busy at the Rec Center for about an hour, so I tooled around campus. Oddly enough, even though I live so close, I have yet to actually walk around for an extended period of time. I've met people there for lunch and whatnot, but not really just to stroll around or people watch.

So after HoYin was done, we biked around and had the intention of hiking up A Mountain, but decided to go play dodgeball with a club he just joined instead. It was way too much fun, I felt like a kid again back in elementary school. Mr. Holcolm's 3rd grade class was a complete waste in terms of learning, but I gained so much experience in Battleship, Trench/Dodgeball, Pogs, and finding other ways to completely waste a day.

RNC & The Daily Show

2008-09-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

During the down times at work when I'm waiting for things to load, I get a chance to catch up on my favorite TV shows that I miss. Family Guy, The Colbert Report, and my particular witty favorite The Daily Show. Last night was superbly fantastic.

Possibly the best daily show clip ever:

It seems the Republican hypocrisy runs rampant this year at the convention. The Daily Show's episode last night was particularly harsh. Possibly the most ridiculous statement to date, since the announcement, was that she has profound foreign policy experience because Alaska "borders" Russia. Beyond the geographical error (Alaska borders Russia just as much as Great Britain borders France), how often did the Governor of Alaska deal with Russia? So much so she acquired her first passport last year to visit the Alaskan national guard in Iraq.

In related news...

School district may ban kids who are failing classes from going to prom, athletic events. Associate superintendent says kids' core business should be learning, and not "dropping it like it's hot." link

A long, winding road ahead

2008-09-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting, I know it's been a while. I'm going to make a concerted effort to change that. Coincidently, my last post about Oktoberfest is going to be soon repeated as I'm heading back there soon.

So these next few weeks are going to be pretty interesting for me. Seventeen days and counting I leave for Europe, and will be there for nearly a month. I'm pretty excited, as one should. All I can think about is laying on a Greek island somewhere (where TBD), being served some sort of tropical concoction by a scantily clad Greek boy, basking in the golden Mediterranean sun. But, I still have to wait those seventeen days...so until then I'm back to work tomorrow.

Things have been going really good on the relationship front. I've gone on a few more "dates" with someone special...the pic is from hiking in Sedona with him. It was a great weekend full of athletic activity, not all of which was outdoors.

Oktoberfest Trip Day 5

2007-10-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, September 25th

Awoke at 530Am per my alarm, figured we could use a little extra sleep because our train wasn't until 724AM and we didn't stay too far from the station. An hour later I wake up and head for the shower, notice Jon is still not up and I wake him. He flips out, saying we're not going to have enough time to get to the train. I proceed to the shower and bathe accordingly. As I walk back up the stairs, I hear a lot of noise in the hallway....It's Jon trying to get all his things together. "You've got two minutes," as he frantically threw his stuff into his ugly, newly acquired suitcase and accessory backpack. Apparently he went downstairs while I was in the shower and had a cab ordered toute suite.

I went back to get my things, all of which had been scattered by someone else's ridiculousness, meanwhile I find his passport under my suitcase. Moron. I should have played around with im, but he was clearly all ready stressed and I figured I'd spare him a heart attack.

All was well, we made it aboard the train with 20 minutes to spare, enough time to finish the breakfast we bought. This time the train was uneventful, as we didn't have to worry at every stop whether or not we would have to move again.

Also, yesterday we finally had contact from both Andy and Cameron, as I was able to get my phone working agin. NOTE TO SELF: consult phone directions before going overseas. Andy had been in Amsterdam then to Cologne, while Cam flies in today around 130PM in Munich. We all plan on meeting today around 3 at HBF platform 1. While we were on the train to Stratfurt, I realized we were arriving at a different station PBF (on the outskirts of the city) than others, so we'll see how that goes.

After two somewhat arduous 3 hour train rides, we arrive in Munich - it just so happened that the HBF stop was right before the stopped we had paid to get to, PBF. Perfect. Along the way it looked miserable out...cold and rainy, and even though that meant my feet would be wet, I welcomed the change of weather. And, as it turns out, today and tomorrow both would have similar weather.

Because Disch read my messages on facebook, he knew what time and from where our train would be arriving, so fortunately he arrived not only before us, but was waiting alongside our platform. Cameron shortly after followed suit, although I was disappointed he was not sporting his Harry Potter gear. I had assumed scarf, some sore of ridiculous and tight shirt, mesh athletic shorts, long tube style socks pulled knee high in a bright color, and finally some Havanas. And a beret.

Having listened to people for several months literally complain about me not having hotel reservations, it had finally got to me. Deep down I'm really never that worried while traveling, because when I travel I'm on vacation, and what's the point of taking a vacation and then worrying all the time? Also, Disch had connections at several hoteliers in which he is guaranteed a room, so that helped too. As we walked out of the train station, there were literally dozens of hotels and hostels in the area, so we tried the closest one. It looked relatively nice and was only 243E/night, which works out to about $80pp/night. I had budgeted for $150/night, so I was pleased with both the location and quality.

Although it was still somewhat gloomy the majority of the day, we decided to check out the Oktoberfest festivities anyways. There wasn't a whole lot going on this day, so we sat down at one of the tents a enjoyed the rest of the night with steins of Paulaner and giant Bretzles.

Oktoberfest Trip Day 4

2007-10-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, September 24th

Today was a day of bets.

I woke up pretty early today to get a good start. Grabbed a small roll and some juice, and I headed off via the Notre Dame to the Louvre area. It was surprisingly dead there, and most of the people there were Asians. I followed the river west towards the Louvre, stopping at random places, browsing the products, flowers and eccentric people. I scoped out a furniture store nearby that had an interesting array of furniture in both color and fabric. Very cool. I also bought some nice sunglasses that I'm both sporting now and like a lot. I snapped some pictures of the Pyramids, Jardin des Touleries, & the Arc d'Triumph. Lunch was an interesting adventure as I wasn't quite sure what I had ordered or where I was, but it made for great conversation and good food.

Our afternoon was pretty similar to yesterday in that we drank at a bar across the street from our hostel. We wanted to make an early night of it as we had an early train tomorrow, Wednesday. That was all fine and dandy until, of course, I went to bed drunk...I was up nearly all night, took a shower, wandered a little.....all of these had direct implications on the next mornings events.

Oktoberfest Trip Day 3

2007-10-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

Monday, September 24th

Today was my quest to correct he ticket mishap from yesterday, and drink as much as possible in order to gain somewhat of a tolerance to the inevitable heavy drinking that would occur in several days. Jon and I split up, he wanted to go see some touristy things and because I've all ready seen all that, I opted to return the tickets and meet him in a couple hours at the Eiffel Tower.

It was somewhat overcast today, a perfect fall day with a light, but crisp breeze. Parisians wearing their scarves and related fallware, it makes me miss a four season year rather than the two season AZ. The Latin Quarter is still somewhat green, but a small gust of wind filled with fallen leaves and that distinctive rustic smell put a grin on my face and a bounce in my step.

I was optimistic walking into the train station as on previous tickets the phrase "exchangeable/reimbursable" appears. Thankfully I only had to wait 30 minutes or so to speak with someone who spoke English, because my French vocabulary is definitely not vast enough to explain the situation. Because the company which issued me the ticket was a German company (DB), and not the company that administers the trains in France, I was going to have to mail the unused tickets back to receive the credit. Fortunately, because we were traveling back to Munich on Wednesday, I should be able to get a credit then....in theory.

After dealing with that, I headed back toward the Eiffel Tower to meet up with Jon. Although I purchased day-passes to the Metro for both of us at the train station, I decided to hoof it across town through smaller roads to get the small atmosphere/neighborhood feel. I stopped and had a coffee on the way with a crusty croissant, the kind that melts in your mouth, enjoying the people passing by, watching the steam for the coffee disappear into the fall breeze. What a relaxing vacation! That's all I could think, and making a vow to do this a lot more often.

Along the way, I was a little worried my feet wouldn't hold up because I had only brought two pairs of shoes that were more about fashion than function or comfort. The park to the south of the tower has become a breeding ground for beggars, much more so than the last time I was here. Nearly every 100 feet, or every 10 seconds if you're standing still, some Middle Eastern or East European looking lady says, "Do you speak English?" If you oblige and say yes, she opens up a folded piece of paper that has some sob story written on it, and that I should giver her money for her troubles. The first or second time I can politely muster a no thank you...but when I start running into the same beggars 10 minutes later, I can barley hold back a Fuck You.

I met Jon near the south pillar after I had waited for 10 minutes or so, we thought we had enough touring for the day and headed back toward the Latin Quarter to find a bar. That was basically the end of the day except for meeting some Brits in our hostel, then talking until 1 or so until an Aussie got really mad.

Oktoberfest Trip Day 2

2007-10-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday, September 23rd

I woke up around 700AM to enjoy the crisp air and the smells of Fall (for some reason I completely lost all sense of seasons, and was shocked and embarrassed that I didn't realize it was fall...but in my defense we don't really have seasons in AZ, just hot and hotter). As I sat out in the living room, it was apparent that I was the least drunk the night prior...as Jon and Andy stumbled around throughout the morning. But, I was really excited to go back to Paris and use the French that I'm losing at a steady pace.

We scrambled to get to the rail station as we ultimately got a late start (surprise? no.) With only a few minutes to spare, we successfully boarded a train to Frankfurt HPF in order to purchase a EuroRail pass. Arriving in Frankfurt, and knowing we only have 20 minutes or so to both buy a pass and grab breakfast in order to make it back tot eh queue in time, we just searched for the line to buy tickets.

Arriving just in time at Carlsfuhre, our layover in route to Paris, we board the first TGV train I've been on. Whenever I think of TGV trains, Mission Impossible shoots into my brain...I don't know why, I didn't even like the movie. At any rate, while searching for our assigned seats, I realized (after the train was all ready in motion) that the clerk we bought the tickets from in Frankfurt gave us tickets for the wrong day. I had to buy another set of tickets (another 186E). I had all ready accounted, mentally and financially, for a fiasco such as this, so I really wasn't too worried about this.

Four hours later, we arrive at Gare de l'Est and not quite sure where to go. I knew we were staying in the Latin Quarter, but I neglected to print out a map en route to the hostel. After locating the region our hostel, I took Jon on his first Metro ride. We had to walk several miles after existing the Metro due to some missed turns but all in all we made it to the hostel and it couldn't have been in a better location. That night we pretty much took it easy, had a few drinks and headed to bed.

Oktoberfest Trip Day 1

2007-10-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

Battling jet-lag proved yet again to be a formidable enemy this trip. We got in around 630AM in Frankfurt, about 30 minutes late due to several delays in both Phoenix and our layover in Philadelphia. Jon's friend Andy was waiting for us on the other side of customs which was very beneficial as, despite advertised claims, our phones were having trouble picking up service. Having all ready rented a hotel room in Hanau, the nearest Army/Air Force base to Frankfurt, we rented a car and headed out.

I knew, at lease on some level, I would have some problems with my check card...my bank always finds one way or another to screw me over. As soon as we got to the base, I figured obtaining some Euros was in order. Attempted to get 200E, declined, message: card limit $288.75 Being the cool customer I am, I figured I'd just take 100E a day and take it as some sort of spending governor.

We went to the local store, stocked up on some beer, pizza, and related drunk food...come to find out we neglected to see if we had an oven.

A few movies were on AFN, and Jon was tired, so we stayed around the hotel until 4ish having all ready taken a tour of Frankfurt and accomplished the few things I wanted to do in the area. For dinner, and quite possibly the highlight of the whole trip, we ate at a family restaurant "Gasthaus Valinins" in the middle of a forested no where that was absolutely amazing. We ordered a 2-person schnitzel platter that puts shame to Gastauf's in Minneapolis and was too much for us to eat...with 3 very hungry, very large Americans. Along with a typical German salad, a coll, tall Heffewiesen, sitting by a private lake looking like something straight out of a Northern Minnesota setting...it couldn't be beat.

After, we headed back to the hotel to both drop off the car and grab some beer, as we planned to head downtown Frankfurt for the night. We scoped out some of the bars and clubs in the red light district, but settled on O'Reilley's, a British/Irish pub near the train station. We made some friends, has some beer, but most importantly had a great time. Jon sang Mr. Jones, which I'll upload a video of, to illustrate both the setting and our drunken debauchery.

Jon and Andy, but more so Andy, had been tempted by the disgustingly large and busy 8-story whore house, and took a 45 minute to hour break from the bar for some extra-curricular activities. The thought of how many men these women had been with tonight, let alone this month or year turned me off even more so than the obvious...but reminds me of a Family Guy quote and although I don't know the accuracy, I like to say it anyway. The world according to Stewey,..."Is it even worth it anymore or is it like throwing a hot dog down a hallway."

Bob Saggat

2007-09-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

What isn't there to love...

Ditto

2007-08-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

On Friday evening, Xanthia called and wanted to go out for dinner and drinks. Jon came along, freshly single, to Casey Moore’s down by campus. Knowing that Patrick is back in town, I called him as well. He only lives a couple blocks away. He said he’d come out for a couple drinks, but was heading downtown to a club to meet some chick; this club also had free vodka drinks for an hour (strangely familiar to another bar in Minneapolis). So Jon, Xanthia, Patrick and I spent about an hour and a half at Casey Moore’s, racked up about $120 in drinks and shots, then headed downtown.

Liz was working at the US Airways Center about two blocks away, so she joined us around 10. On the way downtown, I inquired to the club, lo and behold, it was Burn….I place I’ve been to now a few times, each more drunk than the next. It is labeled a “gay club,” but there is so much diversity there, I’m not sure how it still maintains that label. So, as promised, free vodka drinks for an hour….it turned into a drunken fiesta and I’ll leave it at that.

On Saturday, I pretty much laid low, spent most of the day by the pool as I was going to be out and about that night. Going to the Cardinals game wasn’t as fun as I had hoped, the seats were OK, not the best….but hey, they were free. We left around half time, pre-season games are never a whole lot interesting after that. Jon and I went to Philly’s to watch the rest of the game. I went to bed somewhat early as I had a long day Sunday with the golf tournament.

The Duke golf course is about 45 minutes away in Maricopa. It wasn’t the best golf course, but it was my first tournament and I had a lot of fun. I golfed with Dyson, Seminara, and Jon. I would have done much better had I not gotten a 15 on a par 3…but overall I had fun and did OK. The heat and humidity were nearly unbearable if it were not for the several Bloody Mary’s and beers. I got home around 3:30 or so, headed straight for QT, then directly to the pool where Liz and Jono met me. Nothing like an exhausting day but spending the last few hours of daylight in the pool, watching drunken frat boys and sorority girls do their thing. X joined us later, around 6:30, laid around the pool for a bit more then headed back to my apartment for dinner. I ordered a bunch of food from the local Chinese restaurant; I seemed to please everybody including the vegetarian (who I earlier referred to her tits as “feta cheese funbags”….she’s Greek).

Alien

2007-08-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

Today started off a little rocky. I woke up a little late and didn’t have time for the breakfast I had wanted. Lately, I’ve been eating a healthy, fiber-filled meal to start out the day as I normally snack and eat junk food the rest. So I hurry up, shower and whatnot, get to work about 5 mins late (which really isn’t that big of a deal). But when I got to work, that’s all I really wanted to do…is start working – but normally everybody sits around and chats for like 30 mins. Everybody kept bugging me, finally I just said get out of my cube…I was so over it. It doesn’t really sound as bad is it was, I said it to Jon….but now he’s all mad at me for some reason.

I have had numerous meetings today that I really didn’t need to be at. It is such a waste of time considering what I have on my plate right now. But I feel good overall cause I discovered some new bands last night that I’ve been listening to all day; if it wasn’t for music I’d lose my mind.

I scored those Cardinals tickets for Saturday night I was talking about, I’m pretty excited…they should be good seats. It’ll be the first football game I’ve gone to in a really long time. I’ve managed to attend a Suns, Diamondbacks, and Coyotes games so far….I really haven’t been too impressed, so hopefully I’ll have more fun this weekend.

Last night was my weekly golf league and I did better than expected despite the 110 degree heat. I had some really good drives, long and straight, without a driver. I can’t wait until I get some new clubs…I’m looking at the Nike TP series, pretty spendy but I’d like to get some good clubs this time around. Speaking about spending money, I’m looking to buy my Europe tickets this or next week…as I leave for Europe in less than 5 weeks. Oktoberfest is going to be so much fun, I can’t wait.

Red Lettuce

2007-08-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was probably the longest day of work I’ve ever had; coming back from two weeks of vacation and trying to stay focused is a feat I have yet to conquer. Unfortunately not only did I have a bunch of work that was time-sensitive, but also I didn’t have any meetings to break up the day at all. This week is going to be pretty long, as I have a new development coming up that is going to be very time consuming – further, I’m paired with a DDC that couldn’t care less as he’s about to retire. Actually, it makes me do my job better, as I have to catch not only my stuff, but his stuff too. Today shouldn’t be that bad, as Wednesday’s are my shorter days due to golf. 110 degrees and 4 hours outside…not my typical idea of fun, but I love to play golf.

I might be going to the Cardinals game on Saturday night, tickets are in the works. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if I couldn’t go though, I have a golf tournament the next morning on the other end of the Valley, so a good nights rest (that wouldn’t happen if I went to the game) would sure be nice. I have a recently established handicap of 10, so at least that makes me a little bit competitive even though I’m not really that good. At least I’m out there, meeting higher-ups, getting out of the house, being active.

Last night was kind of an impromptu outing with Xanthia and Jon. We meant to just go out and get dinner, but it turned into meeting people, drinking more than I probably should, but overall having a really good night. Sipping on Jameson 18 has become something I really enjoy. Ok, I suppose I should get back to work….meetings meetings and more work.

Updates, more updates

2007-08-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. Suffice it to say I’ve been very busy – especially these past few days. Two weekends ago I started my nearly month long vacation first in San Diego. Having never been to San Diego, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect except for the fact that it “stays classy.” (It’s all right, you can laugh at that) Jon and I packed up my car for the five hour drive, and we headed out Thursday morning. We drove down through Yuma. I have been there before but not any further west on I-8…the sand dunes were amazing and reminded me of Morocco. I only wish I had an FJ, the dunes were so inviting and I guess a lot of people from Phoenix go down there during Thanksgiving, so I doubt it’ll be the last time I visit. We get there around two or three in the afternoon and it couldn’t be nicer. Sunny with a cool breeze, 75 degrees…come to find out that it’s always sunny with a cool breeze, and 75 degrees. We spent a lot of time just seeing the city with Jon’s cousin Brett, watching surfers, etc. On Friday night we went downtown to go bar happing and stop at a condo Brett’s coworkers owned. $559,000 sure doesn’t get you much square footage, but it was in a prime location right across from one of San Diego’s hopping clubs. Brett and his friends are the kind of people I like to hang out with, they work hard during the work week, but know how to have a good time on the weekend where money really is not as important as having a good time.

{go back and change the part about my car}

We rented a car for this adventure, that was an adventure in and of itself, and ultimately got a Dodge Avenger. Had it not been for Jon driving like he was in a race, it probably would have been a little cheaper gas wise, but overall it was a good choice. We initially wanted a convertible, but they were really too expensive and not worth the cost.

The drive back as boring, as trips back home normally are, but I was pretty excited to get home as I was flying back to Minneapolis the following day. When I got back home, I took it easy and laid around at the pool with some sangria and pomegranate mojitos.

The flight went smooth out to Minneapolis, I tried to upgrade to first-class but four people were in line ahead of me for three available upgrades…maybe next time. I got in around 9:30, got my rental car around 10, and went to the 90’s first to meet Carlie and Becky for a drink. I was able to catch up with them, see Corey, and a few others there that I haven’t seen in a while. Good times.

After that, I met up with Carla, Mike, Kate, and others at Jet Set. It was good to see Mike, he’s sporting some new facial hair that, umm, is hot. I tried to keep things low key for the night as the following night would be ridiculous because of the party bus.

The next morning I went up to my parents house for breakfast, shower, and pick up some things that I couldn’t bring down on my first trip to AZ (skis, boots, etc.) Then headed down to the cities again for brunch at the Dinkytowner with Cam, et al. followed by a shopping extravaganza where I discovered Martin+Osa. Evidently it’s a new store/line with not a whole lot of stores nation wide, but I love the clothes and the way they fit.

That night I was a little worried about the attendance for the party bus. Kate and Aida thought there would be around 40 people, possibly enough people to where we would need to start turning down people…however I thought it would be the other way around, as the bus was supposed to arrive around 10 and only seven people arrived by then. But it was all good in the end, with a semi-full bus (enough to cover the costs), and a grand old time. Cam and I actually ditched out early from the last bar, The Front, and went to the Saloon to dance and whatever. I don’t particularly like the Front, so anywhere would have been nice. I met up with Alejandro, who I hadn’t seen in quite a while.

I didn’t get to bed until 5AM, sleeping in my rental car, when Xanthia rolls up at 7AM sharp to pick me up to start our journey back to AZ. I’m not entirely sure what I was thinking by staying up nearly all night (well, I do *wink *wink….but you get what I mean), but I was able to “sleep” most of the way on Saturday…unfortunately the car was absolutely packed so the seat couldn’t recline, and I was too big to lean over to the window all the way…so I basically had to rest my head on my chest. My neck still hurts. BUT, we made it to Phoenix in really good time, only stopping to get gas and to eat dinner in South Haven, Kansas. We rolled into town around d9AM on Sunday, making it about a 26 hour drive.

Now I have to work for two days, but leave again for Minneapolis on Wednesday with plenty of pool time with my newly arrived friends. I’ll have more to post later!

A Day of Independence

2007-07-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

Independence from my vices, that is. It would be great to go a day without temptation -- but, I suppose that would take away the fun of being alive. It makes things difficult, but at the same time I'm glad, that I have no religious beliefs else the overtones of eternal damnation would also dwell in my all ready full brain.

I don't recall what I wrote in my previous post but I've done a lot in the past few weeks to keep my life interesting. I've met a few people that have opened some doors for me -- able to go out to bars / clubs, concerts, etc. Two weeks ago I went to the Kathy Griffin concert...who was absolutely hilarious, I can never get enough of her.

I might be flying home mid July for a housewarming party for Dylan and Michele. In addition to being a blast, I haven't seen those guys in such a long time...way overdue. But I all ready booked my flight for the weekend of Aug. 9th and Aug. 17th. The earlier week I'm flying back Thursday night, meeting some folks downtown, Friday night party bus, Saturday morning getting in a car/U-Haul and driving avec X, Liz, and Liz's cousin back to AZ THEY ARE MOVING HERE!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am, even though I've made a few friends, it'll be nice to have a good base of friends that I can rely on.

Who in their right mind told Paula Abdul that a reality show would be a good idea? Talk about the epitome of a train wreck. Good TV, yes...but you'd think her publicist -- or her -- would realize she looks like a drugged up psycho with major problems.

Nothing Better

2007-05-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

There's no denying these past few weeks have been most interesting, most of which I really can't go into...but it's been a combination of meeting new people, new places, and a new soundtrack on life.

Lately I've found myself becoming addicted to songs that, after I learn what the lyrics actually are, resonate through my life as if it were destiny. I'm not sure if this rings true with other people, but if a song has terrible music, it really doesn't matter what the lyrics are...conversely if the song has great music, it really doesn't matter what the lyrics are. At least this is the way I feel, and it doesn't happen too often that I become ensconced in a song and later find the lyrics are absolutely great.

Will someone please call a surgeon
Who can crack my ribs and repair this broken heart
that you're deserting for better company
I can't accept that it's over
And I will block the door like a goalie tending the net
in the third quarter of a tied game rivalry
So just say how to make it right
I swear I'll do my best to comply
Tell me am I right to think that there could be nothing better
than making you my bride and slowly growing old together

I feel I must interject here
you're getting carried away feeling sorry for yourself
with these revisions and gaps in history
so let me help you remember
I've made charts and graphs that should
finally make it clear, I've prepared a lecture
on why I have to leave

so please back away and let me go

I can't my darling I love you so, oh oh
tell me am I right to think that there could be nothing better
than making you my bride and slowly growing old together

Don't you feed me lines about some idealistic future
Your heart won't heal right if you keep tearing out the sutures

I admit that I have made mistakes
And I swear I'll never wrong you again

You've got a lure I can't deny
But you've had your chance so say goodbye
say goodbye...

The Postal Service - Nothing Better

Today at work my boss' boss' boss had a meeting with our department and our current status of the enormous backlog that has no end in sight. He claimed that over the past several years he made it apparent to the general manager and the board of director's the impending situation that we are currently in, and just last month made a presentation to them using the words, "Corporate Crisis." Evidently this finally got their attention and a massive shifting of resources is finally on there way to helping us. Rolled into this restructuring, which will take place for one year, there is a very lucrative incentive package for achieving this year goal. We have yet to find out what the incentive package is, but I was told it's somewhere around a 30% wage increase for a determined amount of time. This does look like a substantial amount of money, but considering we're only talking about 50 or so employees with a company of over 5,000...and a few hundred thousand dollars of a company that makes over 300 million / year, it does make one put things into perspective. But this has become a "corporate priority" impacting the rest of the company....so it's bound to make things interesting with potential to make me a regular, full-time employee.

Make my day

2007-04-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

If any of you out there have a little extra cash, or just feel that I need a present...here are some ideas of late that would tickle my fancy...some are a little less expensive than others:*This is a MacBook Pro*

Icky Thump

2007-04-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a pretty cool dust storm which lasted about 40 minutes to an hour. Below are some before and after pictures I took. The storm blew through at about 3 o'clock just before Jon, John, and myself were headed to the SRP Steakfry where John Michael Montgomery was performing...it's pretty nice working for a large, governmental company that we can bring semi-famous people to play and company parties.

I thoroughly hated most of the event, as I don't like country music for the most part, and I really didn't know anybody except for the 4 or 5 people from HMC, the department I work in. I"m just happy Jon was buying my booze.

I had tickets to go to the Diamondbacks game today against the Giants, but I couldn't find anybody else that wanted to go. I should have just went, because it was absolutely beautiful outside today...although I'm not sure if Chase Field is an indoor or outdoor stadium. Probably should have checked on that first before I made my decision, oh well.

Mocha has enjoyed her time down here so far. It definitely is a climate change for her, she's been panting most of the time we are outside, but I have to condition her now else she'll be miserable during the summer. Today it 102 for the first time of the year. She loves to lay out in the sun, whether inside or out.

I haven't figured out what I'm going to do during the summer in terms of working out. I do have a membership to the gym down the street, but I'd really rather run, hike, or bike outside. Time will tell I suppose.

Ok, here are the pictures from the storm....before and during.

Can you take it all?

2007-04-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

Ha, I realize the other meaning...but nonetheless this is going to be a big post.

I'll start from Thursday, the day I left for Minnesota. It started as an incredibly slow day waking up around 4:30-5:00ish as I normally do, but not having to work that day and my flight not leaving until 4:30PM it made for a very boring morning. So I decided to go into work around 9:30 or so, doing some tedious things that would occupy my mind so I didn't intently focus on my impending extravaganza. Well, it didn't work and I ended up at the airport 3 hours early and at the bar (not necessarily a bad thing).

I flew into the Humphrey terminal; the people picking me up not knowing my text "HHH Door 6" meant Humphrey terminal door 6, drove to the Lindberg terminal door 6. 45 minutes later and chatting it up with the 3 or so couples that were still left waiting for their rides' as well, I informed them that it may be quite a scene (henceforth known as the "STANDING OVATION" only because the sheer ridiculousness of the greeting/screaming/yelling of the 'scene' requires an additional stamp of acknowledgement) when the people picking me up got there. I'm glad I warned them. And to a grandeur STANDING OVATION, Xanthia, Liz, and Maggie swept me from the airport quickly to Uptown via downtown St. Paul. (pause for thought,....yes, downtown St. Paul).

We ate at Chino Latino, meeting: Cam, Sarah, Kate, Aida, Kizzy (+1), Carla, Ned, and Xavi. It was superb, both good food and good friends. A great nostalgic moment of times past. Staying with Liz for the weekend, we returned to her place knowing that the rest of the weekend would be very trying on our alcohol consumption and energy tolerance levels.

Friday morning and afternoon I spent back in the suburbs with the family (minus my middle brother, as he had to work). My parents and I had lunch, did some errands, it was just good to spend some time with them as I'm sure they felt the same. My dad did make the comment, "I'm glad you're spending 1/8 of your time back with us." Overall, actually, I'm glad I am only spending that much back home. There's something about the suburbs that makes me not only very bored and sleepy, but the whole atmosphere reminds me of high school and other times I'd rather not relive. At any rate, I was really looking forward to that night.

We (Kate, Liz, Maggie, Xanthia) decided to have a nice dinner out on the town. Outside of me looking bloated (I don't know why the picture looks like this), this is a picture of me, Liz, and Xanthia and Psycho Suzie's meeting Pat and Candace before dinner. It was really good to see them, if for only a little bit. I always enjoy their company. It was probably the most composed and mature picture of the night, because as it turns out we'd all be fatuously drunk.

After our pre-game at Psycho Suzie's, we hopped a cab downtown to Solera where we were having our late dinner. Kate and Maggie were running late, so we decided to be seated and have some drinks beforehand. Well, that turned into ordering, more drinks, more ordering, and more drinks. At the end, our tab was around $200,...not really that bad considering. Following dinner, we were in the mood for more drinks and dancing...so we went to bootleggers, in my opinion not the best place for dancing considering it's like a frat house with a bar that's taking money. More pictures and drunken frivolity followed, but then we went to the 90's for dancing. Oh boy, did we dance. My hip hurt the next morning. How ridiculous did it get? This picture should sum it up...I really only wanted my hair in the picture apparently...

Saturday was a day of rest and recovery. Liz and I layed around the house until 3 or so. Then we went to the mall, the only obvious thing to do when still a little drunk and still a lot hungover. The mall was incredibly hot as it was very busy...so we did the only thing reasonable and predictable in this situation, we rode the roller coaster. We also did some shopping...I got some new shoes and a hot shirt that yesterday (a week after my trip back to Minneapolis) I got many compliments from people that really don't even talk to me nor know my name. Nice!

Saturday night we all went to Aida's play where the intimate theatre was ungodly hot. I'm talking sauna, no-clothing but still sweating buckets hot. I'm talking so hot I de-robed myself. Me. But we went to Town Hall afterwards where my tan was, I thought, uncharacteristically apparent. Everybody had been telling me how tan I was (except for my parents), and I really didn't see a difference. Here's a picture to better illustrate their point, I suppose.

Sunday I spent the morning and a little of the afternoon slacklining, throwing the ball around, and just hanging out with Casey, Kizzy, Maggie, Toby, Brian, and Jenna and Lake Calhoun. It couldn't have been a better Sunday morning. So relaxing, I really felt on vacation there...a little weird though, I have to admit, being on vacation in Minneapolis. Sunday I went home for dinner, got the rest of my belongings from home, and headed back down to Liz's for our final night....gay bar night. Yikes. I knew it was going to be a fun night...but not this fun. It was a typical gay bar night, I suppose, but it was that much more fun having everybody there, excited I'm back...and on top of that I saw someone who I've had a crush on for a while. Going to school for pretty much the same thing I did, with similar interests, and good looking....well, I had a great time dancing and whatnot. Also, Carlie and Becky gave me a magnet with Monica dressed as Mary Catherine Gallagher (my favorite routine).

All-in-all it was an absolutely great trip back. Although I do regret not seeing everybody I had wanted to because my phone died, what was all ready apparent to me before is even more evident now. I have absolutely, unequivocally the best friends. It did take me a little while to realize and weed out the ones that were really not in the "relationship/friendship" for mutual gain/benefit, but now that I have a good circle of friends it makes me really happy.

...and I'm off

2007-04-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting at the airport bar, for the past hour or so, and I still have about another hour and ten minutes. I seriously cannot escape Mexican food / Texmex / Quasi-Mexi-infusion establishments.

I'm told that it's nearly the same temperature in Minneapolis than in Phoenix, so I'm not going to experience the snow-fix that I so desired.

Yesterday I went out afterwork with a few buddies to a place I really didn't want to go to. It was quite a few miles away, and I kind of had plans to meet this other guy I mentioned in previous posts to watch some play-off hockey. So there I am, sitting outside...windy as all hell. The bar we were at, Dos Gringos, took it upon themselves to hang about 2000 flags. I'm serious, no less than 2000 little flags are hanging above the bar area. So, being windy as it could possibly be without a non-precitipitation advisory being issued, I'm drinking my beer and trying to converse with somebody sitting literally a foot away from my face. Not possible.

So I left a little earlier than everybody wanted, in order to meet Patrick down on Mill. My battery is about to die....more later.

Day Job

2007-04-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

It's only two days until I head home for the first time since I left and I'm super excited. We have a few things planned including happy hour at Chino Latino's, dinner on Friday at Solera, and Sunday night drunkedness at the 90's/Saloon. Hopefully as many people said would show up, show up.

I've been looking pretty seriously into buying a new car. Well, whether 'new' is acutally 0 miles or not, I'm not sure. I have my eye on the Audi A6, black, tinted windows; I'm not sure if I want to get nice rims, don't want to be too ghetto.

I'm at work right now and there's seriously someone who looks and acts like Angela from the Office. She always has a terrible look of discontent and dissatisfaction...and her attitude is such. She never says Hi...she's someone I would not want to piss off, just in case she ever gets fired and wants to seek revenge in something that would most definately make the nightly news.

I might be going to the Silversun Pickups concert on May 4th, but that would mean I'd have to miss a Cinco de Mayo trip to Mexico that a few people from work are going on. I've had an obsession with Silversun Pickups these past few months, and I'm totally stoked for the concert...

Listening To:
The Fitness - Day Job
David Gray - The One I Love
Rolling Stones - Under My Thumb

Lazy Eye

2007-04-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

I have a newly found inspiration for watching all things MN sports related, so I've been frequenting area bars around Mill to watch the Wild playoffs..with obviously dissapointing outcomes. I'm just glad I'm at a bar.

I met a guy from PA who's here for school doing creative writing. I met up with him at The Library to watch the Wild (lose). After the game we met up with another one of his friends. We had a great time. Not quite sure what to think of him, but he comes across as a womanizer...on top of that there was a brief altercation at the second bar we went to. He was pretty drunk and we were just standing around this table when all of a sudden this lady grabbed him (or he grabbed her) effectively knocking him over. He got up, she tried to knee him in the nuts, and then slapped him! It was crazy, but everybody took it in stride...I'm glad because it's not like the bar was dead. At any rate, it's nice to have a friend in the area who has similar interests. He's into Interpol, Silversun Pickups, etc...and we're gonna hang out again sometime this week so hopefully it'll be less of a scene.

Jon has been away for the weekend and it couldn't have come at a better time. Sometimes he can be incredibly overbearing, and he's either oblivious or just disrespectful towards other people. I'm inclined to think he's just oblivious, because he can be quite considerate at times...but they're few and far between. He's out at a country music festival an hour or so away and getting paid for it. It's nice cause it seems all he talks about is money. How much I somehow owe him, or how much groceries are, or how much more he makes than me...it gets old really fast. I don't bring it up because it's only going to be a year I'll be living with him, and I'd rather have him as a friend than a foe, especially for his connections at work.

I can't wait for about another month and half, when I can furnish the rest of my part of the apartment. Well, actually I can't wait until Jon gets a TV in his bedroom so I don't have to watch the same movies on HBO 5 times a week. I swear he watches Star Wars nearly every other day...and not just parts, but the entire fucking movie. It annoys me to no end.

But all in all I really can't complain. I'm sitting outside right now, its a bit breezy but just enough to keep me cool in the 85 degree heat. There's not a cloud in the sky, and I feel great. I've been running in the local park nearly every day...and it's not the park you are probably thinking...there's only a little patch of grass near the playground and recreation area, but the rest is desert, hills, and rocks. It's basically a 2 mile run around the trail, but it's very rigorous and I can tell that I've both been losing weight and putting on a noticable amount of muscle.

It does seem that, at least right now, things are in my favor. I've started school, albiet towards and AA degree, but hey...it's free. The degree is in Electrical Transmissions Systems, and will award me a better position in the company once a become an actual employee. Also, I've spoken to a few people at ASU about grad school in Geography as ultimately I'd like to teach on the collegiate level. Also, all the talking about geography and urban studies with the people at ASU got me thinking about why/what I liked about the U of MN program, and began looking at sustainable living activites/fairs they have down here. I was shocked to find only a handful of organizations in this conservatively put, aggressive urban sprawling center in the middle of the desert.

I went to send some things a few days ago and the postal lady must have seen my badge, because she started chatting me up about natural resources and she's glad I'm so young working for the utility company. I agree with her to some extent, meaning I agree with her but not for her reasoning.

Sorry for the long post, I actually have more stuff to talk about but I'll leave it for tomorrow if I remember. Later kids.

Listening To:

The Fitness - Day Job
Madonna - Push
Al Green - Here I Am Baby

2007-04-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

I'm visiting MN next weekend and I couldn't be happier. I fly in on Thursday night, and tentativly meeting a few people at Chino Latino for Happy Hour. Their tacos are the best, I forget my favorite cause they have weird names. I'm not entirely sure what I have planned for the weekend except on Sunday night I'm going to the 90's with Carlie and Becky. Long time overdue, and I'm sure I'll make up for it in Apple Jacks and Jack and Cokes. Hopefully we'll go to the Saloon, I'm sure Jon will be excited to see his camel coupon rep again.

I'm doing my absolute best not getting bored with my job while still working 50-55 hours per week. My iPod has been my saving grace...I know have a voracious appetite for new music and podcasts. I've been listening to a lot of The Dawn and Drew show, Dance Department, and Travel with Rick Steves. I decorated my cube a few days ago with pictures of friends, sights, and familar things from back home. It sure makes the day go by faster, even though I'm really not in my cube a whole lot.

I shouldn't have to work as much as I have in the coming few months from a combination of the department hiring more workers, and I've paid off most of the debt I've accumulated except for school loans. What a relief. Although my mom called a couple days ago about my taxes. She did them a couple weeks ago, I got about $1000 back, but she said she omitted one of my W-2's, and now I actually owe $500....so that's a total of $1,500 I have to pay by next week or so.

Also, I've secured the money to travel to Germany in late September for Oktoberfest. I'm stoked, and I just learned that a few friends from college are going to be in the south of France and Germany the same time. Hopefully we can meet up. I'm not entirely sure what I think about Jon going, for a multitude of reasons. I'll forgoe mentioning them as I know a few of you guys know him, and I'd rather not make them a public discussion. Just suffice it to say there's a lot of walking/exercise involved in traveling.

Also, exciting news, Xanthia and Liz are coming down in May to apartment searching...so it's for sure now that I'll have some more friends down here!!! It made my week...well probably two weeks. AND Jon isn't drinking now....more about that later.

The mustache is trying to kill me

2007-03-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

Things have been very productive the past few weeks - both work and home. I try not to get involved in the mire of gossip and drama that happens at all work places, SRP is no different. Recently they have upgraded the program we use to map and it's caused some of the functionality not to work as well as we'd like it to. Also, because of the old workforce, these oldtimers don't really like change to begin with...so it's always interesting when they have these little upgrades.

I've started running everyday after work at a park nearby. It'll be the same park that I'll take Mocha to when she gets down here. They have a nice dog area, and miles of trails through some steep hilss and whatnot.

I'm over trying to get Jon to go to the gym. It's always one excuse after another, I'm finally tired of it. The sad thing is that he'll probably never change. I really did put my best effort into getting him to exercise...but it's pretty hard when even though I'll make a healthy dinner...he'll snack after I go to bed. On top of that, I normally make a little extra so I can bring some to work the next day for lunch...but for some reason he doesn't believe in leftovers. I mean, not that he won't eat leftovers...but the fact that there's still some extra sitting out there in the kitchen means he hasn't eaten enough, the food must be gone. I don't understand. When I get full, I stop eating.....not I don't stop eating until all the food that was prepared is gone. But anyways...

I still haven't met really anyone down here. I've started working less just so I can have a life outside of work, but at the same time I don't want to be the new kid not putting in as many hours as everybody else. My grandma and great-grandma were in town last weekend, so I visited them up in Sun City West. It was a little farther than I wanted to drive, but I was able to see relatives I haven't seen in quite a while. It was a great dinner too...grilled chicken and asparagus..mmmm. I heard a great phrase a while ago, "Un repas sans frommage est comme une belle femme a qui manque un oeil." I don't think anyone knew what it meant except for me...but it's one of the first meals outside of a french restaurant that I've had a cheese course. It was very good.

I can't say that I'm happy to be here. It gets pretty hard especially when I don't really know anyone, I don't really have anything to do, and there really is no change in sight. I never believed the saying, "Money doesn't buy happiness," only because I guess I never really had a lot of money coming in, but now it's clear that the saying was born out of experience. And it has some truth to it.

I come home April 18 for a few days, and I'm just shy of elated. It'll be a great time with friends and family. Ok, gotta work some more. Later.

Listening to:
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Muse - Absolution

You can stay if you want to....

2007-03-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry for lack of postings lately. It's always something, no?

My birthday was last week, and it was less than stellar. That that the actual celebration was bad or anything, its just that now I'm celebrating it in a new place, with my new career....getting old already. I fucking go to bed at 8:30. 8:30 people. It's sad.

I'll write more tomorrow at work. Laters

Another article of clothing lost

2007-03-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

Crystal, Jon, and I spent the weekend in Las Vegas. What a great time. Jon had invited us along to Britney's 21st birthday party, which actually turned out to be so much drama that I ended up leaving the festivities to have some fun on my own.

We ended up heading up there a night early on my accord, and we had so much more fun. We left Phoenix around 7, got there around 11 or so. We headed to Margaritaville where I started things off with a bang. Shots and Jack & Cokes...I ended up losing both the shirt I'm wearing in the picture and the polo shirt on the bed. No idea where they are....but they were not in the hotel room when I woke up. Argh. I had a great time though, and I'm glad I was able to have a great trip even though the people I went with are so depressing, I don't think they had fun at all!

I was having a lot of fun playing roulette, at my height I was betting nearly $300 a spin...I was up almost $1200, but then went on a non-winning streak and ended down $100 for the weekend. That's not bad considering it was a 3-day weekend in Vegas. And, well, as far as I'm concerned, $100 was for the entertainment.

On the way back the Hoover Dam was so busy we just kept going through, considering all of us had been there before. We decided to stop along the Lake Mead National Reserve (picture). There was a surprising amount of people in such a remote place. Many people were about to head on a canoe trip that looked like so much fun. The water was so calm, so blue. I'll post some more pictures when I have time. Later

The Puffy Shirt

2007-02-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

I know this is old news, but the picture made me laugh.

I was so tired today I could barely get out of bed, because last night I was told about this chat site with live video to accompany it. I told some people at work, and apparently I'm late the the show as everybody seemed to know about it. Check it out!

Just now am I catching up on some past bills, which has turned out to be a pain in the ass. Also, I finally got a hold of someone from back home to return those damn library books, honestly how hard can it be...especially when you have a month! Nothing like paying $80 for no reason except for something elses apathy.

Tara from Camel called me too, hopefully I'll finally get my tax stuff in the mail so I can get that big refund check like usual....last year I got nearly $2,500 back.....I probably won't get that much this year but ya never know!

Both my digi camcorder and camera are being charged for the big trip to Las Vegas this weekend...I'm so excited! It's not the first time I've been there, so I won't have to do all the touristy things that are a must, but Jon wants to go see the Hoover Dam even though he's been there before. Honestly, once is enough! Although it might be kind of cool to see the crane that tipped over a couple weeks ago. They're building a Hoover Dam bypass, and because of the high winds we've been having, the crane and several pillars fell over delaying the project several years.

Today at work we went to La Fondas (I can't help but think of LaFawnda's from Napoleon Dynamite). It's a Mexican restaurant just down the street from both work and home. It was Brittney's birthday today, her 21st, and as we always do, we took the birthday person out to eat. It's always fun because the whole group goes, typically around 20, including the bosses so it tends to be a 1 1/2 - 2 hour lunch.

I'm starting to get to know more and more people at work. It's hard though, because I sit in a different department from which I work, so I don't know anybody where I sit. And they're all accounting, so they're always peeking their heads in to see what I'm doing with all those maps. There is some eye candy though, but everybody is too busy normally to stop and talk :( I'm normally in my own little world though anyways, me and my iPod. Speaking of which, I'm going to upgrade my iPod in the next month or so. I have the 5th Gen black video iPod now, but only the 30gb and it's nearly full right now. I told Jon I'd sell him my old one for $100 and he scooped it up. It has some scratches in the video screen on account I bought the only protective case that didn't cover the screen (how dumb). I guess getting $100 is better than nothing.

Listening To:
Liam Lynch - United States of Whatever
Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around
Gavin DeGraw - A Change Is Going To Come

Caring is Creepy

2007-02-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

Hola. Today went pretty slow compared to most. I've been working on this one job for what seems like forever, but in fact has been about a week and a half. It's been an incredible pain in the ass, routinely I'm using explitives I normally wouldn't. There's more duct banking than any project should, and everytime I grab a new additional map it seems I find yet another related job I need to go fish out.

I just got my National Geographic's guide to National Parks, and related atlas..I'm so excited to start exploring the area down here. I'm toying with the notion of leaving Las Vegas for a few and going to Death Valley while everybody is gambling...not sure how far away it is though. My old (driving) atlas was from 2001, and a WalMart edition, which was very annoying having every WalMart being pointed out to me on my voyage.

I'm just now starting to acquire some new furniture. A couple days ago I bought a dresser, admittedly from Ikea...but it was exactly what I was looking for. I needed something kind of low, as my bedroom windows go nearly to the floor, while still having enough drawer space to make the dresser worth while. It seems that it'll be a European theme all around now, as I'm looking for a low, sleigh type frame for my bed...and all I can find are European styles that I'm starting to like more and more. Not that it's a bad thing, I just wasn't looking to go that route.

Still nothing on the relationship horizon, albiet I haven't really been perusing the pool or anything.....although now that I think about it I should make a trip over there. I'm still so Minnesota pasty white. yuck.

Listening To: Mika - Grace Kelly (Tom Neville remix)
Muse - Time is Running Out
Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus

Fly Me To The Moon

2007-02-26T19:43:00.000-08:00

As I lay in bed thinking of things to come, I can't help but be elated. Things are going so well right now for me, I hope they don't change anytime soon.

I just got back from an impromptu dinner with Jon, we ate down the street in Old Town Scottsdale. I'm at the point now where I (we) could really go anywhere, no matter what the price, which ultimately makes me very happy. As many of you probably know, I hate thinking about money, dealing with money...., I think it's a very insignificant part of life that many people make too significant.

The next few weeks and months will be very busy for me, both for work and pleasure. Work is...., well work is work. I'm having a great time, it really is an ideal job for a geographer. I'll leave it at that and spare you.

Next weekend I'm heading to Las Vegas for some R&R....most likely it'll be drunken debauchery and all-nite dancing (at least I hope). Going there with a few friends from work, staying at the Imperial Palace. I know it's not the best place, but how much time does one spend in the hotel room in Las Vegas anyways? Not much. Also, it's in an ideal locale...which makes it worth it to me. In times past, I've always tried to stay at a decent place no matter what the price, but ultimately that gets me away from the strip a little ways.

The following weekends I'll be in Cancun, Detroit (possibly), Minneapolis subsequently. I'm really excited to get back to Minneapolis for a myriad of reasons. I'll be able to see friends that I wasn't able to before I up and left so quickly; Get to (possibly) go skiing at Afton or Spirit; hit up downtown, BRING BACK MOCHA! I'm so excited.....Jon is less than thrilled.

I'm also tossing around the idea of going to Munich for Oktoberfest for the first week (end) in August. My brother might go as well, which would be a great experience for him I think. Not too sure how my parents would think about that, considering he lives at home, and conservatively he'd be spending around $1000 on the trip (although I offered to pay for some).

Is anybody listening to Arcade Fire? I just discovered them recently...they're amazing! Especially "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)," what a great song. I'm also getting into Mika. He's a British singer who's I guess topping the charts over there now. I've been listening to him for a few months, and evidently he's really taken off. You should give a listen. Grace Kelly is his hit, but others I think are slightly better (Happy Ending, Billy Brown, etc.).

Weekend Fun

2007-02-10T17:18:00.000-08:00

So far, this weekend has proved to be quite fun. Yesterday Jon, Derek, and I went to Casino Arizona to watch Showstoppers. It wasn't as good as next weeks show looks to be, with Elvis, Tina Turner, the Temptations, and the comedian.

Today I drove to South Mountain, just south of Phoenix. It proved to be very fun, although I should have worn some hiking clothes/shoes, as there were so many trails I could have gone on. I'll upload some pics later, but here's one until I do.

The day has gone by quick, I helped my boss move in today. She invited Jon, myself, and a few linemen to come over. I thought it was quite a few people to move her stuff in, which I thought was excessive, but as it turns out it wasn't. It still took about 2 hours or so, but she had breakfast and beer waiting for us.

Tomorrow I'm headed to a celebrity baseball game which should be a lot of fun. Although there's not a bunch of big names, Harmon Killebrew will be there. But I'm going with a few people from work, so it'll be nice to see them outside of work. Ok, off to drink!

What Goes Around

2007-02-08T21:20:00.000-08:00

Even though I vowed to at least update my blog weekly, I have again fallen behind. Although in my defense my life has been somewhat hectic, and now with a somewhat more polished schedule I have a window of time to which I can write.

I'll upload pictures of my new surrounding as soon as I unearth my digital camera from the mountain of belongings that still sit packed, in a corner of my unfurnished bedroom. I plan to purchase, among other things, a bed and dresser with my next paycheck.

For reasons I'll discuss in my next blog, as it's all ready 10:30 and I normally go to bed at 9, I have to come hate my new bank.

Ok, bed time. I have so much to talk about though!!! Night.

South by Southwest

2006-12-19T03:20:00.000-08:00

As it turns out, I might be giving up the snow-topped slopes of Minnesota for the desert dunes of Arizona. Having recently graduated from college this summer, I turned down a few GIS positions for a myriad of reasons but chiefly that I'd have to move somewhere I wouldn't know anybody nor did the city sound interesting.

Jon alerted me to a position at Superior Technical, a utility company in Central Arizona (Phoenix specifically) in the GIS area. Jon submitted my resume and I got a call the next day expressing interest. Although I do not know the exact pay scale yet, GIS planners typically make anywhere between 22-30/hour starting out. Basically the range is 42000-60000 not including overtime. That's all fine and dandy but the thought of another move, especially one so far, is daunting. This also puts the Korea move in the distance which has elated my parents who had retreated to quiet desperation for me not to go. For some reason, beyond the fact that the University was late in sending me my diploma and it was sent to the wrong address, my parents do not believe I graduated....they even asked me. This furthers my belief that my mother is oblivious and my father can be an asshole.

My illness has finally subsided, I knew it would take forever. Now there's a pile of dishes to be done, laundry to be sorted, and a mountain of work to do.

7*Up

2006-12-17T07:36:00.000-08:00

I'm almost over this flu-like malady that overtook my body several days ago. Fortunately it has included everything except vomiting, although it would have made me feel much better I suspect. With absolutely no appetite, I've had to force myself to eat even a bowl of cereal, but drinking booze has never been a problem. *** See, now right there, when I chat with people, I would most definitely have put an "lol" after that sentence. I normally use it to indicate either a funny remark, which actually has some truth to it, but would rather not fully admit it. Or, it would indicate that either my comment or the comment that was said to me made me smile....despite the acronym actually meaning a verbal expression.

Cooking...more later.

Under the weather

2006-12-13T20:31:00.000-08:00

I don't get sick very often, so when I do it's normally a doosy. I've been in bed most of the day, now it's about 10:30PM and I just know I won't be able to sleep. It's going to be a miserable night.

Ugh, more unnecessary drama

2006-12-12T00:07:00.001-08:00

I had one of the most awkward breakfasts on record today with folks in which it should be entirely the opposite. If you know me, you probably know that I don't answer phone numbers I do not recognize... yesterday I got one of those calls. The area code was 218, having many family members in northern Minnesota I assumed it was one such member, and naturally I didn't answer. And, as it turns out, it was my aunt and uncle (dad's side) who were in town for a concert, curious to what I was up to and wanted to get together for a meal...innocent enough I suppose.

So we meet at Baker's Square, I'm running 5 minutes late as I had a very late night prior....my Sunday night of drunken frivolity. And, to be honest I was still a little drunk at the restaurant, I drank basically a pitcher of water by myself.

*****Here's a little back story about my great uncle (I think that's the right term, he was my grandpa's brother) before I continue with the story, as the story wouldn't make sense if I didn't. He died about 10 years or so ago, nobody really ever talked about him except for that he lived in San Francisco, and worked for Levi-Strauss. Even when he was still alive, that's all that was said. Ever. Nothing about his lifestyle, what he liked to do, nothing. I don't even know how he died but I have a guess, 'twas a disease that nobody wanted to talk about. It was only today has anyone said he was gay (but obvious by pictures I had seen of him), his coming out process, etc....and I learned this over breakfast.......this morning.******** end back story.

Ok, so we are eating and for some reason they keep bringing up my great uncle. It wasn't even a linear conversation either, we'd talk about the concert they went to....then the uncle.....we'd talk about my job.....then the uncle. Then they started talking about how they went and saw Brokeback Mountain and they really liked it. It was the most gay-centered conversation I have ever had, even among my gay friends....with my aunt and uncle no less.

I felt like they were totally waiting for me to start a parade right there in the restaurant, take out a rainbow flag and wave it around or something. I wish they would have just flat out asked me, and I would have said I'm Bi.....I don't necessarily like boys, but I'm not excluding it. To make everything even more awkward, the waitress was totally starring at me, and the people in the booth next to us were checking me out (this was on campus).

Now, I'm not one to judge or tell people what/how to do things...but all this is coming from parents who let their kids (8-15 years old) call them gay, stupid, idiots, and morons without reprehension. I'm no parent, and I don't know how to raise children....but how can I possibly open my life to people who tolerate that kind of behavior? Same goes with my parents, who asked me if I was gay in high school....and although at the time I didn't have the thoughts I do now about the subject (and as such, I said no), my father made comments that made me extremely disappointed. Again, how can I open my life to people who act like that, especially now knowing my father had a gay relative?

When I was home a few weeks ago my mom made the comment that I don't act like I am a member of the family. I didn't really ponder her comment nor did we stay on the topic for very long as my mom recognized that both her and my father were 'ganging up on me,' to use her words. Upon reflection, it is clear to me where these feelings and emotions (or lack there of) stem.

Now, I love my father...don't get me wrong. But he can be a remarkable asshole. I'm smart enough to recognize that he's the only one I'll ever have, and I'm smart enough to see that I am very lucky to have a father in my life as many are not as lucky as I. However, we are not friends, we are not buddies. When he calls me, maybe once every two months, it'll be cause he needs help with his laptop. He makes incredibly insensitive comments to me, whether he realizes it or not. And, to make matters worse, my mother is completely oblivious. Case-in-point. At the Thanksgiving dinner table, my father made another insensitive/rude comment to me in front of most of the family...being used to such comments I really didn't take notice. After I left the table, my aunt who met me for breakfast, said something to my mother about the comment, and in turn my mother said it was nothing and that we have a joking/caring relationship. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

My mother is very caring, and lately she has given up on asking about my personal life...but she always remarks, "No matter what, I'll always love you." I thought it was such an odd thing to say, especially the moments she says it, but again I really didn't think about it....but now it is clear she has some indication of my lifestyle or at least what she perceives it to be.

On the outside I'd like to think I'm content on the way things are, keeping my private life private. But I'm normally an open book in every way except in this respect...and it's something that has weighed heavily on me lately. The fact that I'll never be able to be completely open about my life with my family makes me very sad, but I'm fortunate in that I have great friends who are very supportive.

I had not planned on making this such a long post, my apologies, but I had to talk about it. Sorry again.

Don't stop, get it get it

2006-12-08T23:03:00.000-08:00

I need a haircut really bad. I have the type of hair that, no matter how long it gets, it sticks basically straight out on the sides. Albeit I haven't grown it out crazy long, but long enough for it to look ridiculous and requires buzzing. I'm nearly at that stage; it looks like I have wings on the sides of my head. Not very attractive.

A new beginning

2006-12-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of yoru youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You're not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you. Sing. Don't be reckless with other peoples hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours. Floss. Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind...the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this...tell me how. Keep you old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Strech. Dont' feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you wont. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you wont. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either, your choices are half chance, and so are everybody elses.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, its the greatest instrument you'll ever own...

Dance! Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don't follow them. Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone forever. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. TRAVEL. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, adn when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders. Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out. Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past form the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than its worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Old No. 7

2006-12-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

As many of you may know, I had planned on going to Korea late January, early February '07 in lieu of taking some very lucrative GIS & Geography jobs. And, as many of you may know, I've had some recent success in my recent chosen career path (marketing / promotions) which has prompted me to re-think my Korea trip. My reasoning for going to said place was both a very cheap vacation (that would ultimately pay me) but also to receive some worldly teaching experience, as at some point I'd like to go back to school in order to teach. I'm hoping to travel to Las Vegas early January to work for Microsoft at the Consumer Electronics Show, but a lot of people have expressed interest around the office. What a vaca.., er, I mean on-site consumer engagement (that's a technical term, you don't need to remember that).

It was somewhat gloomy and overcast today, so I decided to work from home. It's such a great benefit that my current job provides; however, I'm a huge procrastinator so it has it's built in drawbacks.

I can't wait for some kind of snowfall so I can begin my favorite winter past time ... skiing. While I was on holiday we began talking about the lack of snowfall, and that we could not recall that last Thanksgiving that had snow. Last year I remember playing football outside with the family and having to change into shorts.

Although I'm quite a bit late to the party, I've recently discovered the world of BitTorrent. I have always relied on BearShare, Napster, eDonkey, or other related peer-to-peer network programs, but various BitTorrent websites have proved more fruitful and wide-ranging. Here is a link to some of the most popular sites.

"Senator Trent Lott, who was ousted from the Senate leadership four years ago because of remarks considered racially insensitive, won election Wednesday, as the Senate Minority Whip. But Lott was disappointed to learn this doesn't mean he gets to whip minorities."

Sometimes you have to make lemonade

2006-11-30T21:40:00.000-08:00

So tonight was finally the capper on a relationship that commenced late this summer ('06). I should have thought it was ill-fated when I started to develop strong feelings, but was in turn described as, "two people just having fun."

And, as it would only happen to a Seinfeld enthusiast as myself, the relationship had (as some people might find funny) a twisted/demented parallel. There is an episode where George finds himself dating a hard-of-hearing-in-one-ear Zoologist, in which he contemplates saying "I love you," but worrying about the "I love you" return. In the episode, in response to George's "I love you," she replies, "I'm hungry, let's get something to eat." My actual conversation:

A: "I'm bored as hell, I think I'm just going to go to sleep"
Me: "Ok, see you later. I love you."
A: "Don't say that. You honestly just ruined it."

What do you even say in response to that? I mean honestly. It's like when I was on the elevator the other day in my apartment building, and I asked this old lady how she was feeling. She responded, "okay, but I'm going blind." Needless to say it was a long elevator ride and an equally as awkward experience. Although, I was more embarrassed that I opened myself up and then said person turns out to be that callous and inconsiderate. This was the first time I have been on the receiving-end of a heart broken situation. But, on the lighter side, I give thanks because it only makes me stronger of a person.

All of it just makes me realize that I normally live my life without taking risks, guarding myself from become emotionally vested in something/someone. I normally don't take dismissal well and don't like when things don't go my way. But again, experiencing said things gives a person character, now what would a person be without that, huh?

Problems

2006-11-21T10:23:00.000-08:00

Things had been going very well post-college until recently. I've had relatively good success in the job market, making a commitement to healthier living, and overall living just a stress-free life. However, something that I thought had developed into a meaningful relationship turned out not to be, which to some extent has disrupted everything else going on. I'd go on, but I don't think I want to elaborate.

On a lighter note, I can't wait for the first snowfall. I have my skis waxed and sharpened, ready to hit the slopes. Only Cam, to my knowledge, goes snowboarding/skiing.

I'm going to pick up Jon from the airport today, he should be up for some fun! Later

Surgeon General's Warning

2006-11-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

What is the deal with my fucking internet? It is so slow it reminds me of dialing up in junior high, waiting 5 minutes for a webpage....the google on my internets is too slow!

I am so glad I don't work for Camel anymore, although I have so much swag still; if anybody needs lighters, matches, cigarette cases, etc. let me know, they're just taking up room in my apartment (downtown).

My mom just left from my place, she finally made it down here. The last time I was up at my parents they "confronted" me about several things that I guess were bothering them. They thought I had an alcohol problem, when I take care of their dogs while they're out of town I never pick up the house (after my brother), and that I don't act as if I'm part of the family. I'm not sure what the latter means....it's not like I call my parents by their first name or anything. I didn't get, didn't want to get it, and didn't respond to it.

My response was me finally taking control of my life. Not letting my parents dictate the things that I like to do, what I should think about certain things, etc. etc. My first step was not to go deer hunting. Don't get me wrong, I like hunting, I like firing a gun. I just dont like getting up ass early (as I'm not a morning person to begin with), to sit out in the fucking freezing boreal forest to shoot an animal. I'd rather go pheasant / grouse hunting in the fall, or even duck hunting. So I put my foot down, and everybody was like...um, okay city slicker. Not that I care, cause if I did I would have just gone, but I know I'm probably the talk of the shack. And, on a side note, I heard that the sauna burnt down while they were up there and I think that's fuckin hilarious. All I hear about is sauna this and sauna that. Good riddance!

Alright, done ranting for now. Cheers.

Sorry for lax(itive)

2006-11-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Yeah, yeah...sorry about not posting in a while. I've had a lot of things going on.

At any rate, you may have read/watched this in the news yesterday. Quite tragic and it literally happened outside my window. To the left is a peek outside my window, the whole construction has been quite the eyesore, and before I moved in I had a great view of St. Anthony Main.

Another midterm election is upon us, the most expensive in history. It makes you wonder who people are actually electing, candidates with the most clever advertising campaigns or ones that represent their values/opinions. I am absolutely sick of watching these political ads, and yet maybe that is the purpose. At some point, there will be so much general apathy we'll develop into a hegemonic society. And, to some degree, we already have. If we actually require "get out the vote" campaigns to make people realize why voting matters, it's pretty sad and maybe we've already lost. On a positive note though, I can't wait to watch the Stewart/Colbert coverage of the election.

Has anybody seen my new favorite show "The Rich List?" It is quite possibly the best game show to come around in a while. It's right up my alley, and if you haven't seen it, it's on Fox Wednesday's. I could go on and on, but you should watch. Let me know, maybe we can get another viewing party started...

I have really committed myself to becoming physically fit. I am definitely over weight, not fat, but over weight, and I could really afford to lose about 20 pounds. I work out about everyday, and I run 5 miles every other day. Moving downtown into this apartment complex has been really good for me. I am around a lot of physically active people, there's a recreation room here in the complex so I don't have to pay for a membership, and I'm working for an energy drink company who's drink actually works. There's all ready some results showing and I'm pretty excited....time to loose that college fat. I'm becoming more and more comfortable with myself and it's given me a boost of much needed self-esteem that can't be achieved through booze :) (Well, let's face it, we all know it can but this is longer lasting).

Crosswords have become my new hobby and I can finish pretty much any one I start, except for the Saturday and Sunday Times. Not only do those take a little longer to get a good rhythm started, but I can only finish about 3/4. Still, I think that's pretty good.

Okay, folks. Later. I'm gonna go stand in line and vote. I guess

Fuckin Bitches

2006-10-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

To be honest, I can't remember where I am in the story cause I've told it so many times....so I'll start from the beginning:

My previous landlord is a bimbo in every sense of the word, except he's a guy (Jackie and I coined him a 'mimbo'). We never really had to deal with his wife, but everytime I have it has been nothing but cordial and professional...until yesterday.

A couple weeks ago I received my deposit check, plus interest, minus lawful deductions. However, the 'lawful deductions' were not disclosed, so I placed a phone call to the landlord. Mimbo's wife called back and left a message saying that due to excess garbage left on the property, and missing oven grill plates, the deposit was deducted accordingly. Now, I left the house the night of Aug. 31st and there was no "excess" garbage, nor were the oven grill plates missing (who takes those anyway??!).

I called mimbo's wife back, and because she never answers her phone, I left a message asking her to call me back with what exactly was left over. After a week passed, I called again, and again, and again...not leaving messages, but calling anyways. Which brings me to yesterday. Mimbo's wife called, very defensive and asking me why I'm even bothering her with this nonsense, she said she doesn't have time to deal with this. She said it's only $40 (actually $120), and I should just forget it. She asked me if I was calling her a liar, in between laughing all I could say is that those were her words, not mine.

The only reason, I can gather, that she is acting like this is she's making all this up, and just want's some extra cash. I asked the current residents downstairs if the oven plates were missing and they said they didn't know what I was talking about...furthermore, the current residents upstairs that lived with us last year said that the landlords are trying to screw them out of some money as well.

All in all, I can't wait to see the copies of the city fine, and receipt for the oven grill plates. My money's on ****maybe, maybe***** a city fine, but I doubt a oven grill plate receipt..and if there is one, the date is probably from like two days ago.

More to come.......

new shows

2006-09-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

There's a few new shows on CBS that are entirely entertaining. The Class is a show of 20-something's that are re-united after like 20 years apart, as they were all in the same 3rd grade (I don't remember if that's the grade). There are a few people in the show that remind me of people in my own life...its quite funny.

The weekend was a douzy, on Friday I was ridiculously drunk and made an ass of myself at the 90's. Although, in my defense it only happens like once every two months, and most of the people there have never seen me that drunk before...so they helped me out.

Today I went with my mom and grandpa to Turtle Lake casino and while being there for 3 hours I only lost $10. I started out down almost $60 playing the slots, but when I went back to playing what I enjoy (blackjack), I made all of it back except for the $10. And, of course, I slept all the way there and most of the way back...I'm like a baby in the car, once it starts moving I fall asleep - unless I'm driving.

ZipFizz

2006-09-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

I start a new job on Saturday working with a company promoting ZipFizz. It's an energy and sports drink that's supposed to be much better for you than others. I'll be making just as much, if not more than, I was at RJ Reynolds. Not only will this free up my nights, but now I can get a normal M-F 9-5 job that will keep me busy.

Lately I've just been laying around the house with nothing to do. It has been incredibly boring but I've been trying to keep myself busy with collecting various newspapers from around downtown and doing the crosswords in them. Sad, I know, but I really need a hobby.

I'll write more tomorrow when I'm not exceptionally tired.

Here are some clips from when my brother and I went to visit my grandparents AZ.

New numa

2006-09-13T15:03:00.000-07:00

I am thourghly disgusted with the new Gary B video that just came out. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the guy is capitalizing on his viral video success, but not only are we rewarding the man for his morbid obesity but the song is terrible. And inevitably, because the song is terrible, so are the dance moves. The clip is below for your viewing dis-pleasure.

I was hoping to make it to the Twins game tonight against the A's, but we have an event tonight at the Triple Rock which is sure to be a bust. 1.) It's not my kind of music, 2.) It's not my kind of people. I've just have never gotten into the grunge, goth-clown look.

work, again...

2006-09-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

I've been working quite a bit this week, over 40 hours. This is a big change to me only working about 28-30, and I'm kinda getting burned out. There are only so many days one can go to the same bars and see the same people and do the same survey. Anyways, I'm taking a vacation in a couple days so hopefully I'll recharge and come back excited to work.

I'm making Hamburger Helper (Cheesy Lasagna) and some steamed vegetables now in an effort to loose some of the weight I've gained these past few years. I am going to start using the rec room downstairs, as not only do I need to get on a bicycle or treadmill, but they have a big screen TV with cable.

More later...

Drama

2006-09-12T00:07:00.000-07:00

I absolutely hate drama, in all it's forms (I don't really like drama films either, in case you were wondering). Tonight, there was so much drama at the bars it was ridiculous, I ended up leaving cause I couldn't take it anymore.

It all started when Becky gave this random guy her phone number cause she wanted him to buy her some drinks. As it turns out, he was really creepy and cheap, and didn't want to buy her drinks, so she told him that she was a lesbian (which is true), and told him to fuck off. Some of my friends thought that she was a bad person for doing that, especially cause we were all out celebrating her girlfriend's birthday. At any rate, on our way out, Becky and Carlie re-iterated that he need not call her, as she is lesbian and was just looking for some free drinks. We got nearly 1/2 block and the guy calls her, and immediately Carly runs back to the bar to get in the guys face. Then everybody is all hot and bothered by the whole situation, both the guy and Becky. People were telling Carlie to dump Becky, that Becky shouldn't come by here anymore, etc. It was all so stupid, I'm glad I left and didn't get involved.

I am really excited to go out to Stevens Point...not only cause it will be the first time I've had some vacation in a while, but I'll get to see Adam. It's been quite a while, about 3 weeks, since I've seen him and I know realize how much I miss him. He compained that I say "I miss you," too much, but I can't help it.

On a much more somber note, I can't help but become emotional when seeing the September 11 footage, especially clips from widows/widowers playing phone calls from their loved ones before they died. Not only is it very moving, but it makes me think of my own mortality and put's everything in perspective.

Computer issues

2006-09-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

This is the first time my computer has ever acted up, and I've had it since my freshman year of college. A few months ago, around February, mocha spilled a can of soda on my laptop. I was able to clean most of it off, but a little got into the keyboard. I haven't had any issues until a couple days ago. Some of the keys are sticking, the space bar doesn't work all the time, at any rate I'll have to get it fixed.

LA to NYC

2006-09-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

My new place wants me to pay $110 per month just for parking...so I'm thinking about just parking my car on the street near where I used to live then taking the bus downtown. I was able to get a UPASS from the university that is good through January 5th. It's risky and time consuming to do this, but it's better then paying the extra money.

Last night I was ridiculously drunk and called / texted more people than I probably should have. I saw some friends I hadn't seen in a while, which was good, and saw some that I'm still wishing I didn't know...

I've always wanted to do this, enjoy:

DONE

2006-09-01T01:05:00.000-07:00

I've finally finished moving and it feels great. Hopefully this place I'll reside in for more than a year. I did, however, have to give up my dog to my parents for the year. I initially thought I could have my dog at my new place downtown, but the management said no after initially saying yes. I was pretty pissed, but my parents are glad to have her.

I'm leaving for Hibbing tomorrow morning, this will be my first weekend off in a while. I love vacations, I'm going to enjoy this one...I bought a bottle of Jack Daniels, Absolut, and Tanqueray. Here's a couple clips to keep you losers entertained...see ya in a few.

Here's one of my favorites:

Hey Ya

2006-08-29T19:04:00.000-07:00

So today I heard possibly the best cover I've ever heard before. I both added it to my youtube favorites and below...you should really listen to it.

I just got back from my work party, kinda boring as I wasn't drinking a lot. Having been drunk for basically the past month, I'm trying to gain some control during my move downtown (also I've spent a lot of my discretionary income). At any rate, hope you enjoy the clip as much as I did.

On the town

2006-08-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

Why is it that when my friends and I go out drinking we have more fun at gay clubs than others? Last night, while working, I met up with some friends at the Gay 90's. . .and although I was drinking heavily, I didn't get lost and had a great time. See, normally when I get really drunk I end up wandering the streets of Minneapolis because 1.) I'm trying to get home 2.) I took a wrong turn somewhere. Cameron likes to tell a self-described 'hilarious' story of when there was a birthday party at Brit's (I forget who's), and after drinking many many pints and playing lawn bowling, I decide to walk home. Instead of turning left out of Brits, I turned right into Loring Park. Following many drunk calls trying to figure out where I was, some random person walked by and I asked him for a ride. He said okay, but the person who was giving him a ride didn't want to drive me...so they took me half way.

At any rate, I had a blast at the bar and when I got home the kids upstairs were having a kegger as well. One thing led to another and pretty soon I was grilling the only thing we had...hotdogs. I despise hotdogs...but when I'm drunk I'll eat anything including seafood. That normally leads to a hospital emergency room for my severe allergies.

Moving, and acceptance

2006-08-25T16:52:00.000-07:00

So the move is almost complete, or at least the packing is. I absolutely hate moving, but I've managed to move basically every year for the past five years.

What I'm really dreading is the clean-up that will ultimately kill me. Our refridgerator is so disgusting that I really don't keep anything in there that I plan on eating again. The seal on the door is broken to the extent that large water droplets form on the ceiling and rain down on everything....constantly. There's a small lake under the drawers at the bottom that are incredibly rancid. Also, because we had a box of baking soda (powder?) in the fridge to eliminate odors, the water falling down caused the box to swell and the baking soda to perform a elementary-style volcano science experiment. I'm gonna try to get one of the other roommates to do it, Gregg is the real cleaner in the house anyway - but I know it'll be me.

Having recently graduated and an emense amount of free time, I've been trying to keep myself busy but failing spectacularly. I sleep a large amount of the day, take Mocha for walks, and watch TV shows that I have on DVD as we no longer have cable. I've been learning a lot about myself, what I like and don't like, what peaks my interest and what doesn't, what I find really annoying, and probably most importantly what I'm looking for in a relationship.

I have always considered my self a straight man. I have had girlfriends and enjoyed sex with women throughout college (and highschool). When I walk down the street, I experience what I consider normal heterosexual thoughts about women - not men. When people ask me what my orientation is I normally say straight or, when I'm drunk, I'll say I'm 'open,' as I've had my fair share of threesome/foursome experiences. My job often times brings me to gay bars, and although I'm propositioned nearly every time for "the best blowjob I've ever had," it has never crossed my mind to oblige.

Just as a general thought though, I think the idea of classification (either by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation) creates an overall distinction and method of discrimination that enables people whom are "better off," "morally superior," or simply "normal," the justification to judge and deem themselves the ethical standard. Today, more and more one finds that the ethical and moral standards have been blurred to make "alternative" lifestyles less bizarre and abnormal - but this is typically not the case. For this reason, I generally do not subscribe to these characteristics and categorical naming and take the most neutral and non-descript name when I'm asked (ie 'open').

That being said, I met someone a couple of weeks ago that has brought about the same feelings I have had with my previous girlfriend that has really perplexed me. I know him from highschool, he is a year younger than me. We've been spending a lot of time together, until he left for college a couple of days ago. I feel a strange sense of loss, sadness, and at the same time companionship that is foreign to me (from a guy). So, while I have all of this free time, thinking about this new experience and what it all means has occupied most of it. More later.

More rain

2006-08-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

So awhile ago when we had our last High Impact Camel event, we experienced a similar rainfall to which is falling now. I almost lost my car in a small lake that formed @ Hennepin and Central. Many tornados I guess.

I'm passing the time by doing a lot of reading, surfing the web, and watching a lot of porn on XTube.com A friend of mine mentioned it a couple days ago and some of the stuff is very interesting and surprisingly free. At any rate, I'm gonna go make spaghetti...

Again

2006-08-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

I have attempted planning for my future, and I have accepted a job teaching English in Korea. I'm pretty excited although my parents are not. Going to Cananda is a big deal for them, so understandably they are very emphatic about me taking my other offers. Most of them, both Microsoft and Google, paid a substancial amount of money...but if I'm not going to enojoy the job what's the point. I'm not about to start something that I know I will not like.

I went to the Vikings game last night. Although we lost I had a blast. We had tickets that were great, I can't believe they cost that much for pre-season. I ended up spending more than I wanted to, around $100 for the night. We went to Harvey's after, I sang "Tribute" with Cam that was suprsingly good, a lot of people commented on how much they enjoyed it.

Most of my things are still in my old apartment, but I'm slowly making my way to the new place downtown. I'm really excited but I'm giving up a lot of privacy as Candace is home much more than my current roommates - I'm still looking forward to it though. I love downtown life. I need to get a bike though. More later.

Mini vacation

2006-06-16T00:13:00.000-07:00

I'm staying at my parents for the week while their in Canada, watching the dogs and I guess my brother. It feels so weird to be back here, as I haven't stayed for this long and is reminiscent of highschool. I'm thinking of having a bash up here sometime this weekend, possibly Sunday? We'll see.

The Postman is on TV right now, TNT. Fuckin amateurs. What the hell happened to Costner? Also, I was recommended to see Newsies, I really didn't like it. It was a cross between a bad musical and some kind of teen drama.

My work has become more and more monotonous and going to the same clubs and bars is getting really old really fast. Things get especially old going to the gay clubs as it has become a challenge to keep things somewhat constructive to getting work done. Everybody's having a good time except for me. I trained in Mitch today, he seems somewhat successful and I guess lives down the street from me but also owns a condo? Twas confusing. Anyways, I'm looking forward to tomorrow as I train in Jackie, a hottie who started a couple days ago. She can see my camel beast anytime :)

I'm debating whether or not to get back into retail. I've gotten a few offers from friends who do Regional Merchandising for several companies. They pay quite well considering the devotion it takes, but I'm just not sure I want to get sucked into that mess again.

This book will change your life

2006-06-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

I bought this book "This book will change your life" about two months ago and haven't glanced at it yet, well until about 5 minutes ago. Here starts my journey.

Day 1: As this is your first day, you should warm up with an easy task that will only change your life a little bit. Choose one of the following options: Do one press-up, perform a striptease (in private), triple-tie your shoelaces, learn to play chopsticks on the piano, increase your typing speed by three words a minute, jawalk in a pedestrian zone, set all your clocks to exactly the right time, whisper a white lie when no one's listening, fantasize about your partner, use a different thinkness comb, say yo instaed of hello, hold the phone up to your other ear, tell someone your middle name, try a new sandwich filling, leave work five minutes early, bookmark a new website, give your genitialia pet names, decide which one of your toes is the prettiest, insult an insect, go on a one-minute hunger strike.

I havent decided what to do yet. More to come...

The Nature of College

2006-05-19T02:34:00.000-07:00

I do not recall where I originally saw this, nonetheless it was on my computer and have always found it amusing;

College is basically a bunch of rooms where you sit for roughly two thousand hours and try to memorize things. The two thousand hours are spread out over four years; you spend the rest of the time sleeping and trying to get dates. Basically, you learn two kinds of things in college: 1. Things you will need to know in later life (two hours). 2. Things you will not need to know in later life (1,998 hours).

These are the things you learn in classes whose names end in -ology, - osophy, -istry, -ics, and so on. The idea is, you memorize these things, then write them down in little exam books, then forget them. If you fail to forget them, you become a professor and have to stay in college for the rest of your life.

It's very difficult to forget everything. For example, when I was in college, I had to memorize -- don't ask me why -- the names of three metaphysical poets other than John Donne. I have managed to forget one of them, but I still remember that the other two were named Vaughan and Crashaw. Sometimes, when I'm trying to remember something important like whether my wife told me to get tuna packed in oil or tuna packed in water, Vaughan and Crashaw just pop up in my mind, right there in the supermarket. It's a terrible waste of brain cells.

After you've been in college for a year or so, you're supposed to choose a major, which is the subject you intend to memorize and forget the most things about. Here is a very important piece of advice: be sure to choose a major that does not involve Known Facts and Right Answers. This means you must not major in mathematics, physics, biology, or chemistry, because these subjects involve actual facts.

If, for example, you major in mathematics, you're going to wander into class one day and the professor will say: "Define the cosine integer of the quadrant of a rhomboid binary axis, and extrapolate your result to five significant vertices." If you don't come up with exactly the answer the professor has in mind, you fail.

The same is true of chemistry: if you write in your exam book that carbon and hydrogen combine to form oak, your professor will flunk you. He wants you to come up with the same answer he and all the other chemists have agreed on. Scientists are extremely snotty about this.

So you should major in subjects like English, philosophy, psychology, and sociology -- subjects in which nobody really understands what anybody else is talking about, and which involve virtually no actual facts. I attended classes in all these subjects, so I'll give you a quick overview of each:

ENGLISH: This involves writing papers about long books you have read little snippets of just before class. Here is a tip on how to get good grades on your English papers: Never say anything about a book that anybody with any common sense would say. For example, suppose you are studying Moby Dick. Anybody with any common sense would say that Moby Dick is a big white whale, since the characters in the book refer to it as a big white whale roughly eleven thousand times. So in your paper, you say Moby Dick is actually the Republic of Ireland. Your professor, who is sick to death of reading papers and never liked Moby Dick anyway, will think you are enormously creative. If you can regularly come up with lunatic interpretations of simple stories, you should major in English.

PHILOSOPHY: Basically, this involves sitting in a room and deciding there is no such thing as reality and then going to lunch. You should major in philosophy if you plan to take a lot of drugs.

PSYCHOLOGY: This involves talking about rats and dreams. Psychologists are obsessed with rats and dreams. I once spent an entire semester training a rat to punch little buttons in a certain sequence, then training my roommate to do the same thing. The rat learned much faster. My roommate is now a doctor. If you like rats or dreams, and above all if you dream about rats, you should major in psychology.

SOCIOLOGY: For sheer lack of intelligibility, sociology is far and away the number one subject. I sat through hundreds of hours of sociology courses, and read gobs of sociology writing, and I never once heard or read a coherent statement. This is because sociologists want to be considered scientists, so they spend most of their time translating simple, obvious observations into scientific-sounding code. If you plan to major in sociology, you'll have to learn to do the same thing. For example, suppose you have observed that children cry when they fall down. You should write: "Methodological observation of the sociometrical behavior tendencies of prematurated isolates indicates that a causal relationship exists between groundward tropism and lachrimatory, or 'crying,' behavior forms." If you can keep this up for fifty or sixty pages, you will get a large government grant.

2006-05-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

So this past week I've basically accomplished nothing, except for almost finishing Half-Life 2, which I purchased a couple years ago and haven't touched since. Now I know why I bought it, very entertaining.

This is the first summer when I don't have a daytime job and I don't have a clue what to do. There's nothing on TV, my dog basically lays around the house, and seemingly nobody is around. I should be looking/applying for jobs but it doesn't sound that much fun. I'm thinking about applying for the FBI or something similar. Police work doesn't really interest me, but they have a linguistics position that does. French isn't exactly a top priority, but evidently they'll teach if you already speak more than one language. Apparently there is an increased aptitude in learning additional languages if you have already learned more than one. Not sure if that's the case with me, but what the hell.

I have $19 in my bank account until next Friday, and now that school is out everybody wants to go out drinking. It's kinda depressing, but in a couple weeks I'll have more money than I'll know what to do with. I'll definetly be paying off some bills, maybe a trip or two. . .suggestions?

Even though I didn't really follow Will & Grace, I'm excited for the finale. I get excited for all finales, especially series finales as they're normally such a let down.

Titles are stupid

2006-05-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

My grades were just posted and I didn't do as well as I thought, although with a B average I can't be that mad. . .I really didn't put that much effort into it. In fact, I managed to get a B+ in a class I never went to, not even once (except for the final).

Side Note: Jeopardy Tournament of Champions is on right now, yesterday's categories were unbelieveably tough. Today's are equally as vexing (Horse racing, British history, Arts & Artists).

I just got back from getting my hair cut done. A friend who works at Master Cuts offered to cut and color my hair - it's the best thing about my job. I meet people from all over, and because I'm "giving them" something, they feel they need to do stuff for me. Most of the time this comes to fruition through a shot or free admission. I met her at the Gay 90's, she's basically there every Sunday when I work. I'm not sure what I think about the color yet, it was just a highlight or something in a copper tone. I felt like an idiot sitting in the salon, in front of the food court no less, with this plastic bonnet on my head for over a 1/2 hour. That's probably the last time that'll happen. I am, however, happy with the cut. I'll post a picture of that later.

Back to Half-Life 2. . .

Tomorrow

2006-05-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

The last episode of the West Wing, "Tomorrow," was an absolutely perfect way to end the show. The sense of achievement and the uncertainty of tomorrow echoed from the show to me, as I ponder what to do with my life. I stare off into what can only be described as my nervous meandering thought, and all I can think about is tomorrow...

I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for French refugees, I write award-winning prose, I manage time efficiently. Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row.

I woo women with my sensuous and godlike saxophone playing, I can pilot bicycles up several inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook Thirty-Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru. Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets, I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I'm bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays after school, I repair electrical appliances free of charge.

I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy evening wear. I don't perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail (from my mother). I have been caller number nine and have won the weekend passes. Last summer I toured New Jersey with a traveling centrifugal-force demonstration. I bat .400. My deft floral arrangements have earned me fame in international botany circles. Children trust me.

I can hurl tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy. I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. I know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. I have performed several cover operations for the CIA. I sleep once a week; when I do sleep, I sleep in a chair. While on vacation in Canada, I successfully negotiated with a group of terrorist who had seized a small bakery. The laws of physics do not apply to me.

I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid. On weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami. Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. I have made extraordinary four course meals using only a mouli and a toaster oven. I breed prizewinning clams. I have won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the Kremlin. I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and I have spoken with Elvis.

This is all I can think about. For the first time in my life I am scared and all I think about is what will become of me tomorrow.

Kowasaki

2006-04-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

Last night at work, out in front of Bar Fly, I heard a pop noise down the street. About one minute later, fourteen or fifteen squad cars coming flying down Hennepin, people screaming and running everywhere. Squad cars were going up sidewalks and coming out of alleys, it was crazy. Evidently someone opened fire on a group of people - for no particular reason - that were walking from bar to bar. The person who was shot died on their way to the hospital. Chaotic.

So it has been ocnfirmed I'll have to take a couple classes in the summer as I expected. I wasn't planning on leaving MN til the fall anyways, so I guess it will work out in the end. I just have to focus on my classes at hand - I'm having trouble finishing my senior paper, which is due tonight. We'll see...time for a drink.

St. Pat's

2006-03-18T15:49:00.000-08:00

Even though I had no intention on doing anything for St. Patrick's day, Marcus told me that everybody was meeting at a St. Paul bar to pre-game before going to the parade dt St. Paul. It turns out it was for the better even though I felt like shit for the rest of the day. I always seem to work on the days everybody else is getting trashed. Well, I managed to do both. I was smashed by noon, home by three for a sober-up nap, then to work at seven.

Although I do regret working. All I heard was, "oh, it's just too bad you have to work tonight. We are having some much fun drinking and being drunk." I did get some good numbers, and I saw some outrageous scenes downtown. Bar Fly was out of control, people were everywhere. I seem to be obsessed with the Pepsi commercial with Jimmy Fallon and Parker Posey - I even downloaded the song (Streamline by Newton.) Enjoy the longer version. . .

I'm getting excited for the upcoming high-impact Camel event we are having. It's going to be @ Loft downtown. Evidently we have secured BT to be the main event, so I guess it'll be some sort of rave theme - which I guess stands to reason as the last Camel event, "Camel Immersion," was the last time I tried illicit drugs, this event should be equally as interesting.

It should be a blast - I'll have quite a few VIP passes to give out, let me know if you're free April 7th. It's not to be missed!

This fucking snow

2006-03-15T21:55:00.000-08:00

Yet another winter weather warning falls upon us. According to the weather service, we received 10.7 inches from Sunday night until Monday morning and with little snow that melted over the remaining Monday and Tuesday, the anticipated four to nine additional inches will prove challenging on a multitude of levels. Not only does it inhibit slow traffic at the bars but sloshy sidewalks and roads do not make my job enjoyable. Thank God I do not have to travel far.

I bought this book "This Book Will Change Your Life," it has daily missions, goals, or instructions with the goal of making the readers life a little more interesting. Starting today, my job was to start light: do one press-up, jaywalk in a pedestrian zone, etc. I tried to do all of them.

Pizza and beer down at the warehouse was good. I haven't seen the guys in a while - Pat is finally able to use both arms, Felix seems a little down but still hangin' in there and Loren looks well. I was sad I wasn't able to make it to Jared's going away party - I didn't even realize he was moving away.

I've gotten a couple chapters into a bood that was recommended to me called "The World Is Flat." I'm really enjoying it, you should read it.

PB & J time

2006-03-14T15:00:00.000-08:00

I almost got my car towed, again. Being in bed all day I was oblivious to what side of the road I had to be on, etc., it's all kind of ironic because we have a driveway with a bunch of parking - it's just not convenient.

Thank god I didn't have to work last night, and I don't have to work tonight. Not only would being out in all this snow be grueling but I don't think a lot of people are out drinking. This spring break, unlike last year, has seen many people escaping the winter cold. The streets are practically empty, so it has been easier than normal to find parking.

Jon is really getting on my nerves. I am having a hard time keeping a smile on my face. . ., both roommates think I enjoy cleaning up after their parties, doing their dishes, picking up after they make a mess, etc. I swear its as if they are completly out of touch with cleaning up, like their parents never made them clean or something. Anyways, I'm just going to keep my mouth shut until Jon leaves, I value his friendship and don't want him to leave on bad terms.

There was this internet video going around a few years ago with this banana dancing to this ridiculous song peanut better jelly time. Well, I found a family guy episode that has Brian doing an impression of it, I laughed and laughed - enjoy!

Under the weather

2006-03-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

So I'm still sick, almost 5 days after initially getting influenza. I'm really kind of upset at my roommate. She went to the doctor about a week and a half ago and the doc advised her to stay in bed for at least 2 or 3 days. So what does she do? She lays on the couch for nearly a week and gets everybody else sick. The notion of "staying in bed" doesn't mean do nothing and watch TV, it means lay in bed ASLEEP!!!
So now Jon and I are battling this sickness that has wideranging affects. My mom was nice enough to make chicken noodle soup that I'll be picking up tonight! Can't wait, no one can beat it!

I'm in love with the new snow, it reminds me why I love Minnesota. It's not worth the cold if there is not any snow. The reading on the news was 15-20 inches fell in Minneapolis. It's reminiscent of the Halloween storm in '92.

My birthday is in a couple of days. I have only asked for a couple things - things that are needed after my previous roommate moved out. Also, on a happy note Jon got his job in Arizona - he leaves in about a week. So again we are back down to 2 people. . ., anybody need a place??

Wedding Pictures

2006-02-28T14:43:00.000-08:00

I finally uploaded the pictures from Jason and Emma's wedding. HERE

No Class

2006-02-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

For some reason I did not have class today, so I've been on a youtube bender. I've seen the video in a few different clubs, I really like it so I thought I'd add it to my profile. Not sure why, it's so weird.

I've been trying to download as many Seinfeld and Family Guy episodes as I can. It's good background noise when I'm trying to get stuff done. Speaking of that, Jackie just cleaned her room and it sparked me to clean mine as well. I'm in the midst of it right now - I just have too much shit.

I'm looking forward to the Camel events we are having this week. Tomorrow I'll be at Jitters for their anniversary. Some guy who played with Prince or something is performing, so that should be fun. Then on Saturday, we'll be at Myth for a pre-Mardi Gras party. Evidently there is a contest, whoever has the most beads at the end of the night gets a trip for two to Cancun or something. That should make for an interesting, partially nude night.

Project Runway

2006-02-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

Is anybody watching this Project Runway bullshit? Who does this Santino guy think he is? Talk about disgusting, watching him talk irritates me. Although, the imitation he does of the Parsons guy is hilarious. Danny V better win.

Day 2 of several

2006-02-21T13:37:00.000-08:00

I woke up way too late today which I guess illustrates how the rest of the day will go. Later today, I'm going to be railroaded into signing a disciplinary form at work for something I had no control over - a seemingly increasing occurrence.

I got a present today, a red Swingline stapler. I little known fact, Swingline didn't make a red version of their stapler until so many requests for the color swamped their offices. Lift cap to load.

I ended up going home for dinner last night and all I heard was I need a haircut. My hair is getting a little ridiculous, I agree, but I'm not trying to impress anyone nor do I need to look 'polished' at my job so what's the point. I normally have a very short/buzz haircut - it's basically the longest my hair has every been. I look homely and tired.

Listening to:
Gorlliaz - Demon Days
War - Spill The Wine
Elliott Smith - Needle In The Hay

It's the fabric of our lives

2006-02-20T15:41:00.000-08:00

My senior paper is coming along smoothly, as it should be, but coming up with specific enough current journal articles is eating an excessive amount of time. I do, however, make ample time for youtube, if you haven't visited it yet, . . .well, you're not exactly missing out but it's great way to waste some time.

Things were a bit tense and unproductive a few weeks ago. Fortunately with a new roommate who isn't nearly as anal, selfish, and does not possess a massive and ridiculous ego, things have been much more peaceful and easygoing. Although balancing work, school, and trying to keep my social life active has been a challenge -- life is good.

Listening to:
Rolling Stones - Under My Thumb
Nikkfurie - A La Menthe
Fischerspooner - Never Win

Getting back into the groove

2006-01-30T19:49:00.000-08:00

I'm just now starting to get back into the groove of routinely doing homework, reading, and writing essays. As of now, 10:00pm, I have two essays to write before tomorrow around 9am. It isn't too bad considering they're not true essays in that I have to do an extensive amount of thinking. Basically just my thoughts on a couple of things, cities, communities and Indians. You know, this and that.

I start volunteering again at Plymouth Youth Center, and alternative high school on Minneapolis' north side. I did it last year for credit but I'm continuing this year because I enjoyed it so much. Initially I was a little disturbed by the tour, the teacher overseeing the volunteer work said I shouldn't be going places by myself, for my safety. But once I got to know the kids, I think the teachers are really apprehensive at giving the students any credit. Some of the teachers, in fact, are a bit shady.

Anyways, I need to get back to some writing that my professors will appreciate.

Listening to:
Rufas Wainwright - Hallelujah
Everything But the Girl - Before Today
Bill Black's Combo - Skokian
YMA Sumac - Taki Rari

Loss

2006-01-29T19:20:00.000-08:00

So I just learned a friend of mine died earlier today. She was down a block from my house on top of the Bungy grain elevator, and fell through a hole. It was less than a month ago I was doing the same thing, but fortunately it was still light and I was able to see them.

Beyond the shock of hearing of the death, I feel a great sense of sorrow that rarely becomes of me. Without experiencing great personal tragedy myself, I have always found myself without emotion except for content and joy. It is sad that it takes an event such as this to realize that I am somewhat closed off as a person I am, very private and unemotional.

Recently I have been making an effort to contact friends that have gone their own way which I seldom see or speak to. Although I didn't know her very well, I still call her a friend. She was always very inviting, a great person to be around. It has become clear that instead of letting people pass through my life, being such a passive person, should change. Embracing the friends I have, being more involved in what other people are doing, and rekindling previous friendships is the path to a happy, and more importantly, meaningful life.

2006-01-10T19:00:00.000-08:00

Recently went to the Black Eyed Peas concert - well, actually it was the Gwen Stefani concert but I went for BEP. It was basically me, a few friends, and a few thousand 13 year olds and their mothers.

As I watch Boston Legal, I think I have found a new show. It is comically witty, the writing is crisp and disdainly artful. I especially love William Shatner's role.

I am really happy with my new purchase. At first, I wasn't sure if I like the video iPod I bought, as the formats which are supported are not convenient for me to obtain. But I have since explored the video podcast features on the music store, and the photo option - I love it. It is a little bigger than my mini, but since it no longer works, I have little option.

I went to go get a new iTrip and charger for it, drop another $92, and it doesn't work that well. I think I might look into getting this attachment or something for my car. It's only money, I guess.

Looking to the future

2006-01-07T23:04:00.000-08:00

My stint as a rep for Microsoft has come and past, and I'm just now learning both how big of an impact it made on the U of M campus, and how much I'm going to get as compensation. I AM E L A T E D.

It's a long time coming, considering I started in September - but it turns out that I earned a little over $500 per hour. I ended up taking second place out of 52 markets.

My other job is not going quite is well however. In the beginning, I enjoyed doing it - now, I'm experiencing 'burn out,' as they put it. Evidently it happens to most reps in my position. The pay is too good not to keep going, and the hours are great considering I'm a night owl.

Listening to:
The Beta Band - Dry the Rain
Black Eyed Peas - Be Free
Rufus Wainwright - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk

2006-01-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

The Wedding -

Throughout the trip I maintained the wedding would be the least enjoyable part. . .but I forgot how much I love to drink - and we'd be at an Irish wedding. It was quite possible the best wedding I have ever gone to. Probably the biggest suprise was that although I spent over ₤40 on ₤2.50 drinks, mostly Guiness, I still remember everything. I came into the wedding knowing the bride, groom, the groom's sister and fiance. I left knowing almost everybody from both sides.

Logistically, attending the wedding was a bit of a challenge because of the time of our flight the next morning and the location of the festivities. The latest train after the reception to get back to Belfast from Bangor was 10:30pm - which was far too early considering how good of a time we were having. And, this of course was where our hotel was, in Belfast. Uncle Dan invited us to stay with him and the rest of the clan until the next train left at 6:00am.

So, after the wedding party ended at 1:00am, everybody went back. Tyler, the fiance of Jason's sister, and a few others stayed up with us. We drank more Guiness and sipped on old brandy wunil we left. THis turned out to be one of the longest days, or stint of days in my life. Completely exhausted, flying early and no food, homesick. Not a pretty picture for Ryan. It was just a bad combination altogether, but we were heading back to the same hostel we had been staying at in London. . .so at least we would have some sense of normality.

We stumbled back to the hostel, still wearing wedding clothes for over a day. It was nice to see Or and Gespaud again, our friends from our previous stay. Or continued to live in the hostel, at my suggestion, without paying. The people at that hostel are clueless to what is happening upstairs.

As I write from the plane on the way home, an enclosed space, the fact that the French do not shower often enough is only exacerbated. So far, I have watched Wedding Crashers, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and now on to War of the Worlds. There are a lot of hot people on the place that I'd love to fuck...

On that note, Gespaud learned some interesting phrases from Or and I about trying to commit adultry while away from his wife in London. This all started with Gespaud getting a job in a kitchen down the street. He doesn't speak much English at all, so when his boss told him that she really loves black people and she wanted to get to know him, he replied, "I have a wife and cannot fuck you." Later that day when he came back to the hostel and told us the story, he wanted to know some English phrases so he could back track what he had said. The way he inquired though was so comical. He tried to circumvent our knowledge that he wanted to have the affair, he just jokingly wanted to know some of the language. We gave him some good stuff :) Thats all for now.

Listening to:
Carla Bruni - Raphael
Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah
Black Strobe - Me And Madonna

Europe, thus far

2005-12-18T06:47:00.000-08:00

OK...so I am nearing the close of my eigth day in Europe, and so far it has been quite the experience. Right at the get go, I had a longer than expected layover in Philadelphia so I took the tram into the town center and saw the sights. It was Sunday night, so most everything was closed, but I was able to see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell - either way it was better than sitting in the airport for four hours.

The flight from Philadelphia to Paris was exceptional. The plane was less than half full, people were sprawled out everywhere taking up entire, four seat rows to sleep. The food was better than expected, I had the beef. The entertainment was good also, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wedding Crashers, War of the Worlds, and other various TV programs. Never hearing of US Airways before, I would now go out of my way to use this carrier.

I spent the first few nights in London, planning on heading to Athens on the 13th of Dec. I was forced to deviate from my original plans as one of the people I was traveling with, Gregg, was denied boarding because of a problem with his passport. Gregg had been traveling without hassle until this flight - we had even used this same carrier to get to London. Alas, a trip to the US Embassy was required to obtain an emergency travel passport so the trip could continue. When I tried to rebook the flights, EasyJet wanted to charge me an extra 300 quid to reschedule the flights on top of the 100 dollars we already paid - keeping in mind that the supervisor at the aiport said there would be no extra charge to change flights.

We made the decision to stay a few extra nights in London instead which turned out to be not so bad. The weather has been nice so far, no rain, a bit cool though. I did not pack for seven days in 30 degree weather, so I've had to buy a few things.

On the second day in London, however, I suffered a sever allergic reaction to which I still do not know the cause. It started with the swelling of my tongue, hands and feet. This was followed by hives and extreme itching, then followed by an extended duration of swelling in my face. According to WebMD.com, I was to consult an emergency professional immediately, which I did. In Britain, similar to Canada, they have free, national health care so it did not cost my anything to see the doctor. The doctor lectured me about traveling without health coverage for 10 minutes. Anyways, she said I could either go to the hospital once a day to get a shot, or get a prescription filled to take 8 pills every morning. I took the prescription, but they do not help at all. The doctor said something interesting to me that I will probably never forget. "If allergies were not a part of your life before, they will be now." She said I was very fortunate that I got to the hospital when I did as the swelling would have gone to my neck/throat next and obstructed my airway. Long story short, well not so short, but she advised me to see a doctor when I get back for an 'epi-pen' or something like that. Evidently it is serious.

Having been to London previous, I have been able to focus less on the tourist destinations and more on just living as a Britain - it has been kind of boring, but VERY relaxing. It is just what I needed after a fairly hectic fall semester. I have met some interesting people from all over the world that hopefully I will remain in contact with. Specifically Or from Israel and Manuel from Germany. We have been having quite a bit of fun together, last night we went to a night club. Gregg made a fool of himself dancing to the theme from Baywatch. The fact is I was more embarrassed than he was, people were pointing and laughing - but it is all in good fun. I had to say to myself, out loud, we'll never see these people again.

Tomorrow I travel to Northern Ireland, specifically Belfast and Bangor. I'll be spending a couple of nights there visiting friends. I have taken many pictures, some of which can be seen on my facebook profile for your pleasure. Thats all for now. Cheers!

Too many things...

2005-10-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

I have recently had trouble keeping up with everything in my life. Basically it has been my homework that has taken a backseat to the IFC channel. I am obcessed. The movies are excellent. I'm especially excited for the Scream flicks coming up.

2005-10-07T14:29:00.000-07:00

I am impressively behind in most of my school work, but I could not be happier. There is so much group shit that I'm completely sick of. I was grouped with the most inept students that could be found on campus (albiet not entirely hard to do). The icing on the cake is the project is moderately hard, requiring actual thought and comprehension - something foreign to my coworkers. But I'm happy - ... and a little bitchy.

On a lighter note I'm kicking ass @ work. I am in kind of a competition with other campuses both in terms of the fastest to achieve the goal and the person that can go the highest over. Currently I'm in the lead and the closest person is several hundred points behind me. I'm just too good. That's for you Tyler.

Mood: Elated
Song: Al Green - Here I am Baby

Selling my soul

2005-09-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

So according to my dad working for RJ Reynolds is a bad thing. I told him I don't smoke, so what is the difference - actually I don't even think I contribute to people smoking and I keep repeating that to myself. It's what gets me through the day.

On a lighter note I fly out to Redmond, WA on the 30th to tour Microsoft and I'm stoked. Evidently I'll be treated to a rare tour now that I'm sort of an employee (with out benefits).

I have a shitstorm of school work due in what seems like a ridiculous timetable and I'm sure I won't get it done. I'll have to pull out some of the ol' excuses. Anyways, that's all for now, I gotta go work. Ciao-

Microsoft OneNote

2005-09-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

Everybody needs to do me a favor and download Microsoft Onenote at OneNoteCampus.com Not only will you get a 180-day free trial but it's actually a pretty useful program. Be sure to select University of Minnesota - TC!

So I want to get a dog and I think the miniature pinscher is the one. I have an opportunity to get one from our neighbor - it's 2. So I wont have to deal with training and such.

The only problem is that my roommates have expressed reservations on getting a "small" dog. I, along with the landlord, hate cats - so they thank god are out of the question. But if we wanted to dog there is no way a bid dog would fit into our lifestyle. Small dogs are less maintenance. Yes?