Before I Forget....

Today's promised picture of January Jones.

Waste of a Day

Such a lonely day
Shouldn't exist
It's a day that I'll never miss

Such a lonely day
And it's mine

~~ System of a Down- Lonely Day

Today held a lot of promise. Getting through the week at work wasn't fun at all. It's harder and harder every day to get up and go to work. I easily could have missed work yesterday. I went back to sleep after silencing my alarm....and woke up 40 minutes later, just enough time really to rush in and make it on time. I've been playing with fire with that lately, and it almost bit me in the ass finally. I guess I need to stop the 15-20 minutes of snooze, which I have grown to love, and get my ass up right away when that first alarm goes off.

Today I was up early. Not as early as I would be for work, but only a couple hours later. Early enough that the sun wasn't up yet. I was fully rested, wide awake....and could have gotten so much accomplished. I knew it too. There are PLENTY of things around here I could have done. Instead I fed, watered, and let the dogs out....then climbed back in bed to read. Read a few chapters of my latest book, then slept. And slept.

I was finally up and starting my day somewhere around noon. I woke up a little after 11, but just couldn't drag myself out of bed for almost an hour. And when I finally did, it was to go get some fattening food. I'm supposed to be in the midst of another big weight loss quest, but I threw that out the window. I've said it before, I'll say it again....food comforts me, and I find it very easy to justify eating what I want over what I should eat. It's easier to justify than pretty much anything else. There aren't many things I am selfish about, but it seems to come out most often when it comes to what I want to eat.

So I got the food and came home. I saw right away that today would be a great day for a drive. I even mentioned that in a text conversation pretty early in the afternoon. Did I take advantage of that even? No. After eating, I sat on the couch. I watched some tv that I wasn't interested in. I ignored my book. I ignored my house. I ignored my friends. I ate some more. Drank way too much cola. Made Mark get Oreos when he went out to the store. I know I can be lazy, but damn.

It's frustrating thinking about it now. So many things I thought about doing....things I really wanted to do. Then I didn't do a damn thing.

At least I feel that putting up this post is accomplishing something....even though I am still on the couch, hiding under the hood of my sweatshirt as I do it.

February's First Friday

If we run this light
Ah, Friday is here. The first Friday of February at that. To celebrate, I think I am going to just take it easy this afternoon. I'm feeling a little run down this morning, but I've been dealing with that just about every Friday since I started working the hours I am now. Add to that the things I had to get done, and the commotion all around me this week and I am thinking a nice long afternoon of nothing is a good idea. It's a shame the hot tub is out of commission for a while.
Take a little life
I've really got nothing else to say this morning. I know that the Super Bowl is only a couple days away, and that I would normally be talking about it and trying to handicap it as best I could....but I don't even know the spread yet. I don't even know who is favored. I would expect the Colts to be a favorite, but I know that the Saints are popular with the average recreational bettor. With that, I'd have to say the Colts would be a 1.5-2.5 point favorite maybe....I'll check on that in a bit.
No one will care at all
I've been a little behind in terms of music lately. I finally bought Crash Love from A.F.I. last weekend. I've listened to it all the way through one time, and listened to a string of the songs on the CD a few times. Usually starting with Beautiful Thieves and ending with Medicate. I absolutely love listening to Beautiful Thieves right now. Can't get enough of it.
We can burn it and leave
I also picked up Swoon from The Silversun Pickups the same day I got Crash Love. It was on sale for like half off, and I figured I might as well check them out since they are opening for Muse on 3/13. It would be good to know what to expect from them. I've listened to about half the songs on the CD, and nothing has jumped out at me yet....maybe I'll give the whole CD a listen later today and see what happens.
For we are the beautiful thieves
OK, so Indy is a 4.5-5 point favorite....I gotta say, I like the Saints with that. I think it's the better value with the 5 points, but I wouldn't be confident betting on either team this year. The only thing I know I will be betting on for sure is the coin flip. I've been betting a dollar on tails for YEARS. Wow....I can probably say decades now. This is at least my 20th year betting on tails for the Super Bowl coin flip. Sheesh, where has the time gone?
No one suspects at all
Well wherever that time has gone, my time to blog today has now joined it....

Love Jones

So I really missed a good opportunity last month. Leave it to me to have the idea of posting a picture of January Jones every day during the month of January on February 1st. No matter. This is MY blog. I post things for ME. So I am declaring that February shall be the month of January here at Chronicles of Max. I might not post a picture every single day, but every day I post something, there will be at least one picture.

I'm sure a lot of people won't understand this, and very few people are really aware of this either, but I am just plain in love with this Jones girl. How can I not be? First of all she is beautiful. Just beautiful. The blonde hair, the blue eyes, the fair skin, and those full lips are a deadly combination. Behind those lips hide a smile that I can't help but smile at myself when I see it. And it's not just the smile, but the way her eyes sparkle when she smiles. In my whole life, I've seen very few smiles like hers.

Another thing that's hard to miss is her body. Tall and slender, yet she still has curves. Amazing. And she knows how to use that body. You can see that when you watch her walk. She can exude a calm elegance or a seductive aura just by walking toward ,or away from, you.

I could go on for days about her, but I will put an end to it now. Some things are better left unknown anyway. So, on to the morning playlist.

Morning Music, 2-03-10

1. Resistance- Muse.

Is your secret safe tonight?
And are we out of sight?
Or will our world come tumbling down?

Will they find our hiding place?
Is this our last embrace?
Or will the walls start caving in?

(It could be wrong, could be wrong)
But it should've been right
(It could be wrong, could be wrong)
Let our hearts ignite
(It could be wrong, could be wrong)
Are we digging a hole?
(It could be wrong, could be wrong)
This is outta control

Love is our resistance
They keep us apart and they won't stop breaking us down
And hold me, our lips must always be sealed

2. Dog Days are Over- Florence and the Machine.

Happiness hit her like a train on a track
Coming towards her stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
With every bubble she sank with her drink
And washed it away down the kitchen sink

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming
So you better run

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your loving, your loving behind
You cant carry it with you if you want to survive

3. Walkin' After Midnight- Patsy Cline.

I walk for miles,
along the highway,
well that's just my way,
of sayin I love you.

4. Here (In Your Arms)- Hellogoodbye.

I like,
Where you sleep,
When you sleep,
Next to me.
I like,
Where you sleep;
Here.

Our lips,
Can touch,
And our cheeks,
Can brush.
Cause our lips,
Can touch;
here

Well you are the one, the one that lies close to me.
Whispers "Hello, I've missed you quite terribly."
I fell in love, in love with you suddenly.
Now there's no place else I could be but here in your arms.

5. The Good Left Undone- Rise Against.

In fields where nothing grew but weeds,
I found a flower at my feet,
Bending there in my direction,
I wrapped a hand around its stem,
I pulled until the roots gave in,
Finding there what I'd been missing,

But I know...
So I tell myself, I tell myself it's wrong.
There's a point we pass from which we can't return.
I felt the cold rain of the coming storm.

Inside my hands these petals browned,
Dried up, fallen to the ground
But it was already too late now.
I pushed my fingers through the earth,
Returned this flower to the dirt,
So it could live. I walked away now.

But I know...
Not a day goes by that I don't feel this burn.
There's a point we pass from which we can't return.
I felt the cold rain of the coming storm.

All because of you,
I haven't slept in so long.
When I do I dream of drowning in the ocean,
Longing for the shore where I can lay my head down,
Inside these arms of yours.

All because of you,
I believe in angels.
Not the kind with wings,
No, not the kind with halos,
The kind that bring you home,
When home becomes a strange place.
I'll follow your voice,
All you have to do is shout it out.

6. Don't Trust Me- 3OH!3.

Shush girl, shut your lips
Do the Helen Keller, and talk with your hips

7. Whiskey, You're the Devil- The Clancy Brothers.

Oh, whisky you're the devil
you're leading me astray
over hills and mountains
and to Amerikay
you're sweeter stronger dacenter
you're spunkier nor tea
oh whisky you're my darling drunk or sober

8. Closer- Kings of Leon.

Stranded in this spooky town,
Stop-lights are swayin' and the phone lines are down.
The floor is crackling cold,
She took my heart, I think she took my soul.
With the moon I run,
Far from the carnage of the fiery sun.

9. Rub You the Right Way- Johnny Gill.

What you've been missin' in a man
I can supply, your wish is my command
I'll work hard to fill up your needs
Give you lesson on what it is to

(Feel) Feel (Good) good, baby
Get undressed and slip on this robe
(Re-) Re- (lax) lax, darlin'
Just sit back,

Can you feel the magic in my hands
When I touch and rub you the right way
Stroke applied with tenderness
When I hold and rub you the right way

A light massage, a soft caress
Whenever I need to rub, I run her happiness
Customer satisfaction is a guarantee
So for your pleasure, come on over here

Gonna rub with my magic hands
Give you what you're missin in a man
Stroke you with a soft caress
Applied with so much tenderness
Hold on tight and don't let go
Give you pleasure like youve never known before

10. Teeth- Lady Gaga.

Got no salvation (no salvation)
Got no salvation
Got no religion (no religion)
My religion is you
Take a bite of my bad girl meat (bad girl meat)
Take a bite of me boy
Show me your teeth
I'm a tough bitch

Tell me something that'll save me
I need a man who makes me alright (man who makes me alright)
Just tell me when it's alright
Tell me something that'll change me
I'm gonna love you with my hands tied

Show me your teeth
It's not how big, it's how mean

Show me your teeth
Open your mouth boy
Show me your teeth
My religion is you
Show me your teeth

I just need a little guidance
Show me your teeth

It's Groundhog Day!

To be honest, I have no idea where Groundhog Day came from....but why let that stop me from celebrating it. Groundhogs are cute, helpful to the environment, and I've been told they are also lucky as well. ;-)

The most famous groundhog of all, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow at dawn today. Supposedly that means that we'll have 6 more weeks of winter....but if you consider his track record for predictions is under 40%, it looks like we are more likely to have an early spring. Whatever the case may be, I tend to stick with what the calendar says....but I sure wouldn't mind things getting warm pretty quick around here. I've been itching to get on my bikes the last month or so, and that's not gonna happen until we get some temps above the freezing mark.

It's unfortunate that today is a Tuesday. My longest day of school each week this semester, and I have a couple errands to run between work and school....so I might not get a chance to watch the movie like I usually do each year. Ned Ryerson?!?!

I've often wondered exactly how I'd handle myself if the same thing that happened to Phil Connors ended up happening to me. I'd probably make a few trips to Vegas, betting on all the NHL/NBA money line winners that I could, then hitting some high stakes blackjack to increase my winnings. It wouldn't be a bad idea to pad my net worth every day, just in case February 3rd did show up sometime soon. Mmmm....Vegas anyone?

Since we've already established that today is a Tuesday, there is always the Mega Millions option as well. The jackpot is not nearly what it was a few days ago....but who would say no to $12 million? I guess that means I could skip the Vegas trips as long as I played the right numbers each day....but why would I want to do that? What would be better than waking up in the Bellagio worth at least $12 million more than when you went to bed? As long as I still had both kidneys that is.

Well Vegas or no Vegas, you can be sure I'm going to pay attention to the Mega Millions numbers tonight....just in case. Want to get away?

January

The first day of February is a great time to update my play count for the year. As I was just talking about the movie High Fidelity the other day, I figure a Top Five list is in order.

5. Tik Tok- Ke$ha (9 plays).

I blame this one on iTunes. I had never heard of her until I saw she had something like 3 out of the top five downloaded singles one day last month. This song is kinda like crack when it gets in my head.

Aint got a care in the world
But got plenty of BEER
Aint got no money in my pocket
But I'm already here
And now the dudes are lining up
Cause they hear we got swagger
But we kick em to the curb
Unless they look like Mick Jagger

I'm talkin bout
Everybody getting crunk (crunk)
Boys try to touch my junk (junk)
Gonna smack em if they gettin too drunk (drunk)
Night night we going till they kick us out (out)
The police shut us down (down)
Police shut us down (down)
Po po shut us (DOWN)

4. Beyond the Sea- Bobby Darin (10 plays).

So this may be a 'WTF?' entry....but I just love this song.

Somewhere beyond the sea
somewhere waiting for me
my lover stands on golden sands
and watches the ships that go sailin'

Somewhere beyond the sea
she's there watching for me
If I could fly like birds on high
then straight to her arms
I'd go sailin'

It's far beyond the stars
it's near beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt
my heart will lead me there soon

We'll meet beyond the shore
we'll kiss just as before
Happy we'll be beyond the sea
and never again I'll go sailin'

3. Bad Romance- Lady Gaga (11 plays).

My annual Xmas eve trip to Somerset resulted in this song getting stuck in my head....and me finally succumbing to the Lady Gaga hype.

I want your ugly
I want your disease
I want your everything
As long as it’s free
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your drama
The touch of your head
I want you leather studed kiss in the scene
I want your love
love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want it bad
Bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

I want your horror
I want your design
‘Cause you’re a criminal
As long as your mine
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your psycho
Your vertical stick
Want you in my rear window
baby your sick
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want it bad
Bad romance

2. Can't Escape My Love- Enrique Iglesias (12 plays).

What a difference a few years make. Enrique played the halftime show for the Thanksgiving game at the Silverdome in 2001. I booed him mercilessly while he sang "Hero"....then this song came out and I actually liked it. Dammit.

Soon you'll be finding
You can run, you can hide,
But you can't escape my love

1. Ride to California- Paper Tongues (23 plays).

I simply can't get enough of this song. It's been my top played song since I got it a couple months ago.

Going going going to the man in the back
Cut the line if you feel me
Let me hear you say it one more time
I´ve set mind to break free
Now my body is getting loose
while I´ll sinking like a dancing tree

I've been up but I ain't down
I've been lost but now I´m found
I need to leave this for sure
If you got another seat on the bus
Would you let me go

iPad

So, unless you are living under a proverbial tech rock, which probably isn't the case since I don't do a home delivery print version of this here Chronicle, you've undoubtedly heard about Apple unveiling the new iPad yesterday.

I'll reserve judgement until I can play with one at the Apple store, but as usual you have the Apple lovers calling the new product the best thing since sliced....apples. Yes, I went there. And you have the Apple haters, well, hating on it. Since I'm in the middle, with a slight lean toward being a lover, I think it sounds cool, it looks cool, but I just don't see myself ever having a practical use for it. It's somewhere between my iPod Touch and my laptop....both are pretty portable, so I really doubt you'll see me toting one of these around.

I was surprised to see the price on these units set so low. Maybe Apple is done with the whole "sell it at a premium for two weeks then drop the price" thing....or maybe they know how limited the market for this is and can't afford to put anyone off right away.

Whatever the case may be, I wish Apple luck with this product. Hopefully if it outdoes their expectations they will make my next iPod better and cheaper. Of course in the end, it all comes back to how it'll affect me. This is the Chronicles of Max after all.

Back to School

"Why don't you call me some time when you have no class?"

~~Thornton Melon

So we're now a couple weeks into the most recent semester....and I am thinking it might be time to open up the book finally. Which means I have to make a study date with Denise, since I refused to buy the book for this class. So tonight it will be Jet's pizza and "What branch of ecology includes....?"

So far, this class seems pretty straight forward to me. The instructor lectures right from the book, and even hands you the notes for the lecture at the start of each class. VERY easy....if you own the book.

Denise, on the other hand, is about ready to slap the instructor upside the head. The guy isn't the most organized of people, and may think he said something when he really didn't, but can I really fault the guy for that? Of everyone in the class, I'd be the least qualified to cast THAT stone.

This is the only class for both of us this semester, so I tried to calm her down and put that in perspective for her....but if you have ever met Denise, you know that's not going to happen very easily.

We also discussed how she's going to be in school til she's about 90 if she continues to only take one class each semester. I'm in the same boat right now, but this is pretty much the last class I can take at this school and be able to use it elsewhere. Even so, it just feels wrong to only have 4 credit hours in a full semester. I'm still disappointed I couldn't get into that Atmospheric Science class. It definitely wouldn't have been applicable to my degree, but it's a class I would truly enjoy....my transcript is littered with classes like that. Like my History of Rock and Roll class a few years back....wait a minute, that actually counted toward my CRJ degree. Alright, nevermind.

Morning Music, 1-26-10

1. Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades- Brand New.

"This is the first and last time," he says.
She fakes a smile and presses her hips into his.
He keeps his hands pinned down at his sides.
He's holding back from telling her
exactly what it really feels like.

He is the lamb, she is the slaughter.
She's moving way too fast, and all he wanted was to hold her.
Nothing that he tells her is really having an effect.
He whispers that he loves her,
but she's probably only looking for sss...

(Up the stairs: the station where
the act becomes the art of growing up.)
So much more than he could ever give.
A life free of lies and a meaningful relationship.
He keeps his hands pinned down at his sides.
He waits for it to end
and for the aching in his guts to subside.

2. Come Back to Bed- John Mayer.

What will this fix
You know you're not a quick forgive
And I won't sleep through this
I survive on the breath
You are finished with

You can be mad in the morning
I'll take back what I said
Just don't leave me alone here
It's cold baby
Come back to bed

3. Follow Me- Uncle Kracker.

You don't know how you met me
You don't know why, you can't turn around and say good-bye
all you know is when i'm with you I make you free
And swim through your veins like a fish in the sea
I'm singing....

Follow me
Everything is alright
I'll be the one to tuck you in at night
And if you want to leave
I can guarantee
You won't find nobody else like me

I'm not worried 'bout the ring you wear
Cause as long as no one knows
Then nobody can care
You're feelin' guilty
And I'm well aware
But you don't look ashamed
And baby I'm not scared

4. Lately- The Helio Sequence.

Lately
I don’t get lost in daydreams
I never lay awake at night
Staring in my bed
And I don’t think about your face
Or anything you’ve said
And I don’t think twice
When someone says your name
Or twist my mind in circles
Wondering which of us to blame

I’m living alone, living alone
I don’t need you, anymore
Living alone, living alone
I don’t need you anymore

5. Teenagers- My Chemical Romance.

The boys and girls in the clique
The awful names that they stick
You're never gonna fit in much, kid
But if you're troubled and hurt
What you got under your shirt
Will make them pay for the things that they did

6. God's Gonna Cut You Down- Johnny Cash.

Well you may throw your rock and hide your hand
Workin' in the dark against your fellow man
But as sure as God made black and white
What's done in the dark will be brought to the light

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down

7. According to You- Orianthi.

According to you
I'm boring,
I'm moody,
you can't take me any place.
According to you
I suck at telling jokes cause I always give it away.
I'm the girl with the worst attention span;
you're the boy who puts up with that.
According to you. According to you.

But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
so baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
according to you.

8. Let's Spend the Night Together- The Rolling Stones.

You know I'm smiling baby
You need some guiding baby
I'm just deciding baby; now-
I need you more than ever
Let's spend the night together
Let's spend the night together now

9. Crooked Teeth- Death Cab for Cutie.

'Cause I built you a home in my heart
With rotten wood, it decayed from the start

'Cause you can't find nothing at all
If there was nothing there all along
No you can't find nothing at all
If there was nothing there all along

You're so cute when you're slurring your speech
But they're closing the bar and they want us to leave

I'm a war of head versus heart
And it's always this way
My head is weak, my heart always speaks
Before I know what it will say

10. Someone Like You- Boys Like Girls.

Dont know where I'm goin' to.
Got nothin' to lose, I'm fightin' my demons,
Been lookin' for someone like you,
I've been lookin for someone like you.

When the stars explode,
And I'm all alone,
When they start to see the smoke,
When I'm finally burnin' out,
I'll need someone to carry me home safe and sound.