Chronicles of Max

I Call Him....Number 2

2012-01-11T23:21:00.003-05:00

The next thing I am looking forward to with this Vegas trip in April is LM showing ME something about the town that I am new to. In this case, The Deuce. I have seen these buses dozens of times, but have never been on one. With just her and I, it will be a little more economical to take the bus to and from places on The Strip instead of popping for a cab for every ride, everywhere like when I am with a group of people.

I was happy to hear that these buses run 24/7, because I know that one night out there LM and I will both hit a wall with fatigue and lack of sleep, and it'll be nice to have a ride back to the hotel instead of wandering back all that way on foot. The one thing we will have to keep in mind is which side of The Strip we are on as we are approaching that fatigue wall. Having to cross the street to get to a stop and then having to cross after getting off the bus may be just as long of a walk as it is back to the hotel, negating any benefit of the bus.

Whether we are riding the bus for need or for novelty, though, I'm sure it'll be quite an experience as I try and get LM to laugh out loud at some of the observations I make about our fellow passengers. I foresee a lot of video footage being recorded on this trip. :-)

84 Reasons I Miss Vegas, Redux

2012-01-09T22:44:00.001-05:00

Last Tuesday, LM and I booked our first trip to Vegas in early April. This will be my 14th time to Vegas, or somewheres around there anyway, and her second, but our first time together. Now, a little over 5 years ago I was in a similar position as I am right now in terms of number of days before Vegas. Then I had 84 days, now I have about a week longer.

The reason that the 84 day thing is significant is that, in my pre-Vegas excitement, I decided to list 84 things about Vegas I was missing. One for each day between the first post and setting foot back in Vegas. I think I made it to number 9 before abandoning the idea. This time, I'm going to attempt to make it a weekly thing instead of daily, and broaden the scope from things I miss about Vegas to things I am looking forward to on this trip. I'm also going to be more flexible about the posts, because with rigid rules it's easy to just stop after you miss one or two. This time, not holding myself to anything strict, I will be more likely to carry on with it between now and our trip.

So to start this one off, here are the 9 things I used the last time. I won't expand on these, since there are explanations with the old posts, but I may refer to some of these and how they will affect this trip.

1. Cafe Gelato inside Bellagio
2. Sports books
3. Free drinks &
4. The waitresses who bring them to you
5. 25 cent video blackjack at
6. O'Shea's
7. Crazy cab rides
8. Where you are allowed to take your drink with you
9. Yearlong dry air = no sinus problems

I do have to mention that #1 on this list is ALWAYS number one on my list of things to do in Vegas. Every trip I have taken to Vegas since my second one when I found Cafe Gelato, I have gone there immediately after checking into my hotel. This will not be the case on this trip though. I usually take morning flights to Vegas to maximize my time there, but this time we'll be landing at night, after the cafe is closed. Big changes, but I am happy with both. At first we wanted early flights, but found out how much more expensive they were to book. So instead of maximizing our time there with an early flight, we decided to take a cheaper night flight....one day earlier. This will give us about 12 more hours in Vegas, and saved us a few hundred dollars. We are actually landing 2 hours later than originally planned, because I waited a day too long to book the trip, but that will actually make it easier to get everything together before we take off.

I'm also fine with breaking the tradition of hitting Cafe Gelato immediately upon my arrival, because this is a very different kind of trip for me. Going with LM, and only LM, will make this different and a little more special because I usually went to Vegas in a group of three or more. This one will be just for us, and we can do whatever we want, when we want without worrying about anyone else. That alone will be nice.

So on to the new list. First and foremost will be flying into Vegas. This will be the first time my plane approaches Vegas at night since my first trip in 1997 and the first time LM will see the lights of the city as she lands. Like I said earlier, I prefer morning flights so I can maximize my trip time, but anyone who flies into Vegas absolutely HAS to do it once when the lights of the city are shining. It's a completely different experience.

Looking Back....Looking Ahead

2011-12-31T18:38:00.003-05:00

As the clock counts down toward 2012, it's really difficult to not think back on 2011 and the things that have happened in that 12 month span. This blog is usually a great guide to recap my year, but this has been a light year to say the least. One of my least posted years, and not much at all for the second half of the year with only 7 posts (including this one) after April ended.

I completely missed posting in November, which is unheard of for me considering my birthday is in that month. I'm only posting in December because I have time to do this now, and didn't put it off until tomorrow. Looking at the number of posts and where they were distributed begs a few questions about my posting. Primarily, is there something wrong or a reason I haven't posted much the last 8 months. The answers are no....but yes at the same time.

No there isn't anything wrong with me or what is going on in my life at this time. I am very happy where I am, and couldn't ask for more than I have right now. My life is better in many ways than I ever could have expected. That being said, I do have reasons for not posting pretty much everything I do or think here. First and foremost, I know I still have some people checking this blog that I'd rather not. I made the decision long ago to keep a public blog and never turn it private, and I've been on this blog for too damn long to change it and start over somewhere else. So I keep this one as my primary blog, and it will stay that way until I completely abandon it. Therefore, I have to pick and choose what I want to share with everyone, including those I don't want to share anything with anymore. If anything gets questioned in my head now, I usually won't put it up here.

Another reason I don't have as much to share anymore is lack of opportunity. I don't have as much time to waste by putting a blog post up. I have fewer chances to blog, and can't take away from the time I have for other things....so it doesn't get done.

Add to those the fact that I don't listen to music much anymore. Music has always been a huge part of my life, but as of late I don't listen to songs all that much. When I do, I usually don't have a way to record the names and artists of the songs so I can post a list of ten songs later. I made an attempt at this a couple months ago, but the post never made it up.

I could always lay out a plan for 2012 and say that I am going to blog more....but really, why bother? I always intend to blog more, but for one reason or another it just doesn't happen. So what do I expect for 2012 in terms of this blog? In a word, nothing. I won't place any expectations here at all and just be happy to read whatever I really feel like posting through the year when December 31st rolls around next year.

Don't Waste Your Time....

2011-10-05T23:25:00.002-04:00

....or time will waste you.

These lyrics popped into my head after I read a quote on Twitter attributed to Steve Jobs.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."

Simple and profound, very much like the man who has shaped technology more in the last 30 years or so than anyone else. The world lost a great mind and, by all accounts, a better person today with the passing of Steve Jobs.

I've tried my best to live life the way I've wanted to, although that has lead to plenty of conflict over the years, even within myself. I'll continue to do so to the best of my ability, taking hold of life and shaping it the way I want....but right now I have an essay I have to grab hold of and reshape. And it seems that Mr. Jobs has put his mark on my iPod one last time with this quote helping me choose my first song to write to.

One Year

2011-09-18T22:43:00.003-04:00

One year.

Twelve months.

Fifty two weeks.

Three hundred and sixty five days.

No matter how you look at it, my heart still aches missing my best friend. Would it be too much for me to hope that a place such as Rainbow Bridge really does exist?

2 Years

2011-08-21T22:55:00.002-04:00

August 21st, 2009. It started off as any other day for me, but little did I know when I rolled my ass out of bed and headed to work, the events of that day would change my life forever. So much has changed in such a short period of time. That day I was living the single life (albeit the boring side of it), I was recently back to school at a community college (although I had taken that semester off because....), I was only a few days away from finishing the hiring process for a job I had been wanting my whole life, I weighed less than 230 lbs and was really beginning to get into good shape, and I had a 9-5 that worked me only during the day, M-F. All of that has changed, and I have a high speed motorcycle crash to thank for it.

I had hoped to elaborate more on this, but as usual I just don't have the time to do so right now. Suffice it to say things have changed for the better overall, and if I could smile in ICU only hours after my crash....imagine how big my smile is now.

As the Crowe Flies

2011-07-25T23:10:00.002-04:00

So it's pretty obvious that there aren't too many things I feel like blogging about as of late. Still have plenty of things going on in my life that are noteworthy, but I just haven't felt the urge to write about them. Today, a coworker said something that changed that....if only for a few minutes.

We were outside a little after 7 tonight, and talking about movies that have filmed scenes in Detroit and near our building. One of those movies was Kill the Irishman with Val Kilmer. I mistakenly thought that Russell Crowe was in the movie as well, and mentioned that. The next thing my coworker said was that I reminded him of Russell Crowe, to which I thought "ok, whatever". Then he went on to say "....from American Gangster".

Then I pictured it and shook my head....I was the overweight, bad hair, sloppy dressing, and poor as fuck version of Russell Crowe. My head shaking wasn't me disagreeing with what he said, but the realization that I actually saw what he was talking about. Then I went inside and ate my worries away with the chicken shawarma sandwich my coworker had just brought to me. All's well that ends well I guess.

June....

2011-06-25T12:39:00.002-04:00

....is almost at the end. It's hard to believe we are halfway through 2011.

All in All, You're Just Another....

2011-05-06T09:46:00.003-04:00

With my final now out of the way, and keeping my fingers crossed that I did well enough to maintain my A for the semester, I can focus on getting my ink. Just over two hours until I get my first tattoo. I am all kinds of nervous and excited. I have been planning my tattoos for years now, just waiting for the right moment to come and push me into getting them done.

Ironically, after all these years of planning, I am changing the position of my first tattoo so that it will mesh better with the tattoos I have planned for the future that will be in the same general area. Looks like I will have a couple themes on major parts of my body, and work that will go on for quite a while.

I will gladly post pictures of the final results later today....but you won't be seeing them unless you are my friend on facebook. Sorry, gotta keep some things personal....and permanent identifying marks are definitely in that group.

Back

2011-04-25T09:26:00.002-04:00

Back from my wonderful vacation. The week absolutely flew by because I was having so much fun....and I am already looking ahead to my next vacation, whenever or wherever that may be. One drawback of the vacation is that I gained approximately 8 lbs while I was gone, so if you are going to claim that you saw me somewhere while I was on vacation, make sure you say it was a restaurant or something so that it is almost plausible.

Now that I am back, I'll get back to my song list. I was thinking about writing the posts and backdating the posts so there wouldn't be any gap....but I am very happy to have had this vacation, so I am going to have my blog reflect at least that in case I don't get to say too much more about it here.

Day 20 – A song you can’t help but sing along to

2011-04-14T23:11:00.001-04:00

Another simple one for me. I have liked this song ever since I first heard it and while I don't sing the whole song, I REALLY get into the one part that I do sing. So much so, that I can actually scare people who aren't ready for it. :-)

One- Metallica.

Darkness imprisoning me
All that I see
Absolute horror
I cannot live
I cannot die
Trapped in myself
Body my holding cell

Landmine has taken my sight
Taken my speech
Taken my hearing
Taken my arms
Taken my legs
Taken my soul
Left me with life in hell

Day 19 – A guilty pleasure

2011-04-13T23:11:00.002-04:00

Yet another song I have seen performed live in the last year. This song doesn't have much in the way of musical merit, but I can't help liking it and singing a couple different parts.

Shots- LMFAO.

If you not drunk ladies & gentlemen
Get ready to get fucked up
Let's do it, Ha Ha
LMFAO
You know what
Lil Jon
Yeah
All of the alcoholics
Where you at
Let's go

When I walk in the club
All eyes on me
I'm with the party rock crew
All drinks are free
We like ciroc
We love patrone
We came to party rock
Everybody it's on
Shots shots shots shots shots shots
Shots shots shots shots shots
Shots shots shots shots shots
Everybody
The ladies love us
When we pour shots
They need an excuse
To suck our cocks
We came to get crunk
How 'bout you?
Bottles up
Let's go round two
Shots shots shots shots shots shots
Shots shots shots shots shots
Shots shots shots shots shots
Everybody
If you ain't getting drunk get the fuck out the club
If you ain't takin' shots get the fuck out the club
If you ain't come to party get the fuck out the club
Now where my alcoholics let me see ya hands up
What you drinkin on?
Jaegerbombs
Lemondrops
Buttery Nipples
Yellow Shots
Kamikaze
Rewindin'
Fucked on that shit
Get me some Gin

Patrones on the rocks and I'm ready for some shots
The women come around everytime I'm pourin' shots
Their panties hit the ground everytime I give em shots
So cups in the air, everybody let's take shots.
If you feelin' drunk put ya hands in the air
And If you tryin' to fuck put ya hands in the air
Now say "I'm fucked up" (I'm fucked up)
I'm fucked up (I'm fucked up)
I'm tryna fuck (I'm tryna fuck)
I'm tryna fuck (I'm tryna fuck)
Shots
Patrones on the rocks and I'm ready for some shots
The women come around everytime I'm pourin' shots
Their panties hit the ground everytime I give em shots
So cups in the air, everybody let's take shots.
I fucked up
La dad a da
La dad a dad a da

Day 18 – A song you never get sick of hearing

2011-04-12T23:11:00.001-04:00

There are a ton of songs that I could have used for this. A lot of the songs I like listening to are so good, in my opinion, that I don't think I'll ever get tired of them. So, just like a lot of my posts for this challenge, this song has a definite memory attached to it. I liked this song a lot before I went to see Kings of Leon last summer, but sitting there and listening to it with LM made it a hundred times better. It's somewhat odd that this song always makes me feel good and/or smile considering the lyrics are rather sad. And while I was going to go see Kings of Leon last year no matter what, I have to thank them for having The Stills open up for them....without that, I wouldn't have this exact memory to look back on today.

Being Here- The Stills.

We ride through
These plains of hurt
Through the Southern breathing rock
On a railroad of knots
And there's blood on the lines
Of every page I turn
When the ones you love
Are the ones you burn

Being here
Being here ooh oh
Being here

Somewhere singing songs
About a girl I hurt
I've been everywhere enough
I've been torn apart by the world
But there's apples in the trees
And diamonds in the earth
I've been losing my mind
Somehow it can't get worse

Being here
Being here ooh oh
Being here

And the wind is blown and cold
And I can't escape the tears
One for every broken bone
And a hundred for all the years

Being here
Being here ooh oh
Being here

Day 17 – A song that makes you think of a family member

2011-04-11T23:11:00.002-04:00

This one is a no-brainer for me....probably the easiest one I've seen yet. As a kid I used to see guys all over the place who claimed to be Viet Nam vets, looking for a handout with those little toothpick American flags for sale. One day when I was probably around 7 or 8 years old, one of those guys gave me a flag. I thought it was cool and was probably planning on using it for my GI Joe or He-Man forts when I got home. Well, the guy made the mistake of trying to get money out of my dad for that little flag. Long story short, the guy couldn't answer some very basic questions about being in the army and being "in country", and my dad lit him up....verbally.

My father has never talked too much about his time in Viet Nam. I know it's hard for him, and with the little bit I know about what he saw when over there, I completely understand. There are a few different songs that remind me of my dad, but this one is number one by far. Not only does it remind me of my father, it reminds me of what he did for his country, what he has done (and continues to do) for my mother and I, and how much I really love my old man and how I will always be proud to be his son. Even more, this song gives me chills by making me think about what he had to do and see while in the military....all before the age of 21.

Run Through the Jungle- Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Whoa, thought it was a nightmare,
Lo, it's all so true,
They told me, "Don't go walkin' slow
'Cause Devil's on the loose."

Better run through the jungle,
Better run through the jungle,
Better run through the jungle,
Woa, Don't look back to see.

Thought I heard a rumblin'
Callin' to my name,
Two hundred million guns are loaded
Satan cries, "Take aim!"

Over on the mountain
Thunder magic spoke,
"Let the people know my wisdom,
Fill the land with smoke."

Day 16 – A song that reminds you of a holiday

2011-04-10T23:11:00.002-04:00

My first thought on today's post was Auld Lang Syne, which of course will always remind me of New Year's Eve. NYE has always been one of my favorite holidays. My friends always make an attempt to get together and do something, whether going out or just staying in at someone's place to celebrate. This past NYE was one of my favorites. We didn't do too much at all, and the group wasn't as big as it had been in previous years....but the people who were there, and the smiles on their faces will stay with me forever. As will my roommate's shirt. I think he knew before the rest of us that Charlie Sheen was going to be fired from Two and a Half Men, because he did his best to dress like Sheen's character from the show.

After a little more thought, I Got You Babe settled in my head. It reminds me of a recent holiday, a movie, and a furry little creature who "predicts" when Spring will arrive. Groundhog day is also quickly becoming one of my favorite holidays. Hopefully I'll get a chance to party with Punxsutawney Phil on February 2nd in the next few years.

I Got You Babe- Sonny and Cher.

HIM: I got flowers in the spring I got you to wear my ring
HER: And when I'm sad, you're a clown And if I get scared, you're always around
HER: So let them say your hair's too long 'Cause I don't care, with you I can't go wrong
HIM: Then put your little hand in mine There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb

HIM: Babe
BOTH: I got you babe I got you babe

HIM: I got you to hold my hand
HER: I got you to understand
HIM: I got you to walk with me
HER: I got you to talk with me
HIM: I got you to kiss goodnight
HER: I got you to hold me tight
HIM: I got you, I won't let go
HER: I got you to love me so

Day 15 – Your favourite TV theme tune

2011-04-09T23:11:00.002-04:00

Nothing too in depth here. I just always loved the Airwolf theme when I was a kid, and I still like it today. The theme from Dallas got some consideration for this, strictly because of a commercial that used it a few years ago....but as a devout member of the Redskin Nation, that thought was out of my head as soon as it entered it.

Day 14 – A song off an album that has brilliant cover art

2011-04-08T23:11:00.002-04:00

When I first saw the album cover for Saving Abel's self titled album, I really liked it. I thought it was pretty hot without being overt, but I can't really say that I believe it's brilliant art....more so just a way to catch the eye of guys buying CDs. I'm not too sure how well it worked though, considering I bought the single 'Addicted' before ever seeing the album cover.

Now, whether or not the album artwork for American V: A Hundred Highways by Johnny Cash is brilliant or not can easily be debated, this is the one that moves me the most whenever I see it. I nearly used his rendition of 'Hurt' from American IV: The Man Comes Around because I really like the picture on that cover as well, and I love the way he covered that song, but I just can't deny that this picture of him working at what he loved to. And this song isn't too shabby either....

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

Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut you down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut you down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut you down

Day 13 – The song that contains your favourite lyrics

2011-04-07T23:11:00.002-04:00

So many options for this one, considering I generally like songs more for the lyrics than most people. It took me QUITE a while to come up with an answer, and my answer would probably change here and there depending on my moods, but right now, this is the one that I can think of that I like most just for the lyrics. At many times in my life I have felt like a caged animal, so hearing the the first line of this song really caught my attention when I first got this CD.

Right Where it Belongs- Nine Inch Nails.

See the animal in his cage that you built
Are you sure what side you're on?
Better not look him too closely in the eye
Are you sure what side of the glass you are on?
See the safety of the life you have built
Everything where it belongs
Feel the hollowness inside of your heart
And it's all...
Right where it belongs

What if everything around you
Isn't quite as it seems?
What if all the world you think you know
Is an elaborate dream?
And if you look at your reflection
Is it all you want it to be?
What if you could look right through the cracks?
Would you find yourself...
Find yourself afraid to see?

What if all the world's inside of your head
Just creations of your own?
Your devils and your gods
All the living and the dead
And you're really all alone?
You can live in this illusion
You can choose to believe
You keep looking but you can't find the woods
While you're hiding in the trees

What if everything around you
Isn't quite as it seems?
What if all the world you used to know
Is an elaborate dream?
And if you look at your reflection
Is it all you want to be?
What if you could look right through the cracks
Would you find yourself...
Find yourself afraid to see?

Day 12 – A song that makes you laugh

2011-04-06T23:11:00.000-04:00

Plenty of options for this one, and most of them came from the same guy. I think this one makes me laugh the most because I know a few different people that have these tendencies.

White and Nerdy- Weird Al Yankovic.

They see me mowin'
My front lawn
I know they're all thinking
I'm so White N' nerdy

Think I'm just too white n' nerdy
Think I'm just too white n' nerdy
Can't you see I'm white n' nerdy
Look at me I'm white n' nerdy!
I wanna roll with-
The gangsters
But so far they all think
I'm too white n' nerdy
Think I'm just too white n' nerdy
Think I'm just too white n' nerdy
I'm just too white n' nerdy
Really, really white n' nerdy

First in my class here at M.I.T.
Got skills, I'm a Champion of DND
MC Escher that's my favorite MC
Keep your 40
I'll just have an Earl Grey tea
My rims never spin to the contrary
You'll find that they're quite stationary
All of my action figures are cherry
Steven Hawkings in my library
My MySpace page is all totally pimped out
got people begging for my top eight spaces
Yo I know Pi to a thousand places
Ain't got no grills but I still wear braces

I've been browsing, inspectin'
X-men comics you know I collect 'em
The pens in my pocket
I must protect 'em
My ergonomic keyboard never leaves me bored
Shopping online for deals on some writable media
I edit Wikipedia
I memorized Holy Grail really well
I can recite it right now and have you ROTFLOL
I got a business doing websites
When my friends need some code who do they call?
I do HTML for them all
Even made a homepage for my dog!
Yo! I got myself a fanny pack
they were having a sale down at the GAP
Spend my nights with a roll of bubble wrap
POP POP! Hope no one sees me gettin' freaky!

I'm nerdy in the extreme and whiter than sour creme
I was in AV club and Glee club and even the chess team!
Only question I ever thought was hard
was do I like Kirk or do I like Picard?
Spend every weekend at the renaissance fair
Got my name on my underwear!

Day 11 – A song that reminds you of your best mate

2011-04-05T23:11:00.002-04:00

Another easy one. Although I did not attend the wedding where this song became,to my group of friends, synonymous with my best friend....I have seen him at weddings before and have no problem at all picturing him on the dance floor showing off his sweet moves with this song playing in the background.

Dancing Queen- ABBA.

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
Ooo.. see that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the Dancing Queen

Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance

You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat, from the tambourine oh yeah
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
Ooo.. see that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the Dancing Queen

You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance

You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine oh yeee
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
Ooo.. see that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the Dancing Queen

Diggin the Dancing Queen

Day 10 – An awesome driving track

2011-04-04T23:11:00.004-04:00

This one is very simple. One song immediately jumped into my head when I read this. I actually haven't listened to this song in quite a while, but then again I don't drive quite the way I used to anymore. When I was a young and dumb driver, this was the one song that got me moving more than any other.

Radar Love- Golden Earring.

The radio’s playing some forgotten song
Brenda Lee’s “Coming on Strong”
The road’s got me hypnothised
and I’m speeding into a new sunrise

No more speed, I’m almost there
Gotta keep cool, now gotta take care
Last car to pass, here I go
And the line of cars drove down real slow
And the radio played that forgotten song
Brenda Lee’s “Coming on Strong”
and the newsman sang his same old song
One more radar love’s gone

When I get lonely, and I’m sure I’ve had enough
She sends her comfort, comin’ in from above
Don’t need no letters at all
We’ve got a thing that’s called a Radar Love
We’ve got a line in the sky
We’ve got a thing that’s called a Radar Love
We’ve got a thing that’s called a Radar Love

Day 09 – Favourite new release (has to be less than 2 months old)

2011-04-03T23:11:00.003-04:00

Just reading this challenge made me feel a little bit ashamed. I am usually very attuned to the newest songs out there....but lately, I have been pretty lazy when it comes to new releases. With everything going on in the NFL the last couple months, I have been listening to a lot of NFL network when I drive to and from school or work. If I have the satellite radio going and it's not on the NFL network, then it's usually something 90s based or hair bands depending on my copilot. So, very few new songs have made there way to my ears lately and I might be stretching this two month rule....but I am too lazy to check.

The only two songs that come to mind that would (maybe) fit this are new releases from old bands. First, The Strokes found there way back onto my radio recently with Under Cover of Darkness. I like the song, and it'll probably grow on me a little more as I continue to listen to it. But like most of their songs, I don't see it having any long term hold for me.

On the other hand, the Foo Fighters new song Rope could be one I play for a while. I am always happy to hear new things from the Foo....but this new thing sounds like an old thing, which I happen to really like.

Rope- Foo Fighters.

This indecision got me climbing up the walls
I've been cheating gravity and waiting on the falls
How did this come over me, I thought I was above it all
Our hopes gone up in smoke, swallow your crown

Choke on a kiss, Thought I'd save my breath for you
Choke on a kiss, Thought I'd save my breath for you

Give me some rope I'm coming loose, I'm hanging on you
Give me some rope I'm coming loose, I'm pulling for you now
Give me some rope I'm coming, out of my head, into the clear when you, go,
I, cut, Loose

Day 08 – Your most played song on itunes

2011-04-02T23:26:00.001-04:00

No thinking involved with this one, which is a great thing for me tonight since my brain is pretty much fried and I am just ready to lay down and call it quits for the day. This song has been number one for a long time, and I don't see it getting overcome anytime soon as I still like it as much as ever.

Map of the Problematique- Muse.

Fear
And panic in the air
I want to be free
From desolation and despair
And I feel
Like everything I saw
Is being swept away
When I refuse to let you go

I can't get it right
Get it right
Since I met you

Loneliness be over
When will this loneliness be over?

Life
Will flash before my eyes
So scattered and lost
I want to touch the other side
And no one
Thinks they are to blame
Why can't we see
That when we bleed we bleed the same?

Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a tv series

2011-04-01T23:11:00.001-04:00

This one took the longest for me to think of so far. I immediately thought of several TV theme songs, but that isn't what this is asking for....so I sat and thought. I tried going over shows that I liked at one point or another, and looking for any song that might remind me of one....with no luck. Then, once I gave up and moved on to something else. This song hit me. It was used as the theme song for a show that I watched pretty often as a kid, much like most people my age I would assume, but it was a very popular song way before The Wonder Years.

With a Little Help From My Friends- Joe Cocker.

Thought you were lookin' at the way I feel
And the warning sign in my eyes
Whoa, I'm gonna take my friends along with me
And then away we go
Everywhere we go we're gonna be on the same road.

Day 06 – A song by your favourite band/artist

2011-03-31T23:11:00.004-04:00

I don't think that any band could ever knock Pink Floyd off as king of the mountain for me. Some songs from NIN have a very personal meaning to me, and that is one band I will drop pretty much anything for to go see in concert. Tons of emotion in Trent's words and singing makes the songs wonderful, but seeing it up close in person is absolutely amazing. Muse is another of my favorite bands, and probably has the best chance of anyone to overtake Pink Floyd sometime in my life....but they will have to do a hell of a lot, for an awful long time to have a chance. Floyd put out quality music from the late 60s through the mid 90s, so Muse has a couple of decades til they get to that same level. Believe me, I really hope they do. Muse is by far my favorite active band.

So how do I pick just one song from Pink Floyd, when I can hardly ever listen to just one at a time? If I listen to one, it's usually four or five. So many songs have so many lyrics that hit me hard in one way or another. It's no secret that I have quite a wall up between myself and other people. There are very few people who have ever found their way inside, and a lot of those never would have made it if it wasn't for the album The Wall. Reading everything I could about Roger Waters and his thoughts and feelings about The Wall gave me a lot of insight into what was really going on with me when I was younger, but never realized on my own. Not only was this album my real introduction to Pink Floyd, it's not a stretch to say that it had a huge impact on the person I have become, and I like who I am today a lot more than the person I was on my way to being about 20 years ago. So I will be choosing a song from this album.

At one point or another in everyone's life, you feel alone. No matter how many people you have around you, nor how good your life may be to everyone on the outside looking in. We all have our times of doubt, fear, and loneliness. This song seems to illustrate those times best for me. I may never be able to express them well, but I feel this song about the depressive side of rock stardom does a great job for me.

Nobody Home- Pink Floyd.

I've got a little black book with my poems in.
Got a bag, with a toothbrush and a comb,
When I'm a good dog, they sometimes throw me a bone.

I got elastic bands keepin my shoes on.
Got those swollen hand blues.
I Got thirteen channels of shit on the T.V. to choose from.
I've got electric light.
And I got second sight.
Got amazing powers of observation.
And that is how I know
When I try to get through
On the telephone to you
There'll be nobody home.

I've got the obligatory Hendrix perm.
And the inevitable pinhole burns
All down the front of my favorite satin shirt.
I got nicotine stains on my fingers.
I got a silver spoon on a chain.
Got a grand piano to prop up my mortal remains.

I got wild staring eyes.
And I got a strong urge to fly.
But I got nowhere to fly to.
Ooooh, Babe when I pick up the phone

"Surprise, surprise, surprise..." (from Gomer Pyle show)
There's still nobody home.

I've got a pair of Gohills boots
and I got fading roots.

Day 05 – A song from your childhood

2011-03-30T23:11:00.004-04:00

A few songs popped into my head when I read the day five directive. One of them was the Snoopy song I talked about in my Day 02 post. That would probably be the one I'd choose for this but since I already mentioned it in one post, I'll choose another today.

My first thought for this was simply, Happy Birthday. Lots of great memories from my childhood revolved around birthdays, and not just mine. I had a couple memorable birthdays as a kid, but a lot of memories I have with friends and family revolved around someone's birthday. But this song isn't just from my childhood, because I have plenty of recent memories involving birthdays too. So I am going to have to disqualify it right there.

Next I thought of the Christmas album that I had from Alvin and the Chipmunks because I know I listened to that plenty as a kid, but I don't have any memories really associated with it....so I moved on past that one too.

What I finally came up with wasn't a song that I listened to a lot when I was a kid, and when I did listen to it, it wasn't by choice. There is a small bar & grill in my town that has been a family hangout since before I was born. My father has a lot of siblings, and most of them lived within a mile or two of this bar when I was young, so it was a convenient meeting place...and the fact that they had cheap beer didn't hurt either. Well, the time I spent in there as a kid was occupied by the pinball machines, pool table, or the jukebox. As far as I remember, this song was the number one played song on that jukebox for YEARS.

Waiting on a Friend- The Rolling Stones.

A smile relieves a heart that grieves
Remember what I said
I'm not waiting on a lady
I'm just waiting on a friend

Don't need a whore
I don't need no booze
Don't need a virgin priest
But I need someone I can cry to
I need someone to protect
Making love and breaking hearts
It is a game for youth
But I'm not waiting on a lady
I'm just waiting on a friend

Day 04 – A song by the first band/artist you saw live

2011-03-29T23:11:00.002-04:00

This one is by far the easiest one to answer so far. The first concert I ever went to was at Tiger Stadium, which could be why I like outdoor venues so much for concerts, and it was the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" tour in 1994. I wasn't a huge fan of the Eagles, but liked them well enough, so when I had some friends show interest in going, I didn't hesitate to say yes.

Now at the time of this concert, Melissa Etheridge was just starting to get really big as a main stream artist, and The Eagles had her open the show for them....but she played nearly two hours before vacating the stage for the headliner. About an hour into her set, we started to boo her. At first it wasn't much, and it was just funny to us....but it didn't take too long for the rest of the crowd around us to join in, and soon thereafter we had the entire section booing her offstage. I guess we weren't the only group there just to see the Eagles.

Going into the concert, I only had one song that I really wanted to hear them perform; Hotel California. It was the one song from them I knew and liked really well. Not only was it the one song I wanted to hear live, it was what they opened the concert with. Excluding that whole Etheridge thing, it ended up being the first song I heard performed live. I was very happy about that, but I seemed to be one of the few at the time. Most people, including myself, were puzzled as to why they would open the concert with their strongest and most popular song, and a lot of others were seriously mad about it. I, on the other hand, was happy with it because after hearing it, I was free to do whatever I wanted without worrying about when they'd play it, and if I might miss it.

"You can check out anytime you like....but you can never leave"

Day 03 – Your favourite album track

2011-03-28T23:11:00.001-04:00

Going back to my Day 02 post, where I talked about how much I'd rather take a chance on an album than just buy a single, it should come as no surprise that I have a LOT of albums to choose from for this. There are a handful of bands that I put in my upper echelon, like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, NIN, and Muse, and at one point or another I owned every studio album from those four bands. Here and there over time, I have picked up hundreds of albums....and a good share of those have been stolen from me at one point or another, but that is a story I can tell some other time. Right now I have to choose some favorite albums and songs.

Now with this challenge, I could easily include EVERY album I have ever owned. The best album track may actually come from one of the worst albums I own....all it takes is one great song on the album. That being said, I weigh this one heavily in favor of my favorite albums....and therefore, more toward concept albums like Dark Side of the Moon or The Wall. Aside from those two albums, I'd also have to consider Led Zeppelin IV in the running for favorite album. Black Holes and Revelations from Muse would have to be up there too, considering that is by far the most listened to album for me since I've had an iPod. And Wish You Were Here is my favorite album from start to finish from my favorite band, Pink Floyd.

Other albums that really stick out to me are Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt, which is the only one on this list to have the designation of being stolen from me three times, and American Idiot by Green Day. Both have a couple strong candidates with songs like Don't Speak and Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Unfortunately, I just can't put them in the same category as the others.

Eminem has some great albums, and I'll always be very partial to Appetite for Destruction....but they can't contend either. Heather Nova's Oyster is definitely one of my favorite albums too, and probably comes the closest of the runners up so far....but it's still just a step behind the top front runners.

Seeing that I have named nine possible top albums, I might as well add one more to give me a de facto top ten. The Chronic by Dr. Dre was an amazing album all around, and introduced us to Snoop. There is no way I could leave that out....but again, it's not strong enough to me to be in the top 5.

So now, which of the top 5 do I choose? Or do I just choose which song I think is strongest out of them all, since they are so close in terms of being my favorite album? Alright....I am thinking way too hard about this. I'm just going to list my favorite songs from each, then compare them.

First, I have to mention Map of the Problematique off of Black Holes and Revelations. It is by FAR my most played song on iTunes, but just don't think this album will get the favorite track. Next, I'd have to bring up Dark Side of the Moon because I don't have just one favorite that sticks out. I rarely, if ever, listen to one song off of this album without listening to several of them. Because of that, I just can't give any of them the top spot.

The third album is The Wall. Just like Dark Side, I can't listen to just one song from this album....plus I can't help thinking about how neither of those albums is my favorite from the band. Which leads me to Wish You Were Here. This is my favorite album from start to finish, yet one that I often do listen to just one song at a time from. Have a Cigar and Wish You Were Here are both great songs individually and in the context of the album, but they still can't beat out my favorite album track.

Led Zeppelin IV is regarded by a lot of people as one of the best rock albums of all time, and I certainly agree. This is an album that I like and listen to as much as my mom did, if not more. One of the things that makes this album so good is the way it ends, leaving you on a really high note, and that high note is due to the orchestration and composition of Stairway to Heaven. The song is widely regarded as one of the best in rock, and for me it's easy to see why. The lyrics are great, and the way the song takes you from low and slow to high and mighty. I really can't say enough about this song and, in the end, I didn't really have to go through all of this to decide. With my first iPod I was offered free engraving for two lines on the back. My choice, after about this much debate, just happened to be lyrics from Stairway.

"Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven"

Day 02 – Your favourite single

2011-03-27T23:11:00.002-04:00

When I first read this, I took it to simply mean my favorite song. After further review I believe that to be wrong, and in the context of this challenge I take it to mean my favorite single (cassette/CD/45 RPM) that I have owned.

This is a lot more difficult for me than the last song, because I am much more of the "buy the album" type when it comes to music. I've wasted a lot of money on stuff that I don't like on an album that has only a song or two that I actually did like....but more than once I have found songs that I liked and never would have heard had I not bought the album. In general, I think the weight of finding something I like outweighs the possibility of missing out on something I'd never discover enough to justify the price I have paid.

Some of my favorite recent albums would be just a couple singles in my collection had I not taken the chance and grabbed the entire album. I may have saved a few bucks, but I would have missed out on a lot from Vampire Weekend, Metric, and Kings of Leon. All three of these bands are in my upper echelon of artists today because of an album I took a chance on, and now love to listen to.

So now that my little dissertation on why buying albums is better than buying singles, I have to try and narrow down an answer for this question. Thinking about it for a few minutes now, I can only come up with four singles that I have ever bought in the non-digital download days....which is how I feel I should qualify this. Three of those singles were cassettes, and one was a 45 RPM. I know I had several 45s that I loved as a kid....but I can only remember actually buying one of those for myself. Now, owning the single was the only designation in the day 2 challenge, but I have put a lot more weight to actually going out and buying the single. Therefore I will mention my favorite single I had bought for me as a kid, then move on to working out which of the four I bought was my favorite.

Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron was by far my favorite 45 as a kid. I listened to it over and over again....and if I can remember listening to it a lot, I can just imagine how often I REALLY listened to it....and therefore made my parents listen to it. I shudder at the thought. Lol.

So now that I have revealed my favorite 45, I guess I can talk about the one that I bought for myself....because it's not going to be the answer to this question. My best friend when I was about 10 or so was into rock just as much as I was, and then some. Then one day he started talking about this song called Fernando. I had no idea who ABBA was at this point in my life, so I expected something completely different when I found the 45 in a thrift store shortly after hearing about it. I think I paid a quarter for it, and was excited to get home to listen to this cool song. I remember putting it on the stereo in my room, which I had just gotten some pretty large speakers for, and dropping the needle onto it. Less than halfway into the song I was on the phone with him laughing and questioning his orientation. It was only a few years later that I realized I had actually struck gold with that 45. Fernando was not, in fact, released as a single....it was the B-side to a little song called Dancing Queen, which will forever hold a place in my heart because of the embarrassment it holds for my current best friend. 25 cents for a good amount of best friend torment is a great value, but getting a two for one at that price is simply amazing.

Now for the cassette singles I can remember purchasing. One of the three was a Mariah Carey song when she first hit the scene. I don't remember which of her songs it was, but I absolutely loved her voice when I first heard it, and still think she has one of the great all time voices to this day. But the fact that I don't remember exactly which song it was takes this one out of the running.

In the late 80s early 90s, I really liked Latin Freestyle music. The beats and music of Freestyle progressed into popular dance/pop music in the 90s and early 2000s....and now into the crap on the radio that I loathe listening too. One night in 1990 I heard a new Freestyle song on the radio and dug it IMMEDIATELY. I thought the beat was great, and the lyrics were SO deep. Although I played the cassette single a lot for quite a while, Sending All My Love by Linear is definitely not my favorite single.

So if I thought that Sending All My Love was deep in 1990, I must have been blown away in 1991 by what is actually my favorite owned single. Like I said, I was into rock as a kid. Even though I liked a lot of other music genres, rock has always been number one for me. So it's no surprise that a rock band holds this title....but it is kind of surprising that it's not a traditional rock song, but what we now refer to as a power ballad. When I first heard To Be With You, I had no idea who Mr. Big was. I still couldn't tell you what other songs they have ever sung....but it's undeniable that the one song they had become popular was a great song at that time. Most anyone remotely near my age can still sing that song with great accuracy....although most of us have absolutely no idea what "waited on a line of greens and blues" means.

Build up your confidence
So you can be on top for once
Wake up who cares about
Little boys that talk too much

I'm the one who wants to be with you
Deep inside I hope you feel it too
Waited on a line of greens and blues
Just to be the next to be with you

You can make my life worthwhile
And I can make you start to smile

50 Day Song Challenge, Day 1

2011-03-26T23:11:00.000-04:00

I too will be taking on this challenge that some of you may have read about here. Of course everyone doing this will put their own spin on it, so I figure that I will treat it like any post where I put up a song and take the lyrics I like the best, for whatever reason, and post those along with the song and whatever explanation I have for choosing the song I did. So, without further ado....here is number one of fifty.

Day 01 - A song from the first album you ever bought

The first part of this, figuring out which album was the first I ever bought, is a no-brainer. At the age of six I bought two copies of Michael Jackson's Thriller with my own money after it came out in 1982. One copy on vinyl, one on cassette. I was a huge Michael fan, and saved every bit of money I had to buy them. It's amazing to think how simple that time of my life was that the only thing I had to worry about financially was the one thing I was fixated on buying.

So, now here is the hard part....what song do I want to list? Thriller is an obvious choice, just for the level of impact the song and video had on pop culture. Not to mention it's the title track of the album. But just look at all the other popular songs on this album. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', The Girl is Mine, Beat It, Billie Jean, Human Nature, and P.Y.T. There are only two on the entire album that I couldn't sing along with. This album was a monster compilation of songs.

Billie Jean and Thriller were by far my favorite videos from the album...but that doesn't really mean they were the best songs. And, to be honest....I don't even know if any of the other songs had a video. P.Y.T. and Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' are fun songs, but I don't have any memories that involve either song. Human Nature and The Girl is Mine both have some memories associated with them for me, but Human Nature never really appealed to me all that much as a kid. The Girl is Mine, however has plenty of good memories for me including the night I listened to it over and over to make sure I knew all the lyrics to the song and who sang them....this was in response to a disagreement my older cousin and I had about who sang one of the lyrics, and was just a glimpse at the tenacity I could show to prove I am right when incorrectly told I am wrong. This is still a top pet peeve for me to this day. The song also highlighted the great relationship between Michael and Paul McCartney, which led to Paul accidentally giving Michael some great advice about buying the Beatles catalog....which had a HUGE impact on music and advertising for decades. So for me personally, and for pop culture, I believe The Girl is Mine is easily the most important song on the album.

Every Night She Walks Right In My Dreams
Since I Met Her From The Start
I'm So Proud I Am The Only One
Who Is Special In Her Heart

Touchback!

2011-03-23T14:58:00.003-04:00

Plenty of the buzz at the NFL owner's meeting this week has been about the possible rule changes, especially the proposed changes to kickoffs. In a "player safety" move, the owners wanted to have teams kick from the 35 yard line, and push touchbacks out to the 25 yard line. My initial reaction, and the biggest argument the coaches had against this rule, was that player safety wasn't going to be impacted at all, because teams were now going to kick high and directionally, like a punt, to try and pin teams deep. Not many teams would concede the touchback now, unless they were kicking to an elite returner.

Eventually the rule change that they settled on yesterday was to in fact move the kickoffs to the 35, but to keep the touchbacks coming out to the 20. Basically, we are going back to the kickoff rules that were in place until the mid 90s. Most players and coaches won't get too bent out of shape about this, but guys like Devin Hester and Joshua Cribbs have already voiced their displeasure. That's not surprising considering that they stand to lose a lot of money in all this. The NFL's top return men now have been pretty much neutered. Nowadays it's rather easy for kickers, or punters who handle kickoff duties, to bury a kick into the end zone from the 35. And the fact that the coverage teams have to cover 5 less yards means that taking a return out of the endzone is even riskier now. Teams don't like getting pinned at the 20, but every yard inside the 20 counts....and coaches are not going to want to risk those important yards

So this just made me wonder....is this really about player safety, as the owners maintain, or is it another financial move? It's no secret that money has been the root of all evil when it comes to the NFL lockout. I'm not even going to get into that right now. Are the owners really thinking of the players here, or their assets? For some this could be an easy way to save a few bucks off player salaries, and for others it'll be a great way to reallocate the limit dollars they can spend under the salary cap....the real irony here is that I am sure a couple teams will just take that extra money and spend it on a kicker or punter with a strong enough leg to put it through the endzone almost every time.

Replay is another thing the owners addressed again....and, in my eyes, still haven't gotten it right. They agreed to install a policy of reviewing every scoring play to make sure you take that burden away from the coaches, especially the away coaches who are at a HUGE disadvantage on questionable scoring plays. That is a step in the right direction, but for some reason they also wanted to take a step back and eliminate the 3rd coaches challenge. Currently, each team only gets two replay challenges, but they receive a third challenge if both of those first two are upheld. I don't see the logic in taking away the third challenge from a coach who is 2-0. In fact I think that if the coach is right, he should have unlimited challenges. Stay with the 2 challenges, but let them keep going as long as they are winning these challenges. In the rare event that coaches use 4 or 5 in a game, the games may be a few minutes longer (which I know is taboo as far as the owners are concerned) but isn't that trade off worth it once or twice a season to make sure the calls on the field are correct?

Another thing the owner's meeting is always good for is letting them get more free airtime to further whatever cause they have going on at the time. Right now, with the lockout front and center for all fans, the owners are already getting a lot of publicity....so I haven't paid too much attention, but I did hear Giants owner John Mara talking about the draft yesterday. Basically, he said that the lockout isn't going to change the draft strategy for his team and that he has always told his staff to go for the best player available no matter what. I know it's the standard answer when talking about who to draft, but it's still BS to me. No team with a superstar QB or RB would ever draft another high in the draft, no matter how much of a better player he was than the others available at that time. The Patriots aren't going to draft Cam Newton in the first round, even if he falls to them. Neither are the Colts, or even the Rams. Finances in the modern NFL just don't allow that, not to mention the media shitstorm that would follow. In the end though I was happy to hear Mara say that, and I really hope he sticks steadfastly to that draft strategy. I won't mind watching the Giants continue to get worse.

Something Old, Something New

2011-03-23T05:52:00.002-04:00

Something Old: I suppose since my blog is actually older than Twitter, it can be considered old by social media standards....but what is really getting old is this stupid effing shift I have been stuck on for the last 2.5 weeks. I really can't wait for Saturday morning to get here, even though I might be on a quick turnaround, so my schedule can just go back to normal. Well, at least as normal as my schedule has been the last few months.

Something New: The Blogger App. I originally wrote this post two nights ago on the app that I had newly downloaded. Posted this same picture, used this same format, probably most of these same words....but I'll never know because my very first post from the app was lost somewhere in the blogosphere, somewhere between my phone and this here blog. If you see it, please help it find it's way over here....I'd really like to know how I originally finished this post. After a few tests with posts I have since uninstalled the app. I may give it a try again later if they fix the bugs, or if I feel fine posting a lot of pictureless blogs and risking my time and words when I hit the publish button.

I'm sure I origianlly mentioned that I set up a new Twitter account for my blog, and I plan to update that account anytime I put a post up here....since that was one of the main reasons I wanted to post in the first place. At my current pace there wouldn't be too many tweets, but I downloaded the app and setup the Twitter account to help make it easier for me to get posts up and tell people about it so I have someone actually read it....other than my usual stalkers that is. And even though I have said time and again this blog is for me, I have a hard time really putting anything down in these posts unless I feel someone is going to read it. I also write better when I know I am being read....just like I drive better when I know that I am being watched, by someone who could actually write me a ticket that is, or I watch my language just a bit more when I am hanging out with my mom.

So I've tried to make posting easier and getting my "hey look at me" fix a little easier as well, but so far it hasn't worked....or it's worked on a severe delay. Only time will tell if this is a good idea, or another one of the many ideas that I tout and get so excited for initially, but end up falling by the wayside after a while. One thing is certain, I've got one more post under my belt because of all this, and I'm pretty sure there will be another one up later in the day with a couple topics that I want to get out there.

So stay tuned blog followers, and go ahead an follow my blog's new Twitter account to....the better to stalk me with my dear. Muah ha ha.

Football Friday

2011-03-11T04:46:00.002-05:00

Well when I thought to write this post I expected the news of the day to be primarily about football since the CBA extension for the NFL expires at 5PM today, but right now I am watching coverage of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan tonight and the ensuing tsunami waves which have been reported as high as ten meters in some places. It's very surreal watching cars and homes swept away by these waves.

One of the things I was going to talk about today is the fact that Southfield Freeway is going to be closed Monday morning through the morning rush and how stupid that decision was...but it really pales in comparison to what I am seeing on TV right now. I've got plenty to talk about, but for now I am just going to leave it at this and temper my attitude in light of what I am watching.

IIIIIIt's Groundhog Day!

2011-02-02T18:00:00.001-05:00

With SNOWMAGEDDON! fully upon us today, my class being canceled, and not much sleep to be had after work I didn't have much to do today aside from digging out from our "blizzard". After the snow was done I headed out to get some food. I decided to "eat fresh" this afternoon, and when I got back home from Subway I flipped on the TV as I sat down to eat. As I browsed the guide I remembered that Encore was showing Groundhog Day all day today, and saw it was just about to start again. It had been forever since I had seen it from start to finish, so that was perfect. I settled in, gnawed through my sub in no time, then kicked up my feet to watch the movie.

I've seen this movie enough to quote my way though it, but it's amazing how the years and my life experiences have changed my perspective on so much about the movie. And when it was over, I found that I had a new favorite quote from the movie.

"No matter what happens tomorrow, or for the rest
of my life, I am happy now, because I love you."

25 Years Ago

2011-01-28T11:38:00.004-05:00

25 years ago today, I was sitting in my small 4th grade classroom in the southeast corner of the second floor in Maples School. I haven't set foot in that classroom in more than two decades, but I remember the room well because it played a very important role in my childhood for many reasons. The Challenger explosion is one of those reasons.

I remember the television being wheeled into our class that morning so we could watch the launch and witness the first school teacher ever traveling into space. By today's standards, the TV wasn't much....but at that time having this "big" TV in our room was rather exciting. I don't remember if our teacher, Dr. Bingham, was there that day or not, but considering how important it was to him for us to watch this event and how instrumental he was in securing one of the "big" TVs for us to watch this on, I can't believe he wouldn't have been....although because it's very hard for me to remember at what point of that school year he took his leave of absence, I can't swear that he was.

Actually, there are plenty of details I cannot remember from that day. Not only can I not remember if my teacher was there or not, I can't remember who I sat next to....or which of my elementary school friends were even in my class that day, or that year. I remember there was more than one adult in the room with us, but I can't remember who or how many. What I do remember is watching the shuttle take flight, imagining what it must be like inside the shuttle. I was obsessed with space flight and aviation overall at that age, and always wished I was on one of those shuttle flights. Hell, I still wish that nowadays.

Watching the shuttle go up was absolutely awesome, and I can still FEEL the smile I had while I watched. Unfortunately 73 seconds into the flight, my smile disappeared and this state of confusion just hit me. After a while the realization of what we were seeing set in to all of us. I felt a profound sadness I never remember feeling before that day. One that still resonates with me today when I think about the Challenger explosion. Over time I have learned that death is a part of life and have fully accepted that, but part of my innocence vanished in an instant that day. I like to say that I will never fully grow up, because I am just a big kid at heart, but looking back on it today, it sure seems as if that was the first big step I took toward being a grown up.

I was nine years old when the Challenger exploded. My father was a day away from turning 14 when Kennedy was shot. The times I have heard him talk about that always sounded a whole lot like what I felt watching the Challenger 25 years ago. I guess I am not so different from my old man as I would choose to believe....but that is something you'll never hear me complain about.

Three Sixty Three

2011-01-18T23:51:00.005-05:00

Not too long after reading a blog post from Wil Wheaton today titled Technology Makes you Stupid, I wondered aloud what time it was, considering I had to nap at some point this afternoon so I wouldn't be dead tired at work overnight. I glanced down at my phone and saw 3:36 PM on the display. In keeping with my 'aloud' theme for the time, I actually answered myself out loud by reading the time....and saying "three sixty three".

Needless to say, it wasn't long after hearing that come out of my mouth that I decided it was time for my pre-work nap, but before any of that happened, I had a wonderful day. LM and I headed downtown first thing this morning to check out the North American International Auto Show. This was the first NAIAS for either of us in over ten years, and it was definitely different than we remembered. It was cleaner and nicer than we remembered, and I'm not sure if it's my immaturity or what....but I also remember it being a little more fun. Other than the guy doing card tricks near the Ford exhibit, it seemed like one giant show room with a ton of car salesmen. I understand that is the bottom line for most car companies nowadays, but I've been in a LOT of dealerships the last few years shopping for cars and was hoping for a little more. I didn't see too much there that was really eye-catching. I remember lots of concept cars and a little more theatrics back in the day.

While it was a different experience than I remember, it didn't take away from us having a great time....neither did having to turn around and head back after getting more than halfway there the first time, because I forgot the tickets at home. Thankfully I have an understanding girlfriend. :-)

After walking just about every inch of Cobo, we hit the People Mover and headed to Greektown for lunch at PizzaPapalis. The lunch was very good, but maybe a little expensive at $140. Well, ok....the restaurant only charged me $20 for the food, but that $120 slot tax was tough to swallow. Especially since I never got to spin the wheel. Not once dammit!

As a matter of fact, the lack of luck on the slots wasn't even the most annoying part of the casino visit. While we were checking out one of the new lounge areas at the casino which looked somewhat cool, but kind of reminiscent of a divey Vegas lounge trying to go upscale, one of the employees there came out from behind the velvet rope, waited for a minute or so until we worked our way over to her, then felt the need to tell us the lounge was closed after giving us a snotty "may I help you?" Unless we were blind or severely retarded, we would obviously realize this before making our way to her, making her actions completely unnecessary and somewhat offensive. Then again, it's just another reason Greektown is widely regarded as the worst of the four casinos in the area.

Aside from the two annoyances at the casino, one of which I completely brought upon myself, I had an absolute blast today. Just going places and hanging out with LM, even if it's local and not for that long, makes everything 10 times more enjoyable. Now I just need to get the ball rolling on teaching her Craps so we can avoid that slot tax in the future.

Almost 100 Questions

2011-01-08T17:43:00.000-05:00

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.

The line doesn't make sense alone, so here is the entire sentence that contained line 4: "The godswood there was a garden, bright and airy, where tall redwoods spread dappled shadows across tinkling streams, birds sang from hidden nests, and the air was spicy with the scent of flowers."

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can, What can you touch?

Two remote controls and a set of keys.

3. Before you started this survey, what were you doing?

Texting with my mom, girlfriend, and room mate.

4. What is the last thing you watched on TV?

Currently watching the New Orleans/Seattle wild card game. Seattle just tied it up at 17. I too New Orleans -10.5. Go figure.

5. Without looking, guess what time it is

5:44

6. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?

5:43

7. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

The annoying announcers on NBC....but they are doing the worst game of the playoffs (or what was supposed to be the worst anyway) so you can't blame them. NBC only has one football crew normally....I'm kinda surprised they didn't hire the homeless guy with the Golden Voice for this.

8. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?

Other than driving to or from work, it was about 5 hours ago to shovel the snow.

9. Did you dream last night?

Yes

10. Do you remember your dreams?

Not usually, but I do remember one from last night/this morning because I has something of a epileptic seizure because of it. At least I didn't swing a fist, leg, or my head this time.

11. When did you last laugh?

5:22 PM

12. Do you remember why / at what?

Yes....thank you autocorrect

13. What is on the walls of the room you are in?

WAY too much to list. Lots of pretty lights.

14. Seen anything weird lately?

Yes, the Seahawks just went up 24-17 on the Saints....WTF?

15. What do you think of this quiz?

So far so good....just having a formatting problem.

16. What is the last film you saw?

What About Bob? It was a lot better than I thought it would be, even this many years after it came out.

17. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Well, there aren't many places in the world I couldn't live....and I still haven't left the Detroit area yet. Not sure what that says about me. That being said, I feel drawn toward the ocean and historical places. Anywhere near either or both of those things would be great....but it would have to be the right situation in more ways than one.

18. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?

Lots of "little" things. Those closest to me would get some pretty nice gifts.

19. Tell me something about you that most people don't know.

Sorry, there is a reason most people don't know these things. If you don't know, you aren't going to know.

20. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?

Population control. Out of anything, I really believe overpopulation will be the undoing of man.

21. Do you like to dance?

I'm not what you would call a dancer, but I have my moments and am open to anything....except the hustle.

22. Would you ever consider living abroad?

Definitely.

23. Does your name make any interesting anagrams?

I don't know....you tell me.

24. Who made the last incoming call on your phone?

The Red Cross. I am ignoring them lately though, so the last one I answered was from Denise.

25. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?

Computer? Who needs one of those anymore. Did I mention I have a smartphone I really like. It was an AWESOME birthday gift.

26. Last time you swam in a pool?

Over the summer. It was small and the water didn't seem all that clean.

27. Type of music you like most?

Rock

28. Type of music you dislike most?

Country

29. Are you listening to music right now?

No. I don't get enough of that anymore.

30. What color is your bedroom carpet?

I have this amazing brown, woodgrain carpet in my room....wait, that's not carpet.

31. If you could change something about your home, without worry about expense or mess, what would you do?

Rearrange the layout of the house and/or the size of the rooms.

32. What was the last thing you bought?

A sketch/drawing book for S. I can't tell you how happy I am that she dove right into it last night.

33. Have you ever ridden on a motorbike?

Once or twice.

34. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?

I hope to eventually. Just need to convince someone to go with me.

35. Do you have a garden?

No, but Marq and I are talking about making one in the spring.

36. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem?

Yes.

37. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?

That really depends on the day....but most often I wonder what time it is.

38. If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be?

I think Christopher Walken would be a great choice.

39. Who sent the last text message you received?

LM

40. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

Best Buy is the first one that comes to mind....

41. What time is bed time?

Another one that depends on the day, but I am hardly ever tired before midnight.

42. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant?

Plenty of fashion shows, but never a beauty pageant.

43. How many tattoos do you have?

None. I plenty planned....just need to figure out which arm gets the first one.

44. If you don't have any, have you ever thought of getting one?

I have plenty planned....just need to figure out which arm gets the first one.

45. What did you do for your last birthday?

The night before I had a great dinner with a group of my friends, then had an amazing one on one dinner on my birthday, followed by a night out with three of my closest M's. It's the best birthday I have had in a long time, maybe ever.

46. Do you carry a donor card?

My license counts as one.

47. Who was the last person you ate dinner with?

LM, S, and K....even though one of them waited til after the rest of us were eating to dig in.

48. Is the glass half empty or half full?

I am nothing if not an optimist....but I can see both sides. :-)

49. What's the farthest-away place you've been?

Mount Charleston just outside of Vegas.

50. When's the last time you ate a homegrown tomato?

Probably a couple decades ago.

51. Have you ever won a trophy?

I have several....and these are EARNED trophies, not the ones they pass out to every kid in a sport nowadays. I'm still bitter I didn't win either FFL trophy this year, considering I had the best team in both leagues.

52. Are you a good cook?

I bake better, but I can cook very well....I'm just too lazy to do it all the time.

53. Do you know how to pump your own gas?

Yes, I don't live in New Jersey.

54. If you could meet any one person (from history or currently alive), who would it be?

Plato

55. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school?

No, but I have learned to like school uniforms.

56. Do you touch-type?

For the most part I do, especially when I am at work.

57. What's under your bed?

A little bit of dog hair and a sword.

58. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes, but I also believe you can love someone before you ever even see them.

59. Think fast, what do you like right now?

The fact that I am not currently coughing. It's been an annoying few days with that.

60. Where were you on Valentine's day?

Well, it's a little more than a month away....but I have a few ideas for it. Just gotta narrow it
down before I can tell you.

61. What time do you get up?

All different times nowadays.

62. What was the name of your first pet?

Duchess was the first dog that was MY dog.

63. Who is the second to last person to call you?

Denise....but I explained that earlier

64. Is there anything going on this weekend?

NFL Playoffs begin this weekend

65. How are you feeling right now?

Iffy. Trying to hold off this cough.

66. What do you think about the most?

Nothing seems to really stick in my head lately, aside from a song getting the best of me from time to time, but I'd probably say the future is what I think about the most....and I like thinking about it.

67. What time do you get up in the morning?

Sigh, see number 61.

68. If you had A Big Win in the Lottery, how long would you wait to tell people?

I'd try and keep it quiet for a long time....unfortunately, the two biggest ones don't let you claim it anonymously.

69. Who would you tell first?

LM. We'd carry out my devious plans in secrecy from there on out. MWAH HA HA.

70. What is the last movie that you saw at the cinema?

Tron Legacy. I enjoyed it.

71. Do you sing in the shower?

Not usually. I listen to the news or a game when I am showering.

72. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

Answered this already too.

73. What do you do most when you are bored?

Sleep.

74. What do you do for a living?

I am still a corporate thug....just in a different capacity these days.

75. Do you love your job?

That would be stretching the truth.

76. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A marine biologist.

77. If you could have any job, what would you want to do/be?

I can't tell you that.

78. Which came first the chicken or the egg?

The egg. Plenty of reptiles were walking the earth well before chickens appeared.

79. How many keys on your key ring?

Not too many....I have more rings than keys.

80. Where would you retire to?

Somewhere I don't have to worry about these stupid sinus infections anymore.

81. What kind of car do you drive?

Jeep

82. What are your best physical features?

My smile.

83. What are your best characteristics?

My patience is the first thing that comes to mind, but it can work against me too.

84. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go?

Rome

85. What kind of books do you like to read?

Anything interesting will keep me reading.

86. Where would you want to retire to?

This was JUST asked....

87. What is your favorite time of the day?

Whatever time I leave work. Lol.

88. Where did you grow up?

The D.

89. How far away from your birthplace do you live now?

About 10 miles.

90. What are you reading now?

These questions....more than the author it seems, since they keep effing repeating.

91. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Night owl

92. Can you touch your nose with your tongue?

No, my talent lies not within my length.

93. Can you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows?

I do both very often. Not sure I'd ever tried to do both simultaneously before, but now that I
have....I can confidently answer yes.

94. Do you have pets?

Yes

95. How many rings before you answer the phone?

Whenever I get to it

96. What is your best childhood memory?

Would it be bad if I said skipping school in the first grade?

97. What are some of the different jobs that you have had in your life?

I've only had a few. I ran a small company, then moved on to an employer that was as giving as it could possibly be, then moved on to one that is as greedy as it could possibly be, before settling in where I am now.

98. Any new and exciting things that you would like to share?

Not really....some things I like to keep to myself. :-)

99. What is most important in life?

Family and friends. Keeping the ones you love close and making sure they know it.

100. What Inspires You?

Seeing people who haven't been blessed with the same abilities or socioeconomic status accomplish things I would never even dream of. It inspires me, then makes me feel like a jerk for not doing more myself.

No Obstacles, Only Challenges

2011-01-06T21:44:00.002-05:00

RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
Within a Mile of Home- Flogging Molly

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
High Hopes- Pink Floyd

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
A Million Miles an Hour- Eastern Conference Champions

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Sick Boys- Social Distortion

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
When You Were Young- The Killers

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Kill You- Eminem

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Reach for the Sky- Social Distortion

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Black Dog- Led Zeppelin

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Sam's Town- The Killers

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Resistance- Muse

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
The Dirty Glass- Dropkick Murphys

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
State of the Union- Rise Against

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
We Believe- Good Charlotte

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LOVE?
Look in My Eyes- The Chantels

WHAT WILL/DID YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Rape Me- Nirvana

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
In Chains- Depeche Mode

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Until We Fall- Audioslave

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Anarchy in the U.K.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Breathe- Angels and Airwaves

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
I've Got You Under My Skin- Frank Sinatra

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Live Forever- Oasis

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
No Obstacles, Only Challenges- Wish FM

Tell Him About the Twinkie...

2011-01-06T01:33:00.001-05:00

Nothing about the Twinkie is good. The cake part of the Twinkie is terrible, the crust part at the top (or bottom depending on how you hold it) probably has the most taste in it....but it's still crap, and the filling is downright awful. I can't remember the last time I wanted one, much less had one, until tonight.

I don't normally walk by any of the vending machines at work. There isn't anything in there worth getting aside from a pop every now and again, but I can bring the pop I like in with me, and pay a lot less for it. Well it just so happens that I was forced to walk by the vending machines tonight on my way in. Pretty much any time I go by them, I get a quick craving for something in there I like, maybe a Kit Kat or a Crunch bar or something like that. Tonight I craved a Twinkie as soon as I saw one in there. I damn near stopped in my tracks, wondering what that was all about, but kept on walking because nothing good could come out of having a Twinkie while sitting on my butt at work. The only thing that could, and did, come out of this was elimination of any doubt in my mind that I am, in fact, sick....because I'd never want one of those things if I wasn't.

Resolute

2011-01-03T23:27:00.002-05:00

I always fight against using the word 'resolution' for anything I want to accomplish in a new year, but I don't know why I bother....it's all the same regardless of what I call it. Now I haven't given too much thought to these, but here are a few of my resolutions for 2011 off the top of my head.

First and foremost, I need to drop some weight and get in better shape. My diet is horrendous, I don't do much in terms of physical activity, and am slowly becoming a ticking timebomb here with my family heart history.

Next I want to return to blogging. 2010 was second in terms of my post count for any year, with 2009 being the top. But both of those years still fell short of the goal I have always shot for here, which is at least three posts per week. I always think that I have to wait until I have something profound to say before I start a post, but this is my effing blog....I can put anything and everything up here that I want. I don't think upping my post count with things I wouldn't normally post will take anything away from what I currently do, and I might actually surprise myself and come up with something TRULY profound when I am just babbling about something mundane. Hopefully we will see.

Another one kind of goes hand in hand with that last one. I want to make sure that I write at least 10-20 minutes every day. With access to plenty of computers on a daily basis, an awesome phone with e-mail/text/notepad capabilities, and my iPod which always has the notepad option and can email (better than my phone currently does) if I have a wi-fi connection. I just need to keep putting virtual pen to paper and see what comes out. I'd hate to think that my creativity could ever suffer, but I worry it might without regular exercise.

Speaking of regular exercise....my first two resolutions are a little more related than I first thought. I have a minimum number of gym visits I want to make this year, which is about 150. Basically three times a week, like my blog post goal. Truthfully, I'd like the number to be a lot higher than that, but it's a very obtainable goal to start with.

Another thing I really want to do is organize my house. I got quite the jump a couple weeks ago when I cleaned up the basement a bit so the AT&T installer could hook up our Uverse. Plenty of stuff down there got moved or thrown into a garbage bag. Unfortunately, more than half of those bags are still in my garage because only a couple can fit into my trash bin every week. It's gonna take another month or so to throw that all out, or to recycle all the damn cardboard I have down there....especially since recycling is only every other week now. No matter what, a lot more will be getting done around here now.

Well, that's all for now. Maybe I can come up with a few more to add here in the near future. Until then, I'll do what I can to make sure I don't fall behind on these.

2011

2011-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Don't waste your time,
or time will waste you.

Man Up

2010-12-28T17:08:00.002-05:00

It's been almost three weeks since I clocked in at 255 and felt the need to tell the world, or just the few people who stalk me here, exactly how fat I had gotten. I haven't re-read that post yet, but I am sure it says something about what I want to do to trim down and blah blah blah. Well I do know that I intended to post my weight here a lot more often than I had as a way to motivate myself to lose more of it....and that hasn't happened yet either. I have so many good ideas, but never seem to follow through with them.

So here I lay ready to try and nap before another long, boring midnight shift. I am cozy warm in my bed, and since I am sans clothes I have no desire to get out of bed and put my feet on the cold wooden floor. But thinking about how I haven't posted my weight yet, I do have enough motivation to get my fat ass out of bed and check. My current weight is 251.5 lbs. Now, this is better than 255 of course, but considering I have been bouncing between 248 and 252 the last couple weeks, this is the higher end of my current weight spectrum. I know my lunch was huge and is sitting very heavy in my stomach right now, but I still should be a lot lower than this. I have so many things around me reminding me to lose the weight....now I just need to man up and do it.

Mad World

2010-12-15T01:36:00.003-05:00

The first commercial I can remember seeing for a first person shooter type game that incorporated a song that really sold the commercial, and therefore the game, to me was the commercial for Vice City that used I Ran by A Flock of Seagulls, interspersed with gameplay clips. The ad was an attention getter, and the game absolutely rocked. Vice City wasn't a pure FPS game, but it was the first FPS type game I ever bought, and opened me up to a different kind of gaming.

Now I won't proclaim myself as a great FPS player, but I continue to get better with the gameplay as I seem to exclusively play Call of Duty when I turn on the 360, and my ability to strategize quickly and several steps ahead makes my learning curve a little less drastic. I think the multiple layers of strategy involved has greatly added to the addiction factor of CoD for me. When I bought Modern Warfare 2 last year I was pretty new to FPS games, completely new to online multiplayer FPS games, and a few years behind anyone who played CoD from the first title on. I got my ass handed to me for a while, but quickly adjusted to a lot of things in the game and the nuances of the different kinds of matches within the game, and was holding my own before I knew it, and saw that I could excel at times as well.

So, back from my gaming tangent now...this was intended to be about the use of songs in commercials for games, and how effective they seem. The title for this post actually comes from the song used in one of the best video game commercials I've seen. Gears of War used Mad World as the background for their gameplay clips, without using any of the game sounds. It was kind of eerie to watch, but definitely grabbed your attention seeing the contrast between the action of the game and the slow, quiet nature of the song. I liked it so much, I changed my profile picture on Myspace, yes I said Myspace, to the Gears of War symbol. Then again, I guess it couldn't have been all that great if I didn't actually buy the game.

When GTA came out with San Andreas, still one of my favorite games of all time, they used Welcome to the Jungle in one of the commercials that aired before the game ever came out, and I was even more geeked for it's release they I already was. Thankfully, the game lived up to the height and my expectations. I played that game for a long time after finishing the storyline for it. By comparison, I rarely played GTA 4 after completing the storyline...although it was the first game I ever tried Xbox live with, so it obviously served it's purpose for me.

Recently, with the CoD franchise releasing Black Ops, they used Gimme Shelter in a commercial that had real people, including some celebrities, acting out game scenarios. The ad hit the air approximately two weeks before the game was released. I was more or less lukewarm about the game up until that point, but the ad sucked me in and before I knew it, I was trying to find a place online to preorder the game.

I'm generally rather critical of advertising nowadays, but some of the ads I've seen for video games show that sometimes the advertisers just get it. Whether it's a song that just seems to fit, or Mr. T talking about hacking a game, some of these commercials can be outstanding pieces of work. Maybe the ad agencies for other products should take notice.

Photo Credit: Emrah Icten
Check out some of his other great images here.

Kirabaz

2010-12-09T05:30:00.009-05:00

I only work two midnight shifts each week, and it seems like it gets harder and harder to get myself up and ready for them as the weeks go on....but tonight I was treated to something unexpected as I was getting ready that really made it easier for me to get moving, and made me smile.

After my shower I dumped Kira's dinner into her bowl and went on about my business, just like I did last night. She picked through her food as I threw on some clothes and made my own dinner. She finished her food as I was sitting down to eat, then of course joined me in the living room to sit and stare between my feet in the hopes that something will hit the floor....but since I wasn't eating much, she was out of luck there.

As I took my plate, glass, and fork to the kitchen, Kira jumped up and got in front of me. Though instead of escorting me to the kitchen as I expected, she ran into the computer room and dug out a stuffed animal from her cache' under the computer desk....the only Guinness-proof area of the house she has free access to. As I walked to my room from the kitchen, she met me in the hallway with the stuffed green frog and a playful bounce in her step. I haven't seen her do anything like that in months. The relief I felt was staggering.

Earlier in the day, I had a short conversation about how mothers will always have some sort of worry where their kids are concerned....well my dogs have always been like my kids, and I have been worried about Kira for a while. She is definitely not a winter dog, and has seemed to be a little more down lately than I would hope. Seeing her acting like this, though, made me smile from ear to ear and gave me a huge sense of relief. I hope to see plenty more of this behavior in the near future. I'm sure that would do wonders for my recent over-the-top stress levels.

I Can't Drive, 255

2010-12-09T04:45:00.002-05:00

A few days ago I stepped on the scale, and was pretty horrified at what I saw. The first reading on my scale is usually a couple pounds high, but seeing a big 257.5 staring back at me really shocked me. I had thought I was hovering around 250, but to be hovering around 260 instead was a big surprise. After a couple more times on the scale, my weight ended up being a flat 255....which is still terrible, but seemed a little better to me than the original 257.5.

There are plenty of things I can attribute this weight gain to, including the lack of sleep and energy on this crazy work shift....but the bottom line is that it all boils down to me. I know what I need to do to keep from ballooning up to this weight, I just haven't done it. For a couple years I was somewhere in the 225-235 range, and kept it there without much effort on my part. That range was still at least 20-30 lbs more than I should weigh, but I could have my cake and eat it to at that range. Here I am another 20-30 lbs above that, so I must be eating a whole lot more than cake.

While the food is definitely a problem, the biggest change I can attribute this quick gain to is actually what I drink. I am pretty much addicted to the cherry Pepsi I get at the 7-11 by my house, and took my refillable cup there just about every day to get my 44 ounces of extra sweet cola. I haven't completely broken that habit yet, but in the last few days I have had a lot less cola. One thing that may help expedite this is that 7-11 changed the cherry syrup/Pepsi ratio, and it doesn't taste nearly as good to me anymore.

I don't like sounding like a broken record, but it's time to try the weight loss thing again. Maybe if I make a point of posting my weight every couple days or so, that will help. Everything is a little more real when it's written down. I have quite a few other things at my disposal to help me too, now it's just all on me to utilize those tools.

Get the Picture?

2010-12-02T15:46:00.002-05:00

I can't stand looking at the bland, pictureless posts I've been putting up from my phone lately. I'm looking for a free app that will allow me to post pics with my phone, but until I can find something like that I am just gonna add pictures later. I may not use the same picture as I would in the moment, but at least it looks better and, makes it easier on me to be able to do it later than to search and search for a way to do it every time I want to post something from my phone.

SIlly Putty

2010-11-23T00:25:00.003-05:00

Ending my blogging hiatus with a post about pain and my complaints about the pain I was dealing with, just didn't sit too well with me. The post before that easily could have been my very last on this blog, something I seriously considered for a while, and that would have been fine with me. But just having last night's post as the most recent for about 24 hours made me uneasy.

This blog has always been a reflection on or a representation of my life. More of an extension of the things happening around me actually, because of my thoughts about those events. Sometimes it's been dark, sometimes it's been downright whiney. Thankfully I have been blessed with the resilience and mental flexibility of silly putty so those times are few and far between, and don't last very long at all. And yes....I just compared my brain to silly putty. :-)

Now I am not here tonight to talk about how hunky dory everything is now, nor how it's always rainbows and butterflies....because that's just not the case. Life is life. It is what it is. The crazy Indian Summer rain today is still wreaking havoc on my joints, and my back is only slightly better than last night....but slowly getting worse as I sit here in this "ergonomic" chair. I'm really just here because I can't stand looking too long at the posts where I whine about how bad things are, when I truly believe I am one of the luckiest men in the world.

Due to the public nature of this blog, and the impact on my life that things I may say on this virtual platform could have in my real world life there have been many things I have withheld over the last few years. Sometimes I had wished that this blog was private so I could say whatever I really wanted instead of what was expected of me without worrying about the possible consequences, but that's really not the point of having this blog. I want to be able to share with those who honestly care about me everything I can possibly share, out in the open. One problem I encountered in the past was having someone in my life much too critical of things I say, or someone who would take things I said and run with them and make them into some extreme emotional issue. I've guarded, or flat out changed, much of what I've said here in the past because I knew I had certain readers who would just take things the wrong way, and I'd have to move directly into damage control mode soon thereafter. Oftentimes I didn't know how to express my true thoughts without getting a terrible amount of backlash.

Inevitably, over time, these relationships eroded and broke down. Having them behind me allows a greater amount of openness, and having someone in my life now who I am comfortable telling anything and everything means I never have to second guess what I post here. I'm very lucky to have found someone as loving and understanding as I have. Someone who truly cares about me in a way I've seen from my closest friends, but have never seen before from a girlfriend. The road ahead is long, and won't be without bumps, twists, or turns....but I can't think of anyone I would rather have along for the ride than the girl I've found to ride shotgun with me.

Pain to the 21st Degree

2010-11-21T19:45:00.003-05:00

I've had some pretty bad pain days in my life. Honestly after blowing out my knee playing ball, I haven't had a single pain-free day. One way or another, my knee aches every day. It was a lot worse in my late teens and early twenties but even though it aches less than it used to, it can still be pretty significant. And just let the weather take a quick turn, and it'll get a hell of a lot worse. Something like that must have happened overnight too, because I woke up with an achey leg and one helluva sinus headache.

Having those pains isn't a big deal though, and I wouldn't even think twice about them if my back didn't decide to jump in the mix too. My back was sore after tossing and turning a good part of the morning, but sitting too long on the couch doing my FFL lineups and whatnot REALLY aggravated it. When I stood up to feed Kira, I hunched over and walked so slowly and awkwardly that Mark started giving me shit about being old. It was all good natured though as he has had plenty of issued with his own back and definitely knows my pain. Unfortunately, it just got worse from there.

Before even getting an hour in at work, my back started to spasm. Two Alleve have helped to dull it a bit, but every now and again I move in a way that almost brings me to my knees with pain. Get this; it hurts so bad that I don't even want to eat. Lol.

Now I just wish it stopped there. Everything seems to have conspired to plant a migraine into my head before I take off for the night. With an hour left, it's only gotten like halfway there though...so unless the drive home fully triggers it, I should be fine tonight.

For the most part I am very healthy, and I really hate typing all this garbage out...but it really has helped to distract me from these issues. Again, this blog has been free therapy for me. Who would have known this time it would be physical therapy.

Quote

2010-09-19T23:58:00.004-04:00

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...There is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you.”

Winnie the Pooh

Aaaargh

2010-09-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Happy September 19th!

I'll enjoy celebrating this every year.

Iridescent

2010-09-15T11:11:00.000-04:00

When you were standing in the wake of devastation,
When you were waiting on the edge of the unknown,
And with the cataclysm raining down,
Your insides crying, "Save me now",
You were there, impossibly alone.

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure's all you've known.
Remember all the sadness and frustration,
And let it go.
Let it go.

And in a burst of light that blinded every angel,
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars,
You felt the gravity of tempered grace,
Falling into empty space,
With no one there to catch you in their arms.

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure's all you've known.
Remember all the sadness and frustration,
And let it go.
Let it go.

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure's all you've known.
Remember all the sadness and frustration.
And let it go.
Let it go.

Let it go.
Let it go.
Let it go.
Let it go.

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure's all you've known.
Remember all the sadness and frustration.
And let it go.
Let it go.

Phoney

2010-09-15T00:34:00.000-04:00

Without the normal access to blogger which I have become accustomed to, I'm pretty much relegated to using my phone to blog now if I want to get a post up. I can put up a normal post from my laptop or home computer of course, but with my work and school schedules turning my personal and sleep schedule pretty much on it's ear...the phone is the only chance I have to put up a post that would take anything more than a few minutes. Of course with my penchant for finding the perfect picture for each post and my strict editorial desire to choose each word precisely, my posts often take a LOT longer to write than they do to read. I could easily spend hours on a few decent paragraphs, depending on what I have going on around me.

Finding the best time to post was damn near a no brainer when I had unlimited access to my blogger account, but now I have dozens of notes here or there that I plan to post at a later date, but never get into a post because the mood which struck me to write about each subject passes. I have collected many more post fragments over the last few weeks than posts that have actually made it up onto the blog.

A few years ago, I considered migrating my free blog here to a site of my own. There were things I wanted to do at the time that this site wouldn't be able to handle, and I wanted to go a step further with a few new things. As with most of my ideas or plans, I probably either didn't follow through or something minor happened to derail my motivation before it ever got really rolling. Either case seems just as likely. If switching over to my own site would give me more opportunities to get my post, and my fragments, up on the blog...it just may be the right incentive to finally do it.

While not blogging at a regular pace is one side effect of my new schedule, one of my biggest concerns is how my schoolwork and study time will be affected. So far, I haven't fallen into the same pattern I did with the last class I took...but it's not been easy. Finding time to get my studying in is tough when I am constantly tired. Today was a tough day. Getting off work at 7am, trying to fight through the noise of the day to get SOME sleep before going to my 12:30 class, coming home to try another much needed nap, but falling short because of a still unresolved fantasy football problem, then brushing up on some class material before taking two quizes, then getting ready and heading into work at 11pm.

Thankfully tomorrow is an "off" day for me and gives me a chance to reset my sleep pattern to something resembling normal. It'll give me a chance to catch up on a few things I need to take care of too. The nicest thing will be not having to worry about making it to school or work on time...everything I do tomorrow will be something I WANT to do. Unfortunately, it seems like the weather won't cooperate for a long ride tomorrow...but I guarantee I will find a way to get at least one more good ride in before the month is over.

Blocked

2010-08-18T01:13:00.000-04:00

So it seems my 9 to 5 has now set the filter to block blogger.com. I can still read public blogs, but any blog I need to sign in to read is now off limits. I also can't sign in to my profile, which means no more blog posts from the 9 to 5. As if I didn't have a hard time getting my posts in before...lets see how the post count goes from now on.

Preseason Week One

2010-08-15T23:52:00.003-04:00

I'm not yet in serious NFL watching mode, although I never got there at all last season, but I did pay attention to a few preseason games this past weekend. First and foremost, I made sure to catch the Ravens opening game. As usual, their defense looks solid and they should be competitive all season so long as the offense is decent. If Flacco and company can perform as well as last year, they will be one of the top teams in the AFC again.

Of course I needed to watch the first Redskins game. Even though I wasn't going out to watch the game, it gave me a great reason to wear my new McNabb jersey since it'd be the first time I'd get to see him in action wearing his new jersey. Circumstance didn't allow me to actually see Donovan play that night, but I did catch plenty of the 42 points the Skins put up in the game. Quite a welcome change from everything we saw last year. If this team can score half that each week in 2010, they can easily be a top team in the NFC, even with the tough division.

The Lions have generated a lot of buzz this offseason, like they always do around here, and even with the loss of their first preseason game, everyone is going crazy about how good the defensive line looked and the pressure and blah blah blah....Let's not forget this is the Steelers we played. The same Steelers we got three sacks against during the regular season last year, and otherwise pressured a hell of a lot in that same game. Their line isn't exactly the best in the league, and definitely not a great gauge of how good our line is going to be this season. Let's see how they do over the next few weeks before we get too excited.

Overall, I am pretty excited for the season to start....and definitely have the Oct 31st game circled on my calendar. Even though I didn't get the exact seats I wanted for that game, I still got pretty good seats at a decent price. And I don't mind paying a little more than face value to skip the BS that goes along with being a Lions season ticket holder.

FOUL!

2010-08-13T15:57:00.002-04:00

There is no other way to describe my mood today aside from foul. I'm a very laid back guy for the most part, and it usually takes a lot to get to me. Whatever IT is, it must have gotten to me. I suppose most, if not all, of IT has to do with the 9 to 5. For the last few months, things just have not gone the way anyone has expected. And things just seem to keep getting worse. Some issue(s) that didn't involve me at all have affected things for me negatively where my schedule is concerned.

I knew it would take a little while to iron things out for my new position, but it's been a little too long, and hasn't exactly been ironed out the way it should have been, nor the way I need it to be for school....which was the ONLY concerned I voiced when offered the job. This semester won't be a total wash. I will be able to take at least a couple classes, but with the schedule I'll be on the next two or three weeks, I will surely burn out before we even hit midterms. And that is only taking school, work, and sleep hours into consideration....I can't even begin to figure in my personal life the way things stand right now.

I guess I have been spoiled, lucky, or just flexible enough in my life so far that I've never had a job interfere with my personal/social life. My job in high school affected my ability to hang out my last couple years there, but I preferred most of my work friends over my school friends anyway. I seemed to get along better with an older crowd back then. Other than that, I've always had ample time to be with friends and/or loved ones no matter what shift I was working. That really doesn't look like it's going to be the case now for a while.

"Tell me about your father...."

One of the biggest reasons I never wanted to follow in my father's footsteps (and both grandfathers, as well as several uncles) when it came to work was the crazy shifts I saw my dad work when I was a kid. I got used to his shifts changing on a whim when someone "bumped" him off his job, and he was powerless to do anything but show up when they wanted him there because he was the low man on the totem pole in terms of seniority. Even the last few years before he retired, when only two people in the entire state had a higher seniority number in his position than he did, he was still worried about being bumped off his hours/days from time to time.

Now I find myself faced with working a similar shift for an indeterminable length of time as the one I remember being the worst for him when I was young. My father is a much stronger man than I am in many ways, and working that shift was extremely hard on him. Basically it was a back fill position spanning all three shifts each week. One midnight shift, two afternoon shifts, two day shifts, and two consecutive days off in the middle of the week. I'm now facing two mids, followed by a day off which I will most likely sleep away because that single day off is followed by a day shift....which is then followed by another day off and two consecutive afternoon shifts. Plus school. Not a full time school schedule mind you, because I can't find a full time schedule that will work with my shifts and days off, but still two pretty intense classes that I will need to really apply myself to do well in.

Now, my dad didn't have the school schedule to worry about....but he did have me to deal with. I don't know which is worse, but I'd say I am getting the better of it there. I'm sure dealing with me has never been all that easy....I'd choose spending time learning about crazy people and how to figure out what is wrong them over dealing with a young me any day, and twice on Sunday....well, as long as my Sunday work schedule permits it of course.

A Delicate Balance

Supposedly every cloud has a sliver lining. My silver lining just may end up being a silver bullet. Whether I fancy myself a vampire, werewolf, or just a mortal man, that silver bullet could do plenty of damage to me. While my father had no choice but to show up when they told him to because of his relatively low seniority level, I have a very high seniority level in my current position. I could pull rank and force them to even things up a little more, or even completely take over someone else's shift. As far as I know, only one person can outbid me. The problem with that is how many toes I would step on....and the likelihood of those toes coming back to kick me in the ass at a later date.

I've already seen enough petty shit go down to worry about it happening to me....and I get along with everyone I work with very well. I could only imagine the odds would increase tenfold if I pissed off a few people in my area. Unlike a standard office job where you can file your paperwork and do most everything you need to accomplish all by yourself, this job requires a lot of teamwork for a lot of different things. No one knows every little detail about how or what we do in every instance. We all have our own skill set and level of knowledge. While I have seniority over almost everyone, I am seriously lacking experience with just about everything in this new position and have to rely on someone else multiple times per shift to help me out, even though I am technically supervising them. That in and of itself can easily lead to animosity, and if I start throwing my weight around to get my way....I'm pretty sure I'll end up with a target on my back. Even if I don't, I'm still going to feel that way. Then I will be working paranoid and double checking every single thing that someone else does....I can only imagine that will also create a bit of animosity.

So here I am....trying to figure out how to balance this all and keep the attitudes and egos in check. I am a wonderful problem solver....but I am pretty stumped at the moment. How long would I have to suffer through this shift before I wouldn't be seen as a bully for pulling rank and taking someone else's shift? Will it be longer than I can keep myself from falling seriously behind in school? What will happen with my friends and loved ones in this time? I already don't get to see the people I want to nearly enough....

One question leads to another, then another....and so on. At least with all these shift changes, I'll have a decent amount of time to think it over before I report to work tomorrow night for the first of four consecutive midnight shifts.

Morning Music, 8-07-10

2010-08-07T10:34:00.004-04:00

1. Being Here- The Stills.

I been everywhere enough
I been torn apart by love
But there's apples in the trees
and diamonds in the earth

2. My Chick Bad- Ludacris.

I'm saying my chick bad
My chick hood
My chick do stuff that your chick wish she could
My chick bad, badder than yours
My chick do stuff that I can't even put in words
Her swagger don't stop
Her body won't quit
So fool pipe down you ain't talkin bout shit

No time for games, she's full grown
My chick bad, tell your chick to go home

Now your girl might be sick but my girl sicker
She rides that dick and she handles her liquor

Test her and guns get drawn like cartoons
Doh, but I aint talkin bout homer
Chick so bad the whole crew wanna bone her

3. Kiss With a Fist- Florence and the Machine.

Blood sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none

4. According to You- Orianthi.

According to you
I'm boring, I'm moody,
And 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.

I need to feel appreciated,
like I'm not hated.

5. Wrong- Depeche Mode.

I was marching to the wrong drum
With the wrong scum
Pissing out the wrong energy
Using all the wrong lines
And the wrong signs
With the wrong intensity
I was on the wrong page
Of the wrong book
With the wrong rendition
Of the wrong look
With the wrong moon
Every wrong night
With the wrong tune playing
Till it sounded right, yeah

Wrong
Wrong

Too long...

6. That Was a Crazy Game of Poker- O.A.R.

And I walked into the bar yesterday
Cause I had something to do, something to say
And Johnny walked in right behind me and I didn't turn around
Til I heard the sound of his feet falling on the ground
I looked over my shoulder and I saw a clown
And I said what'cha doin' in the bar tonight.

So I said Johnny whatcha doing tonight?
He looked at me with a face full of fright
And I said, how bout a revolution?
And he said right.
I say of, you say a
I say revolution, and you say jah
I say of, you say a
I say revolution, and you say jah jah jah
Jahova!

And I said, what'cha looking at?
He hit me across the face with a bat
I grabbed my .45 and I said let's get out and go
So he opened the door and said do what you're here for
I said I'm wandering round the road four to four
And I said I been walking for about a thousand years.

And my feet are growing tired
My eyes a little wired
Don't know what to do unless I retire
And he just said let's play some crazy poker

7. Just the Way You Are- Barry White.

Don't go changing, trying and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I would not leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are

I said I love you and that's forever
And this I promise from my heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are.

8. Chasing Cars- Snow Patrol.

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
would you lie with me and just forget the world?

9. Your Body is a Wonderland- John Mayer.

We got the afternoon
You got this room for two
One thing I've left to do
Discover me
Discovering you

One mile to every inch of
Your skin like porcelain
One pair of candy lips and
Your bubblegum tongue

And if you want love
We'll make it
Swim in a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be awhile

Your body is a wonderland

Something 'bout the way the hair falls in your face
I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase
You tell me where to go and
Though I might leave to find it
I'll never let your head hit the bed
Without my hand behind it

10. Come on Get Higher- Matt Nathanson.

I miss the sound of your voice
And I miss the rush of your skin
And I miss the still of the silence
As you breathe out and I breathe in

If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what's next
I'd make you believe
I'd make you forget

So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love

I miss the pull of your heart
I taste the sparks on your tongue
I see angels and devils
And God, when you come on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on

August?

2010-08-05T07:30:00.002-04:00

August already? Awesome.

No Caffeine

2010-07-28T06:48:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I went an entire day without caffeine for the first time in a VERY long time. I've gone deep into a day recently before grabbing a can of Pepsi or something else at home or out to dinner, but I still have had at least one caffeinated beverage each day. Until yesterday.

There were plenty of times that I WANTED to grab a pop with caffeine in it yesterday because I was dragging ass at work all morning, but I made it through the work day without having one....without having any pop at all actually, with or without caffeine. Being somewhat busy most of the day really helped me survive at work. Riding after work helped me sustain that, and it wasn't until I had my dinner at the movies that I ordered a Sierra Mist. Normally I won't drink an entire pop in the movies, but that 32 ounces didn't last til the credits.

While it was great to go an entire day without caffeine, and most of it without any pop, there was one drawback. After the movie I was completely drained and in bed by 8....well, I was actually passed out on the couch by 8. It wasn't until I woke up just before 1 am that I realized I had completely slept the evening away. Sleeping as soundly as I did on the couch also had another drawback....I am stiff as hell this morning, and kinda unhappy that I have to turn to my good friend Motrin for help again. It could be worse of course, but I hate feeling dependant on a pill.

I'm already dragging again this morning, but I am hoping to get through it without any pop. I've already sucked down about 30 ounces of ice water, so I shouldn't be thirsty much from here on out as long as I keep my water cup full. I didn't have too hard of a time staying away from the pop yesterday....I hope it's as easy today.

Picture of the Day, 7-27-2010

2010-07-27T07:07:00.003-04:00

Seeing this on a newspaper's website

REALLY helped pick me up this morning.

Why Take a Chance?

2010-07-21T08:44:00.003-04:00

A year ago, the 21st was a great day. One of my very favorites as a matter of fact. A month later, the 21st wasn't so spectacular....the following month, things changed around again. Anymore, I have no idea what to expect when it comes to the 21st.

I may not be the most superstitious of people, but I have to say that the date today did come into my decision making when it came time to choose which vehicle to bring to work today. By all weather forecasts, today should be a great day to ride....but I drove my truck in today instead. Hey, why take a chance?

So Much to Say....

2010-07-16T12:17:00.001-04:00

....so few words.

All Yours

2010-07-11T17:15:00.004-04:00

Max likes this:

Full screen it for the best view.

The Three Big Egos

2010-07-10T10:02:00.003-04:00

While I have been pretty much sickened by how much press this has been getting, I must admit I am interested to see if this experiment works out. I'm not normally a hater but considering this involves "King" James and the Miami Heat, I won't try and hide my hater status. Normally I don't care if things like this work out or not and every sport has had something akin to this happen at one time or another which I didn't really care about....with only two exceptions I can think of.

When the Lakers geared up for another title run with Kobe, Shaq, Karl Malone, Gary Payton, and the rest in 2004 I really didn't care too much....until the Pistons signed Sheed. Then I wanted to see the LA experiment fail miserably....and it did. Before that, there was the three-headed monster of Aikman, Emmitt, and Irvin in Dallas. That "dynasty" just pissed me off, even though I really like Troy Aikman. Alas, he played for the Cowboys....one of the few teams I actually loathe.

This situation in Miami is somewhat similar to the Dallas trio. I like Bosh, I really like Wade, and Lebron is definitely an impressively rare talent (and and even more impressively rare douche) but mixing those ingredients up in the bowl that is Miami just makes me lose my appetite.

I'll be watching the standings with interest, and hoping to see this turn into a ego-fueled trainwreck.

Unfinished Business

2010-07-10T08:26:00.003-04:00

I've started a bunch of posts over the last few days, but for one reason or another have not finished them. Looks like I have something to work on the next few days....unfortunately I don't think they are going to get finished in chronilogical order.

Happy Birthday America

2010-07-04T15:55:00.000-04:00

Days Off

2010-07-03T23:38:00.003-04:00

The last few years, I have gotten pretty spoiled in terms of my days off. I always had the weekends off unless I volunteered to work the OT when it was available. For the foreseeable future, I will be working just about every Saturday and Sunday, with my days off being sometime during the normal work week. I have also been spoiled in the fact that I pretty much always worked day shifts, unless I asked for/agreed to work an early afternoon shift for one reason or another. This weekend I am working three consecutive midnight shifts.

I technically don't have Saturday, Sunday, or Monday off during this long holiday weekend....in reality, I kinda do. I don't normally sleep all that much at night as it is, so working the night shift and having an option of sleeping right before or right after work isn't so bad. Truth be told, on the days that my light sleep schedule catches up with me I will often sleep right after work as well as right before work. It's pretty much the same on midnights, I just haven't had a chance to get used to it.

Today I slept on and off throughout the day, but the flexibility of not having to be at work during the day let me take advantage of the time I wanted to, and sleep at the time I wanted to. I know it wasn't as efficient of a sleep pattern as I could have had, but I enjoyed the day much more than had I just slept straight through the morning into the afternoon. I hope to do the same thing tomorrow, then with Monday and Tuesday being my actual days off, I can do whatever I please with sleep or anything else.

While I couldn't head out of town with Mark, Mike and Dave for the weekend....I'm not completely unhappy that I am here with this schedule. Things have worked out rather well so far.

The Best is Yet to Come

2010-07-02T23:11:00.005-04:00

I had a great time at the show last night. Both bands put on a great show, and it doesn't seem like either lead singer has lost much, if any, in terms of their voice. The seats we had were very nice, especially for as little as we paid. We were about halfway up/down in the pavilion and just a little left of center and settled into the seats a song or two into Cinderella's set.

Luckily for us, I noticed that Heather was walking up the stairs next to our row at one point and ran out to say hi to her. After a big "I haven't seen you in forever" hug, she explained that her seats were too close to the stage for her kids to enjoy. Her daughter was crying like crazy on the way up the stairs. After that, she offered me two of their 4 tickets from Miro's company to go down to the seventh row and watch the rest of the show. How could I say no to that? I thanked Heather and took the tickets back to our seats, and we immediately headed down the 20 plus rows to check out our new vantage point. Much nicer.

On the walk down to our upgraded seats, I noticed they were in the row right in front of a pair of our company's season tickets (which were not available to me when I asked about them) and was very interested to see who had those seats for the night. It didn't take me long to recognize who was there, but I looked a little different than I do at work (Slayer shirt, torn up jeans, black bandana around my forehead and some crazy hair above that) so I was not recognized right away. When I finally was recognized, I got the usual "what is HE doing here?" look. Because of who I work with on a daily basis, most anyone who sees me out when they are having fun gets a little uncomfortable....as if I am going to rat them out to their bosses. The way that I was dressed seemed to lessen that effect though, and no one seemed uncomfortable after the initial recognition.

With the company tickets that Miro and Heather gave us, we were able to get into the VIP lounge where they have better food and drink than anywhere else in the venue. We took full advantage of that between sets, and ran into another person I know from work. This time, I was mistaken as someone else because of the way I was dressed (and the amount of alcohol he had consumed) and he was very amused at my appearance when he finally realized who I was. He doesn't work for our company, he just comes in a lot so I gave him a pass on not recognizing me right away. I guarantee that he would recognize Missy again though. She was away from our table when I started talking to him, and as she approached he actually turned to point her out to me. I think he said he was in love with her before she was even within 20 yards of us. I just smiled a big crooked smile.

We made it back to the seats just before The Scorpions started their set, and we thoroughly enjoyed what we saw. We ended up leaving a little bit early because we were both completely exhausted. While I was disappointed I wouldn't see Winds of Change live, we were really much better off leaving when we did. Had we waited, I'm not sure I would have had the energy I needed after the show....to give her a piggy-back ride to the car because her foot was REALLY hurting. Not too long before we left, they played a song from their new album which I really enjoyed.

The Best is Yet to Come

Across the desert plains
Where nothing dares to grow
I taught you how to sing
You taught me everything I know
And though the night is young
And we don't know if we'll live to see the sun

The best is yet to come
I know, you know
That we've only just begun
Through the highs and lows
And how can I live without you
You're such a part of me
And you've always been the one
Keeping me forever young
And the best is yet to come

Na na na na
Don't look now, the best is yet to come
Na na na na
Take my hand, the best is yet to come

Thinking of the times
How we laughed and cried
I wouldn't change a thing
I couldn't even if I tried
Through the wind and rain
The spirit of our song remains the same

And the best is yet to come
I know, you know
That we've only just begun
Through the highs and lows
And how can I live without you
You're such a part of me
And you've always been the one
Keeping me forever young
And the best is yet to come

Na na na na
Don't look now, the best is yet to come
Na na na na
Take my hand, the best is yet to come

Oh can you feel it in the air
It's in your heart and everywhere
We got to keep that dream alive

We cross another road
And face another day
Soldiers never die
They only fade away
How can we grow old
When the soundtrack of our lives is rock and roll

And the best is yet to come
I know, you know
That we've only just begun
Through the highs and lows
And how can I live without you
You're such a part of me
And you've always been the one
Keeping me forever young
And the best is yet to come

Na na na na
Don't look now, the best is yet to come
Na na na na
Take my hand, the best is yet to come

Na na na na
Don't look now, the best is yet to come
Na na na na
Take my hand, the best is yet to come

Six Months Behind Us, Six Months to Go

2010-07-01T10:46:00.001-04:00

July 1st brings our state a ban on texting. While I like the theory of this, the practice will probably be useless unless it's STRICTLY enforced. What the law itself is going to do is stop the cautious, law-abiding drivers to stop texting. These are the folks who would probably be the most responsible of texting drivers out there, the ones who wait for breaks in traffic or optimal times to text while driving (if there is such a thing).

What it's NOT going to do is stop the ones who just don't give a f*ck from texting while driving, and these are the ones who end up accidentally sharing a lane with me on the highway when I am riding. The only thing I think that will eventually stop that crowd is strict enforcement, like the seat belt patrols you see every now and again. When the seat belt law came into effect in MI years ago, the result was pretty much the same. The responsible people listened, the rest didn't. It wasn't until it was made a primary offense and the fines were upped that it began to really make an impact on drivers as a whole.

July; The Month of Many Concerts

This month starts with me attending a concert, and will end with a concert as well. Tonight is The Scorpions and Cinderella at DTE Energy Music Theater. The 31st is Kings of Leon, also at DTE. I also have tickets for 311/The Offspring as well as the Goo Goo Dolls/Switchfoot. Both of those at....DTE of course.

From the very first concert I ever went to at DTE (it was still Pine Knob then), I completely dug the venue. I got lucky the first few years I went to concerts there because I always got lawn tickets, and it never rained. I think the first time I actually got pavilion tickets was the first time I saw it rain there and how terrible that hill can be in inclement weather. Since then I have gone to very few concerts there where I haven't been in the pavilion. I'll be in the pavilion for all four shows this month, and while I will be dry if the weather takes a turn for the worse, I'll also be a little warmer than I'd like. It always seems to get hotter the closer you get to the stage. And I have to believe tonight is gonna be a hot night. ;-)

While the concerts give me something to look forward to nearly every week, there's plenty more for me to look forward to in the coming weeks....and all of this is much more important to me than a few shows. I'm eagerly awaiting everything that will happen over the next six months.

I Don't Like Mondays

2010-06-28T09:52:00.000-04:00

When I left for work this morning I thought about doing a music playlist since it had been a while, so I took note of the songs I listened to on the way in. Once I got here, I read something that solidified it and cleared up why I had such a strong urge to do it.

Morning Music, 6-28-10

1. I Don't Like Mondays- Irish Party Animals.

Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays
Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays
Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays
I wanna shoo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oot
The whole day down, down, down, shoot it all down

2. Your Love is My Drug- Ke$ha.

Maybe I need some rehab
Or maybe just need some sleep
I got a sick obsession
I'm seein it in my dreams
I'm lookin down every alley
I'm makin those desperate calls
I'm stayin up all night hopin hitin my head against the wall

What you got boy, is hard to find
I think about it all the time
Im all strung out my heart is fried
I just cant get you off my mind!

Because your love your love your love is my drug
Your love your love your love
Your love your love your love is my drug
Your love your love your love

Wont listen to any advice
Mommas tellin me I should think twice
But look into my own devices, im addicted its a crisis
My friends think ive gone crazy
My judgments gettin kinda hazy
My esteem is gonna be affected if I keep it up like a love sick crack head

I dont care what people say
The rush is worth the price I pay
I get so high when your with me
But crash and crave you when you leave

Hey, so I got a question
Do you wanna have a slumber party in my basement?
Do I make your heart beat like an 808 drum
Is my love your drug? your drug?
Hi, your drug?
Hi, your drug?
Is my love your drug?

I like cold beer. :-D

3. I Will Follow You into the Dark- Death Cab for Cutie.

If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

4. The Kids Don't Stand a Chance- Vampire Weekend.

I didn't like the business,
But that was at first glance
Your pillow feels so soft now
But still you must advance

5. Marshall Mathers- Eminem.

New Kids on the Block, sucked a lot of dick
Boy/girl groups make me sick
And I can't wait 'til I catch all you faggots in public
I'ma love it.. (hahaha)

I was put here to put fear in faggots who spray Faygo Root Beer
and call themselves "Clowns" cause they look queer
Faggot2Dope and Silent Gay
Claimin Detroit, when y'all live twenty miles away (fuckin punks)
And I don't wrestle, I'll knock you fuckin faggots the fuck out
Ask 'em about the club they was at when they snuck out
after they ducked out the back when they saw us and bugged out
(AHHH!) Ducked down and got paintballs shot at they truck, blaow!
Look at y'all runnin your mouth again
when you ain't seen a fuckin Mile Road, South of 10
And I don't need help, from D-12, to beat up two females
in make-up, who may try to scratch me with Lee Nails
"Slim Anus," you damn right, Slim Anus
I don't get fucked in mine like you two little flaming faggots!

6. Champange Supernova- Oasis.

How many special people change?
How many lives are living strange?
Where were you while we were getting high?
Slowly walking down the hall
Faster than a cannonball
Where were you while we were getting high?

Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova in the sky
Some day you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova
A champagne supernova

'Cause people believe that they're
Gonna get away for the summer
But you and I, we live and die
The world's still spinning round
We don't know why
Why, why, why, why

7. Say it Right- Nelly Furtado.

I can't say that I'm not lost and at fault
I can't say that I don't love the light and the dark
I can't say that I don't know that I am alive
And all of what I feel I could show
You tonight you tonight

Oh you don't mean nothing at all to me
No you don't mean nothing at all to me
But you got what it takes to set me free
Oh you could mean everything to me

From my hands I could give you
Something that I made
From my mouth I could sing you another brick that I laid
From my body I could show you a place God knows
You should know the space is holy
Do you really want to go?

8. I'm Yours- Jason Mraz.

And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment babay sing with me
I love peace for melody
And It's our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

Scooch on over closer dear
And i will nibble your ear

9. Sincerely- The Moonglows.

Sincerely, don't you know that I love you?
I'll do anything for you, baby
All you gotta do is be mine, mine, mine, mine, mine

Oh love, won't you tell me?
Won't you tell me? Won't you tell me why I love you?
'Cause I want you, 'cause I want you, want my sun

10. Chemicals Collide- Boys Like Girls

I got a couple addictions
But I swear that I'm coming clean
I got a new way of thinking
Yeah, you're bringing out the best in me

I got a bit of a history
But you're telling me that you don't care
I've been a bit of a mystery
The only thing that I could find
to wear tonight was you
So come on, come on
You want to

Shut your eyes
And feel the chemicals collide
You and I tonight
You're the sugar in my high
Shut your eyes
I feel the chemicals collide
Stars and satellites
Spinnin' round and round
On the night you saved my life

I got a couple of problems
A thousand puzzles runnin' through my head
But I think that you could solve them
You're always just one step ahead

I've had a couple heartbreaks
But you're telling me that it's alright
'Cause all the others were mistakes
Yeah, I think this time I finally
got it right with you
So come on, come on
You want to

Shut your eyes
And feel the chemicals collide
You and I tonight
You're the sugar in my high
Shut your eyes
I feel the chemicals collide
Stars and satellites
Spinnin' round and round
On the night you saved my life

When the mornin' is breaking
And your heart is shakin' up
Remember how it feels right now
When we're lost in the moment
The sky is exploding
Just keep on floating

Shut your eyes
Feel the chemicals collide
You and I tonight
You're the sugar in my high
Shut your eyes
I feel the chemicals collide
Stars and satellites
Spinnin' round and round tonight

Shut your eyes
I feel the chemicals collide
I feel so alive
Spinnin' round and round
On the night you saved my life

Recovery

2010-06-24T08:13:00.001-04:00

After an intial album listen, and replaying a few songs here and there, I like this CD a lot. It hasn't hit me like The Eminem Show did, but I already think it's ten times better than Relapse. Obviously, as with any CD, a few different songs will get more plays than the rest, and it's not always the ones you'd think....but I already have one leading candidate.

Here are some lyrics from 'So Bad'.

So bad
So good that I'm so bad
Guarantee I'll be the greatest thing you ever had
Cause you aint never met nobody like me
And you aint gonna want no-fucking-body else again.

I'm equivalent to a shot of Cuervo, first I kiss your navel
Work my way down, baby you can lay down on the table
But you may wanna find something more stable
I told you I aint fooling from the gate, this aint the first day of April!
But thank you for staying April, I'ma make you learn
To appreciate me, differentiate me
From these phoney, little fishy and sissy fake G's
Skip over the huggy-bear and all the kissyface, please
Initiate phase three! Missy now service me
Take another shot of Jager, shake it so nervously
Take your time baby, ooh you're the bomb baby!
Ooh you're doing that even better than your mom lady!
I told you why I'm Shady, you didn't listen now, did you?
Relax woman, you know that I'm only kidding with you
Got a twisted sense of humour, it's warped, but I didn't hit you
I think you're finally starting to get the picture, I'm...

So bad
So good that I'm so bad
Guarantee I'll be the greatest thing you ever had
Cause you aint never met nobody like me
And you aint gonna want no-fucking-body else again.

I got you caught up in the rapture
Make you recapture the feelings you had for your last boyfriend before he slapped you
You never wanted someone so bad you're sweating
But if I'm what you wanted, why'd you panic when I grabbed you?
Girl don't be so frantic I'm just a hopeless romantic
Don't try to fight the feeling of something that's so organic
You can't ignore it, so don't just stand before it
Just drop them panties to the floor, let's get to camcordin'
Damn shorty, I told you this was bound to happen
Soon as you wrote your number on a napkin I was bound to work a number on your back and
Throw your spine out of alignment
My love has got you so blind that you couldn't pick Amy Winehouse out of a lineup
So stop at the store, pick a pint up
Let's get the pineapple schnapps going, no one'll knock cause I'ma hang a sign up
Saying "Don't Disturb", shorty I'm so superb
I say the right things, don't I spit the dopest words?

:: SMIRK ::

Worm

2010-06-22T07:28:00.003-04:00

"It's like an ace up my sleeve..."

My one day here, one day there weekend was a blast. SERIOUSLY looking forward to this weekend.

:-D

Joe Theismann: Finally Good for Something Else

2010-06-18T01:24:00.003-04:00

It's no secret that Joe Theismann is not one of my favorite people to hear, hear about, see or even hear about someone else seeing....but this is one time I actually liked hearing about something he said.

From the NFL.com blog:

Sometimes you wish that Joe Theismann would really come out of his shell and lay into a player. And yes, that last statement was facetious. Theismann is one of the go-to guys for outspoken opinions. If you want Joe Montana to lead your team on a two-minuted drive, Theismann is one of the first choices if you need a two-minuted soundbite.

So you can imagine Theismann has a pretty strong opinion about the recent stalemate between the Redskins — his Redskins — and enigmatic DT Albert Haynesworth. Theismann appeared on SIRIUS NFL Radio’s “The Sirius Blitz” on Wednesday, and called Haynesworth a “classless” player. (Via the Red Zone.)

“Lets just put it out there, we’re not looking at Albert Haynesworth as a very standup individual, ok?” Theismann said. “So the fact that he took the money — which he had rightfully coming to him — doesn’t surprise me. But I remember last year sitting down with him before the season, when he signed the big contract, and everybody talked about ‘Hey look, are you gonna be a guy who gets the money and runs?’ And he told me point blank, he said ‘I want to be not just the best defensive player on the field but the best player on the field.’”

Do not fret, Theismann was not done. Here are some of the other highlights.

“He’s not a team player. He doesn’t give a damn about anybody but himself, which has become painfully obvious. And you know what, Albert doesn’t care what anybody says. He’s pocketed 21 million dollars.”

“And he’s classless, ok? I mean, there’s nothing else that you can say, but the man has very little respect for teammates, very little respect for anyone. Last year at the end of the season, he chose to stay home on Christmas Day to open presents and not go to work when every other member of the football team had to go. That, to me, spoke volumes about Albert Haynesworth. You have a person that the Redskins are gonna be much better without than with.”

“He really offers nothing as a person, as a player, as a teammate.”

“He’s selfish, but he’s also limited in what he can do.”

“He doesn’t respect authority. He only respects his own opinion, and he has a very lofty opinion of himself.”

If Theismann’s quotes were a tackle, Lawrence Taylor would be waving to the trainers on the sidelines to come attend to Haynesworth.

Bamboozled

2010-06-16T18:15:00.005-04:00

My quick thoughts of each band I saw last night.

Good Charlotte: They still have more ink visible than skin, and still rock like they did the first time I saw them all those years ago.

Third Eye Blind: Their flamer of a lead singer was barefoot, had a gold tipped microphone and a stupid douchey hat, to go along with that annoying voice. No wonder they haven't been relevant in over a decade. The guitar player from Dublin was by far the best thing about the band, but they were still fun nonetheless.

LMFAO: Everybody loves a dancing midget who looks like a mix between Pudge Rodriguez and Angel Salazar. They had amazing energy and a bunch of party rock songs that all sounded the same but got the crowd jumping like crazy....like a ridiculous version of Andrew W.K. I only had one question; how the hell did one of the lead singers get that fat jumping around on stage the way they do?

Boys Like Girls: Better in person than I expected. I definitely liked the Floyd-esque transition halfway through the set and the 744 guitar picks that made it into the crowd.

I had an absolute blast and got some great pictures and video of the bands as well as of us.

2010-06-11T01:00:00.003-04:00

Oh, June...

2010-06-02T11:26:00.003-04:00

OK I know I used this same pic last year when June rolled around, but I felt the need to use it again. She did a phenomenal job with the roll and I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for her character.

I can't believe Summer is less than three weeks away. I am excited and surprised all at the same time. While a lot of this year has seemed to drag on, it's also gone by very fast.

Oh Lord, Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

2010-05-27T06:49:00.004-04:00

Morning Music, 5-27-10

1. Tik Tok- Ke$ha.
I sure didn't feel much like P. Diddy when I woke up today....unless he is always sleep deprived and dreading the upcoming work day. Well, now that I think about it, maybe he does feel like that.

Aint got a care in world, but got plenty of beer
Aint got no money in my pocket, but I'm already here
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 tryna touch my junk, junk
Gonna smack him if he getting too drunk, drunk
Now, now - we goin' til they kick us out, out
Or the police shut us down, down
Police shut us down, down
Po-po shut us down

2. Midnight Confessions- Grass Roots.

The sound of your footsteps
Telling me that you're near
Your soft gentle motion, baby
Brings out the need in me that no-one can hear, except

In my midnight confessions
When I tell all the world that I love you
In my midnight confessions
When I say all the things that I want to
I love you

Staggering through the daytime
Your image on my mind
Passing so close beside you baby
Sometimes the feelings are so hard to hide, except

In my midnight confessions
When I tell all the world that I love you
In my midnight confessions
When I say all the things that I want to
I love you

3. To Where the River Flows- Collective Soul.

Give me a moment
Got to get this weight up off my chest
Don't feed me sorrow
Pain is a poison I digest

4. Even Flow- Pearl Jam.

Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies
Oh, he don't know so he chases them away-yeah
Oh, someday, yea, he'll begin his life again
Life again, Life again

5. Sex and Candy- Marcy Playground.

Hangin' round downtown by myself
And I had so much time
To sit and think about myself
And then there she was
Like double cherry pie
Yeah there she was
Like disco superfly
I smell sex and candy here
Who's that lounging in my chair
Who's that casting devious stares
In my direction
Mama this surely is a dream, yeah
Yeah, mama this surely is a dream
Dig it
MMMM, Cherry Pie
Hangin' round downtown by myself
And I had too much caffeine
And I was thinkin' 'bout myself
And then there she was
In platform double suede
Yeah there she was
Like disco lemonade

6. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood- Santa Esmeralda.
Being the classic rock purist that I am, I'd never have guessed that I would like this version of the song. It's probably good I didn't even know this version existed until a few years back when Kill Bill came out. Had I heard this too much before then I would have disregarded it all together or completely loathed it as I did with so many other classic rock covers when I was younger. It's definitely a good thing that I have grown even more open minded as I have gotten older.

Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
And sometimes it seems that, all I have to do is worry
And then you're bound to see my other side

'Cause I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood

If I seem edgy
I want you to know
That I never meant to take it out on you
Life has its problems
And I got my share
And that's one thing I never meant to do
'Cause I love you

7. 4am- Our Lady Peace.

If I don't make it
Know that I've loved you all along
Just like sunny days that
We ignore because
We're all dumb and jaded
And I hope to God I figure out what's wrong

I walked around my room not thinking
Just sinking in this box
I blame myself for being too much
Like somebody else
I never thought I would just bend this way

8. Cruel Summer- Bananarama.

The city is crowded my friends are away and I'm on my own
It's too hot to handle so I gotta get up and go

It's a cruel ... cruel ... cruel summer
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel ... it's a cruel .. cruel summer
Now you've gone

9. Wild Horses- The Rolling Stones.
I always liked this song, but for some reason it never felt right when the Stones sang it. A few years back I heard Jewel cover this song and was amazed at how much she added to it with her voice and the way she sang it. To me Mick seems to just be singing these lyrics while Jewel seemed passionate about them. Just my thoughts.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them some day

10. Followed the Waves- Auf Der Maur.

Break my heart
The cards of fate
Seal the deal
My heart lies, my heart lies to you

I followed the waves to you,
I cannot see it through
But my heart lies to you
You’ll never have me true

Between my fire sighs and my burning eyes
My heart burns wildly in his eyes
He's just a drunken, gambling man
Dealing with the hand of desire's thing

I'm gonna shuffle his deck clean
I'm gonna shuffle his deck clean

OTA Link

2010-05-20T10:01:00.004-04:00

Any NFL fan has heard the "uproar" the last few days over some veteran players missing their team's voluntary workouts. My stance has always been kind of, "Eh....what does it matter?"

For almost a decade I had season tickets for the Lions. Most of the Barry Sanders era was encompassed in those years. How many mandatory training camps did Barry ever go to? He held out ALL of preseason during his ROOKIE year....that year he was only the best rusher in the league, and even passed at a chance to go back into the final game of the year so he could win the rushing title over Christian Okoye, who was already done for the season. Barry finished a scant 10 yards behind the Nigerian Nightmare that season, and in accepting second when he could have led the league in rushing as a rookie showed a lot about his character. I mean, how many rookie RBs would do that same thing if given the chance? My money is on the under, no matter what that might be. Still, Barry never went to training camp.

I found this article about the OTA fury that has surfaced lately and thought it was worthy of a link. Check it out if you are at all interested.

More Random Dreams

2010-05-19T14:19:00.004-04:00

Waking up throughout the night makes it easier to remember my dreams, and this week I have had a hard time sleeping through an entire REM cycle....so I have had a few more dreams stick to my memory.

Last night/this morning I had a dream about planning a trip to Vegas. Not strange in and of itself, but the fact that I was planning to drive there, and it wasn't a really long trip, is very strange. I think I also estimated the drive time to be somewhere between 8-12 hours....I only wish Vegas were that close. Probably a good thing that it's not.

At one point in the dream I remember suggesting we drive to Texas instead because looking at the map, Texas was a lot closer. And by that I mean it was closer than Vegas and closer than it actually is in reality. I thing the panhandle extended up to where southern Indiana would normally be when I looked at the dream map. And as opposed to Vegas, I am kinda happy that Texas, or more accurately the Texans who reside in Texas, is as far away as it is.

The next dream I remember is shorter and less detailed. I was driving home from work, and when I got to Chase and Hemlock I saw a HUGE tornado on the east side of chase moving west toward the area where my house is. Somehow my truck disappeared from under me and I was suddenly walking, although that didn't seem the slightest bit abnormal to me in the dream. With the tornado changing course a few times and looking like it might come toward me, I ended up looking for cover but finding nothing but an open field. The tornado moved on without hitting me, nor destroying anything anywhere it actually traveled, but it was still pretty intense nonetheless.

The Only Exception

2010-05-19T11:11:00.000-04:00

I have really liked Paramore since I first heard them. This song has been on my radio a lot lately, and I pretty much love it.

When I was younger
I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart
And I watched
As he tried to reassemble it

And my momma swore that
She would never let herself forget
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love
If it does not exist

But darling,
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception

Maybe I know, somewhere
Deep in my soul
That love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways
To make it alone
Keep a straight face

And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable, distance
And up until now
I had sworn to myself that I'm
Content with loneliness

Because none of it was ever worth the risk

Well, You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception

I've got a tight grip on reality
But I can't
Let go of what's in front of me here
I know you're leaving
In the morning, when you wake up
Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream

Ohh---

You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception

And I'm on my way to believing
Oh, And I'm on my way to believing

Miss USA

2010-05-18T09:16:00.005-04:00

So this year's Miss USA is from my hometown. Glad to see that the country has finally realized something about Dearborn girls that I have known for about 20 years....they are pretty effing hot. I mean, why else would I still live only 6 houses from where I grew up?

Unfortunately, in this day and age, the minute you win something prestigious like the Miss USA title, EVERYONE starts digging through your dirty laundry like you are running for president or something. So instead of being able to completely enjoy being crowned Miss USA, which is something I am sure at least 90% of girls dream about at one time or another in their lives, Rima Fakih now has to deal with people digging up old photos and videos and plastering them all over the internet with eye-catching headlines about "Stripper Poles" and "Raunchy" videos.

Now of course there is talk that she may have to forfeit her crown because of these past "transgressions", which I think is a load of BS. Personally I don't think they'd take it away from her, but you never know. And it'd be terribly hypocritical for the pageant to take away her win for these photos or video considering the promo shots they used of her seemed more "raunchy" to me than the one being slung around now. Just take a look at these two pics:

I don't see how they could justify using these shots to promote their show, AND take away her crown for the material that came out yesterday....especially when she shows a LOT more skin in these two pics than in the "controversial" material. Truth be told, those pictures aren't even worthy of a post on this blog. They were kinda dumb, to be honest. These on the other hand....they were good enough to bend my 1 picture per post rule. :-)

According to Doyle

2010-05-17T09:06:00.002-04:00

"Grief is like a disease, a worm that eats on you from the inside out. It's something you can feel, but can't quite see. You're just not the same as you were before that worm started in on you."

~Doyle Brunson

From "The Godfather of Poker"

I am nearly finished with this book, and of all the things in the book that struck me....this one just seemed to stick. Doyle is an intelligent, insightful man. I am very happy I picked up this book and was able to see some of his non-poker wisdom in print.

There Will be Moustaches

2010-05-10T13:52:00.006-04:00

File this one under "I have no idea where this came from."

Over the last few nights, my dreams have had one strange thing in common....middle aged dudes with mustaches. And I think the funniest thing of all is that none of them were my father.

Of the dreams, only one really sticks out in my mind and that is the one that had someone in it who looked an awful lot like Daniel Day-Lewis from There Will be Blood. Long story short, the guy too a special interest in me and my life and was watching me. Kinda stalker-ish, but hey....I'm used to a little bit of stalking here and there anyway, right?

Well, at one point it got really creepy because he wanted to watch everything I did. EVERYTHING. Just my morning routine alone would be horrible to share with anyone....much less other various things throughout the day. He ended up offering me money, but I just couldn't handle it.

One of the few positives about not sleeping well lately is that I tend to remember more dreams now than when I do sleep well.

How to Destroy Angels

2010-05-07T15:19:00.001-04:00

04 from How To Destroy Angels on Vimeo.

Time to Go....

2010-05-03T08:23:00.002-04:00

Obvious statement number 47; I am someone who avoids funeral homes.

Yesterday was my first visit to one in almost 2 years, when my cousin Danny died. I didn't want to be at that one either, but Danny was only a month older than me and we were really close friends as kids, even playing football together for a year on a city rec team. Seeing him in his casket just reaffirmed one of the things I dislike so much about funerals. My last memory of him wasn't anything spectacular, it was just Danny being himself at a family party. We didn't talk much, and hadn't talked much at all in years. Our lives went in different directions, and that was basically it.

When I think about Danny, it's generally memories of us doing things as kids. Throwing each other, and anyone else unfortunate enough to be near us, around inside a moonwalk at a railroad picnic, ragging on him whenever we'd meet girls and he would clam up and not say a word, or avoiding contact drills with each other during football practice. We were always about the same size, but at that time I was much stronger than Danny, I would often play OL/DL and he was strictly a WR/DB, so lining up against each other in practice would have just led to humiliation for him when I ran him over, or even MORE humiliation for me if he ran me over. The coaches understood that, and since we were both really good players they let it slide to help maintain our egos.

Almost all of my memories of him are things like that. A smiling, happy-go-lucky kid. Not the guy I saw laying in that box. That's the one thing I would have liked to have changed about being at his funeral. I was going to go to that one no matter what, but wished it would have been handled a little different.

Danny's was one of only three funerals in the last 10 years that I really felt a need to go to. Shunta' and my uncle Dennis were the other two. Shunta' had a closed casket, and my uncle was cremated so I didn't deal with that at either of their funerals. All three were very close to me in one way or another, and all three left this existence suddenly and too damn early. That had a lot to do with my desire to be there, and wasn't just family obligation like last night.

There are plenty of reasons to avoid funeral homes, but to me I think the biggest thing is seeing people I really care about in a state of grief when someone close to them dies. I handle those situations MUCH better one on one, but there is always the mass effect to deal with in the funeral home. I often counter that by finding one or two people to talk to someplace other than the main viewing area. Last night it was the lounges. One downstairs where I could find a bottle of water, the other at the top of those stairs, right by this oh-so-lovely wall clock. Of the 4 hours we were there, I spent about 90 minutes combined in these two areas, and most of that was in the upper lounge talking one-on-one with a cousin.

He is actually a second cousin, and closer to my dad's age than my own, but we had quite a good talk for a lot longer than either of us expected, and he decided to impart upon me some wisdom from his life experience. I guess I'd be expected to divulge that now, but I am gonna keep that all to myself.

Going to the funeral home yesterday did solidify my wishes for after I die though. I have pretty much always wanted to be cremated, but I am obviously very anti-funeral home. I'd much prefer a Marktoberfest style party over some quiet, stuffy service. Hell, it'd be the one time I'd lift any of my three party rules....but only the one about the kids. If any douchebags or guys with popped collars show up to that, I will haunt them for all eternity. I'll have the time.

More Wings

2010-04-30T13:58:00.004-04:00

So the Wings lost last night, but played pretty well for most of the game. Take away that minute and a half where SJ scored three goals, and it's a dominating performance for the winged wheels....but it's not like you can do that in sports. Sometimes dominating for 59 or 60 minutes will not get you the win, and as a veteran team the Wings should know that.

Anyway, I meant to put this pic up yesterday but got sidetracked (I know that's a shock, right?) somehow and forgot to post it. Well here it is. It's not from a recent game, but it's a great moment after a goal....especially if you look to the left of Lidstrom and check out the classy Chicago fan saluting our goal scorer.
(Click on picture to enlarge)

NHL Playoffs 2010, Round 2, Part 2

2010-04-29T12:23:00.002-04:00

And here's a little something I just read on the Detroit Free Press site that makes the schedule for this upcoming round just that much more inconvenient.

"Apparently the Red Wings knew the way to San Jose, they just didn’t know about the curfew at the airport.

It seems the Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport bans airplanes from landing or taking off between 11:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.

The Wings, who eliminated the Coyotes from the playoffs with a 6-1 victory Tuesday night, flew in from Phoenix after the game and landed at 12:19 a.m. Wednesday.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, the Red Wings are subject to a $2,500 fine.

Game 1 of the Wings-Sharks Western Conference semifinal series begins at 9 tonight."

I know a $2500 fine isn't going to bother the team in the least, but what happens when they want to fly home after game 2 and/or 5? Game 2 starts at 5pm in San Jose, so there shouldn't be any problem getting out of there before 11:30 unless the game goes into OT. Game 5 however would start at 7pm local time, and the team would have to rush out the door to get to the airport in time to leave before the curfew.

Now I assume the planes are required by the FAA to get clearance from the tower at each airport before take off. Would this ban completely stop them from taking off until 6:30am? Cause I gotta figure that sitting on a plane, no matter how nice the plane is, for up to 7 hours after playing an NHL playoff game might just take it's toll on some players.

I know I am dealing with "what ifs" here, but I could see this becoming a real issue if the bitter San Jose fans working at the airport don't handle these situations with tact.

NHL Playoffs 2010, Round 2

2010-04-29T07:11:00.007-04:00

Last night as I laid down for bed, I still hadn't heard what the schedule was going to be like for the second round match-up between Detroit and San Jose. I thought that I came up with a pretty good schedule myself, and thought that there was a good chance that it would be very much like I had expected it to be. The one detail I forgot was that this was the NHL we are talking about....logic doesn't mean a thing to them when it comes to scheduling. So I am still trying to figure out how this makes sense.

Game 1: Thursday, April 29 at San Jose, 9:00 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, May 2 at San Jose, 8:00 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, May 4 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday, May 6 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: Saturday, May 8 at San Jose, 10:00 p.m.
Game 6: Monday, May 10 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: Wednesday, May 12 at San Jose, TBD

There are so many things I could question here, but the biggest thing to me is the quick turnaround after travel days for each venue change other than between games 6 & 7. I guess it could be worse....Chicago and Vancouver play every other day throughout their series, and the travel time between those two cities is almost as bad.

Whatever. The scheduling must be harder to figure out than I think, right? But no matter what, it can't be as hard as it's going to be for the SJ defenders to figure out how this....

turns into this....

in the blink of an eye.

McPhotos

2010-04-28T14:48:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to turn this into a Redskins blog or anything, but seeing this photo made me kinda giddy. Since I've been a fan, the Redskins haven't had a quarterback that I like nearly as much as I like Donovan....and he was an Eagle until recently, so it's pretty amazing that I liked him as much as I did before the trade. There are the concerns about his age and durability to worry about, especially if Rex Grossman ends up being the second QB over Colt Brennan now that Campbell is gone, but I am comfortable with the risk for the reward. With Shanahan running things and three talented, albeit a little older, RBs to choose from, I think the running game will be what carries this team....something McNabb never had with the Eagles.

No matter what, I am already more excited for this coming season than I have been for any approaching season in years. I have mentioned more than once that I felt a change in myself pretty much right after my crash. Well, lately I have seen a lot more of my old self shining through and looking forward to the upcoming season is another good example....but that is an entirely different blog post.

Both of these photos are courtesy of Getty Images, and are just a part of the recent photo shoot they did with Donovan. Click on either of them to get a nice hi-res version.

Round 1 of the 2010 NFL Draft; My Thoughts and Observations

2010-04-23T15:38:00.008-04:00

The NFL draft has been one of those "can't miss" events for me for more than a decade. Mark and I started a tradition of going to BW3 for the draft quite by accident. One year in the mid to late 90s we were up at CMU visiting some friends for the weekend and decided we wanted to watch the draft, but didn't want to hold their TV hostage all day (the house we were staying in was occupied by four girls) and we really didn't want to watch it on a tiny TV anyway. One of the girls, either Kelley or Angela I believe, suggested BW3 when we asked if there was a sports bar or something similar that might be open for the draft. We had never heard of the place before, even though we drove right by it every time we came to visit them....which was pretty damn often.

So we went there, had some food and some pop while we watched the draft and really enjoyed ourselves. I know it was only pop, even though Mark pretty much HAS to have beer when he watches anything sports related, because it was the 1997 draft or earlier and we wouldn't have been 21 yet. Because of some unfortunate events brought up myself by sheer stupidity, I missed most of the 1998 draft after trying my damndest to suck it up and make it through at least the first round. That didn't happen, and when I was told that the Lions drafted Terry Fair in the first round, I felt even sicker that when I had left BW3.

This year marked a HUGE change in the draft plans for us. Instead of meeting up at BW3 for an all day event on Saturday, the NFL decided it would be a good idea to have the first round in prime time this year....on a THURSDAY night. As if I don't have trouble finding time to sleep as it is. Thanks Commish.

The whole thing kinda soured me about our plans for the draft this year until, through a series of events at work, I found out I would be going in late on Friday morning. After that, I was cool with staying out late enough for the first round to be completed....especially when I found out Mike was willing to drive to the Dearborn BW3 for it.

Anyway, here's just some random thoughts I had about the draft.

Ndamukong Suh was not the first overall pick in the draft, Sam Bradford was, which pleased my inner Lion fan. Well, that part of me wasn't 100% pleased until Roger Goodell officially announced Suh as the second overall pick. The Bucs didn't do anything surprising at number 3 and took Gerald McCoy like everyone expected. Then it was time for my Skins to pick....and that's where the first surprise of the draft hit.

The pick itself did not surprise any of us, I had even told Mike who we'd pick just a few minutes before. It's not a flashy pick at all, but it's the perfect fit for the team needs as seen by Mike Shanahan. The surprise was how Goodell announced the pick saying, "Trent 'Silverback' Williams" when he read the card. Williams explained it all later on, saying that he jokingly asked the commissioner to use his nickname when he was announced as a pick. He didn't expect it, but he seemed very happy about it and gave Goodell a big hug.

Speaking of....did anyone else notice that Mr. Commissioner was kind of lovey dovey with a bunch of these guys last night? If I didn't know any better, I'd say Roger was about 4-5 fingers in by the time the draft started.

"How YOU doin?"

After the 4th pick, my level of interest dropped a bit since my two favorite teams had already picked for the night, but there were still a few things I'd like to go over....unfortunately I have run out of time for this post. It's amazing how much longer it takes to write this garbage of mine when there are a bunch of pics involved. Hopefully I'll get a chance to finish this up on Monday.

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T13:14:00.002-04:00

Save the owls. :-)

You Spin My Head Right Round

2010-04-20T07:45:00.001-04:00

I feel as if my head is spinning lately. It's spinning so fast that nothing has a chance of attaching itself to my brain right now. Add on to that the fact that insomnia decided to pay me a visit again last night, and I am gonna be a God-damned train wreck come later tonight....when I have two major tests to take in one class. Fun.

My thoughts and words seem to be failing me of late. For someone that fancies himself extremely adept at both, it's rather disconcerting. I don't seem to know what to say or even think most of the time right now. Even writing this is a struggle for me. My thoughts used to funnel into the same place, and while there was a lot to sift through....they were always there.

I understand that the changes I have looming overhead are adding some stress to my life, especially since I have no idea how to plan for school at the moment. My work schedule is definitely changing....but no one has any idea what my new schedule will look like, other than the fact that I will most likely be working Saturdays and Sundays when everything gets ironed out.

My work schedule now is one big cluster-eff as it is. With all the changes coming, they want to make sure everything is set up as best as it can be, and they have been having my switch back and forth between shifts all week. My start times are all over the place. Last week I started at 6am one day, 5:30am the next, 10am the next, back to 5:30 the following day, then finished off with an 11am start. Normally I have my alarm set for the same time every single day I work, but that had to change last week....which in turn affect me this week.

Sunday night was going to be a short night for me in terms of sleep, but I am used to that. I usually am up a little later on Saturdays, so when I sleep in on Sunday it makes it hard for me to fall asleep Sunday night. I set my alarm at about 10pm, when I was wide awake, and was laying down by about 11:15. I didn't actually fall asleep til about 2am, when I remember thinking, "at least I'll get a little more than three hours in." Well, I should have been thinking a little more than TWO hours. But I had set my alarm for a full hour later than normal, and never realized that until after I was up for about 10 minutes. I was tired. I was late. I was stinky. Thank you clouded brain.

Is it bad that I am already looking forward to laying down later tonight? I have a lot to do between now and then, but nothing is easier to focus on right now than laying down for bed later, and how happy I'll be to crawl under that blanket. :-D

Tigers Drop Game 2 in 11th Inning

2010-04-08T07:12:00.004-04:00

With two outs in the top of the 9th, Miguel Cabrera tagged the right field foul pole last night in Kansas City to tie up the game 1-1 and eventually send it into extra innings. The Tigers took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 11th, but the Royals ended up scoring two of their own in the bottom of the inning for the win. Both teams are now 1-1.

These two teams will meet again for the third and final game of this series today at 2:10pm before the Tigers fly home for tomorrow's home opener against Cleveland.

I Was About 5, So It Was More Like....

2010-04-07T07:24:00.003-04:00

This is the busiest week I have had in a while....this week is already rife with change. And it's only Wednesday. There is a lot going on around me, and a little going on with me, the specifics of which are really hard to discuss....in part because I don't know all of what is happening at this point. I can say, at least, that the changes I see happening now and in the near future are for the better. Some may be hard to handle, but eventually that too shall pass.

It's unfortunate that I don't have any details to share, because I am in somewhat of a babbling mood this morning and need a subject to go on about. Well when all else fails, I turn to sports....so how about them Tigers? And speaking of Tigers....how deft was that move by Tiger Woods on Monday? Holding a press conference on such a busy sports day. Kudos to his management team.

Monday was also the first game of the season for the Tigers, beating the Royals 8-4 in Kansas City and scoring 6 of those 8 runs in the 7th inning. I didn't watch one bit of the game, which is how it'll probably be for most of the season, but I did note the score. Their second game of the year is tonight, still in KC, at 8:00 pm and the home opener against Cleveland is this Friday.

The NCAA Championship game was Monday as well. Duke won....but barely.

The biggest news in sports the last few days has been the trade of Donovan McNabb from the Eagles to the Redskins. After 11 seasons with him as our bitter rival, it seems we are now hanging our immediate future on him. A lot of people are rushing to compare him to John Elway since it was Mike Shanahan who brought him in. While I must admit the numbers for both QBs up until Shanahan became their coach are eerily similar, with McNabb's being slightly better, I am going to just wait and see and be optimistic. I honestly don't see the same competetive fire in Donovan as I saw in John Elway....but only time will tell I guess.

Another note on my Skins; Albert Haynesworth seems to be on his way out. Shanahan tried to give him to Philly in the McNabb deal, but they didn't want him or that salary, and it seems that Haynesworth is destined for Shanahan's doghouse for as long as he is with the team. I'd hate to see the Skins/Haynesworth relationship end like this. He really is a rare talent that could be the key to Washington having a top 10 or top 5 defense the next 2-3 years, but if he does in fact get traded, I will REALLY believe that Dan Snyder is serious about keeping his hands off the team in an effort to win. It's really hard to believe he wants to let his prized catch go so easily.

....Out Like a Lamb

2010-04-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

Farewell March....it's hard to believe you are already gone.

Morning Music, 3-29-10

2010-03-29T10:14:00.003-04:00

1. Over My Head (Cable Car)- The Fray.

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

2. Love Her Madly- The Doors.

Don't ya love her madly
Don't ya need her badly
Don't ya love her ways
Tell me what you say

Don't ya love her madly
Wanna be her daddy
Don't ya love her face
Don't ya love her as she's walkin' out the door
Like she did one thousand times before

3. Mess of Me- Switchfoot.

I am my own affliction
I am my own disease
There ain't no drug that they could sell
Ah, there ain't no drugs to make me well

There ain't no drugs
There ain't no drugs
There ain't no drugs
It's not enough
The sickness is myself

I made a mess of me
I wanna get back the rest of me
I've made a mess of me
I wanna spend the rest of my life alive

We lock our souls in cages
We hide inside our shells
It's hard to feed to the ones you love
Oh, when you can't forgive yourself
Yeah, forgive yourself

4. Creep- Radiohead.

You're just like an angel,
Your skin makes me cry

You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You're so fuckin' special

But I'm a creep,
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
I don't belong here

I don't care if it hurts,
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul

I want you to notice
when I'm not around
You're so fuckin' special
I wish I was special

5. Starlight- Muse.

Hold you in my arms
I just wanted to hold you in my arms

My life
You electrify my life
Let's conspire to ignite
All the souls that would die just to feel alive

I'll never let you go
If you promise not to fade away
Never fade away

6. Just Breathe- Pearl Jam.

I'm a lucky man to count on both hands
The ones I love...

Some folks just have one
Others they got none, aw huh...

Stay with me
Let's just breathe

Practiced are my sins
Never gonna let me win, aw huh...
Under everything, just another human being, aw huh...
Yea, I don't wanna hurt, there's so much in this world
To make me bleed.

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me 'till I die
Meet you on the other side

7. Animal- Neon Trees.

Here we go again
I kinda wanna be more then friends
So take it easy on me
I'm afraid you're never satisfied

Here we go again,
We're sick like animals we play pretend
You're just a cannibal and I'm afraid I won't get out alive
No I won't sleep tonight

Oh oh I want some more
Oh oh what are you waiting for
Take a bite of my heart tonight

8. You & Me- Dave Matthews Band.

Wanna pack your bags
Something small
Take what you need and we disappear
without a trace we'll be gone, gone
moon and the stars will follow the car
And then when we get to the ocean
Gonna take a boat to the end of the world
all the way to the end of the world

Oh when the kids are old enough
we gon' teach them to fly

You and me together
we could do anything, baby
you and me together yes, yes
you and me together
we could do anything, baby
you and me together yes, yes

you and i were not tied to the ground
not falling but rising like rolling around
eyes closed above the rooftops
eyes closed were gonna spin through the stars
Our arms wide as the sky we gon ride the blue
all the way to the end of the world
to the end of the world

Oh when the kids are old enough
we gon teach them to fly

You and me together
we could do anything, baby
you and me together yes, yes
you and me together
we could do anything, baby
you and me together yes, yes

we can always look back on what we did
always memory of you and me baby
right now its you and me forever girl
you know we could do better than
anything that we did
you know that you and me
we could do anything

you and me together
we could do anything, baby
you and me together yes,yes
the two of us together
we could do anything baby
you and me together yes, yes
two of us together, yes, yes
two of us together
we could do anything baby

9. Devil on My Shoulder- Billy Talent.

I dug a hole so deep
I'm gonna drown in my mistakes
can't even sell my soul
'Cause it ain't worth shit to take

I got the devil on my shoulder (over and over)
And I just can't sink any lower (lower and lower)
The hounds of hell are getting closer (closer and closer)
I got the devil on my shoulder (over and over)

Follow the rainbow, my lucky omen
There ain't no pot of gold, just copper tokens
I found the key to life, the lock was broken
All my accomplishments, are best left unspoken

10. How Soon is Now?- Smiths

I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

Swing Life Away

2010-03-25T10:54:00.000-04:00

Am I loud and clear, or am I breaking up?
Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck?
Are we getting closer, or are we just getting more lost?

I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words

We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand

I've been here so long, I think that it's time to move
The winter's so cold, summer's over too soon
Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow

I've got some friends, some that I hardly know
But we've had some times, I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go

We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand....until you hold my hand

I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words

We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand

Post Goals

2010-03-25T07:00:00.002-04:00

Early this year I decided to make sure I wouldn't neglect this here blog at all throughout 2010. So I set a personal goal of 2-3 posts per week, with a total of 10-15 as a minimum for each month. At first I thought about not considering my playlist posts in this, since there isn't much writing involved, but sometimes the words I choose from these songs can really describe how I feel about something, somewhere, or someone better than any of my own words could. There is a reason a lot of these songs are hits, and many of my favorites have lyrics that will stand the test of time. Just look at how some of Dylan's lyrics apply as well to today as they did back when he first wrote them.

I have decided to up my goals for writing. One of the bloggers I follow makes sure to write every day for at least 10-20 minutes, no matter the subject. He might not share it with everyone on his blog, but if it's something he likes he'll post it. I've decided to try the same thing on MOST days. There may be times where work and school keep me from being creative (wow, that sounds kinda sad now that I think about it) and I'll have to skip a day here or there.

This new goal may or may not increase my post totals, since I am not sure that I'll have anything I want to share come out of my head when I sit down to write. Plus I have other places I write besides this blog, so it may not be written here to share anyway. The posting matters not. What does matter is that I'll keep my creative tools busy and sharpened for when I really need to use them or, better yet, when I WANT to use them.

Morning Music, 3-18-10

2010-03-19T07:58:00.005-04:00

1. Us- Regina Spektor.

We're living in a den of thieves
Rummaging for answers in the pages
We're living in a den of thieves
And it's contagious

2. Fix You- The Offspring.

She wakes up
Rage and grace
Pulling me closer
Pushing away
And me the sharpest thorn on your vine
Twisting and turning, we're all intertwined

I wish I could heal you
And mend where you are broken
I wish I could heal you
And I wish you could heal me

3. Push it- Garbage.

This is the noise that keeps me awake
My head explodes and my body aches

4. Dani California- Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Black bandanna, sweet Louisiana
robbin' on a bank in the state of Indiana
She's a runner, rebel and a stunner
On her merry way sayin; baby whatcha gonna

California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California show your teeth
She's my priestess, I'm your priest

She's a lover baby and a fighter
Shoulda seen it coming when it got a little brighter

5. You Can't Always Get What You Want- The Rolling Stones.

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
You get what you need

6. Dreams- The Cranberries.

Oh, my life is changing everyday,
In every possible way.
And oh, my dreams, it's never quite as it seems,
Never quite as it seems.

I know I've felt like this before, but now I'm feeling it even more,
Because it came from you.
And then I open up and see the person falling here is me,
A different way to be.

And now I tell you openly, you have my heart so don't hurt me.
You're what I couldn't find.
A totally amazing mind, so understanding and so kind;
You're everything to me.

7. Love Me Two Times- The Doors.

Love me one time
I could not speak
Love me one time, baby
Yeah, my knees got weak
But love me two times, girl
Last me all through the week
Love me two times
I'm goin' away

8. Don't Look Back in Anger- Oasis.

Slip inside the eye of your mind
Don't you know you might find
A better place to play
You said that you'd never been
But all the things that you've seen
Will slowly fade away

Step outside the summertime's in bloom
Stand up beside the fireplace
Take that look from off your face
You ain't ever gonna burn my heart out

Her soul slides away, but don't look back in anger
I heard you say

Take me to the place where you go
Where nobody knows, if it's night or day.

9. The Gift- Angels and Airwaves.

And suddenly
You’ve done it all
You won me over
In no time at all

And now I’ll stop the storm if it rains
I’ll light a path far from here
I’ll make your fear melt away
And the world we know disappear

10. Hurt- Johnny Cash.

I focus on the pain,
the only thing that's real.

Try to kill it all away,
but I remember everything.

I will let you down,
I will make you hurt.

I wear this crown of thorns,
upon my liar's chair.
Full of broken thoughts,
I cannot repair.
Beneath the stains of time,
the feelings disappear.

If I could start again,
a million miles away.
I would keep myself.
I would find a way.

13

2010-03-19T06:14:00.002-04:00

Prospective job #13 = FAIL

I wonder how many I can rack up before I lose it....

Happy St Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T08:50:00.003-04:00