2008: The Year in Review

Welcome to the 2008 edition of The Year in Review. Last year was all optimism and new friendships. 2008, on the other hand, has been one of loss. The year was marked by growing distance between friends, the end of my brief tenure at UC, and the failure of many of my goals. There were some triumphs, though. I have a motorcycle license and am actually moving out, and I found the girl you all told me I would despite my fierce denial. Like 2007, this year can largely be split into three distinct parts.

The Year in Segments
I. January-March
The first third of the year was essentially the denouement to 2007. I mainly hung out with Meagan and Dora, a girl I met at Jesse's Christmas party. Unlike 2007, this part set in motion the whole of 2008. I lost my tenuous grasp on my education, I decided to get a motorcycle, and one bad night in February caused damage to my friendship with Meagan that has yet to recover. I spent several Thursdays at The Dock and witnessed the epic battle between Meagan and her roommates. I lost contact with Sarah Leidy and Ryan. I got to know and then lost track of Tamra's crew. I still talk to all of them from time to time, but it's rare. The upside to this was my new friendship with Dora. Gas was reasonably cheap and events were plentiful, so I spent rather a lot of time driving us on adventures, including one week with several trips to Louisville (the week of Steve's 20th birthday) where I put 1000 miles on the VW in seven days. It was then that I met Sarah. The last great parties of 2007 at the Thunderdome were around this time, and one event involving vodka at Gabe's house has kept me away from straight liquor for almost 11 months. The backdrop to all this was the massive stress of losing my spot in the engineering program. It was a bad time and only my escapes with Alicia, Dora or Meagan were suitable distractions. When school ended, I took a memorable trip to Jackson Center with Alicia and experienced Community Days in a small rural town. It was the last big adventure I'd have until August. At the end of March, I was done with 2008, but I had 5 long months ahead before the year would start to look up. Other notable events: I went to some damn good concerts early this year. RBF, Streetlight, and Less than Jake were excellent. I saw Streetlight Manifesto again at the Hatter shortly thereafter. The rest of the year would be largely devoid of concerts.

II. April-August
April, May, and June were marked by three changes: I left UC, started at SKF, and slowly stopped talking to everyone with any frequency. Alicia went back home to work. I still spent time with Dora and Meagan from time to time, but the one notable event was the Tegan & Sara concert on May 18th. Dora invited me because we listened to a lot of Tegan & Sara on the drives around Greater Cincinnati and Louisville, so I went for it. Outside Bogart's, we met Miriam and Sarah, two of Dora's friends from Louisville. It was Sarah's birthday, so I did a lot of nodding and smiling and zoning out. It's my usual reaction to knowing one other person in the group. Once inside, Dora neglected Sarah to spend time with Miriam, so she clung to me instead. After the concert, we headed to Friday's in Kenwood, with Dora in Miriam's car and Sarah in mine. Shortly after this, I ran out of cash and got a job. The first six weeks were first shift, but I couldn't handle being up that early, so I switched to second. Sarah acquired my SN from Dora and because I was only available when other people were working or sleeping, I talked more or less exclusively to Sarah for most of June and July. That was interrupted when she started working 3rd shift at Wal-Mart at the end of July. With the exception of the conversations, my only social interaction was infrequent excursions with Meagan or Crystal. One notable exception was an impulse drive to Indianapolis with Kaitlin in late May. We invaded the Circle Centre, saw Iron Man, and took a walk around the city. Toward the end of August, the year finally improved.

III. August-December
At the start of August, Sarah would occasionally call me on her lunch break to talk. On August 4th or 5th either Sarah or I asked the other out. I just read the IM logs and it's exceedingly vague. Either way, it led to the first run to Louisville on August 14th. Since then the relationship has only gotten stronger and every new adventure makes it more solid. My friends welcomed her without question, I get along with her family as though I'm part of it, and our schedules allow frequent visits. This one thing, this solid relationship, comes close to redeeming the whole year. It's not the only detail of the fall and winter worth noting, though. I got to know James and enjoyed my share of parties at her place. Last week, I signed a lease with her and Alicia for James' current apartment on Dana near XU. In October I took the MSF classes and as of December 18th will have a new horizontal license with class D and M endorsements. The downside to summer, fall, and winter is that my extended time in Louisville and at SKF has seemingly killed my social life. Few people are willing to do stuff these days and I'm rarely available to do it. 2008 wasn't just a story, though, it was a series of friendships. These are the people who mattered in 2008.

The People in Review
Unfortunately, I lost contact with a lot of people in 2008. I also got a little closer to some and a lot closer to others.
Meagan McNeilan - Meagan and her crew set the tone for the first chunk of the year. Parties at the dorm, nights at the dock, ghost hunting with Tamra's friends and Julie... It was good times. Unfortunately we had a bit of a falling out after one misadventure and have never been the same since. I'd love to hang out with her more, but the girl is a lot more bitter than she was just a few months ago and our schedules don't coincide, so we'll see where that goes.
Chris Neumann - Chris was (is?) Meagan's boyfriend. We met him at the Dock and he subsequently got Meagan cleaner and happier than she had been since I met her. He's a nice guy, but definitely pretty weird. I haven't seen him since Halloween.
Tamra Hardin - Tamra was Meagan's friend and roommate for the second semester. Unfortunately, the friendship devolved into all-out war by the end of the semester and Meagan and Tamra continue to hate each other. She's a typical scene girl, fairly fake and none too bright, but she's friendly to me and we still occasionally chat on AIM.
Julie Cupp - Julie, Sean and I had our own assortment of adventures this year, from concerts to bowling to random nights out in the middle of nowhere. I haven't seen her since probably November, but she'll still call me up from time to time with something to do after I get off work and I'm generally up for it.
Sean Bailey - I went to Beechwood with Sean, but always saw him as the friend of Glenn's brother rather than a person in his own right. After he and Julie started hanging out, I got to know Sean. He's a nice guy, and somehow he makes any event more normal.
Alicia Zwiebel - Alicia has been my most stable and steady friend for going on three years now, and we continue to get along perfectly. We'll share an apartment with James in six months, and I'm due for a trip up to Jackson Center sometime, but for most of 2008, while the world was going to shit around me, Alicia has kept me grounded. It's good to have a source of stability besides myself.
Megan "James" Greis - Aside from Alica, Sarah, and Kraut, James is the one friend who frequently contacts me with stuff to do. I've had my share of parties at her apartment and we still plan to mix Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat and Fruity Pebbles sometime. I hadn't spoken to her between 5th grade and early 2008, and I'm not saying we're particularly close, but we get along well and she's one of the positive aspects of an otherwise crap year. James knows how parties should work and always has a good tale to spin, and helped Sarah feel instantly at home in the area. I'll get to know her better in 2009.
Nikki Greis - Unfortunately, Nikki became a bit of a recluse in 2008. It works for her, and I'm happy that she's happy, but I do miss the random adventures and random concerts. Someday I'll just have to impulse-invite her to a movie or something.
Amber Cummings - I haven't talked to Amber much, but every time we meet, the conversations are nice and things rarely get out of hand. I mostly see Amber at shindigs these days, but as with Nikki I'll find some random excuse to hang out with Amber sometime.
Brandon Stephens - Brandon Stephens, soon to be legally Brandon Black, and for the last ten years "Kraut," is the oldest friend here. We're not as close now as we were in 2007, though, because we've changed a lot as we aged. Brandon has problems that are generally beyond the scope of my standard "suck it up, move on" method of coping, so we can't have serious conversations without him leaving or me blocking him.
Jesse Goosman - I'd previously only known Jesse as Courtney's boyfriend until he randomly invited me to his Christmas party in 2008. It was there that I met Dora, and he was Sarah's previous boyfriend. Between Sarah, Dora, and Courtney, I've heard a great deal of bitching about Jesse, but he seems decent enough. He's just misguided, fairly self-centered, and kind of an idiot. I haven't seen him since February and have no idea where he is now, but I'm happy to have met his crew.
Minadora Macheret - I met Dora at Jesse's Christmas party last December and between then and March we got pretty close. The first third of 2008 was filled with adventures to Dora, and even the day we met was memorable because of the weather and ensuing trip around Greater Cincinnati to get her and her friends home safely. I met Sarah when her dad was paying me to take her to Louisville, and due to her neglecting Sarah at the concert, I got to know my current girlfriend. We kinda stopped talking after she moved back to Louisville, but she'll be in Cincinnati again soon, so I can finally show her and Nick Lookout Point. The last time we really hung out was mid-March, when we went to see Horton Hears a Who. After that was the Tegan and Sara concert and since she returned to Louisville things have been a little awkward for some reason.
Stephen Reynolds - Once again, Steve proves that no matter how long we're apart, we can hang out for ten minutes and it's like we'd seen each other yesterday. Stevo might be the most down-to-earth guy I know, and anytime someone needs help in Louisville, I give Steve a call. Conveniently enough, he's a junior in U of L's school of Education, so Sarah has an easy contact in her field.
Kaitlin Shupert - I didn't see Kaitlin as much this year as I'd have liked, but we do still pull some crazy adventures. The random drive to Indy was a highlight of this year and I'm eagerly awaiting the concert on her birthday. We've grown somewhat apart, but she's still a little sister to me.
Joseph Hanna - Joe receded from the group a bit this year, but he's still a good friend and now that he's at U of L, he's a solid contact in my second city. He showed me his favorite spots in Louisville on one visit. Particularly interesting is a small Asian diner behind the Krispy Kreme on Bardstown Road. Sometime in the future, Joseph and I are venturing to a quarry near his house. Should be interesting.
Jimmy Nichols - Jimmy is still one of the nicest guys I know, and anytime I'm at his place, I'm in for a good time. From movie nights to D&D, Jimmy proves skilled as a host, a DM, and a nerd god at every turn. He can meet all of my film requirements and has vast tracts of geek knowledge that he can discuss without sounding like an asshole.
Sarah Lamb - Sarah introduced herself to me in February by attack-hugging me out of the blue, and I left it at that until the Tegan & Sara concert. Dora's neglect convinced her to latch onto me, and over the summer her IM conversations were about all the human contact I got. We've been together 4.5 months as of now and still have not had any real arguments. It's been all good. She gets along famously with my friends and family, randomly surprises me in detailed plots involving Alica and my mother, and is addicted to my music. I get the vague feeling she'll be around for a long while, but you guys seem to be okay with that.

The Year in Music
I spent much less time hunting down music in 2008. I removed XM from the Jetta when it was being repaired and never replaced it because it's awkward and hard to install compared to the Sentra. It was in the Jetta during the adventures with Dora, but not long after. The trend, therefore, has been decidedly mainstream. I got more attached to musicians I listened to last year and before.
Top Five Albums of 2008
5. Keane - Hopes and Fears
Key song: "Everybody's Changing"
Like many of the top albums, I've had this for a while. I got attached in early 2008. It gave me something to listen to and provided a conversation topic to make chat with Courtney less awkward. It makes the list primarily because I can pop it in whenever I can't decide what to play and I'll always be happy. Hopes and Fears is the venerable backup album. The key song is "Everybody's Changing" because as Keane's first hit, it brought the album and the band to my attention. The song itself is extremely catchy. "Everybody's Changing"
4. Tegan & Sara - So Jealous
Key song: "You Wouldn't Like Me"
This album brought Dora and I together and in turn led to a great friendship in early 2008 that regrettably has dwindled to almost nothing. The Quinn sisters also have a hand in bringing Sarah and I together. This is my favorite of the three Tegan & Sara albums I own, and I chose "You Wouldn't Like Me" as the key song because it's the first on the album and also the one that made it to my various mixtapes. Unfortunately, the band never made a video for this song, so you'll have to look it up yourself.
3. Fall Out Boy - From Under the Cork Tree
Key song: "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More 'Touch Me'"
This is the album that Meagan, Tamra and I danced to for months. From late 2007 to spring break, it was always on hand and always catchy. It also showed that the band I'd labeled and ignored as just another emo pop-punk band was actually much less emo and much more witty than I'd ever imagined. The key song is again just my favorite from the album. "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More 'Touch Me'"
2. The Format - Interventions & Lullabies
Key song: "The First Single"
I finally got this album sometime over the summer after hearing and loving "The First Single." It was a good song from a band I already liked, and I had been listening to their sophomore album a great deal over the preceding six months. This song is generally brighter than Dog Problems and not tinged with the same tone of loss. "The First Single" isn't my favorite song from the album. That honor goes to "Wait, Wait, Wait." It's the key song because it got Sarah addicted to The Format and caused a change in her view of music. She now listens to as much indie rock as techno. No videos were made for this album. Unfortunately, The Format disbanded in February.
1. Ben Folds - Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP
Key song: "Still"
This is my most recent Ben Folds acquisition, and sometime over the course of 2008 Ben Folds became my favorite artist. I own all but one album from him and his previous band, Ben Folds Five. This album is a combination of three previous EPs, Speed Graphic, Super D, and Sunny 16 with a few other songs and spawned Ben's biggest solo hit, a cover of Dr. Dre's "Bitches Ain't Shit." This wasn't immediately a favorite, but the album as a whole has grown on me. I can't choose a favorite track. "Still" is the key song because anytime Sarah hears it, regardless of how down she is, "Still" will calm her down. This album also has no videos.
Honorable Mentions:
Panic at the Disco - PatD lost the ! and released a new album this year, Pretty. Odd. The album is much more mature than their previous release and, in my opinion, much better.
Chromeo - Meagan introduced me to Chromeo earlier this year and I introduced Sarah, later impulse buying their two albums. It's fun music, with heavy vocoder use and is at home in the car and on the dance floor.
Third Eye Blind - I finally got their self-titled album this year and found a gem in "Motorcycle Drive By." This album is an icon of the late nineties alternative scene and anyone who doesn't own it should find it.
Jackson Browne - When I first switched to second shift at SKF, I listened to Running On Empty frequently. It's a solid album with solid singles and is some of its decade's finest driving music.
Metro Station - I grabbed their self-titled because XM exposed me to "Shake It." It's a pretty good album if you like scene kid synthpop and is notable for being the last album purchase to come from something I heard on XM.
Rise Against - Ask Alicia or Sarah the most dangerous driving music of 2008 and they'll both tell you it's Rise Against's 2006 album, The Sufferer & The Witness. They've been in the car while it was playing and it's hard to stay under 100. While I personally think Tim McIlrath is an idiot, his brand of melodic hardcore punk makes for a good race to work. Rise Against is to 2008 what DragonForce was to last year.

Summarizing 2008
Grand Adventures: 2 (Community Days in Jackson Center and my thousand-mile week)
Jobs: 1
Cash burned by Jetta: $1000-3000
Miles burned by Jetta: Roughly 20,000
Concerts: not nearly enough
Goals met: 2 (Motorcycle license, improvements in health)

2008 has had its high points, but it's far and away one of the worst on record. I started the year in school and surrounded by friends. I end it as a college dropout with a shit job and half the social life I once had. I've got very little new music and a VW that still sees fit to fail at random. I came away with a few solid friendships, though, and a girl I'm thoroughly attached to. It's gonna take a lot of work in 2009 to get myself where I want to be. It's about time for me to go, time to celebrate the end of this god-forsaken year. It's about time to start the next year with a little hope. It's about time.

News in Brief

I haven't posted anything recently. It turns out I'm really lazy. I should have that big post done by 2009, at least.

Today I get my brakes checked. Tomorrow my license goes horizontal. That's about all for now.

Good Times

So it's the official run-up to Christmas. I work tomorrow and Tuesday and noon-8:30 Friday. Tomorrow I have to restock the beer fridge and get my brakes looked at. Tuesday I'll get the oil changed. Wednesday I'll be in Madison, IN with my mom's side of the family enjoying a small family Christmas. Thursday I'll be here with my dad's side of the family not enjoying a large holiday debacle.

There's a reasonable chance Sarah could be here from the 27th to the 3rd (Saturday to Saturday). It's more likely that she'll be up here part of that time, but the whole week would be great.

Year-end post comes sometime this week.
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Now playing on iTunes: Panic At The Disco - That Green Gentlemen (Things Have Changed)
via FoxyTunes

Zing!

Pete Wentz: 1, Bush: 0

Quote of the day:
When I look at the man who would be king
(The man who would be king)
Goes to the desert
The same war his dad rehearsed
Comes back with flags on coffins and says
"We won, oh we won"

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Now playing on iTunes: Fall Out Boy - 20 Dollar Nose Bleed [feat. Brendon Urie]
via FoxyTunes

Hey, you guys!

What are you up to next Saturday? I'm going to a Pinstripes concert at the Hatter.

Should be good times. As usual, cover is $5 if you can drink and $7 if you can't. The event poster gets bigger if you click on it.

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Now playing on iTunes: Fall Out Boy - The (Shipped) Gold Standard
via FoxyTunes

Plans!

Today I have to return a jacket to Burlington coat factory and grab some stuff from Kroger. Tomorrow is a Border's run and an errand in the heart of Boone County. Wednesday on I'll basically be on a hunt for a small chunk of titanium. I'm after a piece about the size of a half-dollar coin. I'll check local mechanics and scout around for scrapyards that might be able to help, but if you have any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them. We had very little work last week, so if I get offered Friday off, I'll take it and go to Louisville Thursday night. Otherwise I'll head down Friday. Yesterday was the four-month.

Other stuff that needs to be done: I never made it to Nathan's. I also need to stop by James' to sign the lease and Jimmy's to grab the DVD.

I'm gonna have a stroke.

My internet connection has been getting much less reliable of late. It hasn't affected Pidgin at all, so I can still have conversations, but things like checking the blogs and webcomics are ludicrously difficult. Today was an easy day. I only had to refresh each blog an average of once. Other days it's upwards of thirty times each, and I read a long list of blogs. I don't know what the fucking deal is, but it's driving me up the damn wall.
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Now playing on iTunes: Panic At The Disco - Mad As Rabbits
via FoxyTunes

New Rule

If you've already had something to drink, it is never a good idea to consume anything with a lot of milk in it. I'm pretty sure that's why I spent the whole of yesterday in bed.

On the bright side, I got plenty of sleep and am unusually peppy today. Plans: Lunch at Nathan's, a run to Burlington Coat Factory to take something back, maybe find something else to do. I'm pretty bored. Danbarry doesn't have shit. The search continues!
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Now playing on iTunes: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - Call Me Ishmael
via FoxyTunes

Better Now

But the leftovers in this house blow, so my sudden overwhelming craving for calories ran into a bit of a block. Yeah, I'm definitely better off as a DD. I can't drink like I used to. I apologize to anyone who missed a good time on my tab. At least I didn't have to buy all that beer. :D

In other news, does anyone have a copy of Little Miss Sunshine I could borrow for the coming weekend? Sarah hasn't seen it and I'd like to change that.
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Now playing on iTunes: Dave Matthews Band - Crash Into Me
via FoxyTunes

Ugh

Gabe came over last night. I was hungover earlier. Now I'm just really hungry and tired, but I can't eat. I'm gonna spend the weekend sleeping. My apologies to anyone who was going to drink with me tonight at James', but we never got a set time for that anyway. If only 6 or 7 drinks made me feel like this, I believe I'm done having more than 2 at a time. Now that I'm 21, I figure I'll enjoy alcohol in quantities that don't produce side-effects.
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Now playing on iTunes: Dave Matthews Band - So Much to Say
via FoxyTunes

I ROFLed.

Hey, everyone! Remember BearForceOne? They're back and gayer than ever!

Aging in Technicalities

So this is it. I'm finally 21. I'm sitting at the computer with a beer, talking to friends on AIM, and listening to music. It's something I've done many times before. The only difference is that I got the beer myself this time. I don't feel any older than I was 2 hours ago. I don't feel the fact that I now have every right age can grant me sans a presidential run. I guess that's how it goes, though. It's a subtle transition, turning 21. Some celebrate it with parties or stupidity. I just solemnly acknowledge that every birthday after this is just one closer to the last.

You're supposed to gain maturity and wisdom as you age. Looking back, I'm no more of an adult than I was in 2006. I was a man of eighteen, running off to college to pursue his dreams. I've actually regressed from there. I certainly feel a few years wiser, though. Since I turned 18, I became friends with alcohol, let it abuse me, and cut myself off. Now we're on good terms again, mediated by self-control. Sure, I'm buying hard liquor tomorrow, but not a drop will fall into a shot. It'll be a mixed drink. It'll be a warm smile and not a roaring laugh. I walk when I drink now rather than fall.

Here's to another year. I may not be another year more mature, and I'm certainly another year wiser, but most of all I'm another year into finding myself. Twenty was one of the worst years yet, up until about August. It aged me more than any I can think of, and yet I don't feel any older.

Here's to another year.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Real Tuesday Weld - Last Words
via FoxyTunes

Holy Shit!

Okay, my birthday plan:

Since James said I could do it at her place, we'll start with Linenkugel's Sunset Wheat and Fruity Pebbles. We follow that with Sam Adams Cherry Wheat beer pong! I will be playing to lose. Linenkugel's, Pebbles and a 24 of Sam are on me.
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Now playing on iTunes: Reel Big Fish - Beer
via FoxyTunes

Busy Week Ahead

Today I was gonna sign the lease for next summer. James got called in early, so that'll be another day.
Tuesday I'm due at Wesley for my monthly free lunch. It was a condition of being Jeanne's facebook friend.
Wednesday I have DVRed shows to catch up on.
Thursday, I have to procure the first ingredients in my mini-bar, probably blog about being another year older, etc. The shopping list includes gin, vodka, Kahlua, half & half, tonic water, and probably Jack.
Friday I work noon-8:30, then go out with Alicia for a beer before returning home for some kind of mini-event. The Linie Pebbles experiment may have to be pushed to Saturday, if that's cool with James.
I have no plans yet for the weekend. None. Since that's the case, I've revised the rules to give you revenge-seekers and preemptive-strikers some fun: I won't get shit-faced at a bar, and I won't do it at my house. That's about it. If nothing comes up (booze-related or otherwise) I'll probably sleep through the weekend or something.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ladybirds - Shark Party
via FoxyTunes

Seven Days

I've been thinking about what I might do to celebrate this last big birthday. Thursday night I already have planned - a cigar and a white russian before bed. The weekend after is a different story. I could go all-out and not remember the weekend, but what's the point in a day you don't remember? I could find a way to throw a kegger, but that's a hell of a mess to clean up and it costs a lot of money. I might just hit a pub or two and have a beer, never getting too drunk to drive.

Ideas? Keep in mind that I am not getting more than mildly tipsy under any circumstances.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Rascal King
via FoxyTunes

December already?

Seems like 2007 just ended. I haven't been twenty for a whole year, have I? Looks like it. I'm 500 posts into this blog, finally, and looking at 21 as a reality rather than a distant goal for the first time. I escaped my extended family for Thanksgiving so I could spend it with the person that gives the holiday the most meaning this year, and I'm writing rough drafts for the year-end post in my head. 2008 has been the worst year of my life. It may have also been the best. I can't tell, and I have only a few weeks to decide. I rarely speak with any of the people who have been important to me in the last two years (hell, the last twenty) with the sole exception of Alicia and yet I seem to have found the one person you all told me I would, despite my denial, in Sarah.

This year has been strange. I'm still not sure what to make of it.
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Now playing on iTunes: MGMT - Electric Feel
via FoxyTunes

Old Crowd Blues

I've been considering the big year-end post a lot lately. It's been a big year, but the overall theme seems to be growing distance from people. This weekend, I half-ass planned to spend time with the old crew. Instead, I did some yard work. I can't tell if Meagan and I are speaking; we never do these days.

On the other side, I'm spending more time with the people who contact me. I'm hanging with James more often, for example. I'll probably borrow Dead Like Me now that she's showed me an episode. I'm frequently in Louisville, and have standing orders from Sara Ames and Stevo to give them a call when I'm in town.

I dunno... Everything is functional, and yet something seems awry.
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Now playing on iTunes: Metro Station - Kelsey
via FoxyTunes

Meagan FTW

Cameron knows when to shut the fuck up and knows how to let shit be
Brandon doesn't know boundaries with conversation, how to leave people alone and all that.
and then Cameron was fine being single not having sex and just not whining about that shit
brandon isn't and he bothers his female friends, and ends up trying to be nice and just freaking people out

I just don even get how you think you two are the same.

You two are different ends of the "friendly asshole" and that's why people feel different about you both

And actually you two are not assholes, you just pretend to be

so there
honesty.

I think that was more or less the answer we were after. Kaitlin's was also very good.

Conclusion: It seems that I have a largely positive reputation because I'm available on request and only on request. Last year I would frequently hear about events at Meagan's and then IM her about it so that I didn't arrive uninvited (which would have been perfectly acceptable). I asked Sarah out only after she admitted interest first. I use a lot of innuendos and mention sex frequently, but I'm rarely specifically talking about my sex or your sex. Nobody is bothered by sex in general. I never intentionally flirt unless it's understood that I'm joking.

Brandon's largely negative reputation comes from his habit of prying and being more specific. He tries to be nice. If you're actually a good guy, trying isn't necessary. It just happens. He mentions things in terms of his failing love life or your (generally functioning) one. He flirts with people who plainly want none of it.

It's a simple matter of the difference between available and invasive.

On a side note, it's entirely possible to be both a good guy and an asshole. It's similar to being well-educated and an idiot.
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Now playing on iTunes: Metallica - All Nightmare Long
via FoxyTunes

Another Image Overhaul

Summer of 2006 to fall 2007 was the late 80s pseudo-punk look, featuring denim and a fedora.
Late fall 2007 to now was marked by the trench and a more businesslike or militaristic look based on the 30s.

It's about time for a change. My plan: Working-class European, middle of the last century. This requires a tweed sportcoat, leather jacket, or bomber jacket, scarf and a flat cap. To the VDO!

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Now playing on iTunes: Fall Out Boy - A Little Less Sixteen Candle, A Little More "Touch Me"
via FoxyTunes

Query

Kraut and I were talking, and neither of us can put a good reason to the fact that we're both friendly assholes, but you see us in vastly different lights. My reputation is largely positive, while his is largely negative. What qualities does do we possess that would account for this?

I request comments, and I request complete honesty. God damn any of you who don't answer because you don't want to be mean. If mention "dependability" or "creepiness" or the like, I ask now that you clarify.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - There's Always Someone Cooler Than You
via FoxyTunes

I drove to work through snow today.

Kinda makes me want to curl up in a little ball and hibernate until April.

Also, I have a free weekend and nothing to do with it. Hopefully I can get something together with the crew I spent last fall with, but I haven't seen any of them recently with the exception of the shindig and bowling. I'll figure something out, I'm sure.
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Now playing on iTunes: Streetlight Manifesto - On And On And On
via FoxyTunes

Full Season

November 14th was the three-month. A full season. The hot summer was just fading on the first drive down to hang out. Now, I freeze in my room as autumn ends. I'm still not quite used to this. I spent a long time as a loner, social but detached. Now I've managed the one thing you all told me I would, despite my protests.

It's gonna be a long winter, but not as cold as last year.
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Now playing on iTunes: Frank Sinatra - I Get A Kick Out Of You
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Thinking Clearly Now

I have thought about it more, and decided to rescind my speech from yesterday. I've stated time and again that if you want me, you call and make plans. I'm not going to contact you. Quite frequently I'm contacted by Alicia or James or Jimmy and consequently I see them all the time. Hell, even Gabe IMed me last night. Guess what? We hung out. Julie called about bowling last Friday. I did that, too.

I have failed nobody. I am always available, except the (on average) two weekends a month I spend in Louisville. I literally spend almost all my free time dicking around online.

You want me, you gotta call or text or IM. Even Facebook or MySpace or email will do. You've known since you met me that I won't call you.

That is all.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - Not The Same
via FoxyTunes

My Fellow Americans...

I have failed you.

Meagan texted me last night about half an hour after I fell asleep. She lamented the fact that we never hang out anymore, that I split my time between work and Sarah and leave nothing for anyone else. She wants to see the return of the Cameron she knows, the one she can call in the middle of the night with a problem and expect a solution. The kind that doesn't miss Julie's birthday. I have failed you. I pride myself on dependability and can't back it up.

That changes now. This weekend, I go to Louisville. It's the three-month. I've been with Sarah for a quarter of a year and away from you for at least as long. Next weekend, I give to Meagan. We'll plan something, kid. I haven't forgotten you.
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Now playing on iTunes: Third Eye Blind - Semi-Charmed Life
via FoxyTunes

Two Questions!

The first question is in regards to a poll I just put up. My current glasses are old and bent and I can only twist them back into shape so many times before I break them. I'm thinking of replacing them with either contacts or pince-nez glasses. Don't know what pince-nez are? Refer to this photo of Woodrow Wilson. If you answer "other" on the poll, leave a comment here. Don't answer LASIK. It's well outside my price range.

The other question is more of a request. My Facebook "About Me" is old and probably outdated. I'm writing a new one based on my reputation rather than what I think about me, which is a lot better than what you think of me. Describe me in one sentence.

Also, I start buying beer in one month. Woo!
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Now playing on iTunes: Rocky Votolato - Before You Were Born
via FoxyTunes

Holy God, Another One!

Sarah Leidy alerted me to another free Electric Six concert at the Hatter, this time the day after thanksgiving. I'm not sure if this is sponsored by RJ Reynolds like the last one, but I'll be there. If I can get Sarah up here, we'll both be there.

Who's with me?
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Now playing on iTunes: Metro Station - Shake It
via FoxyTunes

Hoodwinked!

It started a week ago with a secret. All Sarah would tell me is that it involved Wal-Mart, that I'd be amazed, and that I would never guess what it was.

Friday was a shitty day at work. I went in early, knowing I'd go home at 8:30 after half a day with first shift and too few RF guns for two shifts, so the guns that second shift did get were malfunctioning. I hopped in the car at 8:30 and ran to meet Alicia for dinner at Steak & Shake, with my usual good timing. I pulled up next to her at the light off the on-ramp and gunned it into the parking lot. Then Sarah got out of the car.
I'm usually a very controlled, subdued person. I'll freely admit that I'm a control freak. All I could manage was a, "What the hell are you doing here!?" followed by fifteen solid minutes of near-silence. Completely lost the ability to hold a coherent thought. Alicia and Sarah had been planning it for a week. Stevo knew, but only incidentally. Mom was in on it. Nobody else had any idea. I was going to head home, get some sleep, and have a mediocre shindig and boring Sunday, all the while hoping Sarah could be there.
Plans changed. I was surprised. My subtle control was shattered.

I used to see the happy couples and wonder what the hell could be so great about that and why the hell anyone would sacrifice part of themselves for another person. It just seemed stupid. Life as a loner seemed so much better by comparison.

I think I get it now.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Format - Career Day
via FoxyTunes

Colorblind

At first, I was kinda blah about the whole election thing. I didn't particularly like either candidate, and inevitably I voted more against McCain/Palin than for Obama/Biden. I couldn't morally justify voting for McCain because I believe in staying out of countries that aren't yours and haven't attacked you unless you're building an empire and I couldn't justify voting for Palin because a vote for Palin is a vote against atheism. It's a vote against sexual freedom. It's a vote for the same draconian bullshit we've been dealing with for a decade, but worse.

Now, I can see Obama's hope. He might overtax me and spend my money on crap I won't use, but both of the candidates would do that. The difference is that McCain would have squandered it on war and Obama is spending it on social reform, on Americans. They're also of vastly different generations. John McCain is 72. He's of my grandfather's generation. He's an early baby boomer. Barack Obama is of my father's generation. He was born under Kennedy, and grew up in the late seventies and early eighties. As a young adult, he experience the great technological boom of the eighties, followed by the great computer advance of the Clinton years. His whole life has been marked by hope, and experience that change is positive.

Barack Obama is a man of great social reform. Like Kennedy starting the Space Race, Lyndon Johnson's civil rights victories, and Clinton's expert management of the world's sole superpower, this man could be one of the great Democrats. The Obama terms will be, as the terms of his predecessors, years of great reform and economic expansion, of foreign nations once again celebrating the Stars and Stripes, and of citizens abroad and at home once again proud to be Americans, with the words, "Yes we can!" on their lips. This classic American, the son of a Kenyan immigrant and a girl from Kansas, our first black chief, has finally given me the hope that the rest of the world sees in him. King once had a dream that men would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. America has judged well this week. The Bush years are over.

I can't help but smile. I've always been a patriot, but I'm no longer worried about the repercussions of loving the greatest nation on earth.
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Now playing on iTunes: Cheap Trick - I Want You To Want Me (Live)
via FoxyTunes

Queer Result

Proposition 8 passed in California. Fortunately, the Democrats control the house, senate, and executive branches. While I don't like this from an economic standpoint, it is a win for civil rights. It's only a matter of time before the various constitutional bans are overturned by making it legal federally. (For those that don't follow, Proposition 8 is a constitutional amendment to legally define marriage as between a man and a woman. Similar amendments have passed in 27 other states, but California is special in that gay marriage was legal there. The previously granted marriage licenses are still valid.)

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
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Now playing on iTunes: Streetlight Manifesto - Down, Down, Down To Mephisto's Cafe
via FoxyTunes

To the Polls!

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Now playing on iTunes: Streetlight Manifesto - Forty Days
via FoxyTunes

Weekend Recap

So after a great deal of arguing and threatening and whatnot, Sarah finally made it to Cincinnati under her own power. The Mustang made the trip just fine and we arrived at my house within 20 seconds of each other Friday night. The Halloween Kegger at James and Saras' place was, as usual, fucking awesome. I ran into a lot of people I hadn't seen in a long while and Sheri' and I lost a game of pong to Tommy and Matt. Best costumes of the night: Tommy's Doctor Horrible and Scott's bull dyke. Alicia once again showed that she is extremely photogenic.
Saturday was a quick run to VW and the mall to grab some stuff, followed by Moe's and a movie night. We showed up at home to find Alicia there doing laundry. She'd also stopped at Moe's, but I didn't get her text until she asked me about it. Go coincidence! Later that night we met Courtney, Sam Payne, and Jim Kaz at the Anchor. They brought fellow SugoiConners with them. To wrap Saturday night up, Sarah and I invited Sam and Courtney to Lookout Point to see the city. I was the only one who had been before, and Sam had his new camera. It was damn cold, but the view was fantastic. I need to take Sarah at sunset sometime so the sky is dark but all the lights in the buildings are still on. Cincinnati is much darker at 3 AM.
Today we chilled with Kaitlin and Joey, and Sarah took off at 7.

I was pretty sure Friday that she wouldn't make it, but I'm really happy she did. The weekend was one of the best in a long while and since it involved both Sarah and all my friends from home, it couldn't have been much better. Now I just wait for November 14th, the 3-month.

In the meantime: I believe a shindig is in order. The band is off next weekend and I have nothing better to do, so if any of you readers are up for a fire and a film next Saturday, let me know. I'll be happy to Facebook something.
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Now playing on iTunes: Rocky Votolato - Before You Were Born
via FoxyTunes

Bad Sequel

Most of the work at SKF was cleared out at the end of the shift. That means tomorrow is likely to be October 17th 2: Electric Boogaloo. In other words, run out of work fifteen minutes into the shift and be sitting on my ass by half-past noon.

Oh, boy! I can hardly wait!
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - Still/Bitches Ain't Shit (Reprise)
via FoxyTunes

War were declared!

I think I may have gotten myself into something that the fighter in me will love, but could do some serious damage. It begins with logic. We'll see where it goes from there.

Cameron versus Sarah's mother, round one. As the man with a working car and endless chutzpah, I believe logic can soundly beat the extra X. You guys will be notified when next Sarah visits. It was supposed to be this weekend. Logic failed. Lawyer tactics will be engaged.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Memories Attack - Love In The Time Of Hate
via FoxyTunes

And That's Not All!

Call in the next ten minutes and you also receive...

Kraut linked me to this webcomic that I'm gonna buy the hardcover of a webcomic called Shooting War. It's about a blogger serving as a field reporter in 2011 in Iraq during McCain's first term. It's really interesting.

I think I might try contacts again.
I've started rereading The Guide.
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Now playing on iTunes: Metric - On The Sky
via FoxyTunes

Blast Beats

It took two years, but I think I finally blew a speaker. The front passenger mid driver is rattling. I'll have to take off the interior panel to inspect it, but I might have to add a new sound system to the upgrade list. No stock system can handle the abuse I put it through. I blew every speaker in the Sentra in six months with DragonForce and Led Zeppelin. The vastly superior VW system is suffering a bad case of Chromeo and Federal Moguls.
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Now playing on iTunes: Federal Moguls - Furious
via FoxyTunes

Huzzah!

Shift change! Friday I'm working noon-8:80, which means I can make it to James' at a reasonable hour. Oh, I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...

Now I just have to figure out how to get Sarah up here for the weekend. God damn that malfunctioning Mustang!
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Now playing on iTunes: Federal Moguls - Let It Snow
via FoxyTunes

Impulse Buys of the Week

I went to Louisville. I returned with two Chromeo albums and a fountain pen. Also, the Reeducation of Sara Lamb is proceeding as expected, with Airplane! and Office Space off the list. Next visit: Wes Anderson films!

Since I'm gonna save the bike purchase for warmer days, I have some extra coin for VW mods. The next mod: New headlights! Mine are badly fogged and misaligned, so I'm upgrading to HIDs and having them professionally installed. Should be roughly half a grand.

Adventures planned for the near future:
This weekend is, of course, Halloween. I'll be around, scaring kids and whatnot. I return to Jackson Center the next weekend Alicia feels like hosting me. Been way too long since I've gotten that far away from everything, and Sidney has a restaurant called The Spot with some goddamn amazing pie.
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Now playing on iTunes: Chromeo - Needy Girl
via FoxyTunes

Awesome Critter Meals of the Week

Spider Eats Bird
Heron Eats Bunny
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Now playing on iTunes: Slayer - Disciple
via FoxyTunes

King me!

Ladies, gentlemen, I give you chess boxing!

Kaitlin discovered it. We're forming a league. Everyone who reads this is in. This isn't optional. :D
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - There's Always Someone Cooler Than You
via FoxyTunes

Slow Times in the Fast Season

I had this nice little burst where I was blogging all the time. That kinda went away, primarily because I have nothing to talk about. My weeks consist of work. My weekends usually consist of runs to Louisville that wouldn't interest any of you. I've got to find a way to get Sarah up here more often. This weekend's parties alone would certainly be bloggable.

On the bright side, this means my bank account is going the correct direction. When I was partying all the time I was out of work and in August and September, when I was visiting Sarah weekly, I was somehow spending more than I was making.
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Now playing on iTunes: Interpol - Public Pervert
via FoxyTunes

Snowmobile?

It got down to 39 last night. 39! If it stays this cold at night, I'm putting off the bike hunt until spring. Since I intended to drive it to work and Louisville, more than half my riding would be night riding. No way in hell I'm gonna start biking by doing that regularly. I'd rather let that come with a few months in the saddle.
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Now playing on iTunes: Against Me! - Borne On The FM Waves of the Heart
via FoxyTunes

Mongoloid Mouse

(01:50:36) Cameron: God damn the fucking mouse.
(01:50:43) Brandon Black: oh
(01:50:47) Brandon Black: you were referring to mickie
(01:50:58) Brandon Black: and his oddly similar girlfriend
(01:51:11) Brandon Black: you know, they are from the florida swamp... i think they might be brother and sister
(01:51:17) Cameron: Hahahahaha
(01:51:35) Brandon Black: i mean they look and sound identical and they're both retarded
(01:51:40) Cameron: Hahahahahahaha
(01:51:41) Brandon Black: just listen to the way they talk and laugh
(01:51:47) Brandon Black: and they have huge, downs like heads
(01:52:59) Brandon Black: think about it... just replace "ha ha!" with "yay icecream!"
(01:53:46) Brandon Black: http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Romero-Britto/Britto-Mickey-Mouse-Limited-Edition-C13110759.jpeg
(01:54:03) Brandon Black: lifeless, distant stare... hunched posture... fidgeting badly with his feet... slack jawed
(01:54:56) Cameron: Doesn't help that he's black.
(01:55:18) Brandon Black: hey man, you throw gorilla a piece of chicken he'll laugh all you want
(01:55:36) Cameron: Hahahaha
(01:55:39) Brandon Black: and dance
(01:55:49) Brandon Black: and he's black doing whiteface
(01:56:03) Brandon Black: cause back in the day it wasn't proper to have a darkie on stage...
(01:56:36) Brandon Black: i'm going to hell aren't i?
(01:56:53) Cameron: In a handbasket lined with feces.
(01:57:07) Brandon Black: so a coon-crib?
(01:57:25) Brandon Black: ...
(01:57:27) Brandon Black: :-(
(01:57:30) Brandon Black: here i come satan...
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Now playing on iTunes: Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Went Numb
via FoxyTunes

Opinions Wanted

You all know Alicia. She's got to pick a coop for the coming quarter, and would like a hand choosing. Her blog's over there in the sidebar, under "Wonderings of a Silent Mind" and it'd be a big help if you could check out her favorites and give her your opinion.

Thanks,
The Complainer Himself
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Now playing on iTunes: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - 1-2-8
via FoxyTunes

Torn

This, by the way, is that Honda I keep gushing about. The problem is that it's $5000 and the economy is shit, so I can't just divert money from my college fund. It's also too old to finance. On top of the five thousand is the price of a new helmet and insurance. This is all balanced with the fact that the bike is perfect. Literally, perfect. I'm not sure what to do. Damn it. I'm really not amused that I accomplished my summer goal and now it's held up by technicalities.
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Now playing on iTunes: Federal Moguls - Pursuit Of Perfection
via FoxyTunes

And No End In Sight

Yesterday, the fourteenth, was our two-month. A lot has happened since August 14th, which is why it seems like so much longer. Even better is that I mention her 21st, May 18th, 2011, and it seems entirely natural that we'll be going that long. Alicia pointed out (and told me not to mention it to anyone) that we're basically the perfect couple, and distance aside I'm quickly beginning to believe her.

So I sit here, listening to the band that brought us together and sipping a Sam Adams Black Lager, and I raise a toast - to the good times of the past two months, and to the potential of the next three years and beyond. May the good times never end.
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Now playing on iTunes: Tegan & Sara - Monday Monday Monday
via FoxyTunes

Short and Sweet

The weekend was fantastic. I can't wait to roll down there again. Next time I want to do it on a bike.

I'm gonna do whatever I can to get that Magna at a reasonable price.

Got Ben Folds' Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Format - Let's Make This Moment A Crime
via FoxyTunes

Learning the Hard Way

Scouted out Honda of Florence yesterday and Richwood Powersports today. Bike shopping is not remotely like car shopping. You enter a car lot and it's a rush to find something you like before the sales goons get you. Shopping for bikes is so far like shopping for pants - you're ignored until you ask a question and all the merchandise is overpriced. I found a bike I liked at Honda and went back to see it today. It's a 1997 Honda Magna with a custom yellow and black paint job and 5,000 miles on the odometer. Kelley Bluebook says it's worth $3,500. The price I got from Honda was $4,995. Richwood had a midnight blue 2006 Honda Shadow, valued at slightly less, for $4,899. I really like that Magna, but I'm not about to pay 150% for it. The hunt continues.
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Now playing on iTunes: Dave Matthews Band - Ants Marching
via FoxyTunes

Steed Week

This should, hopefully, be a busy week. Today I'm gonna hit the DMV to get my license. There's a chance that I'll still have to wait the full 180 days and go back for it on December 28th, but I'm not worried about it. The only differences between a permit and a license are that I'm legally obligated to wear a helmet (honestly, you'd have to be an idiot not to) and that I can't carry a passenger, which I didn't intend to do until I had a year or so of experience.
Three days this week I'll be out at local bike shops, starting with the Honda dealership on Dixie Highway today and then the big shop in Richwood tomorrow.
One day is set aside for lunch and/or scouting out a costume shop with Alicia.
Friday night after work, I hop in the car and roll down to Louisville to see Sarah. It's been a long three weeks.

Details on my bike of choice, in case you were wondering:
Preferably new. I didn't have good experiences with used cars.
Powerful enough for highway use but not powerful enough so I can't control it. That's in the 500-800 cc range.
Cruiser or standard. I'm gonna do a lot of long-distance riding and sport bikes use your abs and back to support your weight. Cruisers and standard bikes are more relaxed, with cruisers leaning back more and standards upright, like a bicycle.
The best bet, if I can get a good price on it, is a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 or if the dealer has last years models to get rid of, the Vulcan 750. It'd be cheaper and have a small but not underpowered 750cc V-Twin, providing superior performance to the 500 LTD's straight-two.
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Now playing on iTunes: Darius Rucker - Forever Road
via FoxyTunes

That Went Well

Acquire License? Check. Acquire Bike...

We have an October project! I can't wait to be out on the road with an engine between my legs and the wind blowing past my jacket.
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Now playing on iTunes: Streetlight Manifesto - One Foot On The Gas, One Foot In The Grave
via FoxyTunes

Riding the Iron Steed

Had my first experience on two wheels today, and I'm definitely hooked. From the lightning-fast acceleration to the smooth transmission and hot, vibrating engine, it was all really sleek and natural. I felt as safe on the bike as I do with the Volkswagen wrapped around me. I have no doubt that I'll pass the skills test tomorrow and walk into the DMV Monday to pick up a license. This is definitely something I'd like to spend a significant amount of time doing in the future.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds Five - Regrets
via FoxyTunes

Trial and Error

Since I grabbed the Bacon Salt, I've been adding it to basically anything. I'll keep track of stuff in a list on the sidebar. Things without an adjective are better with Bacon Salt, while things preceded with "Not" and "Maybe" are either worse or strange but not any better or worse with Bacon Salt, respectively.
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Now playing on iTunes: Coldplay - Speed Of Sound
via FoxyTunes

Already Making Plans

I've got a few preliminary event plans for 2009. Figured I'd start as early as possible to get people in.

Thunder over Louisville on April 18
The Dayton Air Show on July 18-19
Riverfest 2009 on Labor Day
Oktoberfest in late September

But 2008 isn't over! Events for the remainder of the year include:
BOA Grand Nationals
December 13, the Saturday after I turn 21. If you think you're getting me hammered on a Thursday night when I have work the next day, you're either crazy or stupid.
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Now playing on iTunes: Kristofer Astrom - Just A Little Insane
via FoxyTunes

Underground

While I was raiding the Waldenbooks at the mall and drinking an Orange Julius, I happened upon a book on the Cincinnati Subways. Emily and I scouted a short bit of tunnel when we were freshmen, but I never checked out any more of it. I propose an adventure for the whole group. I'm not sure when we'll do it, but a picnic in a subway station would be good fun for everybody. What say you?

Update: How hard can it be to borrow a cutting torch for a day or so? We'll make our own door.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - Brainwascht
via FoxyTunes

Jimmy, I'm Hooked

Today's lunch: Baked potato with butter, sour cream, and Bacon Salt. If you haven't tried Bacon Salt, do so immediately. Hell, come here sometime and I will feed it to you. It's fat free, low sodium, vegetarian, and Kosher. Nobody who reads this blog has any excuse to not try this stuff.

Already have Bacon Salt? Get recipes here!
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Now playing on iTunes: Siva. - Opinion Leader
via FoxyTunes

Some Good News?

Looks like, along with every other stock on the planet, the price of oil is dropping. That means we can buy more oil with the money we're about to not have any of. Woo!
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - Cologne
via FoxyTunes

Anchors Away!

Last night was... interesting. Dinner at the Cadillac Ranch was great. We found bacon salt, which I proceeded to put on everything. Bacon Pepsi isn't half bad. Afterwards we chilled with Meagan and Jimmy for a bit before landing in a bar on Ludlow, where the bartender proceeded to mix a few drinks wrong so he didn't have to charge the girl. In a traditional 21st birthday celebration, Alicia had more to drink than ever before. The ensuing carnage will lead to a serious beating on my part.

In a few weeks, she'll be laughing with us. Definitely won't be doing any of that today.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)
via FoxyTunes

Top Line from the Album

In the voice of a wise old Asian man:

"The answer you seek, my son, only poses more questions. Ask many women why relationship has failed; each woman offers unique reason for demise. One woman may say, 'Man could not commit.' or, 'Man is douche and is now free to make love to himself instead.' Another woman may say, 'Man has changed.' or even, 'Man is no longer satisfactory dad.' But, my son, ask many man same question all over the world, 'Why has relationship failed?'. Each man, each time, will give same, simple answer."

This is the prologue to "Bitch Went Nuts," which starts with "The bitch went nuts!"
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - Bitch Went Nuts
via FoxyTunes

Sea-Bug Ahoy!

I got a Red Lobster gift card for Christmas or my birthday last year. I never remember which; they're fourteen days apart. Anyway, it's worth $25, so I'm gonna use it tonight. I'm gonna feast on about 2 million calories of bug. Woo!

Afterwards, I apparently volunteered to help Alicia move a large quantity of something-or-other.

My old man got a new computer recently and I took the liberty of installing iTunes and all my music, and since iTunes allows for shared libraries, I can now listen to music I don't have room for on my hard drive, like this DMB.
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Now playing on iTunes: Dave Matthews Band - Crash Into Me
via FoxyTunes

The Ballad of Johnny Jones

I work with this guy named Johnny Jones who may be the most American man I've ever met. He's in his mid-forties, spent years in the army and fought in Panama and Bosnia and Iraq I and now owns a farm in Glencoe. Anyway, he put in a ticket for the $200,000,000 Powerball and was wondering what he'd do if he won, and asked me a question that goes a lot farther than I think Johnny realized at the time:

"If someone you knew won the lottery, how much would you expect? What's the amount that is high enough so you don't think he's a cheapskate and low enough so you don't feel like you've played him?"

I thought it over and gave him my own answer, but I want to ask you guys. If one of your friends won the lottery and was, for all intents and purposes, set for life, how much would you expect? I'll give you some time to think about it and provide your own answers before I give you my answer.
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Now playing on iTunes: Billy Joel - We Didn’t Start The Fire
via FoxyTunes

Free Coffee Town

I've been listening to this song all day. It's the current favorite, just because it's so stupid and funny. Ben Folds:

They were really horrible words. He writes these really earnest lyrics from the point of view of someone who's really short on brain cells. Like, 'In Jared Reynolds' free coffee town utopia the dirt is chocolate, beer flows from the ground and every woman you see makes out with you right there in the chocolate dirt.' It's just so dumb. I'd be thrilled [if it went to Number One.]

I wanna live in a land where there's free coffee
and the beer flows out of the ground.
The women are nice and they dont think twice
about kissing you and fooling around.

I wanna live in a place where there's lots of diamonds
and the parties last 'till dawn.
The fights don't hurt and there's chocolate dirt
and the weed is grown instead of the lawn.

Is there such a place? Well, I guess there could be
if we all could be so gentle; if we all could be so free... coffee.

Is there such a place? Well, I guess there could be
if we all could be so gentle; if we all could be so free... coffee.

I wanna live in a place where there's free coffee.
Bury me in the ground.
I'll have a smile on my face; I love life
in this free coffee town!

Is there such a place? Well, I guess there could be
if we all could be so gentle; if we all could be so free... coffee.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - Free Coffee Town
via FoxyTunes

Okay, now I'm pissed.

I started second shift on June 2, 2008. I called CBS two weeks ago to tell me that they'd been underpaying me since then. They said they'd fix it. I am still getting paid fucking $9 an hour. CBS is still fucking short-changing me. I am not amused. I'm going up there tomorrow and getting this fixed.

Also, got Darius Rucker's solo album from Alicia.
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Now playing on iTunes: Darius Rucker - Don't Think I Don't Think About It
via FoxyTunes

Sweeeeeet

So Ben Folds leaked a fake version of his new album in July, and I just torrented it. It's actually really good. I'll be distributing it with the real "Way To Normal" to whomever asks for it.

The Rolling Stone interview is pretty funny and explains why he did it and song-for-song how it differs from the real version that comes out on September 30th.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds - Bitch Went Nutz
via FoxyTunes

The Future is Insane

Here's what it looks like:
Friday is Julie's 20th birthday party. "Oh, man, I am going to have to jackass-proof my house." -Meagan
Saturday is the Beechwood Invitational, which I'll be working from 7 PM until the campus is clean again in the wee hours of the morning.
Next Tuesday is Alicia's 21st. I'm the DD.
Next weekend is my MSF classes. By the following Monday I should be in the market for a shiny new motorcycle.
The weekend after that, October 11th, I return to Louisville to hang with Sarah.
The 18th is the Boone County show. Alicia and I will be there, as will Beechwood.

It'll be a riot.

Also, the new Ben Folds album comes out on the 30th. I MUST HAVE IT.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ben Folds Five - Army
via FoxyTunes

Holy living fuck!

I was poking around Yahoo! and noticed a little guy running around the title icon of the homepage. Upon hovering my mouse above the little guy, the words "START WEARING PURPLE" appeared. I clicked the link and found this.

I have no idea what's going on, but it amuses the shit out of me.

And just in case the song isn't stuck in your head yet...

Success!

My grand plan to wake up earlier seems to have worked out. I get rather more done now that I'm up around ten instead of noon or one. The next step may be hitting the sack around one and getting up at nine. That'd give me a solid six hours before work to do stuff.
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Now playing on iTunes: Coldplay - Viva La Vida
via FoxyTunes

Updates and Adventurisms!

Went to Louisville this weekend. 'Twas uneventful!
Government just keeps absorbing more debt. We're at $700 billion now. Go socialism!
Gonna run to Cincinnati and pick up a shiny new fountain pen today. Woo!

Next few weekends are alternately very busy or not at all. This weekend is free, so if all else fails I'll hit the road yet again. The weekend after, I get my bike license (Fucking finally!). The weekend after that I'm open, and then Saturday, 10/18, Alicia will be at the Boone County band show. Hot damn! Not as busy as July and August, but still a lot to look forward to. Also, Alicia turns 21 on September 30, so I took off work to be the driver. :D
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Now playing on iTunes: Reel Big Fish - Beer
via FoxyTunes

Dog's dead. I decided she was months ago and immediately set about detaching myself, so it doesn't bother me at all. It's kinda dumb, but I know my friends will take this harder than I will, because I won't take it hard at all. Fucker was ancient. If I get that senile, I'll be pissed if someone doesn't kill me.

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Now playing on iTunes: Frank Sinatra - Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)
via FoxyTunes

Micro-Blog 40

Little Updates:

Power's back.
Recently acquired:
-Coldplay's "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends"
-Frank Sinatra hits album
-Katy Perry's "One of the Boys"
Hera will most likely be dead by day's end.

Song that's been stuck in my head since I left Louisville:

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Now playing on iTunes: Coldplay - Viva La Vida
via FoxyTunes

Hurricane-Fucking-Ike

Ladies, gentlemen, I give you Cameron at his most furious. Why, you ask?

-No power. Experts say I get it back Saturday. FUCKING SATURDAY. I run my life on the fucking internet. I cook food from a refrigerator in the microwave. I have a phone to charge and a million little details to take care of and every one requires power. I have no power because Doug Kyde has a tree in his yard that should have been removed years ago that is now on the power line. Lines downed by trees and negligence are rated dead last on Duke Energy's priority list, so I get to spend two percent of a fucking year with no electricity and watch the food in my fridge and freezer go bad because Dougie is a fucking motoard.
-My right wrist is mistreating me. Again. It was pissing me off in June, but I ignored it and it stopped being an issue after about a week. Normally, there's no issue. I can just be careful at work. Last night, I had a 59-line, 569-hub order. Hubs, mind you, are 10 pounds each on average and come in boxes of four. Moving 5000 pounds of stock with a bum wrist is just a bit painful. The whole day went like that, too. By the end of the shift, I moved easily four tons of auto parts and returned home to learn the above about when I'd get power again.
-Due to goddamn Ike, gas went from an almost-acceptable $3.70 to $4.15. Four dollars and fucking fifteen cents per gallon. Over the course of twelve hours. On the bright side, I have no access to a secure internet connection, so I have to go to the bank to see how much money I have left.
-Last Wednesday. Yes, a week from today. Five days before the storm hit. I saw the predictions. They called the path of Ike, it's strength, and the damage done. They had it within a few miles. They knew this five days before the first winds picked up and nobody did shit to prepare for it. Nobody. This makes it just like every other disaster in this god-forsaken city. We always ignore the warnings and then wonder how the fuck something like this could have happened.
-My only source of music is the Jetta. I have access to whatever I have on CD at present. Unfortunately, I listen to a fuckton of stuff I don't have on CD or can access only through MySpace and YouTube.

I was gonna be home this weekend. Maybe go camping with Crystal or something, or hang out with Alicia and the other friends I've been neglecting. I'd have talked to Sarah online and whatnot and it'd be just fine. I'll be in Hillview again. I'm not complaining. Not at all. But it is expensive to drive there once a week. I'm going to drive back home now, stopping at Starbucks on the way. I'm gonna dig through my closet for more cargo pants, because the washing machine requires electricity. I'm going to fucking murder Doug fucking Kyde with a goddamn axe, should I see the fat ugly fucker.

I haven't been this stressed out since February, when I realized I was about to be a college dropout.

Cut Loose

Once again SKF is shy on orders, so I'm off work tomorrow. Since Sarah works Saturday and Sunday nights, I'm headed down tomorrow so I have a night where she's off to do stuff. This means I'm skipping James' event. You kids have fun with it, though.
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Now playing on iTunes: Rise Against - Survive
via FoxyTunes

31 Days

Sunday is the One Month. Naturally, I'll be in Louisville. Sarah works the usual time Saturday night. If you're down there, expect a text or three. I leave sometime before noon Saturday. :)

When (if) her damn auto starts functioning, she'll be able to pop up here from time to time. That'd make planning things real easy-like as I know the area and the people up here.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Lashes - Sometimes The Sun
via FoxyTunes

Autumn Repair Series

The car's engine is running like a dream. I now begin Phase II of the repairs and move on to cosmetic damage!

Stuff that needs fixed, in order of urgency:
-Headlights. Need to be re-aimed and need new covers. [price unknown, probably around $50]
-Front Fender Insets: At the bottom of my bumper are three extensions of the grill. The center piece is good, as is the driver's side. The passenger's side bit needs to be replaced. This can wait until risk of snow, since all I need them for is keeping snow road salt off the engine. [price unknown, probably around $30]
-Passenger's Side Wheel Well Liner: Needs to be replaced before first snow, as it keeps road debris and snow from entering the engine compartment and the inner bits of the unibody. [price unknown, probably around $50]
-Bumpers: Crooked. Need to be removed and reattached. [free]

The wheel well liner requires removal of the wheel, which is easy enough. The bumpers will take rather more effort and a second person, so that'll get done when Alicia is free to help out and I own some decent jack stands.

Phase III can wait until next year, as they have to be done professionally.
-Rear Middle Seatbelt: Doesn't work, but two people barely fit in the back. I've only had a third person in there maybe five times, ever. [price unknown]
-Rear Driver's Side Window: Doesn't go down. Machinery is fucked up. [approximately $350]
-Something is squealing, so the ball joints in the drive wheels probably need to be lubricated eventually. [price unknown, probably around $100]

Phase IV: Possible upgrades.
-New stereo, with Auxiliary Input jack. Remove nonfunctional 6-disk trunk changer. It'd be possible to replace the whole stereo with an MP3 player and put a hard drive where the disk changer is now, allowing me to carry my full music collection on the road. May figure out how to do that. [price varies]
-New headlights. I'd like to retrofit foglamps, and if possible get lens-style or HID lamps. [$500-$1000]
-Other small stuff, such as new clear covers for my turn signal lights to replace the yellow covers they have now and new cup holders, since those I have currently blow. [price varies]

This sounds like rather a lot of damage, but it's all extremely minor. Most people wouldn't pay any attention to said defects. My car will forever be a work-in-progress.
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Now playing on iTunes: Sublime - What I Got
via FoxyTunes

Nine Emails

Seven of them were blog post comments. Some of those comments warrant replies.

First, the five letters.
Kaitlin, yours is the first of the new letters.
Jimmy, this isn't a new trend. It's a trend from April that I brought back from the dead. Also, it's basically a reverse honesty box. If I included names in these at least one friendship would end immediately. I'm all for bluntness when being forthright is required, but subtlety is my style.

Next, "Overrated"
Kaitlin: What?
Brandon: Own it, own it, seen it, seen it, seen it.

Also, this might be my favorite Third Eye Blind song.
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Now playing on iTunes: Third Eye Blind - Motorcycle Drive By
via FoxyTunes

Overrated

I recently laughed at Andrew for not having seen Super Troopers. I realized today I haven't seen a lot of really mainstream, overrated films. I think I need to start grabbing movies from the library and watching one a week. I'll start with Casablanca and Rent, then move on to any Bond films I haven't seen yet. Any suggestions?

Also, iTunes 8 is out. It has shiny new features!
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Now playing on iTunes: Tegan & Sara - Back In Your Head
via FoxyTunes

Five Letters Revisited

Back in April, Kaitlin started the trend of five anonymous letters to people. I think I'll revisit them by posting five new letters to the same people along with a second set of five letters to different people.

Dear _______,
I'm not gonna lie, I'm just waiting for the day you walk out of my life and I'm hoping it comes soon. Something changed in the last year or so and I can't fucking stand you anymore.

Dear ____,
I was irritated in the last letter. Now I just know that leaving people behind is your style. I'm not complaining. When we talk it's still friendly and hauling you across the state left me with a girlfriend.

Dear ______,
We're not as close as we used to be, but I'm really happy that you're stable now. I just hope the boredom doesn't drive you back to the self-destruction you worked so hard to escape.

Dear ______,
Who knew something so incredible could come from an Uno game and some bored conversation in Thayer's lecture hall?

Dear _____,
Streetlight Manifesto still reminds me of you. We've both become kinda reclusive lately; maybe we should get out more.

The five new:

Dear _______,
You're so sad all the time these days, and the sibling urge to help conflicts with the fact that I have no time to do so. We need a concert.

Dear ______,
You've owed me money for quite some time, but you're finally starting to repay it. I don't hate you like I did, but you're getting cut out of my life the second I have that back.

Dear _____,
I can see the changes you've wrought on my personality every day, and I'm strangely unwilling to resist the tide of change. I usually hate change, and you're a hell of a change. You're the one exception. Ironically, this is one of the things I'd really rather not alter.

Dear ______,
I hope you're enjoying life in Louisville, and see that you really enjoy what you're there for. It's fortunate that I'm down there so often and get chances to run into you. You're exactly the sort of guy who learns about his city so he always knows when something is going on.

Dear _____,
It's weird getting to know you again, but always a pleasure to attend one of your myriad events. Amusingly, the last memory I have of our grade school days is listening to Q-102 in the middle of the night and you winning tickets to see some boy band or other.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Format - Career Day
via FoxyTunes

They like me! They really like me!

So once again I'm popular at work. Seems every job I have ends up with the managers loving me. I don't kiss ass or work particularly hard. All I do is stay positive and cooperative at work. Every once in a while Smoky will pull me aside and point out that I am unique. It doesn't matter which assignment he gives me or how unpleasant the work is, I just nod, smile, and tell him the work will get done. I don't bitch or slump or roll my eyes. It's all the same fucking work with slight variations. I get an assignment and I go do it. Real simple, right? Apparently not. Nobody else does it. Everyone else has an attitude. I don't give two shits about what I'm doing and the supervisors love me for it. I actually get something out of being cooperative, too: Variety. Most people get assigned something and are stuck with it the whole shift. I start doing rushes on paper, then move on to the RF gun, and half the time get pulled out of RF picking to do a special order type (transfers) that everyone else apparently hates. Janet now gives transfers to me whenever I'm available to do them because I don't gripe about them. I just do them quickly and correctly and then get back to RF without a word. Turns out all you have to do for your managers to love you is, strangely enough, your goddamn job. Who knew?

On a completely unrelated note, I see the only member of the fan club is my girlfriend. You fuckers can do better than that! :D
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Now playing on iTunes: The Format - Wait, Wait, Wait
via FoxyTunes

Hometown Tourist

I try to have a pretty good knowledge of the best spots around Cincinnati to hang out, and can easily pop over to the best view of the city, some of the strangest restaurants and hangouts, and nearby spots where you can look up and actually see the stars. Hell, I even know the price and hours at the Carew Tower observation deck. What I assumed was entirely useless knowledge really comes in handy when you have a girlfriend who lives a hundred miles away.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Format - Time Bomb
via FoxyTunes

Nice Job, SKF.

So when I switched to second shift four months ago, Jerry, the warehouse manager, told me he'd get all the paperwork taken care of and notify CBS and all that. This is kind of important because there's a 50 cent or so shift differential. I just got access to my pay stubs and found that I was still getting paid $9 an hour. You know what sucks about getting underpaid for a quarter of a year. You know what doesn't suck about it? I called CBS and next week's check should, in theory, contain four months of back pay. Woo-hoo!

Also, driving around and running errands is a hell of a lot more relaxing than people give it credit for.

"I'll tap the break while you crack the window.
The smell of smoke is making my lungs explode.
The 51 is backed-up and too slow.
Let's tune out by turning on the radio!"
-Tune Out by The Format

Hot Sun and Helicopters

I really didn't enjoy class. I wasn't really amused by extracurriculars. The thing I'm gonna miss about college is spending all day wandering around campus. Fortunately, I can drive up there basically whenever after Alicia moves back into Wesley. So long as I have a parking space behind her place, I can go for random walks around campus and pretend like I belong there.

That sounds a lot more pathetic when I write it down.
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Now playing on iTunes: Ladybirds - Shark Party
via FoxyTunes

Wait... I did what!?

Remember that kegger at James' place after the fireworks? I do, too. Unfortunately, not all of us are so lucky. If you took any pictures during the course of that event, do us a favor and get the fuckers online!

Thanks,
Cameron and James
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Now playing on iTunes: The Format - Give It Up
via FoxyTunes

Placeholder!

Another weekend goes splendidly. I rolled down Saturday afternoon and chilled for a bit before Sarah went to work, then texted Joe and we hung out. Took Joseph to Ear X-Tacy for the first time. Got "Interventions & Lullabies" by The Format. The album is awesome. I'm still at the point where I like the album, but don't know the words yet. After that we stopped by Thai-Siam behind the Krispy Kreme on Bardstown Rd. for some food, where we met up with Stevo. Stevo led us to his place in Louisville hall, rather near where Plate lived last year. The guys met Sarah after she got off work at 11:00 and we went on a mini-adventure. Sleep was uneventful. Sunday consisted primarily of a stop at Lynn's, a weird-as-fuck restaurant somewhere in Louisville a mile or two from U of L, where I had a half-pound bacon cheeseburger and cinnamon-sugared yam fries. They were delicious. Then came more chilling and a nice drive home. Relevant details:

-Sarah's car problem has been patched by the cheap rental of a 2007 Chevy Cobalt with expired tags that got her pulled over today. I'm so used to being pulled over that I had the dome light on and the registration out before the car was off.
-The Jetta's gas mileage has vastly improved.
-Did I mention that I really like this album and the band responsible for it?
-Next weekend is the month. It's hard to believe it's only been a month. Goddamn.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Format - Tie The Rope
via FoxyTunes

Micro-Blog 39

Got unlimited text. Gotta teach parents to text at some point, so I don't have to call them again. Got Darius Rucker's "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" stuck in my head, which marks the first time I've wandered around singing a country song to myself.

Silenced

So, uh... I'm out of texts this month. Maybe I was out of texts last month. Either way, Dad wandered upstairs and pointed out that I owed him $25 for being 174 texts over. I'm gonna leave my phone in the car at work until I get unlimited texting and if I'm out this month I'm not likely to reply to any of your texts. The other phone kept track of the texts and allowed me to clear the logs easily. This one won't let me clear the logs at all so I have no real way of tracking my texts. It might be worth the fifty bucks a month to leave the family plan for 200 minutes and unlimited text. My current plan gives me 500 minutes, unlimited nights and weekends, and 500 texts per month. Cincinnati Bell has a plan that's $29.99/month for 200 minutes and 1000 night and weekend minutes and I can add unlimited text and data for $14.99. I shall look into it!

Also, my dad's healthy sense of paranoia is keeping the Jetta in my hands. As much as I really hate that I can't help the girl, dad is always right. Period. Always. And as much as I like being around the girl, three weeks is nowhere near the point where I can feel comfortable sharing $6,000 worth of equipment, regardless of the circumstances. His common sense versus my desire to save the day... I guess you don't have a kid at twenty and end up where he is without knowing what the hell you're doing, though.

That might be a future post - The Origin of Cameron, a minibiography of my family. It'll be way limited in scope because I know almost nothing of their history, but I can try.

So Many Updates!

I haven't posted this much since I got the blog. Goddamn!

Upgraded to the new layout. Finally. I'd been using the old gadget-free layout previously. Relevant changes include a better archive, a list of blogs I read, and the option to subscribe to mine. I haven't tried running Xanga blogs through to see if it'll pick up on them, but I might after I post this. Join the fan club. Do it!

EDIT: Works on Xanga.

Surrender!

I've been listening to XM a lot recently, and since it expanded to Canada it gained a pair of French rock/pop channels. I knew nothing about it, but French indie rock is actually pretty good. Expect more French-language videos in the semi-nightly list.

Also, I apparently need to pick up the new albums by Slipknot and Coldplay.

I've gained increasing exposure to country both as a result of spending time with Alicia and working a warehouse, and I can now completely tolerate the genre. Weird stuff...

Just because I think it's funny, tomorrow's list includes a single from Darius Rucker's country solo album. Yeah, Darius Rucker. The black man from Hootie and the Blowfish who apparently sings country and grunge and is actually good at it. I guess there's a Darius Rucker for every good white rapper, though. It'll probably end up being Sunday night's list in reality. When I'm on a music kick I have the videos prepared at least a day ahead of time.

This all proves once again that with enough exposure, I can learn to enjoy any genre.

Roundabout

The party Brandon and I planned for Saturday currently has two attendees. I think I'm gonna call it off. I need to drive to Louisville Saturday anyway because of the situation I'll explain in the next paragraph. I might spend the whole weekend there, but Sarah works Saturday and Sunday night from 5-10, I think. Joseph, you're the only definite reader I have down there who isn't Sarah. Doing anything? Need some company? Perhaps Nikki would like to visit Plate if she has the time.

Sarah's problem: She drives a Mustang from the nineties that is currently on its second engine. Some fairly important part is shot and requires $1700 in repairs that she presently can't shell out. Continuing to run the car with the current engine trouble risks destroying the engine. The 'Stang is the only car available to her and her mom, so it's kind of important that she have it running to get to school and work. Since I can just drive the truck, I'll lend her the Jetta while her car is in the shop. The truck gets shitty gas mileage and doesn't have power windows, so for probably the next two weeks at least I'll do as little driving as physically possible. Yeah, I know, best boyfriend ever. :P Honestly, if I don't do what I can to help when she actually needs it, I'm fucking up.

So I guess tomorrow I'll clean the Volkswagen and get the tires rotated and see how this shit goes. Woo!

[The title, Roundabout, refers to the fact that my first car came from Louisville and I drove it up here for a month or so with Jefferson County plates. The Jetta's gonna spend a few weeks cruising Jefferson County with Kenton County plates.]