Just started Doom 3. Scariest game I've played. Everything's dark and filled with angry monsters. It's creepy shit.
Also, discovered this band today. It's the DJ from The Bloodhound Gang and Troy Walsh. It's pretty good for hip-hop. The band is so obscure I had to write the last.fm page for them myself so if I gave a fuck about indie cred I'd be more excited.
----------------
Now playing: Federal Moguls - Paid To Party
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Hey, you guys!
I want to get the two other piercings in my left ear before the year is out. Anyone wanna volunteer? I have all the hardware; all I need is a steady hand to push the needle through.
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Now playing: DragonForce - Fury Of The Storm
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: DragonForce - Fury Of The Storm
via FoxyTunes
Friday, December 28, 2007
Short Story 2
Author's Note: I posted another short story a while back. This is the second one. It's obviously heavily influenced by 40K and is actually the first chapter of a novella I was writing in 2005 but gave up on. Enjoy!
----------------------------------------------------------
Age of Strife
Part 1 – Koskov’s Last Stand
To: Vice-Chancellor See’hroc, Mars High Court
From: Lord General Militant Milan Thaddeus Gryphonne, United Earth Space Fleet
Origin: United Earth Space Fleet Acheron-Class Supercruiser Devine Retribution
Target: Nergal-Class battlecruiser Red Horizon, Royal Mars Navy
...Timestamp... ...July 13. 9731... ...21:03:27...
...Loading...
...Loading...
...Loading...
Vice-Chancellor,
Just what is it you are trying to accomplish? Rebelling against the Union? Ludicrous! Not since the quickly-halted Scandinavian insurrection of 3720 has a group seceded from our great collective, and that was swiftly crushed. If you continue your barbaric machinations against us, the UESF will not hesitate to cease all food exports to the arid rock you call home. Lay down your arms and return your fleet to standby or suffer the godlike fury of my battleships. This little “incident” will get you nowhere. See’hroc, this is your last chance to stand down.
Lord General Gryphonne
Lord General Militant Milan Gryphonne
To: General Militant Milan Thaddeus Gryphonne, United Earth Space Fleet
From: Vice-Chancellor See’hroc, Mars High Court
Origin: Nergal-Class battlecruiser Red Horizon, Royal Mars Navy
Target: United Earth Space Fleet Acheron-Class Supercruiser Devine Retribution
...Timestamp... ...July 13. 9731... ...21:42:58...
...loading...
Lord General: It is you that must stand down. To take food from our beleaguered Homeworld is an insult that cannot be forgiven. You Earthers, who have already taxed us beyond our limits, are committing a crime against humanity that can only be answered in full war. Nearly seven millennia past you created us, and we were allies. Now you, the creators, will be stripped of your world by our Grand Fleets. The strife you are bringing upon your own heads will make you pray for Hell to take your wretched lives. The fleets of Anroth Sector are on the way to support us. Do not underestimate the children you have seeded the galaxy with. They are greater than even your mighty fleets.
See’hroc
* * *
Commander Viktor Koskov was a large man and ran his Rogue-Class destroyer Gangut II with an iron fist. In reality it was a titanium-neodymium servo fist, he mused, and ever since the boarding action that took his right arm in 9630 he displayed it with pride. If he could lose an arm for the Union and stay conscious long enough to kill twelve men, his crew could damn well do what was necessary.
“Engineer Tributz, cycle the drives!” He boomed in baritone Russian, “we’re going to Mars. And hurry! I didn’t invite you onto my payroll to watch you sit on your ass!”
Deep in the bowels of the 150-metre Gangut II the Johanson-Kuumar drive rumbled to life in preparation for the four-minute trans light voyage to Earth’s new nuisance. After the twenty-minute charging cycle, a large red rune appeared on the tactical holo-projector. Koscov’s polished finger set the jump in motion. Klaxons throughout the vessel wailed and the halls were bathed in red emergency lighting. Koscov returned to his command throne and strapped himself in. A series of creaks and pops issued from the hull as the taxing warp translation pulled the ship in all directions at once. A loud bang resounded through the hull and Gangut II was on her way.
* * *
Fleet Admiral Fahriq Kahn of the Royal Battleship Blu Moon was ready for war. The Anroth Sector navy was thirty-six hours away and he sat at the head of one of the largest ships within a million miles of Deimos. Earth would pay for its treachery.
“Ensign, repeat the scans. The infidels are coming and I want to be ready.”
“Affirmative.... Scans reveal nothing. Wait... damn!”
“Ensign?”
“A full UESF fleet has left earth. ETA six minutes... Sir, it’s Gryphonne.”
“Send word to the Horizon. Fire control, prepare the main batteries. I want the ion lances up in five.”
The Blu Moon exploded into life. Static electricity crackled across the hull as massive weapons powered up and solar sails unfurled. Inside the leviathan battle-ready klaxons sounded. The Blu Moon was ready, and nothing would stop her.
Throughout the Royal Navy enormous vessels crackled into life. Gunships readied their weapons; assault carriers disgorged their fighter-bomber clouds. In the bridge of the Red Horizon Vice-Chancellor See’hroc smiled. The thought of planetary genocide always brought a grin to his sharp features.
* * *
Another loud bang signaled the return to realspace. Gangut II readied her batteries and powered up the plasma sub-light drives. All around her the majesty of Gryphonne’s armada gleamed. Off in the distance was the great ruddy hulk of the Devine Retribution. The gold dome of her command bridge sparkled and Koskov’s barrel-like chest swelled with pride. He keyed the comm-link and summoned his squadron.
“Form on me. Go Delta II.” Almost as soon as the words left his mouth two Scimitar-Class gun frigates - the Hinter and the Vostok - and two Gunray-Class torpedo frigates - the Brigand and the Death Jester - formed on the Gangut II. The “Flying V” formation put each ship in a position to spearhead an assault and use every gun available. Always after glory, Koskov went straight for the biggest ship in sight. A small hologram of the target floated above the tactical display. Etched on the side, in tiny red letters, was “Blu Moon.” Capital Squadron Karamazov, led from the front by the Gangut II, shuttled menacingly toward the Blu Moon. Koskov winced as bright blobs of plasma flashed across his shields. Eight micro-nuclear torpedoes roared from the Gunrays and exploded across the Blu Moon’s hull. The form-fitting sleeve of energy absorbed the monstrous blasts, but fell under the pounding. This was Koskov’s chance. “Prepare for boarding! Fire the rail cannon! We’re commandeering this bitch of a starship and sending her to hell!” Again the klaxons wailed and Koskov’s laughter boomed across the bridge. This was war! The comm-link crackled to life and a mixture of screams and static blasted into the bridge. To port the Vostok rippled and melted. The profanely powerful reactor vaporized the Vostok and killed Koskov’s old friend Lieutenant Kierv. With a startling cry of pure fury, Koskov stormed from the bridge as the first slugs penetrated the Blu Moon’s mighty hull. He would suit up and kill every bastard in the traitor ship. Koskov ran to his personal quarters and carefully donned the suit of ancient servo-armor first worn by his grandfather two centuries past. With a soft hiss, he disengaged the locks on a locker under his bed. Within it lay one of the most valued heirlooms and weapons of the Koskov family: a five-thousand year old sword, sheathed in a crackling energy field that cut through flesh and armor like they were soft clay. Also in the locker was an equally unique pistol. Its rose petal barbs reduced flesh to a red cloud and formed lethal shrapnel on contact with a hard surface. He would win this day. Inside the boarding tube, Koskov whipped his men into a killing frenzy. His crimson servo armor turned the already imposing man into a frightful giant and the long bayonet on his combat shotgun let the troops know that he meant business. Their anger only increased when they heard of the battle raging outside. The Hinter and Brigand were crippled and pitifully retreating and the Death Jester was fighting for its life. Even the mighty Gangut II had suffered engine damage and was therefore grappled with the Blu Moon until death took them both. The boarding tube entered the prodigious hole in the battleship’s side and welded the entry hole shut. As soon as the locks engaged, a horde of fifty enraged soldiers and their captain stormed into the guts of the enemy. The hallway ahead was dark and smoke-filled. The men progressed violently toward the bridge while a small squad of expert scouts and engineers crept toward the enginarium. This ship would be conquered and retrofitted for the future victors. Koskov led the remaining forty men strait to the heart of the enemy battleship’s command deck.
* * *
Kahn looked at the holographic display in front of him. Borders. Damn. This problem was easy enough to fix. He reached for the defensive grid activator rune and heard a dull bang. The internal supercomputer had been damaged in the assault and instead of activating the grid backfired and shut down shield grids two and four. It seemed he would have to deal with this the hard way. A simple command had Royal Guard troops storming the breach.
* * *
Koskov exploded into a large gallery near the hull breach and ran directly into a squad of ornamental guards. “To hell with these sissies,” he thought. He called his men. “Let us show these animals that it takes chutzpah to run a starship!” Koskov met the guards head on, scything with his ancient sword. A man screamed as the ancient blade eviscerated him. A quick stomp to his head ended his pain. Another man was sliced cleanly in two, left shoulder to right hip. Blood exploded across Koskov’s armor. A shot with the pistol left one man in a mist of his own torso and the rest of the squad running. In the time it took his platoon to catch up Koskov had holstered the dripping heirlooms and grabbed his shotgun from the back holster. The nearest enemy tried to flee and was impaled on Koskov’s bayonet. The man looked down to see seventeen inches of polished steel protruding from his belly. A blast from the shotgun sent the man’s corpse to the floor and sprayed his guts across the walls. In less than thirty seconds Koskov had reduced five elite warriors to meaty piles on the floor. This was the life! Koskov ran gleefully toward the bridge, killing all the way. When he finally arrived on the bridge he was drenched in gore and bleeding from numerous wounds. Thirty of his men had died in the carnage of the assault and the remaining ten were ready for anything. They ran headlong to the top level and prepared to fly the hulk of the Blu Moon home.
* * *
Kahn turned around with a start. Running toward him was an avatar of death, coated in gore and followed by ten blood-soaked marines. This was it. He pulled the antique chainsword from its sheath and activated the engine. The razor teeth spun and roared as the baroque weapon reached combat speed. Earthers would die this day. Kahn raised his gilded pistol and exploded the skull of the nearest marine as shotgun blasts slew his Royal Guard. As the last of his hand-picked guards fell wetly to the floor, Fleet Admiral Fahriq Kahn ran toward the enemy. He swung the ornate chainsword into a man, tearing his guts out and spraying them across the floor. If they dared attack him, they would suffer to no end. A shotgun blast peppered his personal shield and he turned to face the annoyance. A marine had fired on him. Two shots from the pistol stripped away first his arm, then his head. What was left fell away onto the lower levels. He raised the pistol and looked around. His bridge staff had killed the other marines. All that was left was the bastard Koskov.
* * *
Commander Viktor Koskov ran toward the enemy captain. His sword flashed across the man’s shield, each hammer blow depleting the personal shield a little bit more. Then the man struck out with his sword. Koskov was not fast enough. The ornate chainsword entered his belly and exploded out of his back. Impaled by the still-spinning blade, Koskov fell messily in two. In the enginarium the team of specialists reviewed the combat data. Koskov was dead, their beloved Gangut II was a hulk of molten slag, and only they remained. Engineer-Sergeant Tributz walked to the main engine computer and hit a large green rune labeled “execute command.” Thirty seconds later the Blu Moon was consumed by a cloud of white-hot plasma as its reactors went critical. The ship’s vast dying explosion was so powerful that every ship within ten kilometers was vaporized along with her. The battle of Phobos was a ruin but elsewhere in Mars orbit battle still raged...
----------------------------------------------------------
Age of Strife
Part 1 – Koskov’s Last Stand
To: Vice-Chancellor See’hroc, Mars High Court
From: Lord General Militant Milan Thaddeus Gryphonne, United Earth Space Fleet
Origin: United Earth Space Fleet Acheron-Class Supercruiser Devine Retribution
Target: Nergal-Class battlecruiser Red Horizon, Royal Mars Navy
...Timestamp... ...July 13. 9731... ...21:03:27...
...Loading...
...Loading...
...Loading...
Vice-Chancellor,
Just what is it you are trying to accomplish? Rebelling against the Union? Ludicrous! Not since the quickly-halted Scandinavian insurrection of 3720 has a group seceded from our great collective, and that was swiftly crushed. If you continue your barbaric machinations against us, the UESF will not hesitate to cease all food exports to the arid rock you call home. Lay down your arms and return your fleet to standby or suffer the godlike fury of my battleships. This little “incident” will get you nowhere. See’hroc, this is your last chance to stand down.
Lord General Gryphonne
Lord General Militant Milan Gryphonne
To: General Militant Milan Thaddeus Gryphonne, United Earth Space Fleet
From: Vice-Chancellor See’hroc, Mars High Court
Origin: Nergal-Class battlecruiser Red Horizon, Royal Mars Navy
Target: United Earth Space Fleet Acheron-Class Supercruiser Devine Retribution
...Timestamp... ...July 13. 9731... ...21:42:58...
...loading...
Lord General: It is you that must stand down. To take food from our beleaguered Homeworld is an insult that cannot be forgiven. You Earthers, who have already taxed us beyond our limits, are committing a crime against humanity that can only be answered in full war. Nearly seven millennia past you created us, and we were allies. Now you, the creators, will be stripped of your world by our Grand Fleets. The strife you are bringing upon your own heads will make you pray for Hell to take your wretched lives. The fleets of Anroth Sector are on the way to support us. Do not underestimate the children you have seeded the galaxy with. They are greater than even your mighty fleets.
See’hroc
* * *
Commander Viktor Koskov was a large man and ran his Rogue-Class destroyer Gangut II with an iron fist. In reality it was a titanium-neodymium servo fist, he mused, and ever since the boarding action that took his right arm in 9630 he displayed it with pride. If he could lose an arm for the Union and stay conscious long enough to kill twelve men, his crew could damn well do what was necessary.
“Engineer Tributz, cycle the drives!” He boomed in baritone Russian, “we’re going to Mars. And hurry! I didn’t invite you onto my payroll to watch you sit on your ass!”
Deep in the bowels of the 150-metre Gangut II the Johanson-Kuumar drive rumbled to life in preparation for the four-minute trans light voyage to Earth’s new nuisance. After the twenty-minute charging cycle, a large red rune appeared on the tactical holo-projector. Koscov’s polished finger set the jump in motion. Klaxons throughout the vessel wailed and the halls were bathed in red emergency lighting. Koscov returned to his command throne and strapped himself in. A series of creaks and pops issued from the hull as the taxing warp translation pulled the ship in all directions at once. A loud bang resounded through the hull and Gangut II was on her way.
* * *
Fleet Admiral Fahriq Kahn of the Royal Battleship Blu Moon was ready for war. The Anroth Sector navy was thirty-six hours away and he sat at the head of one of the largest ships within a million miles of Deimos. Earth would pay for its treachery.
“Ensign, repeat the scans. The infidels are coming and I want to be ready.”
“Affirmative.... Scans reveal nothing. Wait... damn!”
“Ensign?”
“A full UESF fleet has left earth. ETA six minutes... Sir, it’s Gryphonne.”
“Send word to the Horizon. Fire control, prepare the main batteries. I want the ion lances up in five.”
The Blu Moon exploded into life. Static electricity crackled across the hull as massive weapons powered up and solar sails unfurled. Inside the leviathan battle-ready klaxons sounded. The Blu Moon was ready, and nothing would stop her.
Throughout the Royal Navy enormous vessels crackled into life. Gunships readied their weapons; assault carriers disgorged their fighter-bomber clouds. In the bridge of the Red Horizon Vice-Chancellor See’hroc smiled. The thought of planetary genocide always brought a grin to his sharp features.
* * *
Another loud bang signaled the return to realspace. Gangut II readied her batteries and powered up the plasma sub-light drives. All around her the majesty of Gryphonne’s armada gleamed. Off in the distance was the great ruddy hulk of the Devine Retribution. The gold dome of her command bridge sparkled and Koskov’s barrel-like chest swelled with pride. He keyed the comm-link and summoned his squadron.
“Form on me. Go Delta II.” Almost as soon as the words left his mouth two Scimitar-Class gun frigates - the Hinter and the Vostok - and two Gunray-Class torpedo frigates - the Brigand and the Death Jester - formed on the Gangut II. The “Flying V” formation put each ship in a position to spearhead an assault and use every gun available. Always after glory, Koskov went straight for the biggest ship in sight. A small hologram of the target floated above the tactical display. Etched on the side, in tiny red letters, was “Blu Moon.” Capital Squadron Karamazov, led from the front by the Gangut II, shuttled menacingly toward the Blu Moon. Koskov winced as bright blobs of plasma flashed across his shields. Eight micro-nuclear torpedoes roared from the Gunrays and exploded across the Blu Moon’s hull. The form-fitting sleeve of energy absorbed the monstrous blasts, but fell under the pounding. This was Koskov’s chance. “Prepare for boarding! Fire the rail cannon! We’re commandeering this bitch of a starship and sending her to hell!” Again the klaxons wailed and Koskov’s laughter boomed across the bridge. This was war! The comm-link crackled to life and a mixture of screams and static blasted into the bridge. To port the Vostok rippled and melted. The profanely powerful reactor vaporized the Vostok and killed Koskov’s old friend Lieutenant Kierv. With a startling cry of pure fury, Koskov stormed from the bridge as the first slugs penetrated the Blu Moon’s mighty hull. He would suit up and kill every bastard in the traitor ship. Koskov ran to his personal quarters and carefully donned the suit of ancient servo-armor first worn by his grandfather two centuries past. With a soft hiss, he disengaged the locks on a locker under his bed. Within it lay one of the most valued heirlooms and weapons of the Koskov family: a five-thousand year old sword, sheathed in a crackling energy field that cut through flesh and armor like they were soft clay. Also in the locker was an equally unique pistol. Its rose petal barbs reduced flesh to a red cloud and formed lethal shrapnel on contact with a hard surface. He would win this day. Inside the boarding tube, Koskov whipped his men into a killing frenzy. His crimson servo armor turned the already imposing man into a frightful giant and the long bayonet on his combat shotgun let the troops know that he meant business. Their anger only increased when they heard of the battle raging outside. The Hinter and Brigand were crippled and pitifully retreating and the Death Jester was fighting for its life. Even the mighty Gangut II had suffered engine damage and was therefore grappled with the Blu Moon until death took them both. The boarding tube entered the prodigious hole in the battleship’s side and welded the entry hole shut. As soon as the locks engaged, a horde of fifty enraged soldiers and their captain stormed into the guts of the enemy. The hallway ahead was dark and smoke-filled. The men progressed violently toward the bridge while a small squad of expert scouts and engineers crept toward the enginarium. This ship would be conquered and retrofitted for the future victors. Koskov led the remaining forty men strait to the heart of the enemy battleship’s command deck.
* * *
Kahn looked at the holographic display in front of him. Borders. Damn. This problem was easy enough to fix. He reached for the defensive grid activator rune and heard a dull bang. The internal supercomputer had been damaged in the assault and instead of activating the grid backfired and shut down shield grids two and four. It seemed he would have to deal with this the hard way. A simple command had Royal Guard troops storming the breach.
* * *
Koskov exploded into a large gallery near the hull breach and ran directly into a squad of ornamental guards. “To hell with these sissies,” he thought. He called his men. “Let us show these animals that it takes chutzpah to run a starship!” Koskov met the guards head on, scything with his ancient sword. A man screamed as the ancient blade eviscerated him. A quick stomp to his head ended his pain. Another man was sliced cleanly in two, left shoulder to right hip. Blood exploded across Koskov’s armor. A shot with the pistol left one man in a mist of his own torso and the rest of the squad running. In the time it took his platoon to catch up Koskov had holstered the dripping heirlooms and grabbed his shotgun from the back holster. The nearest enemy tried to flee and was impaled on Koskov’s bayonet. The man looked down to see seventeen inches of polished steel protruding from his belly. A blast from the shotgun sent the man’s corpse to the floor and sprayed his guts across the walls. In less than thirty seconds Koskov had reduced five elite warriors to meaty piles on the floor. This was the life! Koskov ran gleefully toward the bridge, killing all the way. When he finally arrived on the bridge he was drenched in gore and bleeding from numerous wounds. Thirty of his men had died in the carnage of the assault and the remaining ten were ready for anything. They ran headlong to the top level and prepared to fly the hulk of the Blu Moon home.
* * *
Kahn turned around with a start. Running toward him was an avatar of death, coated in gore and followed by ten blood-soaked marines. This was it. He pulled the antique chainsword from its sheath and activated the engine. The razor teeth spun and roared as the baroque weapon reached combat speed. Earthers would die this day. Kahn raised his gilded pistol and exploded the skull of the nearest marine as shotgun blasts slew his Royal Guard. As the last of his hand-picked guards fell wetly to the floor, Fleet Admiral Fahriq Kahn ran toward the enemy. He swung the ornate chainsword into a man, tearing his guts out and spraying them across the floor. If they dared attack him, they would suffer to no end. A shotgun blast peppered his personal shield and he turned to face the annoyance. A marine had fired on him. Two shots from the pistol stripped away first his arm, then his head. What was left fell away onto the lower levels. He raised the pistol and looked around. His bridge staff had killed the other marines. All that was left was the bastard Koskov.
* * *
Commander Viktor Koskov ran toward the enemy captain. His sword flashed across the man’s shield, each hammer blow depleting the personal shield a little bit more. Then the man struck out with his sword. Koskov was not fast enough. The ornate chainsword entered his belly and exploded out of his back. Impaled by the still-spinning blade, Koskov fell messily in two. In the enginarium the team of specialists reviewed the combat data. Koskov was dead, their beloved Gangut II was a hulk of molten slag, and only they remained. Engineer-Sergeant Tributz walked to the main engine computer and hit a large green rune labeled “execute command.” Thirty seconds later the Blu Moon was consumed by a cloud of white-hot plasma as its reactors went critical. The ship’s vast dying explosion was so powerful that every ship within ten kilometers was vaporized along with her. The battle of Phobos was a ruin but elsewhere in Mars orbit battle still raged...
Paranoia Sets In
I finally got around to restricting my Facebook profile. Made it more private, untagged myself from any photos that show me ignoring laws, etc. Figured it needed to be done before I started looking for a coop job. Last thing I need is a company Facebooking me and seeing a picture of Cameron hanging out with Jack.
40K today. Paintball fell through. Rescuing Jimmy from work. Probably gonna have Joey put in two more piercings. Should be fun.
----------------
Now playing: Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
via FoxyTunes
40K today. Paintball fell through. Rescuing Jimmy from work. Probably gonna have Joey put in two more piercings. Should be fun.
----------------
Now playing: Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Over the Hump
I've heard that some people have to smoke several times before the THC hits them, and once it does it'll leave you more fucked up than you should be. Yeah, that's how it is. I'm one of those people. No longer immune to the ol' wacky weed.
Anyway, things keep going. I'm playing paintball in the morning with a guy I used to work with, Nick Rosenbauer. I'm playing 40K tomorrow night with the Joes and maybe Brandon. New Years Eve is the event at Emily's (And the Onyx Reserve is waiting.) and Meagan's got a party on the fifth. School starts the seventh, so things will calm down, but I have another party in Louisville on the nineteenth. The party never ends, boys and girls.
----------------
Now playing: Fall Out Boy - Champagne For My Real Friends, Real Pain For my Sham Friends
via FoxyTunes
Anyway, things keep going. I'm playing paintball in the morning with a guy I used to work with, Nick Rosenbauer. I'm playing 40K tomorrow night with the Joes and maybe Brandon. New Years Eve is the event at Emily's (And the Onyx Reserve is waiting.) and Meagan's got a party on the fifth. School starts the seventh, so things will calm down, but I have another party in Louisville on the nineteenth. The party never ends, boys and girls.
----------------
Now playing: Fall Out Boy - Champagne For My Real Friends, Real Pain For my Sham Friends
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Occasional Music Blog
Went to the library. Grabbed four more albums. They are:
Bad Religion - "New Maps of Hell"
Tenacious D - "The Pick of Destiny"
Jens Lekman - "Oh you're so silent Jens"
The Go! Team - "Proof of Youth"
The bad religion album came out this year. Jens Lekman is indie pop love songs to put it simply. The Go! Team you'll have to MySpace. It's hard to describe them, but the name is perfect. They sound like a 70s action show gone right.
I'm also on a quest for Orson if you have any. Listen to my profile song on MySpace. Then check the band's profile. You won't be disappointed. Orson, Jens Lekman and The Go! Team were all introduced to me by Sarah's indie playlists. If you want those I'll happily give them up. They've got some bad music in them but for the most part it's a spectacular use of 2 gigs.
----------------
Now playing: Orson - Everything
via FoxyTunes
Bad Religion - "New Maps of Hell"
Tenacious D - "The Pick of Destiny"
Jens Lekman - "Oh you're so silent Jens"
The Go! Team - "Proof of Youth"
The bad religion album came out this year. Jens Lekman is indie pop love songs to put it simply. The Go! Team you'll have to MySpace. It's hard to describe them, but the name is perfect. They sound like a 70s action show gone right.
I'm also on a quest for Orson if you have any. Listen to my profile song on MySpace. Then check the band's profile. You won't be disappointed. Orson, Jens Lekman and The Go! Team were all introduced to me by Sarah's indie playlists. If you want those I'll happily give them up. They've got some bad music in them but for the most part it's a spectacular use of 2 gigs.
----------------
Now playing: Orson - Everything
via FoxyTunes
Another Year, Another Jesus Day
Well, that's it for the holiday. I'm sitting here drinking Alicia's last Key Lime Stewart's instead of the beer I intended to grab, updating for no reason. I've disowned the holiday and I'm dead serious about next year. I've also killed yet another crush. That's two just in December. Helps that I only saw the girl once and am not likely to run into her again soon. Meh. Hopefully I can keep them all at bay from now on. I won't turn down anyone I'm attracted to but I hate crushing with a passion. Ain't my style.
Anyway, peace out.
----------------
Now playing: Sufjan Stevens - Chicago
via FoxyTunes
Anyway, peace out.
----------------
Now playing: Sufjan Stevens - Chicago
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
December 2008
Fuck Christmas. I'll have my own place next year. You guys wanna come over and celebrate Festivus on the 25th? I think this is the last time I'm celebrating this holiday. The old traditions are of a faith I hate and the new traditions are the evil side of an economic system I love.
Things that make Festivus better than Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/whatever:
-No presents. Instead you make a donation to a local charity in someone's name.
-No messy decorations. The aluminum Festivus pole is simple and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.
-The Airing of Grievances. No being nice. If you have a problem with somebody, you're expected to tell them so you can reach a peaceful resolution.
-Feats of Strength. The party doesn't end until someone wrestles the host to the ground. It's fun and promotes exercise and healthy competition.
Hell with Christmas. I choose a Festivus for the rest of us!
Things that make Festivus better than Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/whatever:
-No presents. Instead you make a donation to a local charity in someone's name.
-No messy decorations. The aluminum Festivus pole is simple and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.
-The Airing of Grievances. No being nice. If you have a problem with somebody, you're expected to tell them so you can reach a peaceful resolution.
-Feats of Strength. The party doesn't end until someone wrestles the host to the ground. It's fun and promotes exercise and healthy competition.
Hell with Christmas. I choose a Festivus for the rest of us!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Micro-Blog 34
Explosion of tiny updates!
Party tomorrow! Fuck yes!
I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow. This semi-long isn't working for me. I prefer super short.
I read Kaitlin's year-end blog post. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That might be the tumor, though...
I still plan to put that other ring in my ear. I tried to poke the hole myself the first time and it failed spectacularly. Any volunteers?
Party tomorrow! Fuck yes!
I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow. This semi-long isn't working for me. I prefer super short.
I read Kaitlin's year-end blog post. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That might be the tumor, though...
I still plan to put that other ring in my ear. I tried to poke the hole myself the first time and it failed spectacularly. Any volunteers?
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Models Should Envy Me
So I've been having fun for the last two weeks and only eating three solid meals a day. I probably get 3000 calories a day in of late, which is a great deal less than my normal average. I've lost five pounds so far. I can't figure it out. I'm sure it's got something to do with a whole lot gaming, smoking, not sleeping, driving too fast, etc.
I'm half bulimic. I binge and lose weight!
Kate Nash: Sounds kinda like Lilly Allen but in a good way!
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Now playing: Kate Nash - Mouthwash
via FoxyTunes
I'm half bulimic. I binge and lose weight!
Kate Nash: Sounds kinda like Lilly Allen but in a good way!
----------------
Now playing: Kate Nash - Mouthwash
via FoxyTunes
Friday, December 21, 2007
Captain... Revise the Logs.
Seems I was wrong about my immunity to ganja. Having only eaten it once before in a small dose, I assumed that being immune to the smoke meant I was also immune to the butter. Experience holds that the smoke has no effect on me, though, so I can still follow the data and claim to be half right. I ate rather a large quantity in the form of Trish's infamous baklava and ended up stoned as fuck.
----------------
Now playing: Streetlight Manifesto - Here's To Life
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: Streetlight Manifesto - Here's To Life
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Huh... It's worth trying.
Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net
----------------
Now playing: The Shins - The Past And Pending
via FoxyTunes
AAAAAHHHHHH!
I really like when this happens. Every time things reach a peak something fucks up. One of my friends breaks and my mood is demolished. Meagan whacking her head in November. Alicia and I fighting. Whatever the fuck Kraut did. This is getting out of hand. Where are my ass-whooping gloves?
God damn it all, people. If it's not too late for that shit I might talk to Fifthe just to get the stress relief. I am immune to awkward.
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Now playing: Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
via FoxyTunes
God damn it all, people. If it's not too late for that shit I might talk to Fifthe just to get the stress relief. I am immune to awkward.
----------------
Now playing: Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Changing the Stats
Meagan had a party last night. Celebrated the wrap-up of "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila." As was appropriate, we had plenty of Montezuma as well as a case of PBR and a fuckton of liquor. Brandon showed up with Kevin, who made the party rather more enjoyable until he got way too plastered and for the most part the event went off without any major disasters. Some minor disasters, though. Kevin and Amanda upchucked, I drunkenly hooked up, and Kraut is inexplicably very angry at me. I've changed the stats on the previous post to keep things accurate.
Also, a few quick notes. The weather is relatively nice today. I'm happy about that. Joey's joined the blogosphere. Find him here. I think Alicia is venturing down here with movies sometime tonight. I've another epic party tomorrow. We'll see how that goes - people are likely to get really, really baked. Amber's in the post below now.
----------------
Now playing: Battle - Paper Street
via FoxyTunes
Also, a few quick notes. The weather is relatively nice today. I'm happy about that. Joey's joined the blogosphere. Find him here. I think Alicia is venturing down here with movies sometime tonight. I've another epic party tomorrow. We'll see how that goes - people are likely to get really, really baked. Amber's in the post below now.
----------------
Now playing: Battle - Paper Street
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
2007: The Year in Review
This has been a long motherfucker of a year. Last year around this time when I stopped to think I came to the conclusion that I was living the high life. Things could only go downhill. God damn, was I wrong. Nineteen has been a triumph. I've seen the rise and fall of friendships, two cars, a musical adventure, and more changed opinions than I care to imagine. I may finally be coming into my own as a person and settling into the path that defines me forever. The year was anything but uniform, though. It's got three distinct parts and every one carried with it different lessons and arching changes.
The Year in Segments
I. January-June
This is the least influential of the parts and the one that is most like last year. I built three friendships and watched one fade and probably learned nothing the whole time. This was the age of the ska-punk and I spent it blasting ska and wearing denim. Kaitlin became a good friend and I got to know Nikki again. Alicia became the one real friend at UC and joined me in one misadventure in April that changed everything. I'll never forget the parts I remember. The downside is that Emily's prolonged absence caused the friendship to fade into the background. We can still talk about anything but almost never do. Aside from school, thats my one lament of 2007. I also experienced the last great runs with Angus and finally killed the poor bastard.
II. June-September
This short segment is a transitional period. It was the summer of shindigs. It was the change of cars and interests. I spent the summer growing used to the Jetta and learning to love indie rock. My goal was to get buried as deeply as possible in the local music and I think I only half-succeeded. Throughout it all was the work and the shindigs.
III. September-November
I leave out December because I think it's the transition into the next year more than anything. It doesn't fit into this year because the third segment is defined by one person through whom I've met more people had more adventures than anyone else this year. One night in late August I was abducted by Nikki and met the girl and from there things went weird. Meagan's introduced me to the whole NKU cadre and re-introduced me to coworker I never imagined myself hanging out with. This chunk was defined by parties, people, and a never-ending quest to get more tunes. It built to a climax and came to a screeching halt one Thursday night when Meagan lost six months. Everything felt different from there because so many people were affected in different ways. This is also the point where I decided I might have to change majors. I've since changed my mind on that but knowing it's a possibility scares me a bit. December is the turning point, though. After the accident I also ran out of time and money so the crush on Sarah (Yeah, you, if you still read this thing) died. The year is ending well regardless of the mini-disaster and 20 should be suitably spectacular.
The People in Review
I made a lot of good friends this year and nearly lost contact with some others. This, my friends, is the list.
Kaitlin Shupert - Kaitlin is and always will be the first person I invite to a concert. We really started talking early this year and she's distressingly like my mother sometimes, but I never suspected I'd actually get to know one of the younglings I ignored. Sometimes she's like a little sister to me, but the girl's usually mature enough so I can take issues to her and actually feel like I've done something. Unfortunately our schedules have clashed in the later part of the year and we don't talk as often as we used to.
Joseph Hanna - Joseph spent a summer a year or two ago where he almost lived at my house and since then we've nearly been siblings. This year Joseph brought his cooking skills to the fore. He built a permanent fire pit in the backyard and is a huge part of any party I throw. I know he fears we only use him for his food, but I vastly prefer Joseph to my own brother in nearly every respect.
Joey Kunzleman - Joey is a creepster supreme and almost scarily polite until you get to know him. Then he's more or less an average guy with some strange tastes. I got to know him pretty well this year and think sometime in the future a roadtrip may be in order. After one drunk dial this summer, I'd love to chill with the kid and his friends and get a little hammered sometime.
Nikki Greis - I went to gradeschool with Nikki and back then knew her sister better, but we re-met through Facebook last November and spent the first half of this year getting to know each other again. She was pretty shy at first and can be really mercurial, but I feel really grounded around her. I'm not sure why that is. She also introduced me to a lot of cool people. She's more popular and outgoing than she thinks she is.
Emily Wernet - I've told things to Emily that I've told to nobody else and during a short stretch at the end of high school I don't think I had a closer friend, but this year has been marred by us drifting apart. We're still great friends and probably always will be but our distance and busy schedules are keeping us from talking to the detriment of the friendship. I've had some unforgettable adventures with her in 2007, though. Who hasn't heard of the infamous drive to Louisville with Angus's hood in the back seat?
Brandon Stephens - Brandon and I have been good friends and partners in crime for about a decade now, and it seems like most of the shit we do is entirely superficial. While we'd like to have serious conversations, our personalities and methods for dealing with things are too different for them to take place often. Still, the man is a great friend and I can rely on him for damn near anything. Besides, it's always good to know a guy who really understands the meaning of "epic."
Meagan McNeilan - Nikki introduced me to Meagan sometime in August and we spent the next two months becoming exceedingly good friends. Talking through the night with her is usually a treat and she has a lot of good things to say if you can deal with someone with a harshly judgmental side. The friendship climaxed during two weeks in November. After she bashed her head and lost six months the talks mostly stopped. We're still really good friends and I'm damn happy about that but for me, her, and a lot of other people in the group I don't think things will ever be the same. She seems to have finished the year off on a high note, though. I'm really happy about that.
Sarah Leidy - I worked with Sarah for 7 months in 2006 and we never really talked. I met her again through Meagan and for a while we were running into each other constantly. The girl has an absolutely wonderful taste in music. Between that and how often I saw her during the last quarter of this year I managed to develop a pretty solid crush that I'm pretty sure everyone but her found out about. After Meagan got hurt I basically stopped running into her and then ran out of money, so I never actually tried to do anything about the crush. Oh, well. What's important is that I still run into her often enough to have picked up a good friend.
Ryan Williams - I first knew of Ryan as the guy Meagan was interested in but in October and November we actually started talking. Ryan is a really cool guy despite the occasional mopester tendencies and collects a lot of weird and interesting music. The man's a damn good drinking buddy and has a grasp on sarcasm like nobody I've met before.
Tommy Scott - Fifthe is another of the NKU gremlins I met through Meagan and is one of the more fun people I've met from that horde. He's a douchebag, something we have in common, and knows a good cigar when he sees one. He's also the source of more WTF moments than anyone I've found at NKU. Man shot? WTF, Fifthe, WTF...
Julie Cupp - Julie is almost an NKU-er and another of Meagan's awesome friends. I met her a few times at parties but we never really talked until her car got stuck on Meagan's hill and we had nothing better to do for most of a day. The girl's batshit crazy in all the good ways and has some interesting ideas about hair but it's a guarantee that things are brighter when she's around.
Alicia Zwiebel - Alicia is my one real friend from UC and I didn't know her real well until the spring break run to Michigan. We got way too drunk and she got the honor of hauling my blacked-out ass back from the frat party and became true friends on the way. It's really strange that I get along with someone so different in values and opinions but we manage to keep things going and take interesting perspectives along on our adventures to wherever.
Stephen Reynolds - Stevo is as good a friend as ever. That's what's remarkable about him. We rarely see each other and don't communicate often but every time we meet it's like we'd never parted. It's strange that we never see each other but the friendship never deteriorates. I'm not sure why that is, but I'm really happy about it. Stevo is cool as hell and might be the most real person I know.
Amber Cummings - She wasn't in the first run of this post because I never see her, but despite being in a permanent state of serious confusion she's only ever been nice to me. With any luck I'll run into her occasionally in 2008. Doesn't seem to have happened much in late 2007.
Jimmy Nichols - Another late addition to the post, I added him because I finally decided on the right term. Jimmy is like some kind of geek Jesus. The man has the ability for cruelty because it's required in good DMing but he may be the flat-out nicest guy I've met this year. Like so many of my friends he has a neat taste in music and is a virtual encyclopedia on many things science fiction and fantasy. One of the things I missed out on in 2007 was gaming a lot with him, but I'm sure I can rectify that in 2008.
The Year in Music
I started the year with something like five gigabytes of music. That's about fifteen hundred songs. I'm finishing the year with more than sixty gigs. This has been a huge year for music and the year when I really got into indie rock. Which albums hit me the hardest? I'll embed videos when I can.
Top Five Albums of 2007
5. The Lashes - Get It
Key Song: "Sometimes the Sun"
This album is indicative of my changing crowd and my changing taste in music. It's happy indie pop played by a bunch of scenesters. None of my friends got into the album but I'm still happy when it comes up on party shuffle. I bought the album on the strength of one single, "Sometimes the Sun" and fell in love with the whole album. "Sometimes the Sun"
4. DragonForce - Inhuman Rampage
Key Song: "Through the Fire and Flames"
This album is the theme of Angus. That piece of shit had more adventures this year to the epic wailing of DragonForce than I care to remember and the album will always remind me of the aforementioned drive to Louisville and rolling out of UC with the windows down and the stereo blasting. The album also blew out three of the speakers in that car. It's the first thing I reach for when I'm asked to play something epic and reminds me that life is still fun in the end.
3. Streetlight Manifesto - Keasby Nights
Key Song: "Keasby Nights"
This album is the anthem for getting to know Nikki and seeing them live twice this year was everything I hoped it would be. Their angry commentary on life and horn-heavy brand of ska is fun to listen and dance to and makes for good driving music. This is the album that narrated the early chunk of 2007. Streetlight only made one video, though, so nothing to link you to here.
2. Ben Folds - Songs for Silverman
Key Song: "Landed"
While Ben Folds in general was one of the artists I played most this year, this is the album that I played year-round. It's the background to a lot of adventures and a lot of long contemplations about life. It also participated in one of the weirdest moments of the year. "Landed" came up in party shuffle soon after I got iTunes and Sarah IMed me with the lyrics almost in realtime. Coincidences like that shouldn't happen. "Landed"
1. The Format - Dog Problems
Key Song: "She Doesn't Get It"
I really started listening to this album this fall and heard it about daily when I was getting to know the NKU crowd. It's happy indie pop that never gets unrealistic and is written by a band who has experience with hardship and parties. The key song is "She Doesn't Get It" because it's typical of the album as a whole - ironic and happy but tempered by just a bit of melancholy.
Other notable artists:
Jimmy Eat World - Jimmy Eat World is notable for being the driving music of April and was playing on the way to Ann Arbor whenever XM wasn't.
The Pinstripes - I saw them live several times in 2007 and have some good memories from the Poison Room and Bogarts. "Uh, yeah... she vomited on my shirt."
All The Day Holiday - I got their album from Sarah a couple weeks ago and it quickly became a favorite. It's really mellow and calm. I'd love to see them live.
Fall Out Boy - I never thought I'd listen to them and me from last year would kick my ass if he found out, but I really like From Under the Cork Tree. It's strange and witty and has some well-thought-out song titles. Aside from that it's just high-energy pop-punk that's fun to listen to.
A Year of Firsts
I tried a lot of new shit in 2007 and have some interesting statistics. This is the rundown.
Times laid: 3
Grand Adventures: 3 (Utah, NYC, Ann Arbor)
Jobs: 3
Cars: 2
Crushes: 3 (0 pursued, as usual)
First flight
First real college party
First time blackout drunk
First cigarette (I used to hold a huge prejudice in favor of cigars.)
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my Year in Review. I know I still have half a month of 2007 but this is more about me being 19 than it being 2007 so midway between the two is a good starting point. I'm interested to see how it ends, though I think the year peaked at the end of November. Peace out, bitches, and have fun with life. I know I will.
----------------
Now playing: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Impression That I Get
via FoxyTunes
The Year in Segments
I. January-June
This is the least influential of the parts and the one that is most like last year. I built three friendships and watched one fade and probably learned nothing the whole time. This was the age of the ska-punk and I spent it blasting ska and wearing denim. Kaitlin became a good friend and I got to know Nikki again. Alicia became the one real friend at UC and joined me in one misadventure in April that changed everything. I'll never forget the parts I remember. The downside is that Emily's prolonged absence caused the friendship to fade into the background. We can still talk about anything but almost never do. Aside from school, thats my one lament of 2007. I also experienced the last great runs with Angus and finally killed the poor bastard.
II. June-September
This short segment is a transitional period. It was the summer of shindigs. It was the change of cars and interests. I spent the summer growing used to the Jetta and learning to love indie rock. My goal was to get buried as deeply as possible in the local music and I think I only half-succeeded. Throughout it all was the work and the shindigs.
III. September-November
I leave out December because I think it's the transition into the next year more than anything. It doesn't fit into this year because the third segment is defined by one person through whom I've met more people had more adventures than anyone else this year. One night in late August I was abducted by Nikki and met the girl and from there things went weird. Meagan's introduced me to the whole NKU cadre and re-introduced me to coworker I never imagined myself hanging out with. This chunk was defined by parties, people, and a never-ending quest to get more tunes. It built to a climax and came to a screeching halt one Thursday night when Meagan lost six months. Everything felt different from there because so many people were affected in different ways. This is also the point where I decided I might have to change majors. I've since changed my mind on that but knowing it's a possibility scares me a bit. December is the turning point, though. After the accident I also ran out of time and money so the crush on Sarah (Yeah, you, if you still read this thing) died. The year is ending well regardless of the mini-disaster and 20 should be suitably spectacular.
The People in Review
I made a lot of good friends this year and nearly lost contact with some others. This, my friends, is the list.
Kaitlin Shupert - Kaitlin is and always will be the first person I invite to a concert. We really started talking early this year and she's distressingly like my mother sometimes, but I never suspected I'd actually get to know one of the younglings I ignored. Sometimes she's like a little sister to me, but the girl's usually mature enough so I can take issues to her and actually feel like I've done something. Unfortunately our schedules have clashed in the later part of the year and we don't talk as often as we used to.
Joseph Hanna - Joseph spent a summer a year or two ago where he almost lived at my house and since then we've nearly been siblings. This year Joseph brought his cooking skills to the fore. He built a permanent fire pit in the backyard and is a huge part of any party I throw. I know he fears we only use him for his food, but I vastly prefer Joseph to my own brother in nearly every respect.
Joey Kunzleman - Joey is a creepster supreme and almost scarily polite until you get to know him. Then he's more or less an average guy with some strange tastes. I got to know him pretty well this year and think sometime in the future a roadtrip may be in order. After one drunk dial this summer, I'd love to chill with the kid and his friends and get a little hammered sometime.
Nikki Greis - I went to gradeschool with Nikki and back then knew her sister better, but we re-met through Facebook last November and spent the first half of this year getting to know each other again. She was pretty shy at first and can be really mercurial, but I feel really grounded around her. I'm not sure why that is. She also introduced me to a lot of cool people. She's more popular and outgoing than she thinks she is.
Emily Wernet - I've told things to Emily that I've told to nobody else and during a short stretch at the end of high school I don't think I had a closer friend, but this year has been marred by us drifting apart. We're still great friends and probably always will be but our distance and busy schedules are keeping us from talking to the detriment of the friendship. I've had some unforgettable adventures with her in 2007, though. Who hasn't heard of the infamous drive to Louisville with Angus's hood in the back seat?
Brandon Stephens - Brandon and I have been good friends and partners in crime for about a decade now, and it seems like most of the shit we do is entirely superficial. While we'd like to have serious conversations, our personalities and methods for dealing with things are too different for them to take place often. Still, the man is a great friend and I can rely on him for damn near anything. Besides, it's always good to know a guy who really understands the meaning of "epic."
Meagan McNeilan - Nikki introduced me to Meagan sometime in August and we spent the next two months becoming exceedingly good friends. Talking through the night with her is usually a treat and she has a lot of good things to say if you can deal with someone with a harshly judgmental side. The friendship climaxed during two weeks in November. After she bashed her head and lost six months the talks mostly stopped. We're still really good friends and I'm damn happy about that but for me, her, and a lot of other people in the group I don't think things will ever be the same. She seems to have finished the year off on a high note, though. I'm really happy about that.
Sarah Leidy - I worked with Sarah for 7 months in 2006 and we never really talked. I met her again through Meagan and for a while we were running into each other constantly. The girl has an absolutely wonderful taste in music. Between that and how often I saw her during the last quarter of this year I managed to develop a pretty solid crush that I'm pretty sure everyone but her found out about. After Meagan got hurt I basically stopped running into her and then ran out of money, so I never actually tried to do anything about the crush. Oh, well. What's important is that I still run into her often enough to have picked up a good friend.
Ryan Williams - I first knew of Ryan as the guy Meagan was interested in but in October and November we actually started talking. Ryan is a really cool guy despite the occasional mopester tendencies and collects a lot of weird and interesting music. The man's a damn good drinking buddy and has a grasp on sarcasm like nobody I've met before.
Tommy Scott - Fifthe is another of the NKU gremlins I met through Meagan and is one of the more fun people I've met from that horde. He's a douchebag, something we have in common, and knows a good cigar when he sees one. He's also the source of more WTF moments than anyone I've found at NKU. Man shot? WTF, Fifthe, WTF...
Julie Cupp - Julie is almost an NKU-er and another of Meagan's awesome friends. I met her a few times at parties but we never really talked until her car got stuck on Meagan's hill and we had nothing better to do for most of a day. The girl's batshit crazy in all the good ways and has some interesting ideas about hair but it's a guarantee that things are brighter when she's around.
Alicia Zwiebel - Alicia is my one real friend from UC and I didn't know her real well until the spring break run to Michigan. We got way too drunk and she got the honor of hauling my blacked-out ass back from the frat party and became true friends on the way. It's really strange that I get along with someone so different in values and opinions but we manage to keep things going and take interesting perspectives along on our adventures to wherever.
Stephen Reynolds - Stevo is as good a friend as ever. That's what's remarkable about him. We rarely see each other and don't communicate often but every time we meet it's like we'd never parted. It's strange that we never see each other but the friendship never deteriorates. I'm not sure why that is, but I'm really happy about it. Stevo is cool as hell and might be the most real person I know.
Amber Cummings - She wasn't in the first run of this post because I never see her, but despite being in a permanent state of serious confusion she's only ever been nice to me. With any luck I'll run into her occasionally in 2008. Doesn't seem to have happened much in late 2007.
Jimmy Nichols - Another late addition to the post, I added him because I finally decided on the right term. Jimmy is like some kind of geek Jesus. The man has the ability for cruelty because it's required in good DMing but he may be the flat-out nicest guy I've met this year. Like so many of my friends he has a neat taste in music and is a virtual encyclopedia on many things science fiction and fantasy. One of the things I missed out on in 2007 was gaming a lot with him, but I'm sure I can rectify that in 2008.
The Year in Music
I started the year with something like five gigabytes of music. That's about fifteen hundred songs. I'm finishing the year with more than sixty gigs. This has been a huge year for music and the year when I really got into indie rock. Which albums hit me the hardest? I'll embed videos when I can.
Top Five Albums of 2007
5. The Lashes - Get It
Key Song: "Sometimes the Sun"
This album is indicative of my changing crowd and my changing taste in music. It's happy indie pop played by a bunch of scenesters. None of my friends got into the album but I'm still happy when it comes up on party shuffle. I bought the album on the strength of one single, "Sometimes the Sun" and fell in love with the whole album. "Sometimes the Sun"
4. DragonForce - Inhuman Rampage
Key Song: "Through the Fire and Flames"
This album is the theme of Angus. That piece of shit had more adventures this year to the epic wailing of DragonForce than I care to remember and the album will always remind me of the aforementioned drive to Louisville and rolling out of UC with the windows down and the stereo blasting. The album also blew out three of the speakers in that car. It's the first thing I reach for when I'm asked to play something epic and reminds me that life is still fun in the end.
3. Streetlight Manifesto - Keasby Nights
Key Song: "Keasby Nights"
This album is the anthem for getting to know Nikki and seeing them live twice this year was everything I hoped it would be. Their angry commentary on life and horn-heavy brand of ska is fun to listen and dance to and makes for good driving music. This is the album that narrated the early chunk of 2007. Streetlight only made one video, though, so nothing to link you to here.
2. Ben Folds - Songs for Silverman
Key Song: "Landed"
While Ben Folds in general was one of the artists I played most this year, this is the album that I played year-round. It's the background to a lot of adventures and a lot of long contemplations about life. It also participated in one of the weirdest moments of the year. "Landed" came up in party shuffle soon after I got iTunes and Sarah IMed me with the lyrics almost in realtime. Coincidences like that shouldn't happen. "Landed"
1. The Format - Dog Problems
Key Song: "She Doesn't Get It"
I really started listening to this album this fall and heard it about daily when I was getting to know the NKU crowd. It's happy indie pop that never gets unrealistic and is written by a band who has experience with hardship and parties. The key song is "She Doesn't Get It" because it's typical of the album as a whole - ironic and happy but tempered by just a bit of melancholy.
Other notable artists:
Jimmy Eat World - Jimmy Eat World is notable for being the driving music of April and was playing on the way to Ann Arbor whenever XM wasn't.
The Pinstripes - I saw them live several times in 2007 and have some good memories from the Poison Room and Bogarts. "Uh, yeah... she vomited on my shirt."
All The Day Holiday - I got their album from Sarah a couple weeks ago and it quickly became a favorite. It's really mellow and calm. I'd love to see them live.
Fall Out Boy - I never thought I'd listen to them and me from last year would kick my ass if he found out, but I really like From Under the Cork Tree. It's strange and witty and has some well-thought-out song titles. Aside from that it's just high-energy pop-punk that's fun to listen to.
A Year of Firsts
I tried a lot of new shit in 2007 and have some interesting statistics. This is the rundown.
Times laid: 3
Grand Adventures: 3 (Utah, NYC, Ann Arbor)
Jobs: 3
Cars: 2
Crushes: 3 (0 pursued, as usual)
First flight
First real college party
First time blackout drunk
First cigarette (I used to hold a huge prejudice in favor of cigars.)
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my Year in Review. I know I still have half a month of 2007 but this is more about me being 19 than it being 2007 so midway between the two is a good starting point. I'm interested to see how it ends, though I think the year peaked at the end of November. Peace out, bitches, and have fun with life. I know I will.
----------------
Now playing: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Impression That I Get
via FoxyTunes
Writing a Damn Book
I've been putting in an hour or so a day on a huge year-end post. It's got everything from a review of the year to the people who influenced me to the obligatory segment on tunes. It'll be the longest post I've written with the possible exception of the short story I posted in August and it features an analysis of what 2007 was to me. Any of you planning anything similar?
----------------
Now playing: The Format - Time Bomb
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: The Format - Time Bomb
via FoxyTunes
Monday, December 17, 2007
Zoom!
I'm always going to smile when I get my car going fast enough to get it below normal operating temperature. The cooling system is too efficient and I'm driving too fast.
:D
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Now playing: Fall Out Boy - Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year
via FoxyTunes
:D
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Now playing: Fall Out Boy - Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, December 16, 2007
See "Loop, Endless."
Definition for "Endless Loop."
Just when I think I've made my escape, another one comes to get me. The title is only a passing reference to what's going on. I'm keeping it deliberately cryptic. If I'm short on empathy or seem confused for a couple days, I have a reason.
Dammit. I'm sure I'll eventually find a way to stop this silliness.
I've had "All My Friends" more or less on repeat through YouTube. The song is the mood for this post. It's sad without being mopey and mellow without being depressing.
"You spend the first five years trying to get with the plan and the next five years trying to be with your friends again."
Just when I think I've made my escape, another one comes to get me. The title is only a passing reference to what's going on. I'm keeping it deliberately cryptic. If I'm short on empathy or seem confused for a couple days, I have a reason.
Dammit. I'm sure I'll eventually find a way to stop this silliness.
I've had "All My Friends" more or less on repeat through YouTube. The song is the mood for this post. It's sad without being mopey and mellow without being depressing.
"You spend the first five years trying to get with the plan and the next five years trying to be with your friends again."
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The Party Never Stops
Recap of the last two or so days:
Woke up at 8 AM Thursday. Went to Meagan's party, chilled, got a little buzzed, chilled, drove to AJ Jolly, literally chilled, nodded off, returned home at 6 AM.
Slept half the day.
Hung out with Joseph and Brandon, went to a party, hung out, faced some awkward situation, had some cognac, hung out some more, talked politics with geeks, made some friends, went on an adventure with Dora and Julia, didn't die in the snow, returned home at 2 PM.
Slept some more.
My brain is pulp. Tonight it continues with some 40K at my place.
I might go into more detail on some of this later, but the weird-ass sleep schedule has ruined my brain.
----------------
Now playing: All The Day Holiday - Take a Moment (And See What You Can See)
via FoxyTunes
Woke up at 8 AM Thursday. Went to Meagan's party, chilled, got a little buzzed, chilled, drove to AJ Jolly, literally chilled, nodded off, returned home at 6 AM.
Slept half the day.
Hung out with Joseph and Brandon, went to a party, hung out, faced some awkward situation, had some cognac, hung out some more, talked politics with geeks, made some friends, went on an adventure with Dora and Julia, didn't die in the snow, returned home at 2 PM.
Slept some more.
My brain is pulp. Tonight it continues with some 40K at my place.
I might go into more detail on some of this later, but the weird-ass sleep schedule has ruined my brain.
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Now playing: All The Day Holiday - Take a Moment (And See What You Can See)
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Music Blog!
Installment two! First off, I saw this song on Jeph Jacque's music blog as his no. 1 song of 2K7. I've always been leery of LCD Soundsystem and while most of their stuff is highly annoying, this song really struck a chord. Just goes to show you that almost every band has a good song.
I also found out that Ben Lee, of The Bens, covered Against Me!'s New Wave. The whole album. While I prefer what I've heard from Against Me!, it isn't bad. You can find it here. If you scroll down you'll see a button where you can download the whole album free.
Went to the library today. Got "Strange and Beautiful" by Aqualung and "Odditorium or Warlords of Mars" by The Dandy Warhols. I think I'm gonna change my MySpace song to the title track from the Aqualung album.
If you look below, you'll see The Best Revenge. Any of you who have been to the Orange Cat with me should recognize it. Josh Elstro and an acoustic guitar sound good recorded and when you see him live he always has a good story to tell.
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Now playing: The Best Revenge - Assisted Living
via FoxyTunes
I also found out that Ben Lee, of The Bens, covered Against Me!'s New Wave. The whole album. While I prefer what I've heard from Against Me!, it isn't bad. You can find it here. If you scroll down you'll see a button where you can download the whole album free.
Went to the library today. Got "Strange and Beautiful" by Aqualung and "Odditorium or Warlords of Mars" by The Dandy Warhols. I think I'm gonna change my MySpace song to the title track from the Aqualung album.
If you look below, you'll see The Best Revenge. Any of you who have been to the Orange Cat with me should recognize it. Josh Elstro and an acoustic guitar sound good recorded and when you see him live he always has a good story to tell.
----------------
Now playing: The Best Revenge - Assisted Living
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
DOOM
This will be stuck in your head forever. Kaitlin linked me to it a while ago.
Also, I quit my job.
Speaking of catchy tunes...
Now playing: Basshunter - Boten Anna
via FoxyTunes
Also, I quit my job.
Speaking of catchy tunes...
Jag känner en bot, hon heter Anna, Anna heter hon----------------
Och hon kan banna, banna dig så hårt
Hon röjer upp i våran kanal
Jag vill berätta för dig, att jag känner en bot
Now playing: Basshunter - Boten Anna
via FoxyTunes
Done
Finished. That's it. I give up.
First thing tomorrow I'm calling Crown up and telling them I won't be working anymore. It's that or go in and start shooting people. I fucking hate this job. I hate the hours. I hate the metal detectors. I hate the no hats no hoodies no cell phones rules. I'm done. Fuck this shit. They can take their $9.25 an hour and shove it.
Gates really let me down when they stopped hiring from Manpower. I'd have done that for a month with a smile on my face.
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Now playing: The Format - If Work Permits
via FoxyTunes
First thing tomorrow I'm calling Crown up and telling them I won't be working anymore. It's that or go in and start shooting people. I fucking hate this job. I hate the hours. I hate the metal detectors. I hate the no hats no hoodies no cell phones rules. I'm done. Fuck this shit. They can take their $9.25 an hour and shove it.
Gates really let me down when they stopped hiring from Manpower. I'd have done that for a month with a smile on my face.
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Now playing: The Format - If Work Permits
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The World Rejoices
I checked Brandon's blog. Then I checked the weather to make sure. Then I walked outside. It's damn near 70. Holy fuck in a bucket! Woo-hoo!
Happy birthday to me, indeed!
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Now playing: Smoking Popes - Megan
via FoxyTunes
Happy birthday to me, indeed!
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Now playing: Smoking Popes - Megan
via FoxyTunes
Pair of Tens
Happy birthday me! I'm not a teenager for once.
I hate my life, and this is 100% due to my job. I think I'm gonna quit soon. I'll give it one more week, but I spend 10 hours a day watching the clock.
I got 26 texts from 14 people. About ten of them were from Julie. You guys are awesome. Made all the unhappiness of the shift melt away.
So, uh... I'm twenty. Yep. I guess this is one of those milestones. One of the birthdays where I look back and think about shit. I'm a quarter to a fifth done with life, and nothing is the same as it was just a few years back. Hell, nothing is the same as it was one year back. I've met so many and done so much it's a wonder my head isn't spinning. I don't know what happened, but you guys are like family, so thanks for being there. It's been a long two decades.
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Now playing: Streetlight Manifesto - One Foot On The Gas, One Foot In The Grave
via FoxyTunes
I hate my life, and this is 100% due to my job. I think I'm gonna quit soon. I'll give it one more week, but I spend 10 hours a day watching the clock.
I got 26 texts from 14 people. About ten of them were from Julie. You guys are awesome. Made all the unhappiness of the shift melt away.
So, uh... I'm twenty. Yep. I guess this is one of those milestones. One of the birthdays where I look back and think about shit. I'm a quarter to a fifth done with life, and nothing is the same as it was just a few years back. Hell, nothing is the same as it was one year back. I've met so many and done so much it's a wonder my head isn't spinning. I don't know what happened, but you guys are like family, so thanks for being there. It's been a long two decades.
----------------
Now playing: Streetlight Manifesto - One Foot On The Gas, One Foot In The Grave
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, December 09, 2007
The Rules
I work at a warehouse in Hebron on some sort of hybrid 2nd-3rd shift thing. This you know. What you don't know:
I'm not allowed to take my phone into the building. My breaks are at 9:00, 11:00, and 3:00. I'll usually run to the car to check my phone at lunch. I won't on the breaks because leaving the building involves a metal detector and procedures only slightly less strict than the average airport. Unless you have something important to say or an event to invite me to, don't text me while I'm at work. I don't appreciate going to my car to find six texts asking me what's going on. I'm at work. That's what's going on. Also, I get home at five and plan on sleeping until probably two. My phone will be on silent between the hours of five and two. I don't give a fuck if your mom fucked your dog and got AIDS and you want to tell me. I'm not picking up for shit.
Angry angry angry!
I'm not allowed to take my phone into the building. My breaks are at 9:00, 11:00, and 3:00. I'll usually run to the car to check my phone at lunch. I won't on the breaks because leaving the building involves a metal detector and procedures only slightly less strict than the average airport. Unless you have something important to say or an event to invite me to, don't text me while I'm at work. I don't appreciate going to my car to find six texts asking me what's going on. I'm at work. That's what's going on. Also, I get home at five and plan on sleeping until probably two. My phone will be on silent between the hours of five and two. I don't give a fuck if your mom fucked your dog and got AIDS and you want to tell me. I'm not picking up for shit.
Angry angry angry!
Friday, December 07, 2007
The Schedule
Got a job. I'm at yet another warehouse. My shift: Saturday-Tuesday 6:00 PM to 4:30 AM. I start tomorrow, which means I will miss my own shindig. The shindig is still on; I'll simply transfer host duties to whatever volunteers I get.
Just thought you'd like to know.
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Now playing: Jimmy Eat World - Work
via FoxyTunes
Just thought you'd like to know.
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Now playing: Jimmy Eat World - Work
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Jebus!
Busy-ass day tomorrow. My list of shit to do:
Job interview thing at 9:00 in Union.
Organic Chemistry final at 1:30 at UC.
Taking the truck to Taylor Mill to get wood after the exam.
Returning the wood, moving it to the back yard.
Going to the Mad Hatter to see We Are The Fury free.
Chilling with Jimmy after the concert.
Getting as much sleep as possible before the shindig thing at 4 on Saturday. Joe's cooking fried chicken.
My brain's gonna melt.
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Now playing: Basshunter - Utan Stjärnorna
via FoxyTunes
Job interview thing at 9:00 in Union.
Organic Chemistry final at 1:30 at UC.
Taking the truck to Taylor Mill to get wood after the exam.
Returning the wood, moving it to the back yard.
Going to the Mad Hatter to see We Are The Fury free.
Chilling with Jimmy after the concert.
Getting as much sleep as possible before the shindig thing at 4 on Saturday. Joe's cooking fried chicken.
My brain's gonna melt.
----------------
Now playing: Basshunter - Utan Stjärnorna
via FoxyTunes
Weekly (?) Music Blog
This'll usually just be a list of what I've picked up this week, but as a repository of music I should probably talk about it at least occasionally. This week's finds:
Color the Small One - Sia
Vapor Trails - Rush
Okonokos Double Live Album - My Morning Jacket
Classics - Ratatat
Wagonmaster - Porter Wagoner
The Execution of All Things - Rilo Kiley
Blind Melon - Blind Melon
Let's Get Out Of This Country - Camera Obscura
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Now playing: Ben Folds - Bitches Ain't Shit
via FoxyTunes
Color the Small One - Sia
Vapor Trails - Rush
Okonokos Double Live Album - My Morning Jacket
Classics - Ratatat
Wagonmaster - Porter Wagoner
The Execution of All Things - Rilo Kiley
Blind Melon - Blind Melon
Let's Get Out Of This Country - Camera Obscura
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Now playing: Ben Folds - Bitches Ain't Shit
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
The rain is malfunctioning.
I hate snow like Klansmen hate everyone who isn't in the klan. My thoughts about snow are similar to their thoughts about two gay Jewish black men getting married.
Let's lynch some snowflakes! If I get to work on global warming now maybe I can prevent winter next year.
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Now playing: Malajube - Montreal -40c
via FoxyTunes
Let's lynch some snowflakes! If I get to work on global warming now maybe I can prevent winter next year.
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Now playing: Malajube - Montreal -40c
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Holy Living Fuck!
GUYS! FREE CONCERT!
Jimmy told me about it. I'm going. The details: Friday, 8 PM, The Mad Hatter, We Are The Fury. Click on the band name to hear songs. Click on the venue name to see details. We should carpool! Did I mention that it was free?
Jimmy told me about it. I'm going. The details: Friday, 8 PM, The Mad Hatter, We Are The Fury. Click on the band name to hear songs. Click on the venue name to see details. We should carpool! Did I mention that it was free?
Disinterest Takes Hold
So apparently conversations are going down about how I haven't updated in several days. Don't believe me? Look at this. This is primarily because nothing of note has happened. I honestly didn't know you all gave a fuck when or if I updated.
You want the grubby details? I got some more music tonight. A few albums from Saalfield. Nothing remarkable. Went to Whitey's after chilling with Meagan, Sarah, Nikki, Chris, Shipp. This is the most action I've had since probably Friday, not counting a movie night with Alicia. I'll update frequently again when my life is less of a bore. I'm not bitching about it. If I get bored I just put up a semi-whiny away message and find a book or a meal. Meh. It'll pick up soon enough. I go to Manpower tomorrow and have an exam Friday. Monday is theoretically the start of my winter job.
Peace out, bitches. Below is maybe the best collaboration of all time.
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Now playing: David Bowie - Under Pressure (W/ Queen)
via FoxyTunes
You want the grubby details? I got some more music tonight. A few albums from Saalfield. Nothing remarkable. Went to Whitey's after chilling with Meagan, Sarah, Nikki, Chris, Shipp. This is the most action I've had since probably Friday, not counting a movie night with Alicia. I'll update frequently again when my life is less of a bore. I'm not bitching about it. If I get bored I just put up a semi-whiny away message and find a book or a meal. Meh. It'll pick up soon enough. I go to Manpower tomorrow and have an exam Friday. Monday is theoretically the start of my winter job.
Peace out, bitches. Below is maybe the best collaboration of all time.
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Now playing: David Bowie - Under Pressure (W/ Queen)
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, December 01, 2007
IDEA
Hey, you guys! My birthday is December 11. So is this show. It's All the Day Holiday at The Gypsy Hut. Best birthday present ever: Find out if it has an age restriction. Otherwise it's free. I would like nothing better than to drag some of you along with me. I know Sarah'd be interested in a free All the Day Holiday show but I don't know which of my other readers would.
Also, I have an exam Friday but other than that my week is empty. If you can think of anything - even something as simple as chilling sometime - let me know. I feel like I haven't been hanging out with you wonderful people as often as I should be.
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Now playing: The Killers - All These Things That I've Done
via FoxyTunes
Also, I have an exam Friday but other than that my week is empty. If you can think of anything - even something as simple as chilling sometime - let me know. I feel like I haven't been hanging out with you wonderful people as often as I should be.
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Now playing: The Killers - All These Things That I've Done
via FoxyTunes
Friday, November 30, 2007
I needs you, baby!
I always found that conversations go best when you say the most awkward bit first.
So, uh... 200 posts. Yeah!
Anyway, it's Friday. I need your help to ensure that I don't go to bed bored and at a reasonable hour. My only remaining exam is 1:30 next Friday, so fuck school. No excuses! What are we doing tonight, people?
UPDATE: I found Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters and The Hunt for the Red October at the library. We'll be watching one or the other whenever people show up.
Now playing: The Shins - So Says I
via FoxyTunes
So, uh... 200 posts. Yeah!
Anyway, it's Friday. I need your help to ensure that I don't go to bed bored and at a reasonable hour. My only remaining exam is 1:30 next Friday, so fuck school. No excuses! What are we doing tonight, people?
UPDATE: I found Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters and The Hunt for the Red October at the library. We'll be watching one or the other whenever people show up.
Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.----------------
- Malcolm X
Now playing: The Shins - So Says I
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Image
Warning: This post is shallow and out of character.
I think I've found my way into a bit of an image crisis. It started off with the realization that my hair has been the same for 16 years, but I've noticed that everything else is also old. The current look - hoodie and cargos with running shoes - is a style I settled into in ninth grade. It was customized to look a little more rugged when I got a beat-up car and some rusty chains. The Sentra was meant to be driven by a weird kid with a dull knife and a denim jacket. Other than that I've had no change. I think I want to adapt to my car again, though. It's shiny, black, and German. The black leather interior already influenced me some. The current shoes are black leather and I've kept my eyes open. I dunno. I think I'm gonna hunt down some slimmer cargo pants. I don't know if they fit with the style but I'm practical before fashionable and I like the pockets. I haven't worn non-cargoes since I worked at Remke except for a couple job interviews. I dunno. So far as adapting to the car goes, I think it'd work with a darker 1950's poet influence. Black suit jacket, dark sweater, slim cargo pants in gray or something. I'll try something out at the next shindig, I suppose. The other idea is the one I've been going for but not willing to pay for since this time two years ago. Think Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca: nice pants, button-down shirt, ankle-length trench coat, nice fedora. Maybe I'll mix the two. The Humphrey Bogart look is prohibitively expensive because of the trench coat, but whatever. Somebody's got to have one at a decent price. I'll figure something out, I'm sure. Damn identity crises. I blame the alt-kids I spend all my time with and the subconscious urge to adapt. :)
Side note: Check out this band.
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Now playing: New Atlantic - Wire & Stone
via FoxyTunes
I think I've found my way into a bit of an image crisis. It started off with the realization that my hair has been the same for 16 years, but I've noticed that everything else is also old. The current look - hoodie and cargos with running shoes - is a style I settled into in ninth grade. It was customized to look a little more rugged when I got a beat-up car and some rusty chains. The Sentra was meant to be driven by a weird kid with a dull knife and a denim jacket. Other than that I've had no change. I think I want to adapt to my car again, though. It's shiny, black, and German. The black leather interior already influenced me some. The current shoes are black leather and I've kept my eyes open. I dunno. I think I'm gonna hunt down some slimmer cargo pants. I don't know if they fit with the style but I'm practical before fashionable and I like the pockets. I haven't worn non-cargoes since I worked at Remke except for a couple job interviews. I dunno. So far as adapting to the car goes, I think it'd work with a darker 1950's poet influence. Black suit jacket, dark sweater, slim cargo pants in gray or something. I'll try something out at the next shindig, I suppose. The other idea is the one I've been going for but not willing to pay for since this time two years ago. Think Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca: nice pants, button-down shirt, ankle-length trench coat, nice fedora. Maybe I'll mix the two. The Humphrey Bogart look is prohibitively expensive because of the trench coat, but whatever. Somebody's got to have one at a decent price. I'll figure something out, I'm sure. Damn identity crises. I blame the alt-kids I spend all my time with and the subconscious urge to adapt. :)
Side note: Check out this band.
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Now playing: New Atlantic - Wire & Stone
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
WTFisms
Has everyone seen the new friend update thing on MySpace? How about the bands on Facebook? They get more alike every day.
I need a volunteer to poke a hole in my head so I can put another ring in. I've got the shit; all I need is somebody with better aim than me to install it.
I finished Asimov's "Foundation" yesterday. It was excellent. I therefore picked up the sequel from the library today. It's so far just as good.
Music: I loves me some eighties ska covers. This one is really good. Also, XM is playing a lot of My Morning Jacket recently. w00t!
The main story: I wasn't paying attention to the time and went into the room for organic chemistry an hour early today. When the wrong professor and classmates trickled in I stayed out of boredom and curiosity. Turns out it was an upper-level psychology or sociology course populated with juniors and seniors. It's strange, really - my easiest classes are harder than this and I actually find this stuff interesting. I found myself paying more attention in class than I have in months. Then again, I've always liked sociology as a hobby so it's no surprise that I'd be interested in something so mundane as definitions and examples of social deviance. That was the topic of today's lecture. Sadly enough, I spent the entirety of chemistry, a class vital to my major, reading "Foundation and Empire" or struggling to stay awake. Quote of the lecture: "Learning to be a criminal involves the same processes as learning to be a girl scout." - Dr. Lundgren
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Now playing: Less Than Jake - Surrender
via FoxyTunes
I need a volunteer to poke a hole in my head so I can put another ring in. I've got the shit; all I need is somebody with better aim than me to install it.
I finished Asimov's "Foundation" yesterday. It was excellent. I therefore picked up the sequel from the library today. It's so far just as good.
Music: I loves me some eighties ska covers. This one is really good. Also, XM is playing a lot of My Morning Jacket recently. w00t!
The main story: I wasn't paying attention to the time and went into the room for organic chemistry an hour early today. When the wrong professor and classmates trickled in I stayed out of boredom and curiosity. Turns out it was an upper-level psychology or sociology course populated with juniors and seniors. It's strange, really - my easiest classes are harder than this and I actually find this stuff interesting. I found myself paying more attention in class than I have in months. Then again, I've always liked sociology as a hobby so it's no surprise that I'd be interested in something so mundane as definitions and examples of social deviance. That was the topic of today's lecture. Sadly enough, I spent the entirety of chemistry, a class vital to my major, reading "Foundation and Empire" or struggling to stay awake. Quote of the lecture: "Learning to be a criminal involves the same processes as learning to be a girl scout." - Dr. Lundgren
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Now playing: Less Than Jake - Surrender
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Micro-Blog 33
I tried to modify Pidgin to display the artist and song I'm listening to in the available message. iChat does it automatically and since Pidgin is open-source I assumed it'd be easy enough to emulate. It went rather disturbingly like this. My final judgement is that trying to modify Pidgin to show your current song in the available message is a disastrously bad idea.
This comes after cleaning up a potato that had rotted to liquid on my bookshelf. The room still smells weird. It all goes to show that fixing something that isn't broken leads to putrid vegetables and 2 hours worth of media center repair. Jesus shit...
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Now playing: Jack's Mannequin - The Mixed Tape
via FoxyTunes
This comes after cleaning up a potato that had rotted to liquid on my bookshelf. The room still smells weird. It all goes to show that fixing something that isn't broken leads to putrid vegetables and 2 hours worth of media center repair. Jesus shit...
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Now playing: Jack's Mannequin - The Mixed Tape
via FoxyTunes
Monday, November 26, 2007
Going Anyway!
I'm saving gas by not going to Clifton tomorrow for school and generally driving as little as possible. It's the last Acoustic Brew of the quarter. I can spare the gas to stop at NKU on the way. If any of you guys want to join me, just let me know. With any luck it won't end as badly as the last two have.
Update: Never mind. No Acoustic Brew this week.
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Now playing: Colbie Caillat - Oxygen
via FoxyTunes
Update: Never mind. No Acoustic Brew this week.
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Now playing: Colbie Caillat - Oxygen
via FoxyTunes
Inspired by Kraut
Figured I'd post my own shiny addiction-list. Some are the same as his, but I've got a few others.
The Adventures of Dr. McNinja - Dr. McNinja has to balance his ninja killing instincts with his doctor healing instincts.
Turn Signals on a Land Raider - The (mis)adventures of this tank crew are 40K legend.
Questionable Content is a slice-of-life comic dealing with indie hipsters and their coffee shop. You already know this, though.
Toothpaste for Dinner is a comic by Drew. It gets pretty hairy at times. His wife has her own comic, Natalie Dee. The two collaborate on Married to the Sea.
Comet 7 - I can think of no good way to explain this. The lead characters include a tentacle, a water cooler, and some talking Chinese takeout.
xkcd - Warning: this comic occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors).
Looking for Group is Brian Sohmer's WoW-based comic. Richard alone makes the comic worth reading.
Lucid TV is a seriously fucked-up comic about doctors who seem to have no knowledge of the Hippocratic Oath.
Templar, Arizona is a strange alt-history comic set in the modern-day fictional city of Templar. It follows the exploits of a young journalist with a shady past.
Wapsi Square started off normal enough, but now features a small Aztec god, a supernatural being split into four girls, and a young woman who literally has to fight off her personal demons.
Gone with the Blastwave - a post-apocalyptic battle comic. The soldiers are almost entirely incompetent and succeed mostly in getting lucky and pulling insane stunts.
Inappropriate Irving - Awkward conversation is now an art form.
Least I Could Do is another comic by Brian Sohmer. It follows the exploits of an extremely attractive, extremely lucky, extremely promiscuous man with my sense of humor.
That's my daily addiction list. Check them out.
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Now playing: The Darkness - I Believe In A Thing Called Love
via FoxyTunes
The Adventures of Dr. McNinja - Dr. McNinja has to balance his ninja killing instincts with his doctor healing instincts.
Turn Signals on a Land Raider - The (mis)adventures of this tank crew are 40K legend.
Questionable Content is a slice-of-life comic dealing with indie hipsters and their coffee shop. You already know this, though.
Toothpaste for Dinner is a comic by Drew. It gets pretty hairy at times. His wife has her own comic, Natalie Dee. The two collaborate on Married to the Sea.
Comet 7 - I can think of no good way to explain this. The lead characters include a tentacle, a water cooler, and some talking Chinese takeout.
xkcd - Warning: this comic occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors).
Looking for Group is Brian Sohmer's WoW-based comic. Richard alone makes the comic worth reading.
Lucid TV is a seriously fucked-up comic about doctors who seem to have no knowledge of the Hippocratic Oath.
Templar, Arizona is a strange alt-history comic set in the modern-day fictional city of Templar. It follows the exploits of a young journalist with a shady past.
Wapsi Square started off normal enough, but now features a small Aztec god, a supernatural being split into four girls, and a young woman who literally has to fight off her personal demons.
Gone with the Blastwave - a post-apocalyptic battle comic. The soldiers are almost entirely incompetent and succeed mostly in getting lucky and pulling insane stunts.
Inappropriate Irving - Awkward conversation is now an art form.
Least I Could Do is another comic by Brian Sohmer. It follows the exploits of an extremely attractive, extremely lucky, extremely promiscuous man with my sense of humor.
That's my daily addiction list. Check them out.
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Now playing: The Darkness - I Believe In A Thing Called Love
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, November 25, 2007
BAD IDEA!
Big D and the Kids Table covered a song by The Specials. They then made about fifteen videos for the song, "Little Bitch," that differed only in setting. We need to recreate this. All we really need is a fuckton of beer. Who's with me?
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Now playing: Westbound Train - Soapbox (Featuring Alex Desert Of Hepcat)
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: Westbound Train - Soapbox (Featuring Alex Desert Of Hepcat)
via FoxyTunes
Broke
As of today, I've got $48.50 and a Volkswagen Jetta to my name. That's maybe a tank and a half of gas. I've got to make that stretch maybe three weeks. I'm therefore not driving anyplace more than a mile out of the way and not offering to pick anyone up. I'm not going to movies or going out to eat. I probably won't eat lunch at UC. This money is for gas and gas only. Otherwise I don't make it to school to finish out the quarter. This is gonna make for a boring two or three weeks and is actually why the crush died (See post below). I can't afford to spend money on me, much less anyone else. I'll let you know when I get a paycheck and can freely hang out with you guys.
That also means I'm not driving to Louisville. Sorry, guys. Nothing I can do about it now. Not until finals are over on December 7th. I don't want your money, I just figured I'd let you know I didn't have any to spend on you. Don't get offended when I won't do anything that involves spending money or gas.
After reading Nikki's comment:
I'm not gonna be short on food. I'll just take shit with me to microwave in the lounge. I also have a meal plan.
Haha. I guess I made my situation sound more dire than it was. All I'm saying is that I don't have money to spend on you. I don't want you guys spending it on me.
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Now playing: The Verve Pipe - The Freshmen
via FoxyTunes
That also means I'm not driving to Louisville. Sorry, guys. Nothing I can do about it now. Not until finals are over on December 7th. I don't want your money, I just figured I'd let you know I didn't have any to spend on you. Don't get offended when I won't do anything that involves spending money or gas.
After reading Nikki's comment:
I'm not gonna be short on food. I'll just take shit with me to microwave in the lounge. I also have a meal plan.
Haha. I guess I made my situation sound more dire than it was. All I'm saying is that I don't have money to spend on you. I don't want you guys spending it on me.
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Now playing: The Verve Pipe - The Freshmen
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Funny how that works...
You know that bit where you ignore it and it goes away? Works that way with crushes. I have entirely lost interest and am now crushless. Sweet. Yeah, I was doing a shit poor job of hiding it in the first place, but anyone who doesn't know can ask and I'll tell you who it was. [shrug] IM me or something. I'll probably always find it funny that I lose the damn thing a few hours before I have the opportunity.
Novemberfest is going spectacularly. Just thought you'd like to know.
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Now playing: The Bloodhound Gang - Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss
via FoxyTunes
Novemberfest is going spectacularly. Just thought you'd like to know.
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Now playing: The Bloodhound Gang - Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss
via FoxyTunes
Friday, November 23, 2007
Aftermath
It was an interesting holiday, I guess. Day started off normal. Alicia made it here long before any of my family. Turns out I have the Military channel. Fuckin' A, man, fuckin' a. Also, my old man gave me a beer. This is nothing special to you, but it's the first beer I've been offered by a family member so it was nice. Sam Adams Winter Lager. It's damn good motherfuckin' beer. Played some pool. I suck at pool.
Then I went to Bellevue to grab Meagan and her friend Andrea. We watched some movies at her dorm. Ate some ramen. Nikki flipped and stormed out, which is the cause for this side rant:
Nikki - you have no spine. None whatsoever. Storming out like that was dumb. Next time we do something like that please, for the love of your god, throw us the fuck out. You hate it when we bother you or infringe on your space or whatever and you don't do jack shit to make us stop. If you ever want to change people you have to find the initiative to confront them. Simple as that.
Then I drove Andrea and Meagan back to Bellevue, called Brandon to make sure he was awake, heard some funny ranting and such from him, and saw motherfuckin' snow. I hate snow! I believe Alicia is finally leaving Tim. Judging by an away message I saw today I'm asking nobody out tomorrow. Meh; sometimes when you wait you miss out. I'll have other chances.
This song is in 7/4. How sweet is that?
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Now playing: Sufjan Stevens - Dear Mr. Supercomputer
via FoxyTunes
Then I went to Bellevue to grab Meagan and her friend Andrea. We watched some movies at her dorm. Ate some ramen. Nikki flipped and stormed out, which is the cause for this side rant:
Nikki - you have no spine. None whatsoever. Storming out like that was dumb. Next time we do something like that please, for the love of your god, throw us the fuck out. You hate it when we bother you or infringe on your space or whatever and you don't do jack shit to make us stop. If you ever want to change people you have to find the initiative to confront them. Simple as that.
Then I drove Andrea and Meagan back to Bellevue, called Brandon to make sure he was awake, heard some funny ranting and such from him, and saw motherfuckin' snow. I hate snow! I believe Alicia is finally leaving Tim. Judging by an away message I saw today I'm asking nobody out tomorrow. Meh; sometimes when you wait you miss out. I'll have other chances.
This song is in 7/4. How sweet is that?
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Now playing: Sufjan Stevens - Dear Mr. Supercomputer
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Ah, fuck it!
I'm pissed and ranting. It's a reasonably interesting rant, I think, but not one I can easily type. If you'd like to hear said rant I'll gladly oblige. Just figured I'd point that out. I'm happy when I'm angry and angry when I'm ranting.
As of right now I'm not quite angry enough to rant and I will never, under any circumstances, rant via IM. My fingers et tired too quickly.
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Now playing: Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
via FoxyTunes
As of right now I'm not quite angry enough to rant and I will never, under any circumstances, rant via IM. My fingers et tired too quickly.
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Now playing: Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
via FoxyTunes
Ripped Apart
My current plan for today: Get off school, escape before traffic can kill me, call Brandon, call Stevo, drive Meagan to Best Buy, ice skate from 5:30 until whenever. It closes at 7:30, but I have to cut out early to make it to the next event, an ice cream party/movie night at Nikki's place, where I'll complain about the ice-inflicted bruises on my ass. Ask somebody out? If I run into her. Run into Plate at Nikki's and subsequently invite him to Sticky's party. I can't remember anything else. This is gonna be fuckin' intense. I'll be lucky if I'm not torn limb-from-bloody-limb by twelve people pulling in opposite directions. What the Fall Out Boy? Party Shuffle confuses Cameron! Hey, at least I've run into some boundless supply of sugar and adrenaline-fueled energy. I'm gonna need it.
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Now playing: Fall Out Boy - Dance, Dance
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: Fall Out Boy - Dance, Dance
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Closing the Book
I finished the last book in Meagan's Dangerous Angels collection. Block wrote one more installment but I've yet to hunt that down and it won't come in a format so saturated with old memories as that book. The final installment, "Baby Be-Bop," was the story of Dirk and Duck. It contained notably more magic than the other books and served primarily to deepen the characters involved. I guess I don't have much to say about it. The book was a nice escape from the current stress and I'd highly suggest you guys getting your saucy hands on it.
The next book: "Foundation" by Isaac Asimov!
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Now playing: Thin Lizzy - Romeo and the Lonely Girl
via FoxyTunes
The next book: "Foundation" by Isaac Asimov!
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Now playing: Thin Lizzy - Romeo and the Lonely Girl
via FoxyTunes
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sliding Back to Ska
I spent the longest time on a piano rock depressing shit binge and I don't know why. Anyway, I'm going back to ska. You can't be sad with ska. It only comes in two flavors: happy and happily angry. You guys get fair warning
In addition, I'm on a quest for punk. Any punk. Sex Pistols, Minor Threat, Social D, The Clash, X, Ramones, Fugazi, The Offspring... It's all fair game. Between Emily and Brandon's friends in Columbus I have access to more punk than you'd ever dream of. Ha. Brandon's friends in Columbus. I should say my friends in Columbus. It's been months since I've talked to some of the kids I grew up with.
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Now playing: Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Went Numb
via FoxyTunes
In addition, I'm on a quest for punk. Any punk. Sex Pistols, Minor Threat, Social D, The Clash, X, Ramones, Fugazi, The Offspring... It's all fair game. Between Emily and Brandon's friends in Columbus I have access to more punk than you'd ever dream of. Ha. Brandon's friends in Columbus. I should say my friends in Columbus. It's been months since I've talked to some of the kids I grew up with.
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Now playing: Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Went Numb
via FoxyTunes
Procrastination Raised to an Art
I always figured hope would go out with a bang, but as I sit here in the lounge I find that hope is sneaky. It's cowardly. It sneaks out the back and tries to cross the border before it's missed. I think I'm gonna let it go.
I've not accomplished one of my academic goals since I sent my application to UC. My GPA is shot, I'm out of honors, my scholarships left with the good grades... I'm not even certain I'm going to coop in spring. The one thing I've been waiting to do for two long years is likely outside my grasp. I talked to advisers and they give me nothing I can use. Here's how it stands: I've dropped calculus because I was going to fail it. I might fail organic chemistry. I probably will fail thermodynamics. I'll probably scrape by in biology. I think I can pull a B or perhaps a C in organic lab. After this quarter I'll damn near certainly be called on by the academic standards committee. They'll give me two quarters to pull my grades up before they dismiss me, but I think it's a waste. I've got the will to control my emotions but I can't make myself do homework to save my life.
No, really. If you held a gun to my head and told me to do my calculus homework, I'd lay back and hope it was pretty when you painted the wall with my brains. I can't stand this shit. It's not surprising, though. I have no great passion in life. I picked engineering because it looked cool. I chose materials on a whim. Even if I wanted to change majors I doubt I'd do better because I fail classes I don't care for. Every one of my classes is a waste of my time now because I don't give a damn and I can't make myself do the work. Unfortunately, nobody offers a degree in "look up random shit," "go to concerts," or "road trips and shindigs."
If you asked around Beechwood two years ago nobody would have picked me as likely to flunk out of college. Funny how things change. What ever happened to the days when a man could make a living by traveling the country and picking up a few days of work when he could? I've got the aspirations of a hobo and none of the opportunities.
I've not accomplished one of my academic goals since I sent my application to UC. My GPA is shot, I'm out of honors, my scholarships left with the good grades... I'm not even certain I'm going to coop in spring. The one thing I've been waiting to do for two long years is likely outside my grasp. I talked to advisers and they give me nothing I can use. Here's how it stands: I've dropped calculus because I was going to fail it. I might fail organic chemistry. I probably will fail thermodynamics. I'll probably scrape by in biology. I think I can pull a B or perhaps a C in organic lab. After this quarter I'll damn near certainly be called on by the academic standards committee. They'll give me two quarters to pull my grades up before they dismiss me, but I think it's a waste. I've got the will to control my emotions but I can't make myself do homework to save my life.
No, really. If you held a gun to my head and told me to do my calculus homework, I'd lay back and hope it was pretty when you painted the wall with my brains. I can't stand this shit. It's not surprising, though. I have no great passion in life. I picked engineering because it looked cool. I chose materials on a whim. Even if I wanted to change majors I doubt I'd do better because I fail classes I don't care for. Every one of my classes is a waste of my time now because I don't give a damn and I can't make myself do the work. Unfortunately, nobody offers a degree in "look up random shit," "go to concerts," or "road trips and shindigs."
If you asked around Beechwood two years ago nobody would have picked me as likely to flunk out of college. Funny how things change. What ever happened to the days when a man could make a living by traveling the country and picking up a few days of work when he could? I've got the aspirations of a hobo and none of the opportunities.
Road Rage!
I don't know how, but Meagan is a natural driver. She was in the Jetta two minutes before she had it figured out. We cruised around lot P for twenty minutes or so and then hung out and watched some TV. Real interesting shit.
It seems that Stevo's party being on a Monday is excluding half of the guests. I can go and Meagan can go because neither of us have class on Tuesday but Sarah's probably out and Nikki is definitely out. If I don't have the cash to waste gas like that I'm out as well.
This is my favorite Spoon song.
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Now playing: Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
via FoxyTunes
It seems that Stevo's party being on a Monday is excluding half of the guests. I can go and Meagan can go because neither of us have class on Tuesday but Sarah's probably out and Nikki is definitely out. If I don't have the cash to waste gas like that I'm out as well.
This is my favorite Spoon song.
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Now playing: Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Another Mundane Update
BOA went really well, I think. Three minivans and a sedan made the trip up and my shiny black ride contained only myself, Alicia, and Kaitlin. Three hours of wandering around the Circle Center were uneventful. My pen leaked nigh continuously. LD Bell won the show.
On the way back we stopped in the middle of nowhere and stared at the stars. The sky was perfectly clear. We thought we saw Comet Holmes but it was hidden by trees. I found that out when I got home and looked northwest. It's bright as hell even in the city. Can't miss it.
My passengers had a few firsts on the way. Alicia had never seen fireworks inside the RCA Dome and Kaitlin had never seen the stars hanging in a country sky. Upon returning, we stopped at the Anchor, where Alicia complained about how tired I was and that I could kill us driving like that. I don't mind the complaining. I also didn't kill us.
And now we have a new day. My list of shit that needs done: Get a pie recipe to Alicia, contact Meagan and hand out the first driving lesson, work on biology and/or some lab reports, and finally begin planning the Thanksgiving bash in earnest.
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Now playing: Streetlight Manifesto - Failing, Flailing
via FoxyTunes
On the way back we stopped in the middle of nowhere and stared at the stars. The sky was perfectly clear. We thought we saw Comet Holmes but it was hidden by trees. I found that out when I got home and looked northwest. It's bright as hell even in the city. Can't miss it.
My passengers had a few firsts on the way. Alicia had never seen fireworks inside the RCA Dome and Kaitlin had never seen the stars hanging in a country sky. Upon returning, we stopped at the Anchor, where Alicia complained about how tired I was and that I could kill us driving like that. I don't mind the complaining. I also didn't kill us.
And now we have a new day. My list of shit that needs done: Get a pie recipe to Alicia, contact Meagan and hand out the first driving lesson, work on biology and/or some lab reports, and finally begin planning the Thanksgiving bash in earnest.
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Now playing: Streetlight Manifesto - Failing, Flailing
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Micro-Blog 32
Reality is a crutch for people who can't cope with drugs.The stars and comet were completely hidden by clouds. What kind of weaksauce is that?
-Lily Tomlin
Whatever. I think the plan is once again to be as blunt and simple as physically possible. What the fuck is eloquence anyway?
BOA tomorrow. WOO! Short, cryptic blog posts. WOO!
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Now playing: Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
via FoxyTunes
Friday, November 16, 2007
Micro-Blog 31
I was really incredibly depressed just an hour ago. I think I'm flunking out of my major and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm a coward and can't act on a crush. I am running out of time and money and patience.
Yet, somehow, I can always find the good in life. I sat on the couch in a pit of despair and realized that this is it. The worst part is over. I go to lab today to scan a sample and then it's a movie with Alicia and a trip to AJ Jolly to glare at the comet. Somehow it doesn't matter how unhappy I am - I see the stars and everything melts. It's just me and the universe. While I'm there I think I'll finally get around to asking the question you've all been waiting for. Plus, tomorrow is BOA. Fuck the bad times. I'm gonna be happy if it kills me!
I can never stay depressed for long. Something is terribly right with me.
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Now playing: Meat Loaf - You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)
via FoxyTunes
Yet, somehow, I can always find the good in life. I sat on the couch in a pit of despair and realized that this is it. The worst part is over. I go to lab today to scan a sample and then it's a movie with Alicia and a trip to AJ Jolly to glare at the comet. Somehow it doesn't matter how unhappy I am - I see the stars and everything melts. It's just me and the universe. While I'm there I think I'll finally get around to asking the question you've all been waiting for. Plus, tomorrow is BOA. Fuck the bad times. I'm gonna be happy if it kills me!
I can never stay depressed for long. Something is terribly right with me.
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Now playing: Meat Loaf - You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)
via FoxyTunes
Missing Angel Juan
You know a book is good when someone lends it to you and you can see them in every page. Missing Angel Juan is so far the book with the most feeling. I've read a few books where I don't so much read as live and it's always really unique when I do. This post is incredibly short, yes, but I don't know that I can really describe it. For once it's less thought than impression. I'm more at peace now than I thought I could be.
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Now playing: The Pinstripes - 50 Cardinal
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: The Pinstripes - 50 Cardinal
via FoxyTunes
Micro-Blog 30
I think I've completely stopped paying attention in class because I honestly don't understand a word any of my professors are saying. I am so far behind I may never catch up. I am growing steadily more certain that it may be time to find a new major. I am plainly not good enough for this one. I guess I'll just have to see if this quarter kills me. I've already had to drop one class. I'm doing badly in the rest. I'm presently staring at the blank page that is my thermodynamics homework. I don't know how to do a single problem.
I am so incredibly fucked I don't know what to do with myself. Welcome to intellectual suicide. Switching majors after more than a year feels too much like copping out. Maybe I can move to Clifton and get in-state tuition here for something other than engineering. Our teacher's college is outstanding and I may find myself teaching high school history or science or something. "But it's not the fall that hurts; it's when you hit the ground."
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Now playing: The Caesars - It's Not The Fall That Hurts
via FoxyTunes
I am so incredibly fucked I don't know what to do with myself. Welcome to intellectual suicide. Switching majors after more than a year feels too much like copping out. Maybe I can move to Clifton and get in-state tuition here for something other than engineering. Our teacher's college is outstanding and I may find myself teaching high school history or science or something. "But it's not the fall that hurts; it's when you hit the ground."
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Now playing: The Caesars - It's Not The Fall That Hurts
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Life Gets Interesting
I really need to get my hard drive to Norse Hall sometime. Meagan and Nikki keep mentioning stuff they want and I almost always have it. I've a few things to steal from Sarah while I'm at it.
I'm making a list of movies for future movie nights. Right now: Bicentennial Man and Pink Floyd The Wall. I'd also like to watch Dazed and Confused again.
I'm gonna teach Meagan to drive. Wish us luck.
Details on Steve's next party: Monday, December 3rd, at the Tunderdome. The theme is twofold: It's a St. Patrick's lingerie party. Wear very little or at least wear green. Bring Irish beer or whisky or, failing that, any thick, dark beer or any whisky. "You're allowed to hit women with sticks but if you do you have to produce a child, since that's how we Micks do things."
As usual, I get bored and request that you guys comment on my most recent MySpace blog post. It's called "Stolen from Meagan!" and has comments from Nikki, me, Kaitlin, and Meagan so far.
Short update. Whatever whatever. It's mundane and you don't really care anyway. :)
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Now playing: Tally Hall - Taken for a Ride
via FoxyTunes
I'm making a list of movies for future movie nights. Right now: Bicentennial Man and Pink Floyd The Wall. I'd also like to watch Dazed and Confused again.
I'm gonna teach Meagan to drive. Wish us luck.
Details on Steve's next party: Monday, December 3rd, at the Tunderdome. The theme is twofold: It's a St. Patrick's lingerie party. Wear very little or at least wear green. Bring Irish beer or whisky or, failing that, any thick, dark beer or any whisky. "You're allowed to hit women with sticks but if you do you have to produce a child, since that's how we Micks do things."
As usual, I get bored and request that you guys comment on my most recent MySpace blog post. It's called "Stolen from Meagan!" and has comments from Nikki, me, Kaitlin, and Meagan so far.
Short update. Whatever whatever. It's mundane and you don't really care anyway. :)
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Now playing: Tally Hall - Taken for a Ride
via FoxyTunes
Unbound
I finished the third book in the series surprisingly quickly. First, though, a quote I liked.
Each book in the series is dedicated to a character. Weetzie Bat in the first, Witch Baby Wigg Bat in the second, Cherokee Bat in the third... Cherokee is the daughter of Weetzie and goes through her own interesting aging process here. I'm reminded of people and events as I read through it and the poetic language holds through, bringing life to the maddening spiral through drugs and sex and violence that mar the rise of the kids' band, Goat Guys. No major quotes or arching points in this one, but it shows the darker side of all the kids and advances each character in ways I've yet to fully grasp.
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Now playing: Young Love - Find A New Way
via FoxyTunes
Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way.The binding is still cracked and falling apart. I think I may take a day off from reading it tomorrow to better repair the old tome.
American Proverb
Each book in the series is dedicated to a character. Weetzie Bat in the first, Witch Baby Wigg Bat in the second, Cherokee Bat in the third... Cherokee is the daughter of Weetzie and goes through her own interesting aging process here. I'm reminded of people and events as I read through it and the poetic language holds through, bringing life to the maddening spiral through drugs and sex and violence that mar the rise of the kids' band, Goat Guys. No major quotes or arching points in this one, but it shows the darker side of all the kids and advances each character in ways I've yet to fully grasp.
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Now playing: Young Love - Find A New Way
via FoxyTunes
The Second Installment
I think I'm gonna leave a post about each book of the Weetzie Bat series. It's a departure from everything I'm known to read and it has a certain magic to it. This one paragraph, though, really stands out:
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Now playing: U2 - Sweetest Thing
via FoxyTunes
"...black sheeps express everyone else's anger and pain. It's not that they have all the anger and pain - they're just the only ones who let it out. Then the other people don't have to. But you face things, Witch Baby. And you help us face things. We can learn from you. I can't stand it when someone I love is sad, so I try to take it away without just letting it be. I get so caught up in being good and sweet and taking care of everyone that sometimes I don't admit when people are really in pain." Weetzie took off her pink sunglasses. "But I think you can help me learn to not be afraid, my black lamb baby witch."That one paragraph sums up the second book and really is a synopsis of what Witch Baby spent the whole book learning for herself. If I get my hands on a copy I'm totally pushing this on you guys. Meagan's copy is falling apart but I think you guys would like this, so I'm on a slow quest for something in better shape and tied to fewer memories. Then it can be shared at will.
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Now playing: U2 - Sweetest Thing
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Tuesday Night Cheesefest
I randomly grabbed my Meat Loaf album in the car today and I really like how cheesy it can be. I mean, this shit is the consummate rock opera. Some of the lyrics are fucking sweet, too.
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Now playing: Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
via FoxyTunes
And I know that I'm damned if I never get out,I mean, you can't argue with that. It's so happy and idealistic and yet it has all the rock hooks and explosive solos you'd expect from the late seventies. Meat Loaf is best known for his part in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, but I think his actual music earns some merit. It puts you in a good mood, too. It's a bunch of corny hard rock love songs, the shortest of which is 4:21. And the cheesiest, most poetic line on the album:
And maybe I'm damned if I do,
But with every other beat I've got left in my heart,
You know I'd rather be damned with you.
If I gotta be damned you know I wanna be damned,
dancing through the night with you.
This is such a departure from my normal shit but I don't give a fuck. It's fun stuff.
I poured it on and I poured it out
I tried to show you just how much I care
I'm tired of words and I'm too hoarse to shout
But you've been cold to me so long
I'm crying icicles instead of tears
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Now playing: Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
via FoxyTunes
Monday, November 12, 2007
Tomorrow comes too fast!
And I'm gonna fail the living shit out of my organic chemistry exam tomorrow. I'm in a bad way, kids, and I don't know precisely how to fix it. Maybe something magical will happen tomorrow, though. When in doubt hope for magic.
Other people seem to be doing okay. Maybe. Or not. We're all fucked as a group, though.
Also, go read the post called "QUESTION!" and leave me some serious comments. I'm bored with this shit. :)
HOPE FOR MAGIC!
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Now playing: Jack's Mannequin - Miss Delaney
via FoxyTunes
Other people seem to be doing okay. Maybe. Or not. We're all fucked as a group, though.
Also, go read the post called "QUESTION!" and leave me some serious comments. I'm bored with this shit. :)
HOPE FOR MAGIC!
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Now playing: Jack's Mannequin - Miss Delaney
via FoxyTunes
Casting Call!
Kaitlin needs volunteers. Hows about some of you lovely people join her in making a movie?
What's the worst that could happen?
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Now playing: Wilco - On And On And On
via FoxyTunes
What's the worst that could happen?
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Now playing: Wilco - On And On And On
via FoxyTunes
... But will I get to homework?
I took today off. I'm out of school for Veteran's Day and I so far have washed some hoodies, had a shower, and done, well, nothing else productive. All I've had to eat or drink today is a screwdriver with five shots of vodka and ten shots of orange juice. I'm working on a vodka and coke with four shots instead of the two it's supposed to have. I really needed a drink and I'll hopefully feel so much better tomorrow. I'm fairly well buzzed as of this writing and I intend to stay that way until 3 or so when I start my homework. Sometimes you just need a day off, I guess. Hell if I know. I certainly did. Also, I really like this CD. The album is "Everything In Transit" and the artist is below. If you don't have it already ask me for it.
And maybe, as an afterthought, I'll finally do something about the only thing that really bothers me... Even alcohol can't provide the courage. :)
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Now playing: Jack's Mannequin - I'm Ready
via FoxyTunes
And maybe, as an afterthought, I'll finally do something about the only thing that really bothers me... Even alcohol can't provide the courage. :)
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Now playing: Jack's Mannequin - I'm Ready
via FoxyTunes
I'm doing just fine.
For once... It's been a long time since I've felt nothing. So little stress. I'm just pleasantly content. Meagan is doing really well and I think she'll be fine soon enough. The trip to Jackson Center was wonderful. I'm not tired despite it being 3:30. Content is a good word for it. Maybe it'll stay that way.
The only concern is where I'm going with this stupid crush thing I have. I'm too socially inept to do anything about it and I have no idea what I'm going for but like all the rest I can always choose to ignore it and it'll go away. Maybe something interesting will happen. I dunno. I'm too much of a slacker or pussy or both to force it.
Read the below post. Comment it. Thanks. I chunked these into separate posts because I wanted the comments separate.
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Now playing: Ben Folds - You To Thank
via FoxyTunes
The only concern is where I'm going with this stupid crush thing I have. I'm too socially inept to do anything about it and I have no idea what I'm going for but like all the rest I can always choose to ignore it and it'll go away. Maybe something interesting will happen. I dunno. I'm too much of a slacker or pussy or both to force it.
Read the below post. Comment it. Thanks. I chunked these into separate posts because I wanted the comments separate.
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Now playing: Ben Folds - You To Thank
via FoxyTunes
QUESTION!
Hey, my hair's been exactly the same for sixteen years. What should I do with it? Extra short, grow it out, color it, leave it the same? I don't know. I'd like you cats to help me out with this one.
I forgot to mention that I'm lazy. Anything that involves doing significantly more than just washing it every day is out. Also, no weird colors. I have to look presentable for job interviews or at the very least have the ability to look presentable.
What that means for me: No blatantly unnatural colors, for starters. Nothing expensive to maintain both in terms of time and money. You also have to take into account the tendency of my hair to form mullets. It grows quickly, making super-short hard and the back grows faster than the rest, making mullets inevitable if I don't semi-regularly trim the back until it's long enough. I'm just bored with the same shaggy cut I've always had. Keeping the sideburns is also somewhat important.
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Now playing: The Strokes - Someday
via FoxyTunes
I forgot to mention that I'm lazy. Anything that involves doing significantly more than just washing it every day is out. Also, no weird colors. I have to look presentable for job interviews or at the very least have the ability to look presentable.
What that means for me: No blatantly unnatural colors, for starters. Nothing expensive to maintain both in terms of time and money. You also have to take into account the tendency of my hair to form mullets. It grows quickly, making super-short hard and the back grows faster than the rest, making mullets inevitable if I don't semi-regularly trim the back until it's long enough. I'm just bored with the same shaggy cut I've always had. Keeping the sideburns is also somewhat important.
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Now playing: The Strokes - Someday
via FoxyTunes
Friday, November 09, 2007
On the bright side...
At least my mom is blaming my failing grades on the friends from Bellevue.
"That is exactly the environment we spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to move you out of and you've migrated back to exactly the same people."
What ever happened to personal responsibility? My friends aren't to blame. I did this shit to myself. I can't stand it when people misplace blame and I really don't like it when I fuck up and somebody tries to blame anyone but me.
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Now playing: Wilco - Hate It Here
via FoxyTunes
"That is exactly the environment we spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to move you out of and you've migrated back to exactly the same people."
What ever happened to personal responsibility? My friends aren't to blame. I did this shit to myself. I can't stand it when people misplace blame and I really don't like it when I fuck up and somebody tries to blame anyone but me.
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Now playing: Wilco - Hate It Here
via FoxyTunes
It Never Gets Any Easier
Yesterday was a travesty. Today I looked at blackboard and saw the grade I got on the second midterm. I just got an 8 out of 60 on my second calculus midterm. That makes my total grade 24/120. Looks like I'm going to have to talk to the professor. Ask her if it's physically possible to pass. If not I've got to drop the class. Then I get to talk to Dr. Roseman, my adviser, to see if my education can be saved. If I lose a quarter to this and coop gets pushed back I don't know that I can make it. I can't work with 18 credit hours every quarter and I don't have the money to keep going. I needed this coop.
This is it. For the first time I honestly think I can't scrape by and that I'm on a one-way road to failing out of engineering. I guess it's time to start seriously thinking about what else I could major in. My mind seems to be at NKU anyway. UC is just a good dream that's quickly going to shit. I've been faking happy for too long and I'll be taking bets on how long I can keep it up...
And the fun part is that the two people I'm most likely to talk to are right here with me, losing their minds and watching the future die.
UPDATE: I have, in fact, failed that class. I'm withdrawing ASAP so it doesn't harm my GPA any more than it has already. Honestly, I feel better. Knowing I've failed is so much better than believing it but still having hope.
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Now playing: Camera Obscura - The Last Song
via FoxyTunes
This is it. For the first time I honestly think I can't scrape by and that I'm on a one-way road to failing out of engineering. I guess it's time to start seriously thinking about what else I could major in. My mind seems to be at NKU anyway. UC is just a good dream that's quickly going to shit. I've been faking happy for too long and I'll be taking bets on how long I can keep it up...
And the fun part is that the two people I'm most likely to talk to are right here with me, losing their minds and watching the future die.
UPDATE: I have, in fact, failed that class. I'm withdrawing ASAP so it doesn't harm my GPA any more than it has already. Honestly, I feel better. Knowing I've failed is so much better than believing it but still having hope.
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Now playing: Camera Obscura - The Last Song
via FoxyTunes
Son of a bitch!
I never could get the hang of Thursdays. Now I outright hate them. Little by little they're stealing my mind and this one was the strangest yet. Before you ask,
-I don't know if I'm okay or if I ever really was.
-I don't want to talk about it if you weren't involved.
That is all.
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Now playing: Less Than Jake - Surrender
via FoxyTunes
-I don't know if I'm okay or if I ever really was.
-I don't want to talk about it if you weren't involved.
That is all.
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Now playing: Less Than Jake - Surrender
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Two Quotes and a Book
"It is often said, mainly by the 'no-contests', that although there is no positive evidence for the existence of God, nor is there evidence against his existence. So it is best to keep an open mind and be agnostic. At first sight that seems an unassailable position, at least in the weak sense of Pascal's wager. But on second thoughts it seems a cop-out, because the same could be said of Father Christmas and tooth fairies. There may be fairies at the bottom of the garden. There is no evidence for it, but you can't prove that there aren't any, so shouldn't we be agnostic with respect to fairies?" - Richard Dawkins
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Oscar Wilde
I read the first book of the Weetzie Bat series yesterday. The book itself is interesting. The spine is cracked and the cover wrinkled and warped and it carries a distinct scent that is pre-nicotine addicted Meagan. It's obviously been close to her for a long time. The stains on the pages are stories in themselves, each one left by a younger Meagan or a friend she lent the book to. The damn thing is soaked through with memories.
After the first book I can see the effect it had on her, too. The writing is strangely poetic but still entirely prose. The setting is really interesting, too. It's a world seemingly without prejudice and everything from mixed-race couples to homosexuality to drug use are perfectly accepted and understood. It's interesting. I don't know what else I can say without exposing details of the plot, so I'll stop now, but this is the sort of book that can be used as an escape. It's a world not without problems but where problems are accepted and dealt with rationally despite the occasional appearance of serious strife and some magic. I like it.
Also, I was wrong when I said "Brick" by Ben Folds Five was the saddest song in my collection. One of the theme mix CDs contains "Agnus Dei" by Samuel Barber.
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Now playing: Lucky Soul - Add Your Light To Mine, Baby
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Media Extravaganza!
Christianity:Okay, aside from the two movies below I'm on another sort of quest. I've been after several artists for quite a while, so if you have any of them (The Dandy Warhols, Ween, others) I'd like them. I found all my old soundtrack CDs. It's a set of four mix CDs with themes I liked from various video games and movies. I haven't seen them in a couple years and they bring back some powerful memories. The third mix, which contains four or five songs from "A Beautiful Mind," was the real find.
The belief that some cosmic Jewish zombie can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree.
Makes perfect sense.
So far as books go I picked up Asimov's "Foundation" from the library today, which I plan on reading right after "Dangerous Angels" and right before "Fulgrim." If you've got suggestions other than the Foundation series I'd love to hear them.
A note on books - I think I get a different flavor from every friend. While I have a preference for classic science fiction and count Asimov, Heinlein, and Adams among my favorite authors, I also enjoy what they have to provide. Brandon is my source of books published by the Black Library. Emily is responsible for my love of Transmetropolitan, Preacher, and any other graphic novels I may enjoy. She also gets me addicted to webcomics. Meagan handed me the Weetzie Bat series and by how she was talking about it I know it'll be good. So you guys choose a flavor for yourselves and push books on me!
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Now playing: Badly Drawn Boy - Promises
via FoxyTunes
Brass and Ivory
Hey, I'm hunting down two movies from the library when I can get my hands on them. They're both scored by James Horner and the soundtracks are notable for arcing coral parts, excited piano bits, and carefully layered brass. I really like what he did for these two films. They are "Bicentennial Man" starring Robin Williams and directed by Chris Columbus and "A Beautiful Mind" starring Russel Crowe and directed by Ron Howard. I tell you this for two reasons: The first is that when I get them I'd like to know if you want in on the viewing.
The other is more related to posts like this in general. I know who most of my readers are, but I can't pinpoint all of them and I don't know who of the originals still keeps up with this thing. If you wouldn't mind terribly I'd like you to comment on whether you'd like to see either of the above and roughly how well you keep up with this crazy thing.
Thanks.
Sidenote: Acoustic Brew tomorrow. Let me know if you're in.
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Now playing: Ben kweller - Wasted and Ready
via FoxyTunes
The other is more related to posts like this in general. I know who most of my readers are, but I can't pinpoint all of them and I don't know who of the originals still keeps up with this thing. If you wouldn't mind terribly I'd like you to comment on whether you'd like to see either of the above and roughly how well you keep up with this crazy thing.
Thanks.
Sidenote: Acoustic Brew tomorrow. Let me know if you're in.
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Now playing: Ben kweller - Wasted and Ready
via FoxyTunes
Strange Relevance
These two quotes seem to fit the current state of things. I'll probably bitch about the state of things later if I'm feeling it.
Now playing: The Strokes - Automatic Stop
via FoxyTunes
Sometimes the appropriate response to reality is to go insane.
Philip K. Dick
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.----------------
Robert Frost
Now playing: The Strokes - Automatic Stop
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Wheeee!
When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not.Just thought that was funny.
Mark Twain
I have no clue why but I'm swinging like a bored kid in a playground. Whatever. As long as I swing back up I'm dandy.
Finally got the fucking pen working with no leaks. I only cut a few new notches in my fingers while I was doing it. Fucking hobby knife. :)
Got this random Indie playlist from Sarah. It's fucking sweet. I've been listening for two hours and I've yet to hear something I didn't like. I loves me some Get Him Eat Him.
I know there was more to this post but I can't for the life of me remember what I wanted to write.
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Now playing: Get Him Eat Him - 2x2
via FoxyTunes
Still Growing Up
The concert went well.
Lately I've discovered that I'm getting strangely close to my friends. I'm actually important to people and I find that people are important to me and I don't know I've ever really felt that way before. I mean, it isn't anything weird or creepy but I made a joke about how I might fall asleep in the car and die on the way home so mid-drive I got a text from Meagan asking me to let her know when I got home safe. I can't remember the last time someone's sent a message like that. Just something simple to make sure I got home regardless of the fact that nothing could have gone wrong. I dunno.
Maybe I've just never really felt like I had a role to play. Now I'm seeing little signs that I matter and I finally feel like I belong. Kinda sappy and stupid but whatever.
This song fits the moment. Maybe not literally; it's about his son. As cheesy as it sounds, what fits is the theme that we're all still growing and the fight's not over but we're gonna turn out okay and better off for having fought together.
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Now playing: Ben Folds - Still Fighting It
via FoxyTunes
Lately I've discovered that I'm getting strangely close to my friends. I'm actually important to people and I find that people are important to me and I don't know I've ever really felt that way before. I mean, it isn't anything weird or creepy but I made a joke about how I might fall asleep in the car and die on the way home so mid-drive I got a text from Meagan asking me to let her know when I got home safe. I can't remember the last time someone's sent a message like that. Just something simple to make sure I got home regardless of the fact that nothing could have gone wrong. I dunno.
Maybe I've just never really felt like I had a role to play. Now I'm seeing little signs that I matter and I finally feel like I belong. Kinda sappy and stupid but whatever.
This song fits the moment. Maybe not literally; it's about his son. As cheesy as it sounds, what fits is the theme that we're all still growing and the fight's not over but we're gonna turn out okay and better off for having fought together.
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Now playing: Ben Folds - Still Fighting It
via FoxyTunes
Monday, November 05, 2007
Oh fuck no!
So here's the deal:
I'm in school next quarter. I will definitely not be cooping because I'm doing that spring quarter. I have five classes, all of which have only one section I can take and most of which have only one section period. Today was the first day I could register for classes. Every one of my classes is full. I can't get into a single class and I can't modify the schedule at all because it only fits one way. I'm gonna hunt down some advisers and see what can be done. Wish me luck.
Also, Stone Sour is a band I didn't know I liked. Now I know, I guess.
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Now playing: Stone Sour - Your God
via FoxyTunes
I'm in school next quarter. I will definitely not be cooping because I'm doing that spring quarter. I have five classes, all of which have only one section I can take and most of which have only one section period. Today was the first day I could register for classes. Every one of my classes is full. I can't get into a single class and I can't modify the schedule at all because it only fits one way. I'm gonna hunt down some advisers and see what can be done. Wish me luck.
Also, Stone Sour is a band I didn't know I liked. Now I know, I guess.
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Now playing: Stone Sour - Your God
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Under the Stars
Randomly went to A.J. Jolly with Meagan and Nikki tonight. Whatever awkwardness seems to be gone now. I'm happy about that. The highlight of the evening was laying on this creepy land bridge staring up at the Milky Way. I think we're camping some weekend. It'll be sweet.
Very little can really stir emotion in me. The stars always manage somehow. I'm gonna build myself an observatory someday. I'd walk in and never say a word.
Very little can really stir emotion in me. The stars always manage somehow. I'm gonna build myself an observatory someday. I'd walk in and never say a word.
Micro-Blog 29
i want to go out to AJ Jolly and hike aroundWhy is it that every time people screw up in large numbers only one person really feels like shit?
be in nature.
instead i guess I will drink some rum
and lie in my bed
I feel scared to ask people to hang out now.
I dont want to talk about it
I dont want to be looked at differently
I'm such a failure.
I dunno. I've got a lot of work to do, I guess. Last thing I need is one of my most valued friendships taking serious damage from something so simple as backfired advice.
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Now playing: Blaqk Audio - Again, Again And Again
via FoxyTunes
Shameless Plug!
So fucking many blogs today.
This one is primarily to tell you that I'd really like it if you could go to my MySpace profile and check out the blog post called "Stolen from Meagan!". It's been up for a while but I've only gotten two replies. Normally I don't ask for this sort of thing but I'm kinda curious now. Link's on the right.
Thanks.
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Now playing: My Morning Jacket - Into The Woods
via FoxyTunes
This one is primarily to tell you that I'd really like it if you could go to my MySpace profile and check out the blog post called "Stolen from Meagan!". It's been up for a while but I've only gotten two replies. Normally I don't ask for this sort of thing but I'm kinda curious now. Link's on the right.
Thanks.
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Now playing: My Morning Jacket - Into The Woods
via FoxyTunes