So Many Updates!

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

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

EDIT: Works on Xanga.

Surrender!

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

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

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

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

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

Roundabout

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

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

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

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

Keeping Up with the Shuperts

Ha. Bad reference to how often she posts. :D

After a shower, a quick chat, a little music, and a bowl of cereal, whatever resolve I lost last night is back with a vengeance. Woo!

Also, the reason I've been omitting FoxyTunes tags recently is because it isn't compatible with XM Online's player.

Oh, shit...

"I can do my job there in developing our natural resources and doing things like getting the roads paved and making sure our troopers have their cop cars and their uniforms and their guns, and making sure our public schools are funded," she added. "But really all of that stuff doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's heart isn't right with God." -Sarah Palin

Looks like McCain's Veep is a Christian wing-nut. Damn. Time to dig out my assassination boots.

SOURCE

Document the Insanity

Last night was the first time I've fallen asleep in one of those moods, and it had interesting consequences. I have no idea when I was actually asleep last night and my perception of time is off. I know it's still September 4th, but I have no idea what of the last month or so of memories is valid and what I created last night as I slept. I just woke up, so my head is still pretty foggy. I suppose it'll all sort itself out.

Hiding from the Future

I think part of the reason I like second shift is that I never run into my family. Dad and I basically ignore each other. Ethan and I manage the same most of the time. What I really ran from was mom. I bumped into her tonight after work. I always get the same conversation, too. She wishes it was 2006. She tried so hard to take us out of Bellevue and give us opportunities and I back-slid into everything they tried to avoid. It's blatantly a guilt trip and it shouldn't work on me but for some reason this does. For some reason every time I hear it I want to grab the woman and shake her and shout, "God damn it, I know! I fucking know! You think this is easy, knowing I failed? I'm a college dropout. Every one of my dreams has died because I failed to do anything about them. Just let me sort shit out!"

I mention getting out and hear that they're not trying to get rid of me. I know they mean it, but I want to get out. I'm almost 21 and I'm still stuck at home, working a dead-end job, knowing the past was so much brighter. I want to get out of this place and stand alone, away from the shadow of my parents. I need to be a functioning member of society.

I was having a pretty good day until I got home, only frustrated that Sarah was having a rough day and I couldn't do shit from 100 miles away. At this point, I don't think I've ever been more angry with the length of I-71. Seems like both of us could do with a hug.

To-Do List

If I'm gonna hit a rut, I might as well hit it right. Stuff to do this week:
Find a way to keep my camera handy so I can take more pictures.
Reinstall XM in the VW.
Find out the best time to drive 2 hours north.
Clean my damn room.

Anyone have any ideas for the weekend? Anyone want to meet me at Nathan's Famous sometime this week for lunch? It's on Kenton Lands right behind the Taco Bell.
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Now playing on iTunes: The Fratellis - Ole Black 'N' Blue Eyes
via FoxyTunes

Reality Bites

Today I was more sore than I have been in a long time. The ground Sunday was hard and pointy, the alcohol left me quite dehydrated, and I made use of some muscles I don't often use on Monday. By this point in the day, the wounds are healing, the water is back in balance, and the sting is out of my arms and back.

Other updates:
-Meagan's mouse Jacob died. Chilled with her and Chris tonight and buried the mouse.
-I raced a Camaro on the way to work today. It's good to have a friendly competition every once in a while.
-Sarah asked me to link her to your blogs. I'll return the favor.
-Alicia will eventually have a blog to document her random adventures. Should be pretty neat.
-Gotta get my tires rotated this week. I mention it primarily because I read this thing and I'll remember to do it if I see it here.

It's been one day and I already feel myself settling back into the rut of my boring daily grind. I need to plan more adventures. Gotta hit up Louisville and Jackson Center at some point. With any luck school will settle down and the official Party Season 2008 will enter full swing. It's weird looking to the weekend and knowing I have absolutely nothing planned. Weird and unpleasant. Maybe I'll surprise myself and do something random.
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Now playing on iTunes: Westbound Train - A New Hope
via FoxyTunes

Spring-Stepped

It was a motherfucker of a weekend. I'm beat. Dead. A twitching, glaze-eyed zombie. I'm dehydrated, tired, hungry, and in need of a shower. In lieu of actual prosaic description, I give you the Weekend Rundown: Labor Day 2008!

Friday, work was on my side. Noon to half past eight, mostly rushes, and the excitement of knowing my car would be waiting for me at home. It's working better than it has in more than a year, and getting fuel economy I can accept. Alicia came at me with Sherman Alexie. The weekend started dramatically, unfortunately. James' first party went bust. An infamous "That Guy" arrived and immediately got way too drunk, stoned, and nauseous. Brian arrived and rocked Nikki with fury. I spent the party lurking and slightly freaking out when Alicia spent the car ride home crying. It was an ominous sign.

Saturday began the turnaround. Alicia continued to break down and I drove south to grab the girl. The way the car ran had me happy and I began collating the music Sarah would be exposed to over the course of the weekend. The return drive was uneventful, as was dinner at Perkins. We saw Wall-E, which had little dialogue and the sort of weird cuteness that makes it an ideal film for girlfriends and small children. Pixar wins again. The night came to a close in Bellevue and Newport, where Sarah met Alicia, Jimmy, Julie, Chris, and Sean. Alicia and Sarah get along remarkably well and are likely plotting my death as you read.

I accidentally repaired the futon in the basement.

Sunday was key. Sarah was exposed to Moe's Southwest Grill and my former hometown of Bellevue. After a stop at the Greis House, we set off for the riverbank where James, Nikki, Alicia, Sarah, and myself met up with Meagan and Alison and saw Courtney and Sam. The fireworks, while not as long as in past years, where still as bright and thunderous as ever. The sight of the sky burning over the skyline of Cincinnati is always one of my favorites. The after party was in perfect contrast to the previous event at James'. I had more to drink than I had in months and witnessed no drama whatsoever. None. I wandered around, talking and hugging and amazed that Sarah was accepted as just another part of the crew.

I woke up Monday slightly groggy and fairly dehydrated, not knowing what the day would bring. We chilled. We talked. I let Sarah drive my Volkswagen home. I stayed longer than expected. Sarah liked me because I was dominant in public and wondered when that might come into play in the background. It doesn't, really. I manipulate subtly. I force the situation when it needs forcing, but only the masses need a firm hand. Gentle prodding can get single people into whatever situation is required.

Now, I shower and I eat. I return to my life and my job and the daily grind. I wait for the inevitable Facebook pictures and begin planning the next adventure. When I really think about it, nothing has changed. When I don't, I realize that nothing will ever be the same. It was a motherfucker of a weekend.
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Now playing on iTunes: Panic At The Disco - When The Day Met The Night
via FoxyTunes