Lucifer - latin: lux, lucis = light; fero, ferre = to bear or carry.
I wish you enlightenment this holiday season, and thus I shall play lucifer to the darkness of your mind. This time it is to help you to "know your ritual roots." Namely, Christmas. Christmas has for centuries now been a time to celebrate the birth of the Savior. But in recent years it was found that a possible mathematical error may have placed the day of Christmas (dec. 25, 0001) off by not only the day, but also the month and even the year. Now do not get me wrong, before I go off on a tirade remember that I am just sying this to inform, and not to endorse neo-paganism, satanism, or even the cult of the FSM.
So why do we celebrate on a misconceived day? Possibly the simplest answer is because it is convenient, or was at the time. History shows that when one religion or culture rises up against another, the stronger does one of two things, either absorbing and incorporating the lesser (roman mythology absorbed many greek myths which still causes confusion today. Ever heard of Hercules, or was it Heracles), or replacing it. When it comes to religions that are incompatible (compatable religions would generally be of the same type, such as two polytheistic religions that clash. id est, roman/greek, celtic/scandinavian, buddhism/tibetan buddhism and vedic hinduism/zoroastrianism in which each pare melds gods, lineages, belief structures, and heroes and originally were quite separate and different.), such as when Christianity dominated the majority of western europe, it chose to replace the existing traditions as to make the transition easier on the indigenous peoples (people hate it when you take holidays away from them... but if you change the name and keep the day they are less likely to revolt).
Originally the holiday celebrated in late december which was widely known to southern europe was Saturnalia, as one of the many roman legacy to europe (hey, when you own practically everything, your beliefs get spread around quite a bit). Which was probably the most likely candidate as a replaced holiday. However additionally this time of year is host to Samhain, an irish/celtic solstice celebration.
If you have any more questions about these holidays, or their origins... look them up yourself. Oh, and consider yourself enlightened and illuminated.
... see, the field of my college study does have practical applications... I can write blogs... (...cry...sniffle, sniffle)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Original Traditional American Holiday Tale
---WARNING--- The following tale contains material that may not be suitable for children. This tale employs the use of violence, sex, drugs, nudity, vulgar language, rabid animals, racist stereotypes, hate crimes, historical inaccuracies, racial profiling, American consumerism, Santa clause, magic, witchcraft, warcraft, and other such devices that may not be appropriate for anyone in particular. If you find such things offensive by reading this you legally wave your ability to bring lawsuit against the writer, as well as any future, present, and past monetary compensation or assets you posses or gain.
Thats right, its that time of year again. Time for another OTAHT. This year children the tale begins in the year 2012 when Frosty the Snowman gets a hold of a time machine. You see kids, Frosty lives forever and every Christmas he re-forms like that guy in Terminator II. In 2012 Frosty goes back in time and takes with him the schematics for both a time machine and the microwave oven. Frosty chose to leave the year 2012 since he knew that the apocalypse was coming and Christ was about to return, and he feared the brimstone that would rain from the heavens and the lake of fire as he had not been good that year, as well as the fact that Jesus would probably abolish winter once he came to reign over the various religious sects of Christianity after publicly denouncing Scientology.
So Frosty went back in time to give his plans to a young bright child named Bill Gates who used the plans to make a cloning device that would only produce evil from its rusty metallic womb. This device was named Windows. Next Frosty went back in time again to find a boy named Steve Jobs, who he gave the design specs to windows to. Frosty knew that with these specs Jobs would be capable of inventing another similar device of even more concentrated evil known only by the secret acronym MAC that would be capable of reproducing in full the distilled embodiment of evil and magic that lead to the magic hat which Frosty himself wore.
With this new found power Frosty was finally able to replicate himself, not unlike the Borg but with snow, and he moved to the south pole to begin the buildup of a clone army with which he could destroy the republic. Frosty worked at cloning himself for many years which lead to a decrease in polar ice accumulation and speculation about global warming. But once the year 2007 rolled around again, Frosty was ready and once again employed his time machine to once and for all end his definite demise at the source.
The Frosty army traveled back to the year 0ad and sought out the Christ child, who was the only one who could permanently destroy him by unanimous vote to abolish winter. Frosty followed the very same star which led the wise men to the child. Once Frosty found the stable, he used his secret Power Rangers maneuver to combine each of his cloned army Frostys into one Über Frosty.
Über Frosty marched across the landscape of the middle east, crushing every inn and tavern he came across. But the Nativity characters had been expecting this and had armed themselves with missile-toe and big sticks. Frosty stepped on one wise man, but another used a holy hand grenade and took out a large portion of Über Frosty's left leg. Frosty came back by making snowballs out of his own firmly packed flesh, and with these he decimated the shepherd offensive. The angels with flaming swords swooped in to protect their leader, melting holes in Über Frosty as they went, but Frosty's snowballs were to great for the winged messengers. Über Frosty swatted the angels out of the sky much like King Kong fought off biplanes, the fantastic four, and sputnik.
The ice machine of secular consumerism marched on and crushed Joseph with a fist full of snowy death. All of the commotion awoke the child, who like superman flew up out of his manger and punched through the heart of the great snow-beast. Baby Jesus fought like Yoda, spinning and flipping and flying, too small for Über Frosty to keep up with. But for all of his powers, Baby Jesus could not destroy the beast. Baby Jesus punched out one of Über Frosty's coal eyes, but the powers of the magician's top hat could not be undone.
With a powerful and lucky strike, Über Frosty knocked Baby Jesus through one side of the stone inn and out the other, but the baby had a trick left up his swaddling cloth. Baby Jesus came back to life and raised his chubby toddler hand saying "Stop! You do not belong in this time Über Frosty, I banish you to Walmart!" And with those words a dimensional rift to hell opened and swallowed Über Frosty whole. As he was struggling to escape his eternal doom to be forever depicted as a plastic light up lawn ornament, his hat fell off and blew away. Baby Jesus may have won this day, but rest assured Über Frosty would return with a vengeance.
And that kids is why we celebrate Christmas. Now I am off to hell... Err, I mean bed. Merry Christmas Everyone!
Thats right, its that time of year again. Time for another OTAHT. This year children the tale begins in the year 2012 when Frosty the Snowman gets a hold of a time machine. You see kids, Frosty lives forever and every Christmas he re-forms like that guy in Terminator II. In 2012 Frosty goes back in time and takes with him the schematics for both a time machine and the microwave oven. Frosty chose to leave the year 2012 since he knew that the apocalypse was coming and Christ was about to return, and he feared the brimstone that would rain from the heavens and the lake of fire as he had not been good that year, as well as the fact that Jesus would probably abolish winter once he came to reign over the various religious sects of Christianity after publicly denouncing Scientology.
So Frosty went back in time to give his plans to a young bright child named Bill Gates who used the plans to make a cloning device that would only produce evil from its rusty metallic womb. This device was named Windows. Next Frosty went back in time again to find a boy named Steve Jobs, who he gave the design specs to windows to. Frosty knew that with these specs Jobs would be capable of inventing another similar device of even more concentrated evil known only by the secret acronym MAC that would be capable of reproducing in full the distilled embodiment of evil and magic that lead to the magic hat which Frosty himself wore.
With this new found power Frosty was finally able to replicate himself, not unlike the Borg but with snow, and he moved to the south pole to begin the buildup of a clone army with which he could destroy the republic. Frosty worked at cloning himself for many years which lead to a decrease in polar ice accumulation and speculation about global warming. But once the year 2007 rolled around again, Frosty was ready and once again employed his time machine to once and for all end his definite demise at the source.
The Frosty army traveled back to the year 0ad and sought out the Christ child, who was the only one who could permanently destroy him by unanimous vote to abolish winter. Frosty followed the very same star which led the wise men to the child. Once Frosty found the stable, he used his secret Power Rangers maneuver to combine each of his cloned army Frostys into one Über Frosty.
Über Frosty marched across the landscape of the middle east, crushing every inn and tavern he came across. But the Nativity characters had been expecting this and had armed themselves with missile-toe and big sticks. Frosty stepped on one wise man, but another used a holy hand grenade and took out a large portion of Über Frosty's left leg. Frosty came back by making snowballs out of his own firmly packed flesh, and with these he decimated the shepherd offensive. The angels with flaming swords swooped in to protect their leader, melting holes in Über Frosty as they went, but Frosty's snowballs were to great for the winged messengers. Über Frosty swatted the angels out of the sky much like King Kong fought off biplanes, the fantastic four, and sputnik.
The ice machine of secular consumerism marched on and crushed Joseph with a fist full of snowy death. All of the commotion awoke the child, who like superman flew up out of his manger and punched through the heart of the great snow-beast. Baby Jesus fought like Yoda, spinning and flipping and flying, too small for Über Frosty to keep up with. But for all of his powers, Baby Jesus could not destroy the beast. Baby Jesus punched out one of Über Frosty's coal eyes, but the powers of the magician's top hat could not be undone.
With a powerful and lucky strike, Über Frosty knocked Baby Jesus through one side of the stone inn and out the other, but the baby had a trick left up his swaddling cloth. Baby Jesus came back to life and raised his chubby toddler hand saying "Stop! You do not belong in this time Über Frosty, I banish you to Walmart!" And with those words a dimensional rift to hell opened and swallowed Über Frosty whole. As he was struggling to escape his eternal doom to be forever depicted as a plastic light up lawn ornament, his hat fell off and blew away. Baby Jesus may have won this day, but rest assured Über Frosty would return with a vengeance.
And that kids is why we celebrate Christmas. Now I am off to hell... Err, I mean bed. Merry Christmas Everyone!
Addendum
It turns out that I need to add an addendum to some of my previous posts. If I ever posted about the Philosophy teacher who did not let me make up a test I missed, then I need to recant any negative thing I said and leave the topic with the fact that he is an awesome man. I got an email from him saying that he decided to change my grade in the class, which totally overkills my credits and not doubly ensures that I will be graduating. Although it is no longer needed at this point, it is still a great gesture and was totally unexpected on his part.
With that having been said, next I will share a heartwarming holiday story. So get out the hot-chocolate, and throw another log on the fire, cozy up with the loved ones and get ready for an original traditional american holiday tale.
With that having been said, next I will share a heartwarming holiday story. So get out the hot-chocolate, and throw another log on the fire, cozy up with the loved ones and get ready for an original traditional american holiday tale.
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Semi-Virtuous Path
Now upon consideration I found an oddity in a common idea of eastern philosophy. Most eastern mystical texts and mantras (I have taken courses specifically on eastern history, martial arts, and religion... and find such things fascinating so some spare time went into it too) are a proponent of finding balance and harmony in nature. They often teach this through rules and ideals of social order and personal conduct that lead to a greater reality. Now the odd thing is that half of the teachings promote balance and harmony, where the other half promote doing what is outlined as good versus that which is negative for the soul. I am speaking of the idea of a life lived on the virtuous path. Now such an idea rejects balance as there are two cycles in life, the virtuous path and the vicious path. These are nearly as simple and complicated as they sound, but the idea of living a virtuous life would seem to reject balance. What I am saying is that although some argue that the unenlightened (being everyone reading this who is not Buddha, the Dalai lama, or Confucius) are only capable of living a semi-virtuous path, Why not promote this as the true path, the way that splits the hairs and rides on the knife's edge. Basic philosophy would argue that the most profitable thing for a lone individual to do is only that which provides him/her with advantages. Whereas the most profitable thing for an individual in society to do is follow the common rules of society in respect to giving up some advantages for a mutual good. Why not shoot for both? I am suggesting that for optimum success as a person if one took advantage of only what profited him/her and gave up to society what society can give back better, then we might end up both being fair and competitive... now that I think about it, it sounds a lot like capitalism...
Well, that was fun, but never mind that, it seems someone else beat me to the punch. At least its something to think about.
Well, that was fun, but never mind that, it seems someone else beat me to the punch. At least its something to think about.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Wire
... Yeah, so I lied about the post title... Get used to it. This post could have been called "ace up my sleeve" in reference to what I am about to explain, but I chose to display a... more realistic and in a less "It was part of the plan all along" sort of attitude.
So I recently finished my last semester, Woo-Hoo, but was quite stupefied to find that when my final grades came in something was dreadfully wrong. My on line transcript showed that I had met all of the requirements for graduation that the university had set... except one. Every required course was taken, my gpa was good, my major, minor, and concentration were complete, but somehow I had 119 credits (technically 137, but 18 of them do not count towards my "graduating credits"). University standard says that they do not award bachelors degrees without confirmed completion of a minimum of 120 graduating credits. This was a shock as I had done the math the semester beforehand to insure that I would in fact have everything covered, but somehow I ended up 3 credits behind where I had projected.
After sending emails to all the people I could, I ended up calculating that one of my classes last semester did not count towards my final graduating credit number... And there was nothing I could do about it.
Hahaha, luckily someone up there likes me, as I was able to do a last minute transfer of my high school AP credits (oh yeah, forgot about those) towards the completion of my current degree.
But get this, the diploma gets signed on the 3rd of Jan, 09, my credit transfer is completed on the 8th of Jan, 09, and my diploma ships home between the 20th of Feb and the 5th of Mar. It will never cease to astound and perplex me as to how such things work...
The best part is, after going in and talking with people from almost every department on campus, I have found that the english department has already sent my graduation approval through (haha, I knew I liked them, they will let me graduate without meeting the requirements) and the department of the registrar will postemptively approve my diploma somehow after the credits finish transferring. It makes no sense to me, but I'm just glad it was able to work out. It would have totally sucked to not graduate because EVERY requirement was met except 1 credit hour of class. But I could not have done it without the awesome people in the english department, especially the councilor who has answered my emails multiple times each day for the past two weeks including weekends.
So if it weren't official before, now it is, I will have a degree sometime between feb and mar.
Woot!
So I recently finished my last semester, Woo-Hoo, but was quite stupefied to find that when my final grades came in something was dreadfully wrong. My on line transcript showed that I had met all of the requirements for graduation that the university had set... except one. Every required course was taken, my gpa was good, my major, minor, and concentration were complete, but somehow I had 119 credits (technically 137, but 18 of them do not count towards my "graduating credits"). University standard says that they do not award bachelors degrees without confirmed completion of a minimum of 120 graduating credits. This was a shock as I had done the math the semester beforehand to insure that I would in fact have everything covered, but somehow I ended up 3 credits behind where I had projected.
After sending emails to all the people I could, I ended up calculating that one of my classes last semester did not count towards my final graduating credit number... And there was nothing I could do about it.
Hahaha, luckily someone up there likes me, as I was able to do a last minute transfer of my high school AP credits (oh yeah, forgot about those) towards the completion of my current degree.
But get this, the diploma gets signed on the 3rd of Jan, 09, my credit transfer is completed on the 8th of Jan, 09, and my diploma ships home between the 20th of Feb and the 5th of Mar. It will never cease to astound and perplex me as to how such things work...
The best part is, after going in and talking with people from almost every department on campus, I have found that the english department has already sent my graduation approval through (haha, I knew I liked them, they will let me graduate without meeting the requirements) and the department of the registrar will postemptively approve my diploma somehow after the credits finish transferring. It makes no sense to me, but I'm just glad it was able to work out. It would have totally sucked to not graduate because EVERY requirement was met except 1 credit hour of class. But I could not have done it without the awesome people in the english department, especially the councilor who has answered my emails multiple times each day for the past two weeks including weekends.
So if it weren't official before, now it is, I will have a degree sometime between feb and mar.
Woot!
The Space Between
... Yeah, thats right, this post is filler. I have a huge story to tell, but since currently I am 'in medias res' I cannot tell it in full. But when I do... Yeah... We will all have a good laugh... Then maybe cry a little, then laugh some more. My hope is that when I write the next post (Ace Up My Sleeve) I will have a happy ending to report...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Blast from the Past
I got a letter in the mail today addressed to Marion. Not remembering that name (as it is not one that the people who regularly receive our accidental mail have) I asked about it. Apparently I have stumbled upon the joke that keeps on giving. Years ago my grandfather decided to use the name Marion as a joke and test to figure out where he was getting spam mail from. He used the name on an "anonymous" survey to see if it was in fact those very surveys that were the source of his getting more and more junk mail. As it turns out he was right. He chose the name Marion because it was so unusual and obscure that it would be, beyond a doubt, that this was his doing and not just a mis sent letter. Today a letter came to Marion concerning Medicare benefits, apparently we receive mail for Marion on a regular if not weekly basis. It's been almost 9 years now since Grandfather passed away, but Marion is still going strong... and is eligible for medicare!
Get this though, apparently the name Marion is both male and female, and comes through the french to the english. It was originally a form of the name Mary as in the mother mary, and means star of the sea. Now the real cool fact is, its used in less than 1/1000 cases and best of all it was John Wayne's real first name (Marion Morrison). The things you learn, and the impressions you leave are certainly amazing.
Get this though, apparently the name Marion is both male and female, and comes through the french to the english. It was originally a form of the name Mary as in the mother mary, and means star of the sea. Now the real cool fact is, its used in less than 1/1000 cases and best of all it was John Wayne's real first name (Marion Morrison). The things you learn, and the impressions you leave are certainly amazing.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Medieval Connection
It's bee a while since I put up a good thread on jokes and such. Well, I've done my research this time and have found a use for my medieval studies. No, really, I'm serious... fine don't believe me. I'll prove it to you. First we shall start with the tapestries... And castles and relics and such...
In my pursuit of the Holy Grail... Err.. I mean medieval literature, I had to download and study the entirety of the Bayeux Tapestry. It was my delight to find that common internet memes have since been recorded therein. As proof I present the following:
This represents the classic "There are no girls on the internet" ideology.
This represents the common phrase "I would hit that."
This is a parody on the "Milk Shake" song.
And last this, being my favorite, just makes fun of some of the stitching.
Now of course the tapestry is of great historical significance and intrinsic value since it was woven by the subjugated English women by order of the new Norman aristocracy to chronicle the Norman invasion and capture of the British Isles. Quite fascinating if I do say so myself. That and very very long...
... and here's something for the ninjas in my audience...
... Oh, and for those of you who are Sci-fi or Bruce Campbell fans, Klaatu Barada Nikto is the phrase to know.
In my pursuit of the Holy Grail... Err.. I mean medieval literature, I had to download and study the entirety of the Bayeux Tapestry. It was my delight to find that common internet memes have since been recorded therein. As proof I present the following:
This represents the classic "There are no girls on the internet" ideology.
This represents the common phrase "I would hit that."
This is a parody on the "Milk Shake" song.
And last this, being my favorite, just makes fun of some of the stitching.
Now of course the tapestry is of great historical significance and intrinsic value since it was woven by the subjugated English women by order of the new Norman aristocracy to chronicle the Norman invasion and capture of the British Isles. Quite fascinating if I do say so myself. That and very very long...
... and here's something for the ninjas in my audience...
... Oh, and for those of you who are Sci-fi or Bruce Campbell fans, Klaatu Barada Nikto is the phrase to know.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Darkness before the Dawn
Last night I did what I traditionally do on school nights... not do my homework but rather go out on a walk. But last night was different as it was my last walk as a procrastinating undergraduate. In the morning I finished my paper (41 pages of text, woot) and presented it today. Afterwards I went to see my medieval lit teachers before bidding the campus an undergraduate ado. To my surprise the teacher whose classes I only ever got C's (five classes, two C+'s one C- and three two C's) recommended that I consider teaching and come back for a graduate degree some day. This was amazing, and quite the complement. Now I sit at home, pondering my various employment opportunities with an engrish degree... right... well... yeah... Well in an unrelated event my friends are cooking steak for dinner that I shall be joining in on in just a few hours... I love you guys.
So a now as an unofficial graduate, hear my words of wisdom...
Peace Y'all, I'm out
So a now as an unofficial graduate, hear my words of wisdom...
Peace Y'all, I'm out
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Sickness and the Fever
I may have ranted about this before, but I find it hard to get over. Somehow being sick always sounds more fun than it is. All week I have been fighting off some uber-cold that my family has been passing around and I thought I had made it... until last night. And as fascinating as it is to be able to feel each of my individual teeth and every movement of my eyes, and every sound as a new and wonderful sensation of pain, I would rather just take them all for granted. This is probably the worst sinus infection-esque illness I have ever had. In the past day I have gone through an entire tissue box and am still counting. My hope is that since I am ever so doped up on vitamin C that it will hopefully win out eventually... That or I'll die from hypervitaminosis C. I guess the upside is that since I have called out for work I now have more time to finish the final project due monday. But as you can see, I'd rather work on other things at the moment.
But as I ponder the situation I wonder if this procrastination is something more. After I finish this class I will be a state sanctioned guardian of language and culture... Id est, a graduate with a degree in English. Not just English though, as my concentration is in medieval and renaissance literature and my minor in folklore and mythology. One may think to themselves, "As if a degree in English was not useless enough" as it would appear I have found a degree that is somehow even less applicable to real life than just a degree in English would be. But, allow me this, I shall defend myself in this choice, and guess what... You can't stop me... unless you stop reading, but lets not make this personal shall we?.. Medieval lit is just fascinating, granted I will admit that that part of my degree is... less applicable to real life, than any other concentration in English might be. Folklore and Mythology however is quite applicable as it is very much like Anthropology... Well, let's say the modern sort of anthropology. Mythology is a study of how people sought to explain the world around them, and interact with it and others in the way they saw as correct. Folklore is the screen on which the movie of life plays, it is always present and you see it every day, but rarely do people look just below the surface to see it. Folklore is that joke that people pass around the office, its how you arrange your desk at home, its the words you use when you talk with your friends and family, it is even the cloths you wear... the matrix is all around you... Er... sorry, wrong movie. Thus although I studied english and myth, I actually studied people, how they explain the world around them, how they interact with others, and how they think and feel and have felt over the ages.
That is why I studied what I have... and now that I have rambled on and on while I could have been placing the final piece into the puzzle that is this step of my life, I shall consider beginning the last step.
For all of you out there who have never been here let me give you some insight, it feels like flying... not like arms open wide through the clouds stuff, but rather college was like waiting in the airport, standing in line, getting scanned and poked and removing your shoes, and then senior year was like sitting on the plane, waiting for something to happen, and slowly getting strapped in, that is preparing for real life. Getting the security net prepared for job and insurance and living and eating, much like putting your tray table up and your seat belt on, all in all they will not help you if the plane slams into the ground or any other object other than air. But as I sit here, putting my seat in the proper upright position, I can now hear the engines spooling up and the cabin pressure changing, and now I am being pushed back into my seat, out of control of my destination or personal safety, but going nonetheless. Once I make it off the ground I'll find another over exaggerated simile to describe how that feels. :)
-later
But as I ponder the situation I wonder if this procrastination is something more. After I finish this class I will be a state sanctioned guardian of language and culture... Id est, a graduate with a degree in English. Not just English though, as my concentration is in medieval and renaissance literature and my minor in folklore and mythology. One may think to themselves, "As if a degree in English was not useless enough" as it would appear I have found a degree that is somehow even less applicable to real life than just a degree in English would be. But, allow me this, I shall defend myself in this choice, and guess what... You can't stop me... unless you stop reading, but lets not make this personal shall we?.. Medieval lit is just fascinating, granted I will admit that that part of my degree is... less applicable to real life, than any other concentration in English might be. Folklore and Mythology however is quite applicable as it is very much like Anthropology... Well, let's say the modern sort of anthropology. Mythology is a study of how people sought to explain the world around them, and interact with it and others in the way they saw as correct. Folklore is the screen on which the movie of life plays, it is always present and you see it every day, but rarely do people look just below the surface to see it. Folklore is that joke that people pass around the office, its how you arrange your desk at home, its the words you use when you talk with your friends and family, it is even the cloths you wear... the matrix is all around you... Er... sorry, wrong movie. Thus although I studied english and myth, I actually studied people, how they explain the world around them, how they interact with others, and how they think and feel and have felt over the ages.
That is why I studied what I have... and now that I have rambled on and on while I could have been placing the final piece into the puzzle that is this step of my life, I shall consider beginning the last step.
For all of you out there who have never been here let me give you some insight, it feels like flying... not like arms open wide through the clouds stuff, but rather college was like waiting in the airport, standing in line, getting scanned and poked and removing your shoes, and then senior year was like sitting on the plane, waiting for something to happen, and slowly getting strapped in, that is preparing for real life. Getting the security net prepared for job and insurance and living and eating, much like putting your tray table up and your seat belt on, all in all they will not help you if the plane slams into the ground or any other object other than air. But as I sit here, putting my seat in the proper upright position, I can now hear the engines spooling up and the cabin pressure changing, and now I am being pushed back into my seat, out of control of my destination or personal safety, but going nonetheless. Once I make it off the ground I'll find another over exaggerated simile to describe how that feels. :)
-later
Friday, December 12, 2008
Too Many Posts
I have been noticing that on some days several of my fellow bloggers will post two, three, or more posts in a single day, all are short and singly pointed. Now I petition you please just write these things down and save them in a draft rather than publishing multiple posts per day. I find trying to follow such rampant posting tiring at best as I have to hunt through the change log of my subscriptions to find five posts in the past day by two people all within hours or even minutes of each other. This is my chosen rant for today. Perhaps it is a style thing, maybe I am doing it wrong by actually drafting posts, or by including more than a paragraph's worth of topics and information. Maybe its the starving and neglected English major side of me but please folks. Then again I suppose you can do what you will, just know that if you have anything you actually hope for people to read on a casual basis it should not be hidden in a thousand little posts. Though I suppose the disadvantage of not posting individual and disassociated paragraphs as posts does make finding small snippets of information more difficult... but only if they are labeled in such a way as to make them that way. Or if your readers obsessively read your blog every hour than I suppose that also works. Just a warning though, dance to your own beat but do not forget to try to meet the reader half way, otherwise you are preaching to a deaf audience. It is a writer's duty to aid the reader in seeing, feeling, and understanding what is written, this does not mean that you must be like all the other writers, but rather that in your own way you must help the reader to see and understand what you want them to, otherwise you will loose them, and once lost a reader is a hard thing to regain. Now Length can also become a problem, as people may be discouraged by the daunting task of reading a long post, at which point perhaps it should be split, but a better option may be just to cut it short and write only what needs be written. On that note, I shall take my own advice and bid you ado.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Burning Documents with Dad
It's that time of year again... Now don't try to get ahead of me because you will end up in a different state, province, or jurisdiction. Every winter my family buys several cords of wood. I spent my past Saturdays cutting and organizing said wood (which although is hard work, is quite satisfying in a manly sort of way...). And for the past few weeks we have been running the wood stove to warm the house. This year was slightly different though. As I watched the first fire of the season begin I noticed that instead of newspaper, we used official documents as tinder. I could not help but ask and could barely refrain from making the joke that this pastime would almost qualify my father for government office the way things have been going recently. But as it turns out my family is super anal about keeping documents from who knows when. Last I checked we still had my grandfather's bank records, and he has been dead since 2000. As it turns out we were not burning anything that mattered, some of my father's bank records from when he was a teenager, back when they posted your SSN on the documents, so to protect his identity we were burning them... that and who needs 30 year old bank statements. Still good for a laugh though as you realize that what your tossing into the fire was a legal document at one point in time.
... Well, I'm off to start a fire... Maybe today I'll find old employment histories...
... Well, I'm off to start a fire... Maybe today I'll find old employment histories...
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Playing Movies
... Broke up a fight, cleaned up broken glass, taught three people how to run A.V. equipment and directed five people's actions for several hours... thats right, I helped in a children's play. Personally I dislike this time of year for that, granted I make bank on all the special productions and extra hours, but its a lot of work for what it's worth.
Today I got approval from one of my accomplices for access to the projection booth in the theater. That was cool, I like having that inside contact wherever I go. Learning how the spooling of movies works is fascinating, and totally worth checking out. Also I learned that the reel is projected at 24 frames / second which totally surprised me, since I expected the standard 60 hz or more that is standard for monitor and television projection.
Well, more to come later I guess, sorry for not including cool links and stuff, just been busy.
Today I got approval from one of my accomplices for access to the projection booth in the theater. That was cool, I like having that inside contact wherever I go. Learning how the spooling of movies works is fascinating, and totally worth checking out. Also I learned that the reel is projected at 24 frames / second which totally surprised me, since I expected the standard 60 hz or more that is standard for monitor and television projection.
Well, more to come later I guess, sorry for not including cool links and stuff, just been busy.
Friday, December 5, 2008
When the rules no longer apply...
... Eat Cake!
... Make Lemonade!
... Throw a Party!
... Make New Rules!
... Play Ninepins!
Well, did the Indiana Jones thing, and it worked quite well if I do say so myself. Only one other person was privy to my plan (the guy on the computer who ran the sound and put up the poster) and I did not clear any of it with anyone. I began with a casual English Major joke ("I have no idea what I'm doing after I graduate, I guess that's what you get with an English degree") and then proceeded to explain that there could not be a "Last Crusade" without Indiana Jones, so I queued up the music, had them throw up the poster on the big screen, and like superman, in a whirlwind threw on my affects for effect (hat, jacket, whip, grail, crooked smile, and all). It went great, I then spent the next five minutes talking about "A Rebel's Guide to Leaving a Legacy" (which somehow I always want to say is "The Rebel's Guide to the Galaxy"). It went great, I lectured on community, people, leaving a legacy, and group involvement, and everyone loved it. The reason the rules do not apply is because afterwords and for the next half hour people came up to me to tell me how awesome it was and how what I said and the way I said it encouraged them to get involved. In this stream of people was the now retired MC who warned me that every time he improvised anything the administration jumped on him for it, and so I should avoid them. However when I confronted them about it, and apologized for finally abusing my powers as the head tech guy (and for inciting all my lackeys to be my accomplices... aware or not of what I had planned) to which they all congratulated me and thanked me for it and also expressed the sentiment that it was just plain awesome. So what do you do when the rules no longer apply, or even better question, what do you do when you are dealing with dangerous people like me who have absolute control over everything technical and necessary, including some aspects of setup, and could if I wanted make sure nothing worked? Its risky to have people like that even exist, that's a lot of power for one person to have.
After all was said and done, I must say it was hard to go, but at the same time so relieving that after over 3 years of work I no longer have to deal with that responsibility. Responsibility is such a weighty thing. It is hard to carry one so large for so long.
... Make Lemonade!
... Throw a Party!
... Make New Rules!
... Play Ninepins!
Well, did the Indiana Jones thing, and it worked quite well if I do say so myself. Only one other person was privy to my plan (the guy on the computer who ran the sound and put up the poster) and I did not clear any of it with anyone. I began with a casual English Major joke ("I have no idea what I'm doing after I graduate, I guess that's what you get with an English degree") and then proceeded to explain that there could not be a "Last Crusade" without Indiana Jones, so I queued up the music, had them throw up the poster on the big screen, and like superman, in a whirlwind threw on my affects for effect (hat, jacket, whip, grail, crooked smile, and all). It went great, I then spent the next five minutes talking about "A Rebel's Guide to Leaving a Legacy" (which somehow I always want to say is "The Rebel's Guide to the Galaxy"). It went great, I lectured on community, people, leaving a legacy, and group involvement, and everyone loved it. The reason the rules do not apply is because afterwords and for the next half hour people came up to me to tell me how awesome it was and how what I said and the way I said it encouraged them to get involved. In this stream of people was the now retired MC who warned me that every time he improvised anything the administration jumped on him for it, and so I should avoid them. However when I confronted them about it, and apologized for finally abusing my powers as the head tech guy (and for inciting all my lackeys to be my accomplices... aware or not of what I had planned) to which they all congratulated me and thanked me for it and also expressed the sentiment that it was just plain awesome. So what do you do when the rules no longer apply, or even better question, what do you do when you are dealing with dangerous people like me who have absolute control over everything technical and necessary, including some aspects of setup, and could if I wanted make sure nothing worked? Its risky to have people like that even exist, that's a lot of power for one person to have.
After all was said and done, I must say it was hard to go, but at the same time so relieving that after over 3 years of work I no longer have to deal with that responsibility. Responsibility is such a weighty thing. It is hard to carry one so large for so long.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Greatest Idea EVER
... Really it is I promise... Even better than the last one, just hear me out. So tonight is the last Cru. of the semester (Campus Crusade for Christ) where I have been the sound guy for... about 3.5 years now. So since it is the last Crusade, I have a plan... see I got an idea... An awful idea... I got a wonderful awful idea. As some of you may know I have been considering getting a fedora for some time now... and for my birthday my father found a renaissance festival grail... and I have a whip, and a leather jacket... See where I'm going with this yet? (funny thing is I was just talking about that guy with a friend earlier today... and being like that guy)
So here's my plan. First know that I shaved on Tuesday, so I have a decent four-o'-clock shadow coming in, should reach five by tomorrow. I have acquired the Indiana Jones song and have removed all of the audio source data from the file and re-named the track "Special Music." I plan to wear an off white button up shirt, and camel colored Khaki pants, along with my leather jacket. I will bring the whip and the goblet and hide them on stage, and spend the early part of my day in the mall getting myself a Christmas present... i.e. the hat. Then when I go up to speak (I'm a graduating senior so I get mic time... and they have asked me to say something since I've been there so long) I'll point and wink at the computer guy who I will have given the sound track to and told not to screen, so he will play it as I reach behind the speaker and grab my... effects. See, it is awesome because it is "Dave, and the Last Crusade" how can you beat that? It shall live on in infamy forever... or something like that.
Yeah, I'm that cool... ;)
If pictures get taken I'll upload them via the "Stalking for Dummies" service that is Facebook. Now it's off to bed to prepare for a day of shopping and... last crusading...
So here's my plan. First know that I shaved on Tuesday, so I have a decent four-o'-clock shadow coming in, should reach five by tomorrow. I have acquired the Indiana Jones song and have removed all of the audio source data from the file and re-named the track "Special Music." I plan to wear an off white button up shirt, and camel colored Khaki pants, along with my leather jacket. I will bring the whip and the goblet and hide them on stage, and spend the early part of my day in the mall getting myself a Christmas present... i.e. the hat. Then when I go up to speak (I'm a graduating senior so I get mic time... and they have asked me to say something since I've been there so long) I'll point and wink at the computer guy who I will have given the sound track to and told not to screen, so he will play it as I reach behind the speaker and grab my... effects. See, it is awesome because it is "Dave, and the Last Crusade" how can you beat that? It shall live on in infamy forever... or something like that.
Yeah, I'm that cool... ;)
If pictures get taken I'll upload them via the "Stalking for Dummies" service that is Facebook. Now it's off to bed to prepare for a day of shopping and... last crusading...
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
There's never a wish better than this
Well, its about time for me to say goodbye to most of the people I know and love and hello to the real world. Standing on the edge as I am I have so many things to fear and worry about. But at the same time there is a calm assurance that no matter what I do, and no matter what happens that I cannot control, things will work out. I say this now, probably mere weeks before I am homeless, jobless and still relationship-less. But this is just the beginning of the journey. My one foot is steadfast on the doorstep of my house and my other foot hovers above the road I have yet to travel.
Times like these make me wonder both what I have to look forward to, and what I have to look back on. From this point on, what relationships will continue, which will cease, who will I need and who will need me? Its times like these that I cant help but focus on the romantic, it has been years since I have been in a relationship, and now many of my friends are married or engaged. It makes me feel old, but a different old. Its not the old I feel when I go out to eat with friends and they tell the cute waitress that I am bald, its not the old I feel when I look around campus and see highschoolers who don't seem to know a compound from a complex sentence, or even the importance of consistent verb tense, heck many of them have probably just recently learned to tie their own emotional and emotional shoes. But they will learn and they will grow and one day they will be old too.
What is it to be eternally young? Were the greek gods real what would eternal life mean? Life holds meaning because in it is the certainty that one day it will end. Such a knowledge gives our actions lasting meaning and purpose, since we may only have the chance to take action once.
I suppose it is something like new years eve. I stand here alone watching the ball drop and wondering about the year gone by, more than the year to come. Did I take advantage of things that would benefit me, or let them pass due to some sort of self-loathing destructive mania. Did I help the people who were within my power to affect, could I have done more? I guess its times like these that you begin to question fate, did I simply do what I had to do, or did I choose to do all that I could have?
Well, I have to break the mood here, can't post and only be depressing and introspective. So recently I have been thinking about going out and getting a trench coat and a fedora to begin my transition to the full time working world. I often have found that the inclusion of a different article of clothing helps transition the mindset to one more fitting of the current attire. For example, my senior year of college I began wearing jeans and t-shirts... because I could and I'm a senior... when I'm not wearing collared button up shirts and dress slacks.
On a related note It seems to me that I get more respect and positive attention when I shave my beard. Several times now I have found that a cleanly shaved face has lead to more general complements and kindness from those I do not know, just an odd aspect of life which may or may not actually be true that I have recently caught on to.
Something I have been mulling over for a few days now that I think could make a good quote goes something like this:
"When you write, whatever you write, think of it as an argument between you and the reader. In that understand that the reader is both judge and jury, so make your writing good enough the first time."
It still needs a lot of work, but it sounds like it has promise. Well, at some point I need to go to bed so I can get up for my last day of real college classes what may be ever... but with my keen psychic spider senses, I feel that I will return one day, a grub may only be separated from a flame for so long before it grows wings and flies to its own doom.
Of all the game intros I have ever seen, this one still ranks as the best, check it out. But then again this character creation is probably the most innovative I have ever seen... Gotta love that your father is a ninja jedi... Then again who can resist Jean Luc Picard. Sorry, they just bring a tear to my eye.....
Love,
- Dave
Times like these make me wonder both what I have to look forward to, and what I have to look back on. From this point on, what relationships will continue, which will cease, who will I need and who will need me? Its times like these that I cant help but focus on the romantic, it has been years since I have been in a relationship, and now many of my friends are married or engaged. It makes me feel old, but a different old. Its not the old I feel when I go out to eat with friends and they tell the cute waitress that I am bald, its not the old I feel when I look around campus and see highschoolers who don't seem to know a compound from a complex sentence, or even the importance of consistent verb tense, heck many of them have probably just recently learned to tie their own emotional and emotional shoes. But they will learn and they will grow and one day they will be old too.
What is it to be eternally young? Were the greek gods real what would eternal life mean? Life holds meaning because in it is the certainty that one day it will end. Such a knowledge gives our actions lasting meaning and purpose, since we may only have the chance to take action once.
I suppose it is something like new years eve. I stand here alone watching the ball drop and wondering about the year gone by, more than the year to come. Did I take advantage of things that would benefit me, or let them pass due to some sort of self-loathing destructive mania. Did I help the people who were within my power to affect, could I have done more? I guess its times like these that you begin to question fate, did I simply do what I had to do, or did I choose to do all that I could have?
Well, I have to break the mood here, can't post and only be depressing and introspective. So recently I have been thinking about going out and getting a trench coat and a fedora to begin my transition to the full time working world. I often have found that the inclusion of a different article of clothing helps transition the mindset to one more fitting of the current attire. For example, my senior year of college I began wearing jeans and t-shirts... because I could and I'm a senior... when I'm not wearing collared button up shirts and dress slacks.
On a related note It seems to me that I get more respect and positive attention when I shave my beard. Several times now I have found that a cleanly shaved face has lead to more general complements and kindness from those I do not know, just an odd aspect of life which may or may not actually be true that I have recently caught on to.
Something I have been mulling over for a few days now that I think could make a good quote goes something like this:
"When you write, whatever you write, think of it as an argument between you and the reader. In that understand that the reader is both judge and jury, so make your writing good enough the first time."
It still needs a lot of work, but it sounds like it has promise. Well, at some point I need to go to bed so I can get up for my last day of real college classes what may be ever... but with my keen psychic spider senses, I feel that I will return one day, a grub may only be separated from a flame for so long before it grows wings and flies to its own doom.
Of all the game intros I have ever seen, this one still ranks as the best, check it out. But then again this character creation is probably the most innovative I have ever seen... Gotta love that your father is a ninja jedi... Then again who can resist Jean Luc Picard. Sorry, they just bring a tear to my eye..
Love,
- Dave
Friday, November 28, 2008
How to lose friends and alienate people
I just found a juice box! Awesome...
So, I figured I should write something now that the first writing push is really done (I have more stuff due wens... I'll get to that on wens) The juice box inspired me. The last post was written to a person I know who at one time or another has been obsessed with Welsh, hope you enjoyed it :). So had the fam over on the break, did stuff, ate stuff, and things, you know the norm. Asile was home which was nice except she didnt make time to hang out so I had to pester her here and there to make up for lost time. She did however point me towards some good humorous links which I will share with you here: Link, Link, Link, Link, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
But back to the heart of the matter, the title of the post. It's a good movie, go find it and see it. Stars the Shaun of the Dead guy and that chick from Spiderman... Mary Jane I think was her name.
To my beloved readers... and no one in specific or particular. Quite frankly my dear, you all bother me on some level, some more than others and in differing and unusual ways, but its worth it, your good people and I'd not trade you for another person who hurts me less... I'd just get them too since its a no loss gain... But please read between the lies and understand the truth that I cannot write. I mean lets face it, without you I would just be some guy who writes things on the internet that no one reads, and who will one day go crazy and honestly believe that he is a magical flying sealion... or maybe a walrus... I AM THE WALRUS! So just don't put up any "do not feed the animals" signs and you and I will get along just fine... Now the funny thing about writing to no one in particular is that I'm sure most, if not all, of you will think I am talking to you. This simply is not true. I am talking to the bearer of the three eyed glass sealion. How much more specific can I get?
Home made pickup line of the day: I have heard that girls like you are a dime a dozen, but I'd pay a whole dollar for you girl.
Well, I'm sure I had more to say... But I say a lot as it is, so I'll let your ears (in this case your eyes) take a nap for a bit while you enjoy the links I provided. That guy is good.
Here's lookin' at you kid.
So, I figured I should write something now that the first writing push is really done (I have more stuff due wens... I'll get to that on wens) The juice box inspired me. The last post was written to a person I know who at one time or another has been obsessed with Welsh, hope you enjoyed it :). So had the fam over on the break, did stuff, ate stuff, and things, you know the norm. Asile was home which was nice except she didnt make time to hang out so I had to pester her here and there to make up for lost time. She did however point me towards some good humorous links which I will share with you here: Link, Link, Link, Link, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
But back to the heart of the matter, the title of the post. It's a good movie, go find it and see it. Stars the Shaun of the Dead guy and that chick from Spiderman... Mary Jane I think was her name.
To my beloved readers... and no one in specific or particular. Quite frankly my dear, you all bother me on some level, some more than others and in differing and unusual ways, but its worth it, your good people and I'd not trade you for another person who hurts me less... I'd just get them too since its a no loss gain... But please read between the lies and understand the truth that I cannot write. I mean lets face it, without you I would just be some guy who writes things on the internet that no one reads, and who will one day go crazy and honestly believe that he is a magical flying sealion... or maybe a walrus... I AM THE WALRUS! So just don't put up any "do not feed the animals" signs and you and I will get along just fine... Now the funny thing about writing to no one in particular is that I'm sure most, if not all, of you will think I am talking to you. This simply is not true. I am talking to the bearer of the three eyed glass sealion. How much more specific can I get?
Home made pickup line of the day: I have heard that girls like you are a dime a dozen, but I'd pay a whole dollar for you girl.
Well, I'm sure I had more to say... But I say a lot as it is, so I'll let your ears (in this case your eyes) take a nap for a bit while you enjoy the links I provided. That guy is good.
Here's lookin' at you kid.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Welsh Connection
Another day, another excuse to write. It's been a while, or at least it feels like it has. I've been trying not to write for several days now and am unfortunately succeeding. I say unfortunately because I need to get this project done and I am waiting on an email response from an informant that will lead to my conclusion. I have sampled various new games and am throughly disappointed. Some times it seems like this is true.
A friend had to watch "the video" and I thought I'd do a bit of writing on that. In my first real job I too had to watch the video... but not since then even though I have worked at several other places. I suppose the video is only used from time to time and only in some jobs. For instance I would have expected the gov-ish job that I worked at to show it, but they did not whereas my experiences in retail acquainted me with it several times (we got to watch three different ones!... ok one was on shoplifting)... Whatever. It's funny, have a sense of humor people, really.
I have spent the past few days doing some reading and research on Gaelic and Welsh mythology and language. It is almost fun (as much as research can be I guess (I looked for a pic or video for Solveo the PBS commercial... just envision that )) Granted the only problem with the research is that it is entirely unrelated to what I am supposed to be working on. However I have learned about the Celtic connection between Royalty and Horses, the connection between Horses and the Sea, and the connection between the Sea and the Gods... very interesting...
So now it's time to spread some of my hard fought and paid for college knowledge with my patented Welsh Theoretical First-timer's Introductory Translative Section (WTFITS for short) where I will show you what I have been told is the proper way to pronounce some common Welsh spelling peculiarities.
below are the parts, on the left is the welsh, on the right is the approximate american english pronunciation.
Rule of thumb: pronounce every letter, no letter in welsh is silent!
Second Rule of thumb: pronounce the vowels a, e, and o like sounds not letters!
dd = th (soft, like in the word tooth)
th = th (soft, comes at the beginning of words)
ll = th (hard, like in the word the)
ch = ck
f = v
ff = f
i = e
u = i
w = oo / u
y = or/ur if inside a word, y/e if at the end
There you go! Now know that the translation of welsh is a difficult process (as is translation in any language) and I do not know enough to begin to cover that here. But neither do other people it would seem. now here's something to practice on:
Pa frechdanau sydd gennych? (What sandwiches do you have?)
Mab pwy yw ef? (Whose son is he?)
Dach chi eisiau dawnsio (h)efo fi? (Would you like to dance with me?)
Pump gwrw (Five beers)
Ga i beint o seidr os gwelwch yn dda (I'd like a pint of cider please)
Mae'n amser gwelu, Nos Da. (Bed time, good night.)
Rwy'n dy garu di! (I Love you!)
A friend had to watch "the video" and I thought I'd do a bit of writing on that. In my first real job I too had to watch the video... but not since then even though I have worked at several other places. I suppose the video is only used from time to time and only in some jobs. For instance I would have expected the gov-ish job that I worked at to show it, but they did not whereas my experiences in retail acquainted me with it several times (we got to watch three different ones!... ok one was on shoplifting)... Whatever. It's funny, have a sense of humor people, really.
I have spent the past few days doing some reading and research on Gaelic and Welsh mythology and language. It is almost fun (as much as research can be I guess (I looked for a pic or video for Solveo the PBS commercial... just envision that )) Granted the only problem with the research is that it is entirely unrelated to what I am supposed to be working on. However I have learned about the Celtic connection between Royalty and Horses, the connection between Horses and the Sea, and the connection between the Sea and the Gods... very interesting...
So now it's time to spread some of my hard fought and paid for college knowledge with my patented Welsh Theoretical First-timer's Introductory Translative Section (WTFITS for short) where I will show you what I have been told is the proper way to pronounce some common Welsh spelling peculiarities.
below are the parts, on the left is the welsh, on the right is the approximate american english pronunciation.
Rule of thumb: pronounce every letter, no letter in welsh is silent!
Second Rule of thumb: pronounce the vowels a, e, and o like sounds not letters!
dd = th (soft, like in the word tooth)
th = th (soft, comes at the beginning of words)
ll = th (hard, like in the word the)
ch = ck
f = v
ff = f
i = e
u = i
w = oo / u
y = or/ur if inside a word, y/e if at the end
There you go! Now know that the translation of welsh is a difficult process (as is translation in any language) and I do not know enough to begin to cover that here. But neither do other people it would seem. now here's something to practice on:
Pa frechdanau sydd gennych? (What sandwiches do you have?)
Mab pwy yw ef? (Whose son is he?)
Dach chi eisiau dawnsio (h)efo fi? (Would you like to dance with me?)
Pump gwrw (Five beers)
Ga i beint o seidr os gwelwch yn dda (I'd like a pint of cider please)
Mae'n amser gwelu, Nos Da. (Bed time, good night.)
Rwy'n dy garu di! (I Love you!)
Monday, November 24, 2008
Flashback
I snuck back into highschool today. Kidnapped a teacher for lunch, and got to see the aftermath of some punk kid setting the bathroom on fire. Good fun all in all. Also saw a blast from the past as I ran into my Ex's younger sister. Confession time: whenever something directly reminds me of... the past... I still get that feeling in my stomach like I have just been kicked in the balls. That tight slimy just-about-to-puke feeling. Its great... There are not unresolved emotional issues there at all...
So its back to the college grind (that link is a bit rude sorry) as I have a HUGE paper due after the break. Oh, and I have been recognized as the lead editor for a book that was just published to give you some insight as to all this writing I'm doing, so thats another notch to add to the resume. College is fun (that must have been a theater or chorus group).
Well, soon I'm off to HPBN (Half Price Burger Night) so I bid you ado.
So its back to the college grind (that link is a bit rude sorry) as I have a HUGE paper due after the break. Oh, and I have been recognized as the lead editor for a book that was just published to give you some insight as to all this writing I'm doing, so thats another notch to add to the resume. College is fun (that must have been a theater or chorus group).
Well, soon I'm off to HPBN (Half Price Burger Night) so I bid you ado.
Dreamland
Ever have those days when you get up and spend the first part of the day unsure whether or not you are still dreaming? Somehow those days are increasing at an alarming rate for me. I have been having memories that are not real, and have had dreams that I was sure were. Is this the beginning to the spiral into madness? Even worse, half of my dreams revolve around the death of someone I know... if I think I am still dreaming what will I do in reality?
For instance, say you are looking into a mirror and you see your reflection blink... but you know that you did not blink... And the strange part is if I post this and you can read it, that happened in reality...
As it was before I have spent a lot of time writing in the past few days. I almost wonder if the dreams and confused reality is related to the writing. Or is it related to the higher stress level that comes with the higher work load. Its hard to say.
For you TV watching fans out there I have a high recommendation for you. I have found a new show that rocks and need to share it. Now let me start with the warning that the type of comedy I love grew out of Family Matters, Home Improvement and Seinfeld, to become a Scrubs, Arrested Development type of sitcom humor. But now I have discovered 30 Rock, good show, fast jokes and lots of references. I would say it is the business equivalent of scrubs... And whats not to like about Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey... If I had to compare it to other shows, its like The Office, but the episodes and humor have more of a direct comedic point rather than being a long drawn out boring story about one or two interesting characters and a bunch of losers. On 30 Rock, everyone is an interesting looser character, but the best part is they are so absurdly good at acting like they have the various psychological ailments they seem to portray its like eating a stew of hilarity, you have no idea what the next bite will introduce to your system, but it's all mmmm mmmm good.
... Yes fine, I admit it, I am writing this because I should be writing more homeworky stuff... It helps clear my mind...
Oh, news flash, I had always said my sister's class ruined my high school, and in the paper today that was proven true as something like eight of them were busted for a heroin ring which has lead to something like two confirmed deaths in the past few years... My class wins every championship that the state threw at us, and hers sells heroin to middle schoolers... For Shame... but why are middle schoolers buying heroin? maybe they plan to be english majors and want to get an early start...
Blah, Blah, Yak, Yadda, Dah...
Oh, and for those users of MegaVideo out there, they have instituted a new policy where you have to buy premium membership to use their service for more than 74 minutes straight... LAMEO (not to be confused with LMAO under any circumstances)... What they should have done to make money AND keep customers is do what Hulu did and air a commercial every 15 min or so.
Well, another post on the wall today (it is still today since I have not slept yet... or for the past two days... man the days get longer every year, and shorter as well...)
WAY TOO MANY PERIODS!!!
- The editor got out! Get him before he eats all the bagels!
For instance, say you are looking into a mirror and you see your reflection blink... but you know that you did not blink... And the strange part is if I post this and you can read it, that happened in reality...
As it was before I have spent a lot of time writing in the past few days. I almost wonder if the dreams and confused reality is related to the writing. Or is it related to the higher stress level that comes with the higher work load. Its hard to say.
For you TV watching fans out there I have a high recommendation for you. I have found a new show that rocks and need to share it. Now let me start with the warning that the type of comedy I love grew out of Family Matters, Home Improvement and Seinfeld, to become a Scrubs, Arrested Development type of sitcom humor. But now I have discovered 30 Rock, good show, fast jokes and lots of references. I would say it is the business equivalent of scrubs... And whats not to like about Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey... If I had to compare it to other shows, its like The Office, but the episodes and humor have more of a direct comedic point rather than being a long drawn out boring story about one or two interesting characters and a bunch of losers. On 30 Rock, everyone is an interesting looser character, but the best part is they are so absurdly good at acting like they have the various psychological ailments they seem to portray its like eating a stew of hilarity, you have no idea what the next bite will introduce to your system, but it's all mmmm mmmm good.
... Yes fine, I admit it, I am writing this because I should be writing more homeworky stuff... It helps clear my mind...
Oh, news flash, I had always said my sister's class ruined my high school, and in the paper today that was proven true as something like eight of them were busted for a heroin ring which has lead to something like two confirmed deaths in the past few years... My class wins every championship that the state threw at us, and hers sells heroin to middle schoolers... For Shame... but why are middle schoolers buying heroin? maybe they plan to be english majors and want to get an early start...
Blah, Blah, Yak, Yadda, Dah...
Oh, and for those users of MegaVideo out there, they have instituted a new policy where you have to buy premium membership to use their service for more than 74 minutes straight... LAMEO (not to be confused with LMAO under any circumstances)... What they should have done to make money AND keep customers is do what Hulu did and air a commercial every 15 min or so.
Well, another post on the wall today (it is still today since I have not slept yet... or for the past two days... man the days get longer every year, and shorter as well...)
WAY TOO MANY PERIODS!!!
- The editor got out! Get him before he eats all the bagels!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
One of my better ideas
While chasing one of my better ideas I ended up stepping outside with an electric razor. My intentions were to cut my own hair, which I did and with a decent amount of success. I did not end up "bicking it" as one has put it, nor do I plan on it. My intentions were to try and give myself a haircut such that it would not look like I am hiding my baldness. And to my delight I now look something like this... Fine, so maybe a little more like this than that. To which my brother responded "I do not know who you are now." So I have successfully accomplished stage one... now stage two, with my new alter-ego look I must start a life of crime... or crime fighting.... yessss...(I call the rights to the super hero name of "Baldman")
Ive been swamped with projects this past week and have had not had much time to write as you well know. Unfortunately the forecast has even more papers, projects, and tests sweeping across the planes of my life, of which a new storm front will hit tomorrow and continue for the next week before the blizzard of finals sweeps through. So in advance, I am sorry for not posting, blame my professors, I also support you charging them a monetary fine for the time that I do not have to write here.
The kids book has begun full swing, Ive been granted access to a well known illustrator and writer through my various connections, and have already been hit up by two independent people for a preemptive agreement to sign their copies... calm down people, it will be a while before I get anything complete enough to worry about signing things. More to come later...
Love you, buh-bye!
now say it with me in a raspy voice like your the bat man... or maybe like the Thunder cats...I AM BALDMAN!!! HOOOO!
Ive been swamped with projects this past week and have had not had much time to write as you well know. Unfortunately the forecast has even more papers, projects, and tests sweeping across the planes of my life, of which a new storm front will hit tomorrow and continue for the next week before the blizzard of finals sweeps through. So in advance, I am sorry for not posting, blame my professors, I also support you charging them a monetary fine for the time that I do not have to write here.
The kids book has begun full swing, Ive been granted access to a well known illustrator and writer through my various connections, and have already been hit up by two independent people for a preemptive agreement to sign their copies... calm down people, it will be a while before I get anything complete enough to worry about signing things. More to come later...
Love you, buh-bye!
now say it with me in a raspy voice like your the bat man... or maybe like the Thunder cats...I AM BALDMAN!!! HOOOO!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The door with no knob
That's right, this post is about people. People are the door with no knob. They are a means to understanding, yet they are also the gate keepers of self. There is an opening, but you must know someone to get in the club and even then you can only go so far, as you must be on the list to get into the vip room and on the short list to get into the prestigious vip gold room. I have been trying to make an effort to spend some time with those who I may never see again. Knowing that my professional collage career will end in three weeks time if I do not return for grad school.
Sorry for the recent treatment of mild neglect, the past week has been full of papers for every class in addition to some personal stuff that took time to work out. Oh my... that guy is wearing a pirate hat... sorry I'm at school... on a friday... before 3pm... yeah, the makings of a bad day. Last night was spent finalizing two papers both due today which I neglected to start until last night, but all in all I think they went quite well.
Several days ago it snowed. that's right, in november. it was nice to see, more fun than rain. It didn't stick but still cool to see. Well, my time here is almost up so I'll cut it off for now and get back to it later.
now let me leave you with this... And some of this too.
Sorry for the recent treatment of mild neglect, the past week has been full of papers for every class in addition to some personal stuff that took time to work out. Oh my... that guy is wearing a pirate hat... sorry I'm at school... on a friday... before 3pm... yeah, the makings of a bad day. Last night was spent finalizing two papers both due today which I neglected to start until last night, but all in all I think they went quite well.
Several days ago it snowed. that's right, in november. it was nice to see, more fun than rain. It didn't stick but still cool to see. Well, my time here is almost up so I'll cut it off for now and get back to it later.
now let me leave you with this... And some of this too.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Encounter at Farpoint... Station
Well, I'm gonna live up to my namesake today and just ramble. My head is about to esplode so I need a vent. I'm currently trying to help tutor a friend in doing something I have done before (build a fantasy world) and it's driving me crazy. I can say this because I am fairly certain that he/she does not read this (and because I have expressed this view to him/her directly already). Quite frankly my dear, our minds don't work the same way so every suggestion I give doesn't make sense, and every thought he/she has I am confused by. That and I just watched "The Golden Compass" and boy is my brain tired... tired of mocking itself for all of the "subtle" messages in that movie and how stupid it all is (I hate when the main character needs to be unnaturally ignorant or young so the author can get across "deep" statements about our "reality"). I have heard that the book is even more dense with these, which some praise it for, but I fear would only hurt my head more. Don't get me wrong, I love it when writers actually think, cherish it even more when they make connections that work especially if they use motifs and themes to do so. I just feel there is a certain point at which you should limit the amount of "insight" you throw at a reader or viewer at one time... Oh and the best part was random Eva Green appearing and disappearing at will... Oh and she can fly! I found it funny how in the three films I have seen her in, she has one "I'm serious" face and uses it every time [squint right eye 10% more than left and stare through the other actor...ACTION!]. Going back to one of those things I was talking about before, it's odd how something like five people I know decided they wanted to write a book within this year.
My prediction for the future is that Tyrael in Diablo 3 will be evil. In the past two Diablo games (ok so he really was not in the first one other than in the lore) Tyrael has made decisions and taken actions seemingly without consulting any one else. Also it is written that he is considered a "rogue" to the other legions of heaven (maybe to make him cool). I bring him up since he is one of my alias' on line and once Diablo III comes out I'm sure there will be more Tyrael hype.
Sadly also in my spare time I have been doing some book writing, the kid's book is coming along nicely except for chapter two... but really what do you do with more than half of a chapter dedicated to farm life... I mean farm life... really, not quite as cool as adventuring to find magic weapons and fighting ancient dragons... Even NWN 2 could not pull off describing farm life, they skipped over it entirely.
What to complain about now, ah, hows about the lack of links in this post, I mean seriously what a slacker. I did receive from one loyal reader a handful of movie links, but most of them were political and I don't do political.
It's getting down to the wire, once college is done I have plans of shaving my head. As most of you who read this know, I suffer from a severe case of individual hair follicles deciding to jump ship, never to be seen again. This really does not bother me, nor does it seem to bother most people other than my good friends who like to point this out (as it has been a topic of conversation brought up between them and various waitresses in the past few weeks). Hair is really just a general pain (the needing it cut, the making it look good, the wind catching it wrong), I wonder if you can get that laser hair removal thing for your whole head... But one thing is certain, I will get hair removed from my butt and stapled to my head before I wear a wig (unless its for Halloween or another costumed event).
Well, now it's late and I have a date... with my bed... and I expect that some sleeping together may be involved... ;)
Catch you on the flip side.
My prediction for the future is that Tyrael in Diablo 3 will be evil. In the past two Diablo games (ok so he really was not in the first one other than in the lore) Tyrael has made decisions and taken actions seemingly without consulting any one else. Also it is written that he is considered a "rogue" to the other legions of heaven (maybe to make him cool). I bring him up since he is one of my alias' on line and once Diablo III comes out I'm sure there will be more Tyrael hype.
Sadly also in my spare time I have been doing some book writing, the kid's book is coming along nicely except for chapter two... but really what do you do with more than half of a chapter dedicated to farm life... I mean farm life... really, not quite as cool as adventuring to find magic weapons and fighting ancient dragons... Even NWN 2 could not pull off describing farm life, they skipped over it entirely.
What to complain about now, ah, hows about the lack of links in this post, I mean seriously what a slacker. I did receive from one loyal reader a handful of movie links, but most of them were political and I don't do political.
It's getting down to the wire, once college is done I have plans of shaving my head. As most of you who read this know, I suffer from a severe case of individual hair follicles deciding to jump ship, never to be seen again. This really does not bother me, nor does it seem to bother most people other than my good friends who like to point this out (as it has been a topic of conversation brought up between them and various waitresses in the past few weeks). Hair is really just a general pain (the needing it cut, the making it look good, the wind catching it wrong), I wonder if you can get that laser hair removal thing for your whole head... But one thing is certain, I will get hair removed from my butt and stapled to my head before I wear a wig (unless its for Halloween or another costumed event).
Well, now it's late and I have a date... with my bed... and I expect that some sleeping together may be involved... ;)
Catch you on the flip side.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Movie Time
Get out that Pop-Secret and a 4 gallon bucket for soda, it's movie time. Today we will be starting off with horror, and ending with comedy. So sit back, relax, and make sure to call in sick the next few days.
While surfing the other day I came across the Official Elder Scrolls V Announcement Trailer. Now after some investigation into this matter I came across quite a bit of information on this phenomenon. The original video can be found here, and yes that is the real video and his real voice. Apparently this sort of thing is common and has happened before as you can read in the Wikipedia page on Rickrolling. It is absolutely fascinating to me how such a thing can come about and continue to exist. The even more interesting part is how widely it gets accepted and adopted. But as they say, know your meme.
And now for something completely different! If you like good 'ol political rhetoric I highly suggest watching this as it is a media gem and should live on forever in our hearts and minds.
Additionally if you want something to make you both laugh and cry for the poor children of our great nation check this out. I personally believe that if you do not check out that link then underprivileged nations may not be benefited by the lacking education system of our own country. And the sad thing is what I just said actuially made some sense in a confusing and counter-intuitive sort of way. But I still personally believe it.
Then of course I could not call myself a true internet aficionado without including Charlie in this post. Charlie has two videos. Now Charlie also has some literature (if you can call it that) associated with it.
And who can forget the mushroom or the duck? Or best of all, this guy... or that guy? Yeah, that guy just totally rocks.
... lets end with a war movie.
Well, Happy Surfing!
While surfing the other day I came across the Official Elder Scrolls V Announcement Trailer. Now after some investigation into this matter I came across quite a bit of information on this phenomenon. The original video can be found here, and yes that is the real video and his real voice. Apparently this sort of thing is common and has happened before as you can read in the Wikipedia page on Rickrolling. It is absolutely fascinating to me how such a thing can come about and continue to exist. The even more interesting part is how widely it gets accepted and adopted. But as they say, know your meme.
And now for something completely different! If you like good 'ol political rhetoric I highly suggest watching this as it is a media gem and should live on forever in our hearts and minds.
Additionally if you want something to make you both laugh and cry for the poor children of our great nation check this out. I personally believe that if you do not check out that link then underprivileged nations may not be benefited by the lacking education system of our own country. And the sad thing is what I just said actuially made some sense in a confusing and counter-intuitive sort of way. But I still personally believe it.
Then of course I could not call myself a true internet aficionado without including Charlie in this post. Charlie has two videos. Now Charlie also has some literature (if you can call it that) associated with it.
And who can forget the mushroom or the duck? Or best of all, this guy... or that guy? Yeah, that guy just totally rocks.
... lets end with a war movie.
Well, Happy Surfing!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Utopians
To my dear brothers and sisters in captivity, to those exiled from your true homes, and to those living in the lands of Utopia and Dystopia, I write.
I wrestle in prayer for you daily that the evils of this life may not take hold of you. I hold great hope for your success over the snares that may hold you back. The addictions of this life are strong, and you must steel yourself against them with the spirit of love and kindness, and a mindset of hope and a heart of faith and a mouth of truth. Look to the future glory and find strength that does not exist in yourself. Through grace I write you in my own captivity. My mind wears thin but my hand remains vigil as do my hopes. You are the ones I love, the ones my soul breaks for. It is my sincere hope that your own successes will far surpass mine, but that I may be granted the honor and joy of being even an example of what to not do. Some of your brothers and sisters in neighboring lands have lost faith, and others remain strong, keep both in your hearts and minds. Do not make a way for the napping of the day, or for the wine of the drunkards, for in closing your eyes evil will grow unseen, and in the drink of the drunk you will only find momentary relief from your pains and lasting relief from the weight of your coin purse. I fear deeply for some of you that you are looking for wisdom in the market of fools, but there you will only find folly, pride, and a means to personal destruction and emotional poverty. For although the meal of a hand full of seeds may be food for today, know that going hungry today may lead to an entire crop of food for the seasons to come. Make your seed a message of joy and hope that it might grow in others and all may be fed. Work to teach this message to the children that they may grow in love and their hearts rejoice in the truth. Save them from the cold and the traps that will leave them alone and suffering in darkness. For those of you with debts and debtors I urge you to forgive but do so by way of divine grace and sanctification but not in your own strength. Above all do not forget the teachings of your parents and the wisdom of the elders, let them be a light to you in times of darkness. I will pray that you do not loose heart in the hard times and that you will not loose sight in the times of great harvest. Never misplace the knowledge that the fruit of success grow not under your power. Nor do you control the west wind. But never forget to rejoice in your freedom as it has been granted to you in both the times of joy and the times of sorrow. All things that are, are by a reason and are for a purpose.
I wrestle in prayer for you daily that the evils of this life may not take hold of you. I hold great hope for your success over the snares that may hold you back. The addictions of this life are strong, and you must steel yourself against them with the spirit of love and kindness, and a mindset of hope and a heart of faith and a mouth of truth. Look to the future glory and find strength that does not exist in yourself. Through grace I write you in my own captivity. My mind wears thin but my hand remains vigil as do my hopes. You are the ones I love, the ones my soul breaks for. It is my sincere hope that your own successes will far surpass mine, but that I may be granted the honor and joy of being even an example of what to not do. Some of your brothers and sisters in neighboring lands have lost faith, and others remain strong, keep both in your hearts and minds. Do not make a way for the napping of the day, or for the wine of the drunkards, for in closing your eyes evil will grow unseen, and in the drink of the drunk you will only find momentary relief from your pains and lasting relief from the weight of your coin purse. I fear deeply for some of you that you are looking for wisdom in the market of fools, but there you will only find folly, pride, and a means to personal destruction and emotional poverty. For although the meal of a hand full of seeds may be food for today, know that going hungry today may lead to an entire crop of food for the seasons to come. Make your seed a message of joy and hope that it might grow in others and all may be fed. Work to teach this message to the children that they may grow in love and their hearts rejoice in the truth. Save them from the cold and the traps that will leave them alone and suffering in darkness. For those of you with debts and debtors I urge you to forgive but do so by way of divine grace and sanctification but not in your own strength. Above all do not forget the teachings of your parents and the wisdom of the elders, let them be a light to you in times of darkness. I will pray that you do not loose heart in the hard times and that you will not loose sight in the times of great harvest. Never misplace the knowledge that the fruit of success grow not under your power. Nor do you control the west wind. But never forget to rejoice in your freedom as it has been granted to you in both the times of joy and the times of sorrow. All things that are, are by a reason and are for a purpose.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Letters to the Editor
The following are a list of questions as I continually re-self-examine... myself... And this way I can self examine you too!
Also, do you think this color scheme is working? I was going for the old, like 1950's newspaper feel (yes i know the background was not black) but the theme of gray is integral to the meaning, but does it work?
Is my sad attempt at blending the best of Internet humor with my personal voice and life working?
And for you poetry lovers:
What is life like? Yesterday opened up my arrested reality. Reading yet moves everyone.
Don't you agree?
The comment box has been opened to anonymous posting. Please make use of it. :)
After talking with Scott (he is the druid on the general channel) who just left on a business trip, we learned that I exist one hour in the future of base reality. We may be able to use this, and I have already formulated that I should go back in time and fix some of the mistakes I have made.
Which brings us to the question of the day: if you could, would you, should you?
Life is full of reflection on the past, both mistakes and triumphs... but mainly mistakes (I would argue that people spend more time regretting than celebrating and wishing to re-write successes makes almost no sense). I will now ask that cliché question about time travel, if you could go back in time to change something in your past would you? But to add to the question I would have to say that whatever you choose to change would in fact effect all life after it and would not be a localized event. Would you give up who and what you are today, for what you could have been? I suppose the salvation of this argument is in the unknown that is the other future. In simple fact there is no way to know if it would be better or worse, or that if you did make it better, something worse would not happen later because of your change.
Below is in no particular order a list of movies that you NEED TO SEE if you have not already seen all of them. And if you have, SEE THEM AGAIN. I refuse to give these a proper order since they are all top notch and will only display them in alphabetical order.
Casablanca
Airplane 1, 2
Lethal weapon I
Lucky number slevin
Matrix series
Euro trip
Startrek II
Employee of the month
X-men
Young frankenstein
20,000 leagues under the sea
Thank you for smoking
Ironman
Magnificent Seven
Equilibrium
Spy game
--- The following are true to their titles as well ---
Die hard 3, 4
Accepted
V for vendetta
E.T. the extra terrestrial
Road trip
Oceans 11
Conan the barbarian
Kill bill 1 and 2
Super troopers
--- and these are just good ---
12 Monkeys
LotR series
The good the bad and the ugly
Starwars VI, VII, VIII
Bourn series
Ghostbusters I, II
The Patriot
Batman Begins
The whole nine yards
Pulp fiction
Beauty and the beast
Top gun
The girl next door
Indiana Jones I, II, III
James Bond all
Phantom of the opera
The last samurai
Spy game
The Professional
Terminator I, II, III
If you get them please do not give them away. It ruins the secret.
(Fun Fact: Subliminal is a compound latin word. Sub means under and Liminal means threshold or doorway.)
Also, do you think this color scheme is working? I was going for the old, like 1950's newspaper feel (yes i know the background was not black) but the theme of gray is integral to the meaning, but does it work?
Is my sad attempt at blending the best of Internet humor with my personal voice and life working?
And for you poetry lovers:
What is life like? Yesterday opened up my arrested reality. Reading yet moves everyone.
Don't you agree?
The comment box has been opened to anonymous posting. Please make use of it. :)
After talking with Scott (he is the druid on the general channel) who just left on a business trip, we learned that I exist one hour in the future of base reality. We may be able to use this, and I have already formulated that I should go back in time and fix some of the mistakes I have made.
Which brings us to the question of the day: if you could, would you, should you?
Life is full of reflection on the past, both mistakes and triumphs... but mainly mistakes (I would argue that people spend more time regretting than celebrating and wishing to re-write successes makes almost no sense). I will now ask that cliché question about time travel, if you could go back in time to change something in your past would you? But to add to the question I would have to say that whatever you choose to change would in fact effect all life after it and would not be a localized event. Would you give up who and what you are today, for what you could have been? I suppose the salvation of this argument is in the unknown that is the other future. In simple fact there is no way to know if it would be better or worse, or that if you did make it better, something worse would not happen later because of your change.
Below is in no particular order a list of movies that you NEED TO SEE if you have not already seen all of them. And if you have, SEE THEM AGAIN. I refuse to give these a proper order since they are all top notch and will only display them in alphabetical order.
Casablanca
Airplane 1, 2
Lethal weapon I
Lucky number slevin
Matrix series
Euro trip
Startrek II
Employee of the month
X-men
Young frankenstein
20,000 leagues under the sea
Thank you for smoking
Ironman
Magnificent Seven
Equilibrium
Spy game
--- The following are true to their titles as well ---
Die hard 3, 4
Accepted
V for vendetta
E.T. the extra terrestrial
Road trip
Oceans 11
Conan the barbarian
Kill bill 1 and 2
Super troopers
--- and these are just good ---
12 Monkeys
LotR series
The good the bad and the ugly
Starwars VI, VII, VIII
Bourn series
Ghostbusters I, II
The Patriot
Batman Begins
The whole nine yards
Pulp fiction
Beauty and the beast
Top gun
The girl next door
Indiana Jones I, II, III
James Bond all
Phantom of the opera
The last samurai
Spy game
The Professional
Terminator I, II, III
If you get them please do not give them away. It ruins the secret.
(Fun Fact: Subliminal is a compound latin word. Sub means under and Liminal means threshold or doorway.)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Dystopian Socioty as we Know it
I will begin in apologizing that I will not in fact be talking about Sean Connery (look him up in Gawain and the Green Knight for a good laugh) and Gob Bluth (watch Arrested Development... just watch it... DO IT NOW!), nor will I talk about President Indiana Solo, my father Ra's Al Jin, Boramir the Irish cossack and true son of the Emperor, or King Emperor Jean-Luc Septim (Even though these people are pretty much the coolest people on the planet... oh and of course MacGyver, Kirk, and my celebrity crush, Angela Brewster Connor).
Rather I will ramble, its been a good while since my last one and I feel you are far overdue. I had planned on writing almost every day this past week, but it has been busy an I have had almost no sleep until today (almost no sleep is common for me, 5 hours or less a night, but when I admit to almost no sleep that means roughly 2 or less... Darn insomnia... and games... beautiful games) The short of it is, it has been a long week.
Most of the week has had this thick cloud of depression hovering over it... I'm not really quite sure why, its been a fun week but It's a hard feeling to kick. I'll be going along and BAM something will happen that just hurts, shows me truth I didn't want to know or reminds me of something I tried to forget. But I will try to avoid most of that here as its dull compared to the adventures of the week.
On Thursday I think... I saw the most beautiful woman on the planet. I know this is true, there is none that even half compare. I saw her, had to do a double take, then a triple take. I could not help but check her out over and over and over and over. The funny thing is I had told myself that I would not attempt to hit on women for the next week or month or however long I can (I had decided that early on Thursday), and I could not break that the first day (what a test to see her). Now the funny thing is, I could not describe her for the life of me now. I don't even remember if she was a blonde or brunette. I have no recollection about any of her features. Now you would think that since she was drop dead gorgeous I would remember a face like that, especially after probably creeping her out as i dragged my jaw along the floor. But somehow I have absolutely no memory of her other than she was amazing. This however would allow me to pick her out of a lineup of pretty girls since she would make every one look ugly. Life is funny that way huh.
Later I had a conference with a prof of mine (I can use abbreviations here, its academia the place where such things are discouraged)(I have questioned her sanity on several occasions and I think this time takes the cake). We set up a meeting to discuss something I am working on and the first sign that something was wrong is she scheduled it for 9am... thats right, that hour that is only a myth to most college students. So in the meeting she first told me what the focus of my paper was (which was not the focus of my paper), and then proceeded to scold me since I had not lived up to fulfilling it (since it was not the focus of my paper). I could not tell her this because I think she already is quite disappointed in me for frequently skipping her class and we have reached the sort of interaction that most of my professional bosses and I have. Basically they hate my guts because I go around their "orders" to complete a task in a more efficient way (yes sadly i am not lying about this).
Later I got a letter telling me that my parking citation was in fact not dropped. I sent several letters and calls their way and the best response I got was that the thing I posted earlier was their system output for me not having it dropped. Apparently saying "resolved" meant that they had read my response and not that it was in fact resolved, and the amount due line which read $0 meant that my fine amount was not adjusted and I still owe the full amount. Yeah, its a total load of B.S. But sadly I can do nothing more than use voodoo dolls to torture the employees and burn down the building. But both of those would take effort and right now I'm so pissed that I no longer care... Jerks! (dear reader, you unfortunately have just witnessed the worst insult known to my vocabulary, and here comes the worst curse, may they forever have boring underpaying desk jobs.)
I spent a day running from society to visit my uncle in po-dung farm ville where he just bought a bunch of land that has buildings from the 1800's on it. We did some exploring, some talking and had lunch, it was nice (except for the hours and hours of driving). There he and his wife did not actually condemn my decision to be an English major (which I thought they would) and suggested that I become a writer since our family has none right now and is due for another famous one.
I spent the weekend being the DD for a double party (got to drive a HUGE minivan quite the contradiction in terms)(man, designated driving is... well... worse than baby sitting) but it was fun. We went to a karaoke bar which was quite the experience and I actually almost regret not singing (almost).
Oh, I should do a follow up on the election day thing... Let me just say that I am not a racist and that I am quite American. The night was spent in the hometown Grille and Bar with friends drinking the election away. Luckily the totally awesome people that work there whom I personally know and love also hung out to watch. And I scold JH for cheating on me with her boyfriend of four + years... Doesn't our three year client-server relationship mean anything to you? After she was cut she went to hang out with her boyfriend rather than sit and drink with us. But I forgive her, she is the nicest person in the world after all (no joke), so I suppose this time I will let it slip.
Well, its that time again. Time to start thinking about the homework I should be doing as I play games, watch movies, listen to the radio, and read a book. And that's right, All at the same time. Yeah, I am a talented multitasker, if only my memory worked and I was not crazy and could never find any good women (well except for that once, I wish things could be different) life would be good... Oh and a job would be nice. But no instead I am cursed with beautiful wonderful cynicism, a high I.Q. and a rapport with women slightly reminiscent of John Nash (i have studied body language, nonverbal communication, telepathy and conversational speaking before, and have not met one yet who uses them the way the books say). Oh well, it was suggested that I go speed-dating. Fat chance! I'd rather try one of those online services I insult on a regular basis. At least then I can view my failure from a computer screen and not face to face.
Now I know this post is already unbearably long but I wanted to take a moment to discuss faith, something I have mostly avoided in this column. I have been learning that it is not when I want to see something that it I can see, but rather when I open my eyes to seeing. An interesting lesson to be learning. Just think about it, I wrote it in a physical and metaphorical way and both are true. Just because I will something to be in front of me does not mean that it exists, or even that if I want something really bad, even so bad that I believe it that it is real. But only when you open your eyes to everything, going around with them shut and imagining what you want only goes so far (even though I firmly believe in it) and one must be open to accepting what comes, no matter what it is. A boss does not look for an employee who thinks they can do anything, they look for an employee who is willing to try anything. Be willing to do whatever you are called to and your eyes will open a little more, it may be painful, no one ever said it was easy, but it will bring you to a new place.
(fun fact: Utopia actually means "no place" in greek, which is why it is perfect, because it does not exist. Dystopia or Cacotopia means the opposite of that idea, but not that term.)
Rather I will ramble, its been a good while since my last one and I feel you are far overdue. I had planned on writing almost every day this past week, but it has been busy an I have had almost no sleep until today (almost no sleep is common for me, 5 hours or less a night, but when I admit to almost no sleep that means roughly 2 or less... Darn insomnia... and games... beautiful games) The short of it is, it has been a long week.
Most of the week has had this thick cloud of depression hovering over it... I'm not really quite sure why, its been a fun week but It's a hard feeling to kick. I'll be going along and BAM something will happen that just hurts, shows me truth I didn't want to know or reminds me of something I tried to forget. But I will try to avoid most of that here as its dull compared to the adventures of the week.
On Thursday I think... I saw the most beautiful woman on the planet. I know this is true, there is none that even half compare. I saw her, had to do a double take, then a triple take. I could not help but check her out over and over and over and over. The funny thing is I had told myself that I would not attempt to hit on women for the next week or month or however long I can (I had decided that early on Thursday), and I could not break that the first day (what a test to see her). Now the funny thing is, I could not describe her for the life of me now. I don't even remember if she was a blonde or brunette. I have no recollection about any of her features. Now you would think that since she was drop dead gorgeous I would remember a face like that, especially after probably creeping her out as i dragged my jaw along the floor. But somehow I have absolutely no memory of her other than she was amazing. This however would allow me to pick her out of a lineup of pretty girls since she would make every one look ugly. Life is funny that way huh.
Later I had a conference with a prof of mine (I can use abbreviations here, its academia the place where such things are discouraged)(I have questioned her sanity on several occasions and I think this time takes the cake). We set up a meeting to discuss something I am working on and the first sign that something was wrong is she scheduled it for 9am... thats right, that hour that is only a myth to most college students. So in the meeting she first told me what the focus of my paper was (which was not the focus of my paper), and then proceeded to scold me since I had not lived up to fulfilling it (since it was not the focus of my paper). I could not tell her this because I think she already is quite disappointed in me for frequently skipping her class and we have reached the sort of interaction that most of my professional bosses and I have. Basically they hate my guts because I go around their "orders" to complete a task in a more efficient way (yes sadly i am not lying about this).
Later I got a letter telling me that my parking citation was in fact not dropped. I sent several letters and calls their way and the best response I got was that the thing I posted earlier was their system output for me not having it dropped. Apparently saying "resolved" meant that they had read my response and not that it was in fact resolved, and the amount due line which read $0 meant that my fine amount was not adjusted and I still owe the full amount. Yeah, its a total load of B.S. But sadly I can do nothing more than use voodoo dolls to torture the employees and burn down the building. But both of those would take effort and right now I'm so pissed that I no longer care... Jerks! (dear reader, you unfortunately have just witnessed the worst insult known to my vocabulary, and here comes the worst curse, may they forever have boring underpaying desk jobs.)
I spent a day running from society to visit my uncle in po-dung farm ville where he just bought a bunch of land that has buildings from the 1800's on it. We did some exploring, some talking and had lunch, it was nice (except for the hours and hours of driving). There he and his wife did not actually condemn my decision to be an English major (which I thought they would) and suggested that I become a writer since our family has none right now and is due for another famous one.
I spent the weekend being the DD for a double party (got to drive a HUGE minivan quite the contradiction in terms)(man, designated driving is... well... worse than baby sitting) but it was fun. We went to a karaoke bar which was quite the experience and I actually almost regret not singing (almost).
Oh, I should do a follow up on the election day thing... Let me just say that I am not a racist and that I am quite American. The night was spent in the hometown Grille and Bar with friends drinking the election away. Luckily the totally awesome people that work there whom I personally know and love also hung out to watch. And I scold JH for cheating on me with her boyfriend of four + years... Doesn't our three year client-server relationship mean anything to you? After she was cut she went to hang out with her boyfriend rather than sit and drink with us. But I forgive her, she is the nicest person in the world after all (no joke), so I suppose this time I will let it slip.
Well, its that time again. Time to start thinking about the homework I should be doing as I play games, watch movies, listen to the radio, and read a book. And that's right, All at the same time. Yeah, I am a talented multitasker, if only my memory worked and I was not crazy and could never find any good women (well except for that once, I wish things could be different) life would be good... Oh and a job would be nice. But no instead I am cursed with beautiful wonderful cynicism, a high I.Q. and a rapport with women slightly reminiscent of John Nash (i have studied body language, nonverbal communication, telepathy and conversational speaking before, and have not met one yet who uses them the way the books say). Oh well, it was suggested that I go speed-dating. Fat chance! I'd rather try one of those online services I insult on a regular basis. At least then I can view my failure from a computer screen and not face to face.
Now I know this post is already unbearably long but I wanted to take a moment to discuss faith, something I have mostly avoided in this column. I have been learning that it is not when I want to see something that it I can see, but rather when I open my eyes to seeing. An interesting lesson to be learning. Just think about it, I wrote it in a physical and metaphorical way and both are true. Just because I will something to be in front of me does not mean that it exists, or even that if I want something really bad, even so bad that I believe it that it is real. But only when you open your eyes to everything, going around with them shut and imagining what you want only goes so far (even though I firmly believe in it) and one must be open to accepting what comes, no matter what it is. A boss does not look for an employee who thinks they can do anything, they look for an employee who is willing to try anything. Be willing to do whatever you are called to and your eyes will open a little more, it may be painful, no one ever said it was easy, but it will bring you to a new place.
(fun fact: Utopia actually means "no place" in greek, which is why it is perfect, because it does not exist. Dystopia or Cacotopia means the opposite of that idea, but not that term.)
Monday, November 3, 2008
A moment for my love of Sophy
Before I get into today's topic I wanted to wish everyone a "Happy are you Racist, Sexist, or Un-American Day 2008!" Now that that's out of the way you will be returned to your regularly scheduled program.
That's right, its Philosophy time! And perhaps even time to study the Psychics (psychology, har, har, har) So I pose the supposition that there are two of you. There is the you that you know which I will call the inner you, and the you that others see which I will call the residual you. This by itself is no grand revelation. The inner you is the one that you know, with all of your biases on how you see, understand, and feel about the world around you and what happens. This you is also responsible for making decisions and taking actions. The residual you is the one that others see. This second you is the one whose actions are interpreted by others and whose actions lack the biases of the point of view and emotions of the inner you. The inner you is who you think you are and what you think you are doing, whereas the residual you is formed by what others see in what the inner you tries to do, the residual you is the you that others know, the you that nicknames are formed around and the you that you never quite want to be.
I bring this up because I had an encounter with the residual me just the other day. It is always odd when we have a mirror placed in front of us and what we see is not what we are used to seeing. People in our group were compared to members of a sitcom and I was chosen to be people who I do not really see myself as being (at least at first). This sitcom was made up of people from other various shows and did not really exist in real life as it was little more than my life stolen and put into script form... Darn those hidden cameras and listening devices in my room...
In completely unrelated news this is fun and should be checked out.
In other unrelated news my parking citation got dropped and they did not tell me this. So after investigating I was able to go through a convoluted path of 6 web pages (all of which were questionably labeled) to finally find this:
Appeal Number Ticket Number Status Amount Due Appeal Date Hearing Date
##### L######### Resolved $0.00 10/31/2008
Which I can safely assume means the fine was dropped... Thank you Parking Services, next time I will write an even nastier letter :P
"...the thing is, is..." I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE MISUSE THIS PHRASE, DO NOT SAY "IS" TWICE, JUST PAUSE AND PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BEFORE YOU SAY IT RATHER THAN CONTINUING TO TALK IN THE HOPES THAT SOMETHING INTELLIGENT WILL COME TO MIND!!!
Next time on My Freedonia: Sean Connery and G.O.B. Bluth what more is there to say?
That's right, its Philosophy time! And perhaps even time to study the Psychics (psychology, har, har, har) So I pose the supposition that there are two of you. There is the you that you know which I will call the inner you, and the you that others see which I will call the residual you. This by itself is no grand revelation. The inner you is the one that you know, with all of your biases on how you see, understand, and feel about the world around you and what happens. This you is also responsible for making decisions and taking actions. The residual you is the one that others see. This second you is the one whose actions are interpreted by others and whose actions lack the biases of the point of view and emotions of the inner you. The inner you is who you think you are and what you think you are doing, whereas the residual you is formed by what others see in what the inner you tries to do, the residual you is the you that others know, the you that nicknames are formed around and the you that you never quite want to be.
I bring this up because I had an encounter with the residual me just the other day. It is always odd when we have a mirror placed in front of us and what we see is not what we are used to seeing. People in our group were compared to members of a sitcom and I was chosen to be people who I do not really see myself as being (at least at first). This sitcom was made up of people from other various shows and did not really exist in real life as it was little more than my life stolen and put into script form... Darn those hidden cameras and listening devices in my room...
In completely unrelated news this is fun and should be checked out.
In other unrelated news my parking citation got dropped and they did not tell me this. So after investigating I was able to go through a convoluted path of 6 web pages (all of which were questionably labeled) to finally find this:
Appeal Number Ticket Number Status Amount Due Appeal Date Hearing Date
##### L######### Resolved $0.00 10/31/2008
Which I can safely assume means the fine was dropped... Thank you Parking Services, next time I will write an even nastier letter :P
"...the thing is, is..." I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE MISUSE THIS PHRASE, DO NOT SAY "IS" TWICE, JUST PAUSE AND PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BEFORE YOU SAY IT RATHER THAN CONTINUING TO TALK IN THE HOPES THAT SOMETHING INTELLIGENT WILL COME TO MIND!!!
Next time on My Freedonia: Sean Connery and G.O.B. Bluth what more is there to say?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Halloween Stuff
I AM BATMAN! these are just too good, sorry. But one must admit that even though he is not technically a super-hero BATMAN is awesome, and needs to be admired for his awesomeness.
I got a parking fine today issued by the campus parking services (yes those are horns). Now one would think that since I have a parking pass which I sold my left kidney for they would let me park in the lots on campus and not charge me enough that I would need to sell my right kidney, but no this is obviously a flawed line of thinking. With all of the construction going on, one of the old student lots has become a residents only lot, which I parked in, and got ticketed what would have to be about 5 minutes after I parked. I took the ticket to the campus police, who told me that I should appeal because basically they thought it was stupid. So I tried to access the online appeal procedural file form and guess what... that web page does not exist (that is the appeal form) even though its printed on the back of my ticket. So I wrote a letter to parking services and will keep my fingers crossed that the reader feels like dropping the charge (COUGH entrapment COUGH).
But something to brighten the spirits (yes that is a joke) tonight is Samhain (Halloween for you laymen (laymen being non-folklore majors)). Which means parties, costumes and general shenanigans. One is never too old to dress up or go trick-or-treating... ok so maybe you can be too old for the door to door stuff but what other day of the year do you get to dress up?
I got a parking fine today issued by the campus parking services (yes those are horns). Now one would think that since I have a parking pass which I sold my left kidney for they would let me park in the lots on campus and not charge me enough that I would need to sell my right kidney, but no this is obviously a flawed line of thinking. With all of the construction going on, one of the old student lots has become a residents only lot, which I parked in, and got ticketed what would have to be about 5 minutes after I parked. I took the ticket to the campus police, who told me that I should appeal because basically they thought it was stupid. So I tried to access the online appeal procedural file form and guess what... that web page does not exist (that is the appeal form) even though its printed on the back of my ticket. So I wrote a letter to parking services and will keep my fingers crossed that the reader feels like dropping the charge (COUGH entrapment COUGH).
But something to brighten the spirits (yes that is a joke) tonight is Samhain (Halloween for you laymen (laymen being non-folklore majors)). Which means parties, costumes and general shenanigans. One is never too old to dress up or go trick-or-treating... ok so maybe you can be too old for the door to door stuff but what other day of the year do you get to dress up?
Warning
This blog is not suitable for: children under the age of 3, infants, the illiterate, the indifferent, the non-readers, those who find this blog not suitable, persons living-and-or-dead, the sane, those without the internet, those who do not think, people in comas (may contain small parts that could constitute as choking hazards).
This blog may be offensive to: children under the age of 12, adults above the age of 21, teens between the ages of 13 and 19, people in their 20's, the young, the old, parents, adults, geezers (the really old), the literate, the single, the dating, the engaged, the people in "it's complicated" relationships, the readers, persons living-and-or-dead, the healthy, the sick, women pregnant or nursing, people who take anti-depressant medication, the sane, the attractive, the politically correct, the smart, the dumb, the average, those with eyes, those who think, the masculine, the feminine, the neuter, those who prefer briefs to boxers, or those who prefer Macs to any other form of computer (including the abacus), and those who can and do read this blog.
This blog may contain offensive material if the viewer deems such material is offensive. This blog does not promise to always be comical, nor does it promise to always be serious, nor does it not promise to be both at the same time, or neither at any given point, but does promise to not promise that it will not be cynical in any way possible. This blog may contain flagrantly random material that seems un-suited to this blog. This blog may talk about itself in the third person with no regard to its own feelings.
F.A.Q.
Q.
Why the warning?
A.
Because this blog has surpassed the realm of the contextual, jumped the fence to the dimension of the intertextual and run clear across the freeway naked in broad daylight into the newfangled world of the Hypertextual.
Q.
What is the Hypertextual?.. and why is it CAPITALIZED?
A.
Put simply it is the world of the internet where videos, information and pictures are a mere click away and plagiarism runs as rampant as pop-up ads. This blog will do its best to never "steal" work and will try to cite all of its unoriginal sources. It may however "borrow" information from other places which could lead to it's mildly occasionally inappropriate behavior. (Hypertextual is capitalized because it is not my word... it was in fact borrowed from some other place)
If you take offense to the humor used here, please do not comment about it but rather just stop reading and close your browser window. If you are using a mac, please just toss it out the window and save yourself the trouble... use the insurance money to buy yourself a real computer.
Thank you
This public safety and service announcement is brought to you by: Wardley Essentials
As they said in Roma, caveat emptor!.. Err... Caveat lector!
(...best definition ever...)
This blog may be offensive to: children under the age of 12, adults above the age of 21, teens between the ages of 13 and 19, people in their 20's, the young, the old, parents, adults, geezers (the really old), the literate, the single, the dating, the engaged, the people in "it's complicated" relationships, the readers, persons living-and-or-dead, the healthy, the sick, women pregnant or nursing, people who take anti-depressant medication, the sane, the attractive, the politically correct, the smart, the dumb, the average, those with eyes, those who think, the masculine, the feminine, the neuter, those who prefer briefs to boxers, or those who prefer Macs to any other form of computer (including the abacus), and those who can and do read this blog.
This blog may contain offensive material if the viewer deems such material is offensive. This blog does not promise to always be comical, nor does it promise to always be serious, nor does it not promise to be both at the same time, or neither at any given point, but does promise to not promise that it will not be cynical in any way possible. This blog may contain flagrantly random material that seems un-suited to this blog. This blog may talk about itself in the third person with no regard to its own feelings.
F.A.Q.
Q.
Why the warning?
A.
Because this blog has surpassed the realm of the contextual, jumped the fence to the dimension of the intertextual and run clear across the freeway naked in broad daylight into the newfangled world of the Hypertextual.
Q.
What is the Hypertextual?.. and why is it CAPITALIZED?
A.
Put simply it is the world of the internet where videos, information and pictures are a mere click away and plagiarism runs as rampant as pop-up ads. This blog will do its best to never "steal" work and will try to cite all of its unoriginal sources. It may however "borrow" information from other places which could lead to it's mildly occasionally inappropriate behavior. (Hypertextual is capitalized because it is not my word... it was in fact borrowed from some other place)
If you take offense to the humor used here, please do not comment about it but rather just stop reading and close your browser window. If you are using a mac, please just toss it out the window and save yourself the trouble... use the insurance money to buy yourself a real computer.
Thank you
This public safety and service announcement is brought to you by: Wardley Essentials
As they said in Roma, caveat emptor!.. Err... Caveat lector!
(...best definition ever...)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
I am Batman or Picking on the Disabled Kid
I woke up this morning and sneezed and split my lip in two places. So basically I awoke to a bloody mouth. A good reminder that you are alive (especially on your birthday (which I had removed from all public forums (as it is a dark and unholy day and all))). But in the writing of the post last night I came up with the best idea ever... So if per-say you are in class and turn in a test, write the name "Batman" as the name or pseudonym in whatever you are doing. The teacher will be forced to ask the class who is Batman, to which the only correct response is "I am BATMAN" (in a deep raspy voice) after waiting a minute for either everyone to respond that way or someone to tell the teacher that you should never ask a superhero their real identity. That or the answer could be Bruce Wayne or even Superman, or heck Mr. T. (that's right... that did just happen...) since he could have hacked the movie and made himself Batman.
Now on to more things I will surely burn in hell for... namely picking on the wheel man (affectionately known as the jackass in the wheelchair (not given by me... (really))). I was hanging out with an old friend today who happens to be a wheelchair guy, and because of something he said I threatened to intentionally spill soda on his business suit (its picture day... or career day... or arbor day or something). To which he replied "let's not and say we did" so I will say that I intentionally spilled soda on a disabled kid... (his term to evoke sympathy towards him and hostility towards me in the eyes of the audience for writing this) well not really a kid per say, since he is almost old enough to be my father... but that is a tale for another time. Its just one of those things, when a guy comes to campus dressed in a suit, it needs to be made fun of. Even though or even because this is a "serious and professional learning environment" (please no comments on that picture... and don't even try to understand what is going on in the background... it won't lead you to a happy place) the jokes are a required part of the day (that and they help to pass the dead time between those classes that are best used to catch up on much needed lost Z's).
Now on to more things I will surely burn in hell for... namely picking on the wheel man (affectionately known as the jackass in the wheelchair (not given by me... (really))). I was hanging out with an old friend today who happens to be a wheelchair guy, and because of something he said I threatened to intentionally spill soda on his business suit (its picture day... or career day... or arbor day or something). To which he replied "let's not and say we did" so I will say that I intentionally spilled soda on a disabled kid... (his term to evoke sympathy towards him and hostility towards me in the eyes of the audience for writing this) well not really a kid per say, since he is almost old enough to be my father... but that is a tale for another time. Its just one of those things, when a guy comes to campus dressed in a suit, it needs to be made fun of. Even though or even because this is a "serious and professional learning environment" (please no comments on that picture... and don't even try to understand what is going on in the background... it won't lead you to a happy place) the jokes are a required part of the day (that and they help to pass the dead time between those classes that are best used to catch up on much needed lost Z's).
Kid's Book
After many hours pondering over my various post-collegiate career options I decided to revisit the idea of writing children's fantasy novels. I considered this route several months ago when I realized that my younger brother has no good fantasy to read at his age, leaving the market widely untapped. There is a catch however, which is the stigma associated with children's book writers. I have heard from several of my professors that once a person writes kids books (especially children's fiction and even more so for fantasy) their career as an intellectual dies on the operating room table without any chance of resuscitation. This is widely thought to be due to the fact that children's fantasy is considered a lower form of writing (not to be confused with the difference between low fantasy and high fantasy). I have heard that many scholars who have written fantasy for children have never been able to publish a respected scholarly work from that point on. So if I do decide to finish this story and try to get it published I may need to use a pseudonym. The only problem with that is, if the book or series does become popular or win awards fame and fortune will be harder to come by with only the publisher knowing my real name... But I started writing again and have what should be 50 pages of material to cover (its really quite a bit shorter but with large font and small pages for kids it looks long) which is plot diagrammed and outlined. Now all I have to do is decide where the second book should begin (I have roughly 15 chapters outlined and it ends in a cliffhanger). So now its back to the grindstone... er... notepad...
Friday, October 24, 2008
Rockin'
Last night I was not able to sleep. The night was cold and the morning came all too soon. I learned around 1am that at 930am I had an exam for that class I haven't been to since the last test (Adj). But since I don't really fear about my grade in that class anymore (the grade is 80% based on the exams, one of which is dropped) I have made an effort to skim over the lecture notes just before attending the exams as a way of doing my part. It's not that I have anything against the class (the other students are dumb, the material is self explanatory, it starts before noon, the lecture notes are on line, the book cost over 250 dollars and I didn't buy it...) I just don't like to go. That and I see no point since the lecture notes are on line. So I took the exam then quickly skipped campus (and my other classes) to sneak in to my old high school.
Luckily I didn't have to do that much sneaking since my old AP Physics teacher was in the office, so I had him sneak me out a visitors pass and things were gravy from there. I like to return to high school from time to time, it gives me a sense of accomplishment since I know that I am way better and smarter than the hooligans who dawdle like zombies in those halls. But also I have some good ol' teachers that still have jobs and are still not uncool to hang with from time to time. They are good people, if you ever get the time after you finish a course or class, thank your teacher for putting up with your lazy butt (but don't do it while still in the class because then it looks like you are sucking up). So in about a week I'm meeting one of them to go drinking. Good times, good times.
Luckily I didn't have to do that much sneaking since my old AP Physics teacher was in the office, so I had him sneak me out a visitors pass and things were gravy from there. I like to return to high school from time to time, it gives me a sense of accomplishment since I know that I am way better and smarter than the hooligans who dawdle like zombies in those halls. But also I have some good ol' teachers that still have jobs and are still not uncool to hang with from time to time. They are good people, if you ever get the time after you finish a course or class, thank your teacher for putting up with your lazy butt (but don't do it while still in the class because then it looks like you are sucking up). So in about a week I'm meeting one of them to go drinking. Good times, good times.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Life is good
Well, I'm sitting at home sick, not doing my homework, and life is good. My last post was a frustrated rant about a number of general "sincere" people I know and maybe a few in specific. But it was just blowing off steam and nothing more (I am the only one able to truly ruin my day, others simply don't have that power).
So somehow I always come to this when it happens... Being sick really is not all that its cracked up to be. It always sounds great to not be in class for a reason (aside form the rampant and flippant skipping I do on a regular basis). But even with a reason, sitting in bed because the body hurts too much to do anything productive is not quite as fun as it always sounds somehow. Tomorrow either way I need to kick it into gear and get some more research done. I have been working on studying a sheltered society for an ethnographic research paper, and wouldn't you know it, outside sources are not quite readily available.
The good news is that in my down time I was able to get my hands on a few other games, both old and new (yes that is basically what I spend all of my time and money on... its research). So I have now played "King's Bounty: The Legend" which looked like WoW and felt like a bad strategy game. Got "Redguard" up and running to realize that running from an emulated DOS prompt that is emulating a direct 3d drive just sucks the life out of a game... (Cyrus' voice sounds like the same guy who does the male Redguard voices in TES3 and 4, probably the same guy... Also it was sad that I recognized many of the people who worked on the game in the intro credits... Me and Bethsoft have a troubled history). "Temple of Elemental Evil" which looks cool, I just finished installing it and it now crashes on start up >[ and Arena still is not working quite right. But all in all a productive day... except for that whole not doing anything part.
So my plan is, and this is only on paper (so that I can burn it later and pretend it never existed) to get up early tomorrow (not gonna happen) get to school (also not gonna happen, at least not before lunch... er... wake up time) access the on campus folk archive (might happen) and do some more observational research (if I feel like it). May not sound like a lot, but the last two do take quite a bit of time and effort. Also I have other things to do, so it could be a long day... especially if I still feel sick.
So somehow I always come to this when it happens... Being sick really is not all that its cracked up to be. It always sounds great to not be in class for a reason (aside form the rampant and flippant skipping I do on a regular basis). But even with a reason, sitting in bed because the body hurts too much to do anything productive is not quite as fun as it always sounds somehow. Tomorrow either way I need to kick it into gear and get some more research done. I have been working on studying a sheltered society for an ethnographic research paper, and wouldn't you know it, outside sources are not quite readily available.
The good news is that in my down time I was able to get my hands on a few other games, both old and new (yes that is basically what I spend all of my time and money on... its research). So I have now played "King's Bounty: The Legend" which looked like WoW and felt like a bad strategy game. Got "Redguard" up and running to realize that running from an emulated DOS prompt that is emulating a direct 3d drive just sucks the life out of a game... (Cyrus' voice sounds like the same guy who does the male Redguard voices in TES3 and 4, probably the same guy... Also it was sad that I recognized many of the people who worked on the game in the intro credits... Me and Bethsoft have a troubled history). "Temple of Elemental Evil" which looks cool, I just finished installing it and it now crashes on start up >[ and Arena still is not working quite right. But all in all a productive day... except for that whole not doing anything part.
So my plan is, and this is only on paper (so that I can burn it later and pretend it never existed) to get up early tomorrow (not gonna happen) get to school (also not gonna happen, at least not before lunch... er... wake up time) access the on campus folk archive (might happen) and do some more observational research (if I feel like it). May not sound like a lot, but the last two do take quite a bit of time and effort. Also I have other things to do, so it could be a long day... especially if I still feel sick.
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