The Official DirtyBacon Blog

The throne

2011-04-17T12:03:00.001-04:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Market St,Philadelphia,United States

One day....

2011-04-14T22:34:00.001-04:00

I hope one day I can give my kids experiences that teach life lessons in multiple levels, like my dad has for me.

Mobile blogging

2011-04-08T08:21:00.001-04:00

I DLed an app for my iPhone (yes, I've gone completely to the dark side), and am trying it out. I'm hoping this will allow me to update more regularly. There's always a hope, right?

Things are really messed up in my professional life right now, just so much confusion... I just want some sanity there so I can have security.

... I suppose that's what a lot of us want.

I spent the last month working in exile in California. It was frustrating being away from all my family and friends without really knowing why I was out there. In fact, I'm still not sure, but I have some ideas.

I wish I had crazy resources to travel more. The Internet is great in that it creates a global society, but you still have to pay an arm and a leg and sit on a plane for 6+ hours to get to Europe. Where the he'll are our transporters?? Or at least personal jets.

I'm. Bit melancholy right now I suppose...

Location:Henry Ave,Philadelphia,United States

Narcisism

2011-03-23T00:04:00.003-04:00

What drives someone to be a horrible person? I might be a bit full of myself (ok, a LOT full of myself), but I think that generally I believe I am a decent person and act like one. I like to imagine that people like me because I act decently. I try to lend a sympathetic ear, I try to do right, i don't beat up bums - unless they really deserve it. I don't kick babies.
Even evil babies that have it coming.

So why are others in the world horrible? What is the point?

I will assume that making someone else miserable somehow validates their existence.

Let's assume my assumption is true.

That's sad. These people are really sad.

I hope that I can eradicate these sad people from my life, but I hope even more that my friends and family can get rid of the sad and terrible people that meanthem discomfort just to boost themselves. Because the people I roll with? They're not those people.

And we will overcome. We might get knocked down a bit, but we have each other to lean on, to hold up, to get pulled up by. A support system.

I've decided there is no more room for horrible people in this world. Join me. RISE UP! Kick the nastiness to the curb.

Also, listen to the new strokes album. it's good.

Aaaaannnnnd.... we're back!

2011-02-11T09:26:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Gawker media's issues with password security, my little humble slice of internet was shut down by the man. I understand and support their security concerns.

But you can't keep a good (or even mediocre) blog down!

I have recovered my history.

I can hear the legion of faithful fans breathing a collective sigh of relief.

In the imortal words of George Costanza: "I'm back, baby!"

A challenge, met.

2010-10-06T09:00:00.003-04:00

Well, It's October. That means next month is November. That also means it is NaNoWriMo... National Novel Writing Month.

I've toyed with the idea of doing it for years. I think I even started it one month and failed miserably. Usually, I remember it's happening halfway through November. This time, however, I got a heads up from a friend, and so have plenty of time. I can think about what I should write. i can plan it out a little bit. i can psyche myself up.

It's quite the commitment. 6 pages a day for 30 days. I have trouble writing 6 sentences in this blog, and I'm going to do 6 pages? Audacity, meet your new overlord.

But, I think I need this. i need some discipline. Recently, I beat a PC game (Dragon Age). At the end, it consumed me. While I did enjoy the story, I just wanted to finish it, to finish something. A need not met in my professional life. So I would stay up late into the night, trying to get to the end of the story, the big meandering, glorious story.

Finally, i ended up triumphant. Almost all the side quests; the main quest complete. And since then I haven't had the desire to play a video game. That will change eventually, but for now, my mind wants to take on other pursuits.

I think that I need to give this blog a facelift. It's been very loyal to me, waiting obediently outside the door for me to return to it, even if I am gone for months at a time. I think it deserves better.

I have a domain that I could move it over to, but I'm not sure I want to leave blogger. I really need to find an easy way to update both sites at the same time, but my skillz aren't l44t enough.

Bookwise, I am 3/4 of the way through "The Book Thief". It's been some good stuff. Very serious stuff from what I had been reading recently, but great book for all the rain we've been receiving.

Fuck Paranoia

2010-10-05T09:24:00.005-04:00

I've been wanting to write on here for a while, but I have avoided it as I have been worried someone would come across it and I'd somehow offend someone... well, screw that. This is my life, and these are my thoughts and if it bothers you, then don't read it.

I've been very unhappy lately. Turned 33 recently, and nothings changed. Still money stressed, my job is miserable (that's on the good days) and I feel I'm just treading water. barely.

I want to stop being a Debbie Downer. I want to perk up. I want to be happy. I just don't know how.

Maybe I need to suck it up. Maybe I need to stop sulking and smile. Maybe I need to just do what I have to do. And maybe, I need to get rid of the bad influence(s) in my life.

Maybe I should start today.

In other news: Been listening to the thermals non stop lately, their whole catalog. I acquire so much new music, it's nice to have a band to absorb. If they were around when I was in high school, I would have definitely written their name on my backpack in permanent marker. I can just let them repeat over and over again.

Woo!

2010-07-15T15:13:00.001-04:00

Fly to Atlanta tomorrow to meet a strange frenchman. silliness will ensue.

The blog may or may not get updated.

BEWARE!!!!!!

2010-04-01T10:19:00.002-04:00

THE EASTER BUNNY IS COMING!!

still alive

2010-03-31T13:18:00.003-04:00

Welp, out of one apartment, into another. Not entirely unpacked, still some work to do there.

I have been feeling a bit moody lately. Probably not more then usual, but just frustrated with everything.

meh, this blog is such a downer lately!

I've been listening to a band called "The Courteneers" recently. I like it. I wasn't sold on the album at first, but it gets constant rotation over the past month or two.

On the gaming front, I am playing Dragon Age and Battlefield:Bad Company 2. Such a mainstream game, that shooter, but that's ok... it's been a lot of fun.

Hey, Easter this weekend. woo! I get to do my annual egg hunt. I know I am excited. Are my nieces and nephews? they better be *shakes fist* They. Better. Be.

Reading a lot, lately. Especially thanks to my Sony ereader. Currently reading: The Name of the Wind. I had heard a lot about it, but avoided reading it (damn long books), but finally started it. So far, so good. Who knows, maybe when I finish this, the George R.R. Martin book will FINALLY be out. but I doubt it.

I'll have to make a list of the books i have read recently. I started an account at www.goodreads.com, but not sure I remember my login.

I wonder how much an orginization coach would cost? I desperately need the help. I am a hot mess. I try, I mean really, really try, but I just attract clutter.

Ok, this post is all over the place, I'm outtie 5000.

smile

2010-02-06T05:58:00.001-05:00

Sometimes it's nice to remember the amazing friends I have, all around the world. I hope one day i can drive home just how wonderful they are.

...even the ones who are french.

DOn't know who this reminds me of....

2010-01-28T22:20:00.001-05:00

http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/108677/bad-bosses-what-kind-are-you?mod=career-leadership

To Write

2010-01-28T22:08:00.002-05:00

I read on io9.com (great Sci-fi site) that Ray Bradbury would write a short story a week. That is amazing... and got me to wondering if I could do it. I don't think I have the personal commitment to do it, even though I desperately do... but maybe I could do one every two weeks? That would be something.

I decided to move. i want to cut rent, save up to buy a place. I'm doing this. so, over the next month or two, I will be packing my shit up and getting ready to move. It'll be a busy month or two. *sigh* why am I so lazy!?

This one is for me

2010-01-20T10:58:00.002-05:00

Frustration, sadness, bleak futuristic outlook.... I am exceptionally moody right now, and need to kick my ass and take charge. i need a light to find my way out of this tunnel, a ladder to climb out of the hole I have fallen into.

This, then, is a start? Long after I have abandoned and been abandoned, like a phoenix I arise with furious vigor.

Stationary is a mindset that is no longer tolerable.

2009-06-12T09:44:00.001-04:00

This is just a test. I'm not really here.

movies

2009-04-06T14:03:00.001-04:00

Watched three movies over the weekend: Bolt, I Love You, Man, and Slumdog Millionaire.

None were life changing, but all were worth watching.

please insert something witty here

2009-03-30T21:25:00.003-04:00

I feel like my brain is clawing at the inside of my skull, begging to be left out to go for a run. It needs to stretchits legs, to feel the breeze on its face, the sun in the sky; it needs to absorb knowledge.

I have been toying with the idea of starting an education regimine. Setting aside designated time during weeknights at which to pursue some endeavor. You know, like how all the kids study? Sadly that was a skill I never acquired, so its gonna be a rough one for me, but I think once I get in a pattern I can make it.

Of course, I need to decide what it is I want to learn. The two most likely candidates are: Chinese, and visual Basic.

Now, I have Rosetta Stone - got it through work - so I actually have a key learning tool. And I really want to learn the language, just in case I ever get back to the country,

As for VB? Well, again thanks to work, I have just installed Visual Studio on my PC, and am primed for some hardcore learning.

Now, for both of these, I hope for nothing more then to better myself. Will this lead me to self-realization? Money? power? Respect? Mad Bitches??

probably none. But, it will make me feel better about myself.

of course, it will eat into the video game time.

Sadly, the best show on television - Battlestar Galactica - is over. *sad panda* At least it went out very well, and overall, the series was totally worth it. Just wish I knew more people who watched it, as it was something pretty special. However, that's one less hour a week I need to devote to things. So that's a plus.

I have a big decision in front of me, as my lease is up. Do I stay here? or try to find someplace cheaper? The correct answer should be B... but I'm lazy, and A is a nice answer too. It really depends on the landlord. I am already spending too much money on the place, so if they decide to raise the rent, well, then I will be forced to move. Kind of the best outcome, as I won't be second guessing my decision then... however, if they maintain the rent, I have to decide how much being lazy is worth to me.

Been playing Left4Dead and Dawn of war on my PC. Got me some SLI, so that's been running very well. Of course, on PS3 side, I have Killzone2 and Street Fighter. Over all, my time is PACKED.
Plus, broke down and bought a Sony Reader, so been reading tons lately, which is back-pat-worthy.

Music side: really enjoying White Lies, new Soundtrack Of Our Lives, street, and Mando Daio. Also, can't stop listening to the new Subways album. Makes me feel young, which at this point I may or may not be.

Ok, ciao!

This is a low.

2009-02-10T14:48:00.003-05:00

I'm always amazed that no matter how bad I can feel about my job, the company always finds a way to further demoralize me.

one other thing...

2008-12-04T22:21:00.003-05:00

Amazon lists the best album of 2008 as Kings Of Leon's Only By The Night.

I am right there with them. I have sung the praise of this band over and over... get this album now.

Do it Live!

2008-12-04T21:56:00.002-05:00

Well, howdy ho, internet denizens!

Ugh, my eyes feel so tired right now, but I think it is me being tired from going to the gym, so that's a good thing.
I did 3 days, propbably won't go tomorrow, but that's good. I'm on a roll. The first half of this year I went at least 12 days a month, I was really doing great... then I moved and just hit a wall. Now, a tad bit flabby, i am trying to get back into the swing of things. so far? meh.
needs work.

I am swimming in a sea of videogaming goodness right now, which is great, but work has been hectic, and my ever growing to-read pile is becoming menacing. If I am found in a bloody heap of papercuts, the books have won.

I am pretty much done with my comic book habit. I hate to be, but I can't afford the damn things, and ever since Spidey made a deal with the devil, I haven't been able to look a comic book in the eyes.

Oh, I'm still the nerd you all know and love, I promise you that.

I saw Smashing Pumpkins a few wweeks ago, thanks to a friend at work having an extra ticket. I was very impressed with how rock-starry Billy Corgan was. I mean, sure he plays off this winey, emo grandaddy bald-headed guy, but underneath it, he knew what he was doing. He posed with the guitar.

It was exactly what I wanted.

I've recently found out that two porn stars are living in Philly (I'm guessing there are more) Stoya, and Gina Lynn (who opened a clothing store in King of Prussia). I have no idea why this fact fascinates me so, but it really does.

My house is a total mess, I need to do some serious cleaning - never a strong suit with me.

On the other hand, my cooking has been pretty good recently... why, I even have Saurbrauten marinating in the fridge as we speak! Not sure how it will turn out, but I can't think about it without feeling a vast sense of nationalistic pride.

Ok, that's it for me. Lusts: Diora Baird, the next George R.R. Martin book, a gaming group to do some serious board gaming with, a new Burton snowboard (the Love series... this years have Playmates on them), a shotgun...

yes, a shotgun. Recently we have been going to this place called Lehigh Valley Sporting clays when I am visiting the family. It's awesome. It's in an old cement factory and quarry, and the traps are set in the trees... suddenly a clay pigeon will fly out over the water... then get obliterated to tiny fragments from the pure firepower of cold steel within my sturdy grasp.

ok, so most of the clay pigeons go unharmed... but I'm getting better!

later!

I made it... But barely.

2008-09-03T16:26:00.001-04:00

Sometimes...

2008-03-10T11:40:00.002-04:00

The best thing in life is spending time with the family.

Still Here

2008-03-08T22:21:00.002-05:00

Well, still kickin' it in Philadelphia, though trying to get over a bit of a cold I have going on. I didn't talk much about the becoming single bit, and I suppose I should give the quick explanation here:

She decided that we were going too different places.

I really can't argue with that. I mean, I look around this city I live in and there is no way in hell I would wanna raise childrens here. I mean I don't know that I have seen a girl over 14 who isn't pushing a stroller around my neighborhood. I mean, not all of Philly is like that of course, but I just don't view a city as optimal place for child raising.
It was more then that, but that describes the difference pretty well right there.

I've been busy as all heck get out with work, and I really have been avoiding thinking about my personal life, but I know I need to make some decisions, and make them soon. Like, do I stay in the city, or move out to the burbs? It's a tough decision... I'm kind of bored with the city, but I am a single guy, and obviously the city could be a lot of fun in that state. But this fuckin commute to work everyday has really started annoying me.

Wow, just realized I sounds bitter on this post, but I'm really not. no, really, I mean it. not even a little.

I have been craving waffles like crazy for the past week, and I took my once a year sick day on Tuesday (mom's 60th B-day!), and just devoured waffles the entire day. really bizarre.

I thought my Jeep was on its death bed, and I was getting psyched to go car shopping - been dying to get a car again - but it turns out the surgery was very minor, replacement of U-joint, and only set me back $130. *sigh* Oh well, I was expecting a lot worse, so I guess I keep the battle wagon.
I have also been thinking about getting a motorcycle. Just a small little cruiser for a couple grand. I guess once I have my living situation sorted out, I can get serious about it.

Ok, that's all I have for now, I realized I'm not really in the mood to write this right now, but it's cool to throw something out there for once. Latest music obsession is "Against Me!" I really love this album, but be careful, this band is pretty angry (yet still rocks out in an AC/DC singing/drinking sort of way) Ciao!

Pull Trigger, Shoot Foot

2008-02-19T13:45:00.002-05:00

Everytime I seem to build up any amount of steam oin this blog, I manage to ignore it for a while. I even had something of a READERSHIP going there. alas, it was not meant to be.

SO, wow, lotsa stuff... STUFF... going on with me.

1. I am not moving anywhere in the near future.
2. My job title is (don't laugh): Director of Engineering
3. I am single.

so, let's see... the man you knew before? He's somehow.. I don't know... different?

I should probably go into detail on some of these points, but I just don't have the energy right now. SO, let's do a quick run down:

Just read "Suite Francais" and "A Short History of Nearly Everything", and must say I was pleased with both. Suite Francais was shocking as it appears something good could actually come from France (oh, zing! how you all missed that!).

Listening to a band call "Working For A Nuclear Free City" and liking that. dancy kind of music.

I spent an extended weekend in Costa Rica for a wedding, had a blast hanging with a down south family. I'd recommend the place to anyone, it was pretty amazing. Stayed in a place called Quepos.

Finally got caught up with Battlestar. The best par about the last episode of season three? The entire episode I was grumbling.. ugh, this sucks... no they're not gonna... oh, god... oh, COME ON.... iw... and the, 5 minutes left in the show? BIG smile. I LOVED it. t wasn't what they did - which I'm still on the fence about - but how they did it... it reallty lit a fire under my ass (is that the right expression?)

hmmm.... anything else? I'm sure, but that will have to wait for the next exciting installment of: this blog.

Laters!

ARGH!!! (Again)

2007-12-11T21:47:00.001-05:00

Frustrated once again. I am currently in Hong Kong (Kowloon side) working. As usual, over the past few weeks, I have been asked by my company to move to Las Vegas, China, Hong Kong, India, and possibly several other countries/cities that I've forgotten about.

Mother Fuckers need to make up their minds.

Oh, wait, that's right. On top of this indecision, myt boss informed me that I needed to make up my mind. Hence the title of my post.

I am interested in moving overseas for a while, it's just such an exciting oppurtunity, but I've done this before. I'm pretty sure the only reason they want me to move overseas is because I have completely committed to moving to Las Vegas. I've told my friends, family, and peers. I psyched up the cats: "Who wants to move to Las Vegas... you do. Yes, you Do" *all said in applicable baby talk*

So they know that the time of the move is getting close, it's time for them to change their mind. It's starting to fuck with my head.

Today the boss is totally set for Hong Kong, and there is some appeal. I mean, it is a different culture, but a lot of the city is geared towards English, which helps in my transition. I am a bit dissappointed not to go to Shanghai, as there I would be much more immersed in another language - and would learn that language quicker, something I am desperate to do. But, it may be too much of a culture shock to do that all at once.

Of course, there is a lot of personal ways this would effect me, especially since my current relationship has made it clear that she will under no circumstances move outside the U.S. (unless it is someplace stupid, like Italy or *ugh* France). To me, I can't understand it, as for me I want to experience life abroad, but for her I guess not. At least she likes citie, so she can't hold Hong Kong aginst that. I can't help but wonder if this difference in opinion is an irrreconciable difference. It's not something I want to think about, but if we both view are futures at opposite sides of the Earth, well that IS an issue.

Of course, tomorrow the opinion may change and they'll want me in vegas again. I'm sick of feeling like crap over decisions I have to make, hard facts of life I must face, then have them dashed against the rocks of uncertainty - or worse yet, thrown in my face. That's something I will not stand for.

And why wouldn't I want to live abroad? I love my family, and am rediculously close to my sister - we shared a womb after all. Buit they're family, and they'll be around. AT least they'll eventually be guilted into visiting.

My U.S. friends? They can't make the hour drive to Philly, they won't visit me wherever I am. I'm growing more distant from them because of it. It's more my fault then any, I don't call or visit either. My best friend I talk via cyberspace, and we'll always be close, no matter where I am. He falls under family.

The friends I am closest to, it feels like, they all live abroad anyway. France, Belgium... these are people I wish I could hang out with everyday, but the distance is far too great. But their inherent geekiness is much more in line then my old school drinking buddies.

No man is an island, so it's hard to move even for me, but it's a huge world out there, and I want to taste all it has to offer. And, the one deep dark secret I know: You can take the man outta Mertztown, but you can't take the Mertztown outta the man. words to live by.

Lastly, a quick shout out to "Felix" who commented last entry. Not sure who you are, but thanks for stopping by. Pull up a pillow and stay a while, all are welcome my friend.

[An band I am really enjoying right now: Yeasayer. Very "world" sounding, and perfect for efficient Asian hotels]

My Christ...

2007-12-01T21:21:00.000-05:00

... it's been quite a long time.

And what is crazy is that last I wrote I was going to be heading overseas to China. And I did, and it was excellent, maybe I can dig up some pictures sometime.

What's really crazy is that this entry is coming from overseas, but a DIFFERENT trip. Yes since September, I have traveled overseas, been back to the good ole' U.S. of A. and am now back overseas. Right now, this transmission is coming to you from Seoul, South Korea.

Oh wait, let me go back, I HAD intended to blog last trip, however, the Chinese government does not allow blogging from inside their country. I'm not lying, they shutdown anything with "blog" in the url. so, let me see if I can dig up a post I wrote but couldn't publish thanks to the "Great fireWALL of CHINA" (their term,, not mine, but certainly apropos.

Let's see.... *digs around the bowels of my documents folder... ah, here it is! *wipes crumbs and jelly stains, smooths out paper*

-------------------------

Thursday, September 27^th, 2007

I had totally intended to keep my blog updated as I travel around China, but I found out one very surprising fact: China doesn’t look too kindly on bloggers. No, in fact, they pretty much deny anyone from accessing the blogger website. It’s amazing, but no matter where you go in the mainland there are certain sites you can’t access. No in the countryside, and not even in Shanghai.

Talking to someone who works in the south – towards the Shenzhen area – I find out that they call it the “Great Firewall”.

Walking around some place as technically advanced as Shanghai, I mean this city was a modern wonder – it’s so easy to forget that the people aren’t exactly free. It didn’t really dawn on me until I opened up the local paper one morning and read on the front page how they were banning reality TV shows. They wouldn’t be allowed on tv during the evening without going through intense scrutiny, and during these shows, the judges could not comment on the contestants dress or be seen flirting with each other. For someone who so firmly believes in freedom of speech (even when I don’t like what is being said) this really hit home.

Sadly, when I thought about it, I realized that this type of behavior isn’t just reserved to the mainland, in fact, this maintaining of puritan beliefs is exactly what the religious far right propose to do to America. Sure, they say they’re against communism, but then they attempt to shut down any thing they see as morally questionable. It’s not a much further step to move on to not allowing people to speak their mind.

What’s really shocking is, maybe this isn’t really all that bad. I see both sides of the coin. While to me – a freedom-abusing American, it seems constricting and offensive, for many of the mainland Chinese it’s not an issue. They are used to living under these constraints, and they think that the government is looking out for them. Which, in a very strict way, they just may be.

Of course, is it really in the people’s best interest? I doubt it. The truth is that this country turns a blind eye on prostitution. I’ve been told that in the past if you get caught consorting, they would stamp your passport, but these days I really doubt they’re looking. No, it’s not about indecency, but about control. They care much less about the moral issues of pornography, and much more a social well-being… believeing in their state and their government.

In a word: repression.

Having a moral backbone is an appealing ideal, but unfortunately most governement has long since passed into corruption and it’s all about control now.

As I am writing this, it is occurring to me that if I would get caught with it, I could be thrown in jail. In the U.S. I would be joking, here I am not.

I know this is all pretty heavy, but it has weighed on my mind over a lot of this trip. Next post will be lighter in attitude, I will go over some of the highlights of the trip and post some pictures.

----------------------

There you go. I DID blog back then. End of this post, fast forward to today:

Seoul is the most western feeling city I have been to in Asia. If I ignore the foreign writing, I would think I was in New York. In fact, I found myself often being caught off guard when I realized I was NOT in the US. Though, honestly, this whole trip has been like that.

a quick evidence of my macking ability:

That's me surrounded by some very fresh-looking asian BABES. I belive that I am showing them how a cat cleans its whiskers in this photo, I had them completely captivated. In fact, soon after this image was taken, the girl in the white coat dropped to her knees and fellated me right there in the street. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP.

I am making that up.

Still, they were talking to me, under the guise that they needed to ask me questions for school. Yeah, they just wanted some freaky-freak. I know this.

I need a haircut.

Ok, I have to get ready, going to jump on a high speed train (300+ MPH!!) to go to Busan, Korea. And I need to bathe and pack.

Oh, and Korea has the best looking girls of the Asian countries I have visited. Sorry, HK, Taiwan, and China, but it's just a fact of life. Better luck next time.

Two For One

2007-09-11T13:42:00.000-04:00

Still waiting for my boss, so real quick, some recent dreams I've had:

1. My teeth started falling out, and then they all fell out at once. This was one of those dreams that I woke up and thought I really didn't have any teeth. Worst nightmare I've had in awhile.

2. I was at a concert for Dolly Parton, and the only one in the audience. I smoothed things over with a very upset Dolly and explained to her the virtues of her smash hit "Jolene". I got her to sing it for me, and a romance ensued. She thought I was the greatest guy in the world, I spent the rest of the dream just trying to see her boobies.

These two may explain my very being to anyone who doesn't know me. That's kind of sad/awesome.

How about you, my mass of million readers?

Hey Howdy!

2007-09-11T13:20:00.000-04:00

So, out in California. Been here since Thursday. Leaving tomorrow.

But not to home. Going the lo0ng way round the earth, via Hong Kong, China, Taiwan. yippee!

I think I talked about this before, but I'm bringing it up again. My hope is that I will keep up this blog with pics and stories of my adventure.

T-minus 9 days until I'm not even in my twenties anymore. I am inevitably heading toward middle age, and may have to resolve this "never grow up" storyline I have running through my life. May. OR, I can choose to keep at it "never Ending Story"-like, and ride my giant flying Llhaso Apso into the sky.

I am procrastinating visiting a client, but need to head out and face the bright California sun. I'll be back soon, promise.

Time to share...

2007-08-10T10:18:00.001-04:00

Last night I went to see three new bands: Vampire Weekend, Ra Ra Riot, and Tokyo Police Club. Tokyo Police Club has enormous buzz, and they deserve it for the most part. Ra Ra Riot were fascinating to watch, there were 5 people, two who were females playing a cello and a violin. The music was good, though they weren't the best performer of the night. Vampire Weekend is a band from NY and they'll probably be signed to a label soon. Very cool Paul Simon groove to their music, with the edge that youth provides.

Tonight there are two concerts, and I have to decide which to attend. On one hand I have Cold War Kids and Muse - and I've wanted to see Muse for a while now. On the other hand, there is White Rabbits and the Cribs. The Cribs have really been in my head recently, so I want to see them. Plus it is in a smaller venue which is always a plus. AND the cribs would save me over $60 in the tickets alone.

Of course, I imagine it will end up being Muse.

Now, here is my show-and-tell. I've had a picture of my nephew that has been cracking me up for months now, and I don't think I've posted it yet. Here, for your eyes, witness the sheer terror that is:

THE EASTER BUNNY

----------------
Now playing: Our Bovine Public
via FoxyTunes

A quick thank you...

2007-08-06T13:34:00.000-04:00

To the man who first applied cole slaw to a sandwich. yum.

sigh

2007-08-05T19:14:00.000-04:00

Well, as you can see, I got one mobil blog to go through. Unfortunately, I had sent at least one before that particular post. I've been in contact with the people at blogger.com and hopefully they'll get it sorted out.

Today was the first day in recent memory where I had a day off to just hang out around the house. Yesterday I was off, but was concert-going, so today is a real, honest to goodness, day off.

And it is driving me crazy.

I just feel like there is so much that I want to do right now, and that I can't decide what to do, so instead I do nothing. I am glad to be writing in this blog of mine, as I still want to keep it going. I've been having some interest in writing again, as I have been formulating a story in my head for a few weeks now. I'm not sure if I'll get it together or not, but I think I may write it as a script for a comic/TV series. I usually don't write that way, so I've got a learning curve ahead of me, but I think that it would fit. Plus, the whole thing has been coming to me like an outsider looking in, unlike many of my other still-born ideas. Probably has a lot to do with me hanging out at the San Diego Comic-con last week.

Honestly, I've been in a complete whirlwind with travel and work and concerts and soccer games and such. MY mind is having trouble keeping tabs of what I've been up to and I have lost all sense of time.

Here's something that just popped into my head:

----
I wasn't prepared for it at all. A simple glance, a chance passing, a flirt and a linger, all of that would have been fine; much more then I expected. As I turned to walk out of the room, I never intended her presence to chain my heart as it had, ripping back to her like a dog reaching the end of his tree-attached leash. A feeling so strong and intense, as amazing as it was cruel.
----

Not great, but it feels good to throw something creative out in the open.

Virgin festival still...

2007-08-04T16:42:00.000-04:00

Shade is a hot commodity here. I hid out under a truck after shaking butt at the dance tent. It was Felix da housecat, and he was excellent.

Mobil Blogging

2007-08-02T17:14:00.001-04:00

Well, as you all can see below, I've been trying to blog using my phone (yes I did get a blackberry). Unfortunately, it has worked the first time and not since. I've discovered that I can text a message, but not email - even though I could before I linked the posts to my site.

I know, this is a bunch of techno-babble, but I want to be able to post away from my PC. That's when I get the urge most often.

Quick update on my life: Once again, work wants to move me out west. This time it actually feels like it might happen... we'll have to see. Before that happens, I will be headed on over to China. So, I'll be turning 30 on the opposite part of the world from my twin. I'm not exactly happy about it, but I'm not about to miss a trip to China - this time to Shanghai. And I'll be seeing Taiwan as well.

I appreciate all my friends and family whop are busy over-populating the world, and am very happy that they all will make exceptional parents and I am really thankful for the love their children will receive (this is all fact, no sarcasm at all... scout's honor!). However, this is where I want to be in my life, free to see the world. Everytime I meet someone from Europe I am always so jealous, as they seem to get to see so much more of the world then us Americans (probably thanks to their extended vacation time). Well, I'm getting my world viewing on before I'm too old to really experience it. I love the fact that I get scared shitless everytime, and love even more that I consistently amazed at the world that exists.

I have a feeling some more posts are going to come along... I've had a lot on my mind lately and it helps to get it out into the world.

The crowd at daft punk

2007-08-02T17:13:00.001-04:00

I got to go see the punk a few weeks ago. It was amazing. If they come to your town go see!

Test

2007-08-02T16:57:00.001-04:00

Test test test yet again

Another try

2007-07-11T10:46:00.001-04:00

Ok, let's see if this one worked.

Test

2007-07-11T10:43:00.001-04:00

I'm testing mobile blogging.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

2007-07-10T16:29:00.000-04:00

I've lost you all...

2007-05-08T23:17:00.000-04:00

I'd imagine that as I try to drive the weeds from this abandoned blog, my readership - both of you - has dwindled to zero. I feel awful for letting it get to this state of ill-use, but sadly I find myself short of anytime at all. I will try to bring it up to speed over the next week, but I really can't be relied on. I assure you I miss you all.

proof of production

2007-04-03T22:13:00.000-04:00

I've noticed that I've been more productive then usual lately. I've gone from "barely a part of society" to "integral part of the team". I figure this is a bit of a cold or something, and I'll revert back to my slothen self sooner or later. ha-cha.

Well, baseball season started yesterday, thank god. I was getting desperate, almost flirting with becoming a basketball fan. If things had gotten so bad that I was tuning into the non-sport of ice hockey, I would have been forced to seek medication. And I'm not even all that big of a sports fans... I mean, I read comics for fuck's sake. *shoves a nickel in the overflowing curse jar*

For Lent I gave up purchasing CDs, and I've actually managed to stick to it. I like the fact that for most people that would be something easy to do. Well, screw you norms, this is like kicking a personal heroin addiction, so F off! Of course, the day after Easter I go right back to that drug... new Kings of Leon, after all.

Tomorrow is the first Dollar Dog Day down at Citizens Bank Park, and I can't envision NOT being in attendance. They're playing the Braves, so at least it will be a guaranteed win. (Take that France-residing Atlanta fans!) Of course, neither team are my beloved Yankees - the greatest team in baseball history *trademark* - so I don't care too much.

Yes, this makes three posts in a very short time. no it will not be a trend.

300

2007-03-31T23:07:00.000-04:00

I did go and see 300. Wow, what a movie. It was truly great. Plus, i feel inspired by it. I want to write a story, that's what this movie did to me. Is it the best I ever saw? No, not by a long shot. But it is good for what it is. Actually, scratch that. It is GREAT for what it is. There were some decapitation scenes, it was on the bloody side as many have said, but overall it was a feast for the eyes and the mind. recommended.

I now want Frank Miller to adapt ever good comic book story, even those not by him. He is involved in the Spirit, I know this. Not sure if he's involved in the Watchmen (don't think so, but if only...)

What I want most of all, though: Dark Knight Returns. wow, that's a great thought.

Oh, and Sin City: Family Values. That would be nice as well. (Though a bit like the parts of the first movie I suppose)

Finally Philadelphia

2007-03-31T17:24:00.000-04:00

After three LOOONNNGGG weeks, I'm back home in PA.

Last post I mentioned that I was going to head back to Philly between Texas and California. Unfortunatly, a freak ice storm decide to crap all over those plans, and as it turns out I was forced to go right to Cali. It turned out alright, as I was able to crash on some friends' couches (I could have stayed in hotels for the weekend, work would have footed the bill, but I prefer bumming a place to crash). However, my satisfaction with air travel was severly tested on this trip. Every single time I tried to travel via air, something made it annoying. Besides the ice storm, I lost a bag on a routine flight from LAX to Oakland. Then, on the trip back to here, I barely made it onto my plane, having to run in my socks from security to the gate. Therefore I got stuck in a middle seat for the 5+ hour ride home, but since I was the last person on the plane I could pick which middle seat and ended up between two skinny people. Of course, once I touch down in Philly, I am one bag short. That's right, in two weeks, Southwest lost my bags twice. I'm happy to say they did recover the bags both times, but still that's a habit I hope not to acquire.

I also observed that whenever I am in a line, people will choose to cross that line right in front of me everytime. That's a new super power I hadn't really noticed before.

During the trip, I could not stop listening to Bloc Party's latest album. I didn't think it was that great at first listen, but wowzers, I couldn't get enough of it. Also listened to the Thermals a lot, but that might be a bit rough for you people out there. Get the Bloc Party album though.

Bring It On - the sequel is on TV, and it has don't-get-hurty girl from Heroes as the star. She's worked herself into quite the "...and starring as the badass cheerleader" typecast. It's ok, she can cheer for me anytime. "Go Team, don't stop! Go Fight Win!"

Ok, off to see 300.

Heavy Duty Nerdcore

2007-03-13T23:44:00.000-04:00

Just shy of a month on from my last posting, this is getting pretty sad.

I actually did get some writing done for the site, but most of my life has been consumed with paying-gig work. Traveling like crazy, as usual - I'm in Odessa, Texas right now. Where am I typing this? At a MOFO Hooters. I needed to unwind after a long - let me reiterate LOOONNNNGGG - day of work, and this was the only place that was gauranteed to be serving alcomohol. (No, that wasn't a typo, think Homer Simpson). Anyway, parked my ass on a bar stool, perused the menu, and noticed free Wi-Fi. cha-ching! Eat and be productive? hell YES.

Bummed that my pending trip to China in April has been canned, but right now I'm one of the more vital cogs in my work's machine. It's fantastic and stressful as hell all at once. I'm here *sings* Deep In The Heart OF Texas until Friday, at which point I hit the airways to go home tpo Philly, just to turn around two days later and hit the West Coast. MAn, this lifestyle is CRAZY.

Got hit on by a stewardess onb the way out here (she was off duty, just sitting next to me), but she looked like my friend that passed away from breast cancer so it was a bit off-putting.

Think I'm full of shit? She followed me to the rental agency just in case I needed a ride to my hotel. Yes I kjnow what that probably meant, but I'm a good boy. Or chickenshit. Either suits.

Anyway, things are same ole' same ole'. Need to start some serious consideration for vacation and the such. I know some people in Europe who might let me visit *HINT* but I just don't know when I'll have the time.

Anyway, this was nice, maybe we'll do it again sometime.

Moving oN...

2007-02-20T15:14:00.000-05:00

Happy Fasnachts Day everybody! I hope you ate your fried lard this morning.

I'm excited as I have one more day of work, then I take two days off to go to the New York Comic Con. Since I'll be rocking the press pass, I get to get in a bit early and a bit cheaper (free!). I'd love to geek out entirely, but I have to write for the site (yes I still do that even though there has been almost no output from me lately). So the day will be spent interviewing and taking notes on the various presentations, but having a press pass will hopefully transfer into getting some free swag. We shall see... Either way, a few days chillin' out in New York should be some good times.

I hope I never have to read this post again

2007-02-20T15:03:00.000-05:00

The title sounds dramatic, but it deserves it for the subject matter. I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about it here, or how to broach the matter, but I know a person or two who might not have heard the news and are effected.

Recently, a friend I used to work with flipped and killed two people.

Yes, that is a messed up thing to read, and even more messed up when you know some of the people involved, which is the case for me.

For those of you stationed in A foreign country, you know this person... his initials are M.R. Damien, you definitely know him.

The story is that he returned to his house to collect his belongings and walked in on his wife and another man. I don't know if something was going on, or all the circumstances, but I know that's one person I will probably never hear from again. It's such a shame, and it really is a kick to the head. I've been doing some hard-core soul searching ever since...

There's a lot I'd like to write about it, but I want to just put it behind me. I'm going to post again now to get away from this negative energy.

Can you spot the difference?

2007-02-06T20:49:00.000-05:00

I've migrated over to the new Blogger... You probably don't notice the difference. I'm OK with that, though you really should have said something. First you don't notice the haircut, now this.

Why don't you love me anymore?

OK, moving on.

I started using this CD trading service: www.lala.com. It's working fantastic so far... ship off the CDs I don't want, and get some long lost CDs I can barely find. I've been pleasently surprised with it so far. Probably not available in France, but if anyone is in the states, you should give it a try. I can see the obvious abuse, buy a CD, rip it, send it to someone else... but that's not my style. I like my precious CD collection.

Well, that was it... just trying to get in a good habit. Plus, Veronica Mars is on so I have to go. I won't hide the fact that I watch that show, damn it. it's a good show! plus, she's cute. Much better on the eyes then that darn Columbo.

Ciao!

I will blog more often... I will blog more often... I will blog more often...

2007-02-04T13:43:00.000-05:00

Wow, once again, where the hell have I been? Luckily, I need to write up some things for the comic site (still doing that), so I can use this as procrastination. go me!

So, on Friday I got back from a three week stay on the west coast for work. It was pretty intense in that it was working non-stop, and the past two days I've just kind of sat and let my brain decompress, which feels so good. A natural drug.

The latest pressure from work is to move to Las Vegas, which actually looks like it might happen - I would love to live rent free for a year - but if it goes through it will be at the end of the summer. I figure, I'll get a hell of a lot more visitors out there then in Philadelphia. Yeah, the majority of my friends could drive an hour to Philly - ho hum - or they could fly to Vegas and get free lodging at Chateau Bacon!

Of course, the biggest component of that is my boss making up his mind, which assures me of absolutely jack shit. But in other work related, the job is stressful as ever, but going well. I'm being put into a position of importance which is exciting and scary at the sametime. We'll see how it turns out. Of course, I'll need to get some serious orginization.

In two weeks, the New York Comic Con is going down, and I will be there. My friend - the editor-in-chief of the comics site - will be coming stateside, and I got us a hotel room for a few nights, it should be a blast. the girlfriend will probably come up and keep me from having too much fun, though. hehe.

The most exciting part is that we have a tour of the Marvel office lined up. I'll probably lose my cool and act the extreme fanboy, but I can't help it. That's something I never expected to happen.

Our roomate moved out, which is such a blessing, it's great to have the house to ourselves.

I realized I didn't get to see my friend Michelle while I was out in CA, not that I didn't want to, I just didn't get alone time from the boss. Must be why I am so glued to my couch right now.

Oh, on Friday we went to see Pan's Labrynth... wow, was that a good movie. It was so much more brutal then I was expecting, but it was incredible. I really liked how the made the true monsters of the movie the humans. I recommend it to anyone, but I warn them that some of the imagery is very rough to sit through.

Anyway, I feel well that I've added to this little thing, and I totally intend to start adding more... I believe it will get me a bit more organized mentally if nothing else. Plus, I'd hate to betray my readership (Hello Damien and Beth!).

alright, I'm out. Oh, quick, what am I loving right now:

TV: Battlestar and Heroes
Music: Silversun Pickups and Teddybears
Books: The Geography of Thought and Eats, Shoots, & Leaves
Tea: Pu-Erh and Iron Godess-Monkey Picked
Beer: Ayinger Celebrator (soooooo good!)

A stalled blog... reignition?

2006-12-06T22:19:00.000-05:00

Ok, I really haven't kept up with this at all... I need to recommit myself.

In Cali, again. Only two more days, then I head to the tundra-like conditions of home sweet home. Unfortunatly, it will only be a short stay. As of right now, the plan is for me to spend most of January and February back out here. Exciting, sure, but a bit crazy. The good thing is that I'll probably be bored enough to write more here.

God, I want so much to say something fun and interesting, but I just can't right now. I need food, so I think that takes over.

There you have it, kiddies - a new entry by yours truly. Until the next action-packed hour: Away!

Real Downer

2006-11-15T23:53:00.000-05:00

Ok, I haven't had a post in this side of forever, and normally I want it to be upbeat, but fuck all of that. Today, my coworker who I go see in California and sleep on her couch when I have to work out there passed on tonight. At only 46, she was easily one of the nicest people I knew, and I'm sure if I roamed through this blog I'd find mention of her.
We were close, she wasn't a work-aquaintance, but was truly a friend, and I'll miss her deeply. Damn you god-gods-whichever eternal entity- for stealing someone so wonderful.

It's not fair, the fighters aren't supposed to die. Rest In Peace, Lisa.

Three Day Weekend!

2006-10-12T13:19:00.000-04:00

Yes, that's right, I'm watching the clock slowly tick by on the wall, waiting for the day to be over... seeing as how I don't have to work tomorrow.

Or do I?

See, I don't have to work at my paying job, as I am heading to Washington DC to cover the Small Press Expo. (www.spxpo.com) It should be fun, though seeing as how it's all pretty much an indie convention, I may well be out of my league. i'm not sure what to expect, honestly, but I'll let you know how it goes. I'm going to have to talk to a lot of people about shit I know nothing about, which really is what I excel at.

Tonight Joan Jett is playing in Philadelphia. I was hoping to go to this concert, but not sure if I'll make it or not. In order to attend the convention, I have to use my personal funds, and dammit, hotels are expensive. Kind of reminds me why I never go anywhere.

Right now I'm listening to an oldie but a goodie: Suede's Dog Man Star. It's very desolate and epic, which kind of fits the mood I'm in. I guess. Seriously, I need some kind of spiritual pick me up. I'm not pissy at all right now, but I feel like I need SOMETHING. I think this weekend will be good for me just to get away. I need to schmooze at the convention, but I might take some time out for me. At least I hope to add to our often-in-limbo story.

Completely Bile Free

2006-10-07T10:40:00.000-04:00

Well, after being a total piss yesterday, I woke up today to find - lo and behold - a cheery disposition resting on my shoulders! I think the reason is that it is a weekend morning, and this is my favorite time of the week. See, I wake up early, head downstairs, and listen to music/watch cartoons. The rest of the house doesn't really begin to function until noon, but my family instilled a farmer's mentality, so I rise pretty early. And it's great.
Not only do I get alone time, I'm also not bogged down with the stresses of the day. Instead I look to the new day with vigor and a sense of endless possibilities.

I'm scarily optimistic right now.

Updating the media player on my PC, so my file sharing's not working, so I have old-school rap on the TV. Works just fine with me.

Beth has added to our little story we've been working on over at: http://gourbiere.blogspot.com

I need to update the link on my sidebar over there <----, as it points to their old, and now defunct blog. They realized that paying money for bloghosting is a difficult prospect, one which I agree with. I've mentioned before that I considered jumping ship, but really, why would I? I've got over 100 posts invested in this little space... I think I'll stay as long as they'll have me.

Ok, just wanted to drop something nice as it was the mood I was in. I have a wedding today, then a mountain of work tomorrow. I don't know that I was expected my side-project to be as much work as it is, but still, it's bettering me, so I will keep at it.

Oh, snap, N.W.A. just came on. I'm gonna go get my thug on.

Mr. Cranky-pants

2006-10-06T12:49:00.000-04:00

God, what a funk I've been in. I'm just all around miserable every day lately.There's not a single part of my life that I don't feel stressed and disatisfied with right now. I have been getting some work up at BrokenFrontier.com which is cool and all, but I probably drop over half the crap I intend to write. I just don't seem to have the time. The fact that I've had to travel every weekend since getting back from California doesn't help either. I need two days away from the earth. One where I can sulk under a blanket for 24 hours, and the other where I can try to accomplish something. Of course, I'm sure I would succeed with the sulking, but find myself failing miserably at the accomplishment thing.

I really don't know what's going to break me out of this. I just feel like I'm pulling everyone else around me's weight. I feel I've been so god damn reliable and efficient, that everyone I know is like, "Fuck it, he'll do it." I know, that's very egotistical and self-centered, but it's the way I feel. Plus, it's my blog, so what did you expect?

Even my musical taste lately reflect it. Usually I'm all about some noisy teenage angst fueled rock and roll... but lately it's been mellow, introspective stuff. A british band called the Captain. Beck's latest. Thom Yorke's thing. and it's a shame, too, as I got some good loud music... like the Fratelli's. It's like the most addictive carnival ear-candy I've had all year.

Last week I spent one night cleaning. me. cleaning. I was hoping my roomates would get the clue, but they instead sat potato-like on the couch. If I would have said anything, they would have come up with the rock-solid defense of "Yeah, well, you usually don't clean." It's like I'm Cindarella, but not the Disney one with the pumpkin carraige, but the Brothers Grimm proper, where I will have to cut off my god-damn toes to get the hell out of here.

Really, I need some ginko biloba or something to cheer me up.

I did purchase tickets to go see "The Australian Pink Floyd." Though a bit pricey, my dad wants to go see them, and so we're going. They're the pink floyd tribute band, and they are playing two nights, both of which will sell out. Strange to see a cover band at the Tower theatre, but it's still Floyd's songs. Who knows, I'm way up in the balcony... maybe the contact high from the second-hand pot smoke will do me some good.

I'll try to write something cheery next time I'm on here... but I make no promises.

back and older

2006-09-25T14:15:00.000-04:00

So, I've been back from Cali for a week now. And I had myself a birthday, as well. woop!

The trip was well, though I was extremely busy throughout. I did manage a night off to go and visit with my friend Michelle out in "the valley" as I'm now hip enough to call it. It was fun. We sat around and got drunk and caught up. We hadn't seen each other for 8 years, so there was some stuff to talk about. It was a shame, her cat of 15 years (15 years!) was on her way out, so there was a solemness to the entire meeting. Still, it was great to see her, and it was a sign of how good of friends we were that the whole night went so smoothly. Plus, the fact that she looked really good is always a bonus. I mean, I can't be seen with ugly people. I have my reputation to uphold. It's bad enough that I associate with the French.

oh yes, I'm back.

I've been freaking out lately as I seem to have the world's worst case of heartburn. I really need to go to a doctor about this, but... doctors. ugh. Styill, I am fearful that I may have a serious problem here, something just doesn't feel right.

Also, I've been obsessed lately with the fact that we - America, home of the free - had Japanese Interment camps during World War 2. It's such a dirty little secret of our country. Maybe if we don't speak of it, it will never have happened. That seems to be the case, at any rate. Strange that the school system shoves auschwitz down our throats (a horrible thing) but ignores Manzanar or the like.

Oh well, ours didn't have ovens. so there!

hmmm... I don't want to leave on such a downer... hmmm... oh, went paintballing this weekend. Everytime I was shot, it was in the head. That should put a smile on all of your faces.

On the road again...

2006-09-08T11:21:00.000-04:00

Sing it, Willie.

So, I'm back in Cali for a few weeks, my typical fall travel. Supposedly, the word in the rumor mill is that I'll be having a European Halloween, as there's a show in Italy, that my company is going to have a booth at. Plus, I'll have to travel to manufacturers and sites in several different countires, with most likely stops: Italy, England, and Belgium.

Three places I have never been.

hells yes.

So, I logged into my blogger account, and noticed Blogger Beta. Logged into that, and it looks identical. However, if you see any fuzziness going on, it's most likely not my fault. I realize Blogger is going to change a lot now that they have an official sponsor, and I also realize that I must be somewhat responsible, what with the millions of my fans coming to this end of the internet, their daily trek to some sort of twisted Mecca.

Ok, I kid. But you - my single-digit readership - already are well aware.

Not sure what else to write at this moment, I just wanted to get a post up, it's been a while. You know, pad those numbers a bit. When it comes down to it, there isn't much information here. I need to put something special here:

...

yeah, I got nothing.

Maybe I'll stop by with some drunken ramblings in a few. later.

accelerated life/weirdness

2006-08-30T20:19:00.000-04:00

I think a recession is in order. I need to slow down my life, things are HECTIC, and I keep adding to it. Stress levelsabsolutely killing any fathom of happiness. Mind races continually. Jacked up and not at all happy about it.

So, 10 days since last post. At one point I was actually doing well with updating this monstrosity.

I released some more work on the comnics website, still carrying on. The last couple of interviews have went insanely well. I'd like to think there's some growth on my part that's helping, but the truth is that I'm just meeting interesting people.

Latest is Jamie S. Rich. He works for Oni press, which is the comics version of The Village Voice. They've been on a role, stringing together a line of incredible stuff, and Jamie's book "12 Reasons I Love Her" looks to continue that line, and raise the bar. He was nice enough to share the script with me, and the thing is freakin' great. Then he gave me a preview of the art.

you all need this book. I repeat: NEED. It will be out in..um... October? I'll check that date and get back to you. I realize those in the audience who reside in France get access to excellent "funny books" on a regular basis, but this one can probably even put a dent in your dense bookshelves.

Drunken Strangeness from a weekend past: We were having a rousing "banger" at a friend's apartment, and I was inside fiddling with the stereo - imagine that - when there was a knock on the door. I go over and open the door - we were expecting friends to show up - and I come over face to face with a shirtless man. Confused, I asked him if I could help him. HE mumbled something - heavy accent - and I figured that he was trying to deliver some food (he had a plastic bag in his hand). I explained to him - I was moderatly drunk at this point - that I didn't know any people that lived in the building at that we did not order food.

He was persistent.

Soon, I gleamed, not a cube, but the fact that he actually lived in the building. So I figured that he wanted the noise to be cut down. I apologized. It didn't do it for him.

The next thing I know he hands me the plastic bag and his business card. In the bag? at least six ponders of Coors Light.

Thoroughly confused, I beat a hasty retreat, closed and locked the door. it was just bizarre. And so, once again, I get drunk and weirdness ensues.

Sometimes life can just be fun.

Ok, going to head off and watch an episode of my latest guilty pleasure. *looks around, motions you closer, whispers in your ear*

Veronica Mars.

I said nothing, understand me?

Ladies and Gentlemen, Celebrity Comments!!

2006-08-19T11:06:00.000-04:00

Ok, so if you slide down below the story post, you'll see I have three comments. Two of them are from the author of the comic Phonogram (have you all been good little monkeys and bought your copies?).

He comments on a post where I call him a dirty liar. a no good dirty liar, at that.

Now, most of you know me. If I say: "Damien, you and the French are No Good Dirty Liars", it rolls off. Water off a ducks back. It's something I may have even said in the past.

This time, sadly, it may have been taken the wrong way. It's crazy when these posts get read besides the people I know personally. Sure, it could be a bit of an ego booster, a power trip that people are paying attention to my words, but it's not. Usually because the words people seem to pay attention to are just all wrong. I've since Emailed the celebrity in question with an apology, trying to get my point across that I am not such a dick, I just play one on the internet.

(of course, you, my public, know that that was a complete lie)

Oh well, I suppose it will all get sussed out. I mean, he writes a comic that has a higher readership then this little blog thing (readership somewhere in the - oh, tens of people), and could easily write at the top of the next letters column: Adrian is a dick. It would be taken as fact at that point. Who would I be to argue, the majority usually wins in these matters.

Anyway, I have more work to do, and the long 48 minute wait until noon. Because you're not an alcoholic if you don't drink before noon. And that's the lesson for today, kids.

Ok, enough with the nagging...

2006-08-19T10:31:00.000-04:00

It's been determined that I am a complete slacker. I think I mentioned this in an early post. I shall now try to get on track by adding to our little "share-a-story" idea. Beth has mentioned that she would finish it her self, so I've been guilted into continuing! We'll see if she wants to continue from my addition or proceed on her own....

Anyway, the complete story thus far, then the additon: (cue lights)

The Soon-to-Be Titled Story as it Stands

Bridget had three sisters, but you'd never know it by looking at her. She seemed a mess from afar, and when you zoomed in close, you could see the wheels were about to fly right off of that train. It was no fault of her own, however. She had been unceremoniously dropped right into the middle of things, her husband of three years deciding that what he needed more then a loving, committed relationship was an underage girl with an "ass that wouldn't quit" and a sports car that no matter how fast it was driven would never get him back to the youth he was now trying to emulate.

The middle of things was where she'd started, so she should have been comfortable enough in the position. Her entry into the world had occurred during the middle of her mother's pregnancy, rather than towards the more traditional end, causing no end of bother. She'd grown up right smack in the middle of Indiana, a midwestern girl in a middle-class family that had little enough time for its middle child. Her older sisters, twins of a flamboyantly similar nature, kept themselves to themselves, and her younger sister was too much of a tomboy to pal around with Bridget.

Her real trouble, it seemed, was with the number three.

Nothing good ever came of that number, and she resisted the urge to spit as she closed her eyes and saw it there, a giant number three seared deep in her unconcious. Her hatred had gone way past obsession and landed deep in disorder territory.

Last week, the women's group had thrown their annual barn dance and charity auction at the Miller farm in Stuartville. Mary had convinced her that she needed to take part in the bacholerette auction. A bachelorette auction! Who does these things anymore? And with her entry, wouldn't it be more of a yard sale - showing used goods going for a low price.

Still, she played the socialite role, put on a smiling face, and a dress that helped cover some of her softer exterior, and stood in line waiting her chance to strut the catwalk - a piece of cattle being eyed by the eyes of fat, disgusting butchers.

As she waited, Nan came over, that smile of hers trying to cover the vacancy that existed behind her eyes. As she whispered some cooing remarks about how radiant Bridget looked, she pinned a number to the front of her dress.

That number was three.

She looked around quickly, her eyes scanning the room for the nearest exit. Palms sweaty, the scarlet "three" burned on her chest like a brand, Bridget sidled over to the drinks table. Damn midwestern values, she thought as she picked up her plastic cup of warm kool-aid. Somebody could have at least sprung for a keg, anything to help ease the anxiety that was building as she pictured her upcoming turn on the catwalk.

There is no escape from Stuartville, Bridget thought. Every person in the room had known her since she was born, probably knew that story, too, and would certainly notice if she was absent from the auction. Her eyes lit on a huddled group of the town's finest boys in blue. Just great. The last thing she needed tonight was to run into Carl.

Carl was the typical mid-western stud, with the usual resume. High School quarterback, voted all American, Blond-hair, blue eyes, chiseled physique. Father's wished he was their boy, and Mother's wished they were 20 years younger. And, to Bridget, one giant asshole.

She was sure he'd be out there with his pals, slapping each other on the back, and blatently drinking cans of some sludge that they tried to pass off as alcohol. Even though they'd all be in uniform, there was no one who would put think that there was anything illegal in their actions. These were the boys in blue and in this town, they weren't just the law, they were above it. Lesser dieties who blessed the town by walking the streets.

Carl smiled inwardly at the thought. No, there will be no trouble tonight. He felt like he had the situation under tight control. He sighed as he stole a look at a couple of girls with numbers pinned on their dresses. Stuartville had quite a small pool of good-looking women and most of them were already married.

His eyes caught a familiar face as he turned his attention to the drinks table. Missus Bridget Millett was looking at him across the room. Her short jet-black hair swung in the air as she abruptly turned her head towards the front stage. Look who we have here, he thought, a soon-to-be-divorced beauty and she was checking me out. He then noticed the number at the top of her dress and he couldn't repress a broad smile. He might place a bid at the bachelorette auction tonight after all.

Bridget noticed his return gaze and the smirk that came along with it. Turning away in disgust, she tried to shake off the chills that crept up her spine. If he made any move towards her, any attempt to talk to her, she was out of there, no matter how it might look to the rest of the town. Wasn't it enough that she had faced them all after Barry's adventures in babysitting were common street corner gossip? That she'd kept her chin up through the messiness of it all, even when he'd taken the teenage tramp off to Chicago, where everyone knew Bridget had always wanted to move? Now he'd ruined that dream for her, too.

She pushed Barry and Carl to the back of her mind and focused on the events unfolding on the stage in front of her. Nan was standing up to the microphone, tapping it lightly with one perfectly manicured fingertip. She cleared her throat delicately a few times to get everyone's attention, although her efforts were lost on the teenagers, who were steadily growing noisier with every sip of their drinks. When most of the eyes in the room were on her, she launched into her well-practiced spiel.

"Now we all know why we're here tonight, and it's not just to win a date with one of our eligible young bachelorettes." At the mention of the word 'young' Bridget lapsed into a sudden coughing fit and was rewarded with an arch look from Nan. She continued. "This is about helping out our schools, and we all know they need it. So dig deep, citizens of Stuartville, and let's make a difference together." She finished a flourish of the arm and waited for the polite applause that followed.

Helping our schools, sure, thought Bridget. Helping them pour more money into that stupid football team while the music and art programs are going out the window. Not to mention that stink about the book the grade 11th English class was reading last spring. More money for the censors' pockets. If there was one thing she hated, it was censorship. As if a few curse words nullified the value of a great American novel.

But she'd promised Mary. She gritted her teeth and managed to flash a smile across the room at her younger sister. The other bachelorettes were reforming the line, so it looked like the auction was about to begin.

She took a careful step out onto the runway, where last night the local 4H club had marched their prize pigs back and forth for judgement. She was having trouble disccerning the difference between last night and the present. She looked down at the jet black pumps that she was wearing, and trying not to stumble. As she made her way to the end of the plywood catwalk, she heard Nan's voice over the PA system.

"Here she is, gentlemen, one of the catches of today's auction. You know her and love her, the soon to be legally available: Bridget Millet"

Thanks, Nan. You bitch.

"Take it off!" This was from one of the teenage punks. At least, she thought it was. With that bunch of cops in the back, you could never really be sure.

"Five Dollars." There was no mistaking Carl's voice there. She tired not to concentrate on the proceeding, putting full effort into keeping the smile upon here face. It was difficult work.

"Twenty Five." Not sure who that was, she really didn't care. It wasn't Carl.

"Fifty." Carl again, damn it.

"One Hundred Dollars." Mystery voice again, and suddenly there was no other sound. Money like that being thrown around in this town was a very serious ordeal. Suddenly, the aucion was fun for no one.

"One Hundred and Seventy-Five Dollars." Uh oh, Carl. Bridget knew him, and she knew this wasn't about Bridget at all. Someone had the balls to go against him. Now it was about winning, about saving face. She was doomed.

Silence.

The moments ticked by, moments in which she could envision Carl's sadistic smile as he came up to her to claim his prize. Where that smile led to, she tried to push out of her mind.

Someone cleared their throat, she felt like the entire audience was shifting restlessly, just as uncomfortable as her.

Finally, Nan broke the silence. "Well, it looks like we have a win-"

"Three Hundred and Thirty Three Dollars."

The audience gasped as one. No contest, whoever the mystery voice was, he had one. Simple. Easy.

Bridget held her hand up to block out the lights that were concealing the majority of the audience. Scanning from side to side, she looked for any movement, any indication of who her saviour was. Suddenly, the sea of people parted, and out stepped her unlikely Messiah.

It was Joe Markey, high school senior.
--------------------------------------------

ok, there's my lengthy addidtion to this tale. I actually wanted to move it in this direction a while ago, so this addition was pre-meditated. Funny, you'd think with all the extra time, the writing might be better. ah, alas, it is what it is.

Now then Beth... do you take the reigns or have we parted ways on this particular tale?

That No Good Dirty Liar or We've Been Overtaken!

2006-08-16T22:20:00.000-04:00

Well, long time...

So, Phonogram #1 hit the stores today, and it is excellent. Sadly, the author did not use my email for the letter page as he promised. I'm trying not to show I'm disappointed. Honestly, not sure what he wanted of mine, anyway. I think it was the following :

------------------------------

You'd be amazed at how undominate Oasis was, probably at how quiet the Britpop movement was overall. (Sorry, I had to respond to this) I remember there being a big buzz about Oasis when they firt came out, and talk about an impending war betweeen Blur and Oasis for world domination. However, in the states, it didn't really happen that way. I get a lot of what is going on over there across the pond from imported music magazines (mostly Q and Mojo and Uncut.) When Oasis started there was this fantastic show on MTV called 120 minutes. It aired at midnight on Sunday, and really showcased the music that wasn't getting popular play. At the time they gushed about Oasis and how big they were. I went out and bought that first album, and didn't quite see why they were so big. I liked it enough, Cigarettes and Alcohol, Supersonic, Live Forever all great songs, but there was a lot of other stuff going on that us kids were listening to (a little group called Nirvana.)

I still have a lot of friends who would barely know Oasis. Now, they did become successful over here, mind you... Live Forever was what got them noticed, then Wonderwall really made them stars... but they were an enourmous entity in England way before that (or so I'm told.) Blur had Song 2, which got them mainstream airplay over here, but their earlier stuff was largely ignored.

The biggest crime is that the album "Different Class" by Pulp remains one of the better albums of the last 10 or so years, and not one of the songs ever got national play in the USA. We had to wait a year for their "We Love Life" album. England's pop and USA's pop is so amazingly different sometimes. Sadly, there are thousands and thousands of us who are into alternative/indie/whatever thelatest buzzword is, and we'd all benifit immensely from a good portal into Britain's pop music.

I always find it rather sad that the good ole' USA was pretty much the birthplace of rock and roll - the gritty R&B from the south becoming popularized by Chuck Berry and BB King and the likes - and yet, Britain took that sound and has held the rights, and world dominance, since. Not sure how that happened, how we lost it (though the Beatles had everything to do with it.) A favorite "late night and shit-faced" activity is to sit around and whine about how of the greatest rock bands of all time, none are from over here (Zep, Beatles, Stones, U2, Floyd, etc). When we try to find the ultimate USA rock band, the best we usually come up with is Aerosmith. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

------------------------------------

Typical whine-whine of how USA really didn't keep the rock n' roll thing too well. just a matter of opinion I suppose.

so, anyway, no print for me. I suppose the only thing left to do is get something published and crush these people beneath my god's paw.

Oh, and I am really and truly slacking right now. I recently interviewed a comic writer on Saturday, and have yet to type the thing up. The fact that I am out of my house 15+ hrs per day has a little to do with it honestly. I need to get to it, and soon.

I just noticed I can now use a google account to log into blogger. So blogger has been picked up by "The Man." Not sre if I'm supposed to be angry or not. I think... I don't really care. I did notice a higher number of comment spam, so that may be a sign of things to come. You take the good, you take the bad, and there you have... the facts of life.

Oh, Beth has mentioned that that share-a-story idea has fallen to the wayside. she blames me. she is accurate. I still want to finish the damn thing, and she's going to, so I guess we're going to submit our own conclusions. I feel like i'm in English class. Maybe I can stretch the due date by going on a school approved field trip. it used to work.

Going to CA the first half (at least) of September. The condition red state of air travel does have me freaked a little. If they ban PSP/DSes (gameboys for the non-hip crowd), I may have to cancel the flight. The terrorists would have won.

Anyway, that's about it for now. Thanks for playing along at home. I'll check in with you guys later.

Well, hmph!

2006-08-11T22:05:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I make my 100th post and no one leaves a comment? well F all of you!

Thank GOD for the weekend. This week was just brutal, and I feel like I could sleep for years. Of course, the frosty beer in my hand and the old-skool rap blasting out of my stereo are convincing me otherwise. Tonight could get ugly.

Anyway, work is crazy, my side gig is crazy (oh, that part where I posted the article that didn't make the cut? it made the cut. So you guys got an exclusive advance screening. I treat my public well), everything is crazy. Thank you beer, yes I will take some liquid induced calmness and blackouts.

Well, looks like I gotta run.

The blaring of trumpets

2006-08-06T22:21:00.000-04:00

Ok, so this is officially my 100th post. I know some of you are out there with your 1000+ post blogs and are turning your noses up at me, but it doesn't matter, this is a personal achievement. So back the fuck off, bitches.

Now, this being Number 100, you'd think I'd do something special. Well, you'd be wrong. I want to do something special, but I don't know what to do, so instead I'll do what you'd expect.

I'll bitch about something.

Last night I went to Phoenix at the Trocodaro. I really like that band - I've seen them nefore - and they were as exceptional as expected. Seriously, let us put aside our general distaste for the French and acknowledge they're talented. If you don't have any CDs, go! run! buy! And if they play anywhere near you, try to get out to see them. you won't be sorry. Well, maybe you won't

See, I got to see them free, which is an added bonus. I would have paid, but the show was by "invite only". Which simply meant grabbing a ticket at the local CD store (found a new music store I love. AKA in Philly. good times)

SO, free ticket, great band, 21+ which means that I could booze it up, and check out all females in the place without feeling like a dirty old man. They were legal. I mean ALL THE WAY legal, not just 18.

Unfortunatly, I realized there are two types of girls in most of these types of situations: The ones I wouldn't sleep with, and the ones who wouldn't sleep with me. So it goes.

But, and here comes the real bitch: I had to sit through the Frnch Kicks. Now, this band, this FUCKING band has no reason to exist. they are horrible. completely and utterly terrible. If you try to argue this point, you are wrong, and you have no taste. shame on you. Anyway, this band - to use the term loosely - has somehow managed to open up for the majority of bands I have seen in the past few years. I've seen them more then any other bnd. And they keep getting worse. They are dirty, and deserve to be destroyed.

ok, moving on.

Oh, great news, you'll all soon have to bend down and kiss my... ring. That's right, I'm going to be a Godfather. I will be my nephew's godfather in October. The Godmother is our friend, the very attractive (and very married) Nikki. I've already tried to convine her that me being godfather and her being godmother we'd need to consummate the relationship. I'm not sure if she's buying it or not. I'm going to have to say no. I don't know that I'm giving up just yet. Because, no one beats a dead horse quite like me.

Ok, that's all I have for now. Oh, some new stuff on BrokenFrontier.com should be coming along soon - interviews and such. I'm trying to put together an actual article, but can't seem to find the time. I'll have to try to put aside some time this week. Sadly, work - the one that I get paid for - has other ideas. I am serious when I say I need to put my resume together, it's getting that bad.

Ok, I need to log off and eat some ice cream. It's time to relax. Night, all! And onward to the next 100 rants!

I, Weenie

2006-08-02T23:19:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I get random memories come back to me out of the blue...

One memory that just came to me was when - in 7th grade I believe - our school had a talent show. Now, all the cool kids entered and did some cool dance routines and lip-syncing and whatnot, but that wasn't for me. I may have done a lot in my school years, but being a cool kid was not one of them. Instead, I saw the talent show as a perfect time to embarrass myself. And two of my best friends. See, I thought I had a shot at winning this talent contest (and yes, I realize now there really isn't much of a contest in grade school... it was more for the popular kids to have some way to flex their superiority), and what better way to win then with a handwritten play. brilliant!

So, I grabbed my friends Troy and Viet (who was Vietmanese and had a brother named Nam. I kid you not. But the real irony is that the sister's name was Kim).. And, sitting in the living room at Troy's house, I concocted a super hero story. Now, I can't remember all the details, like the names of the heroes (I'm pretty sure one was Shorty), but here's what I remember. When Troy and I were in our civilian mode (He was the main hero, I was the sidekick, and Viet was the arch-nemesis) we would be normal size. But - and here's one of the big gimmicks - when we transformed into our alter-egos, we walked around on our knees. See, when we became powerful, we became smaller.

I told you, genius.

We did wear masks, and at one point, the arch enemy attempted to Mousse us. We didn't have money for props and so searched Troy's house for dastardly weapons, latching onto his mom's hair mousse.

That's about all I remember. I'm sure if someone had film, they'd consider it blackmail material. however, for me, it would be something to cherish. I only wish I had a copy of the hand-written script. It would be worth so much to me. Even if the result of reading it would be to confirm my place in the wallows of geekdom, it'sd be worth so much to me.

Still, as fuzzy as the memories are, I'll always cherish the thought, as I had two friends who had my back, even at the cost of ridicule from the entire school.

I had not intended for that to be sappy, honestly. And part of me is chuckling at the thought of us running around on our knees. Anyway, I'll be sure to bitch a little next post, I'm do.

Oh, and next post is #100. I may need to dress up for that one.

What's going on

2006-08-01T21:02:00.000-04:00

A lot, and not a lot here. Got some more interviews lined up for the website (shameless plug: www.BrokenFrontier.com), which is cool. One of my personal faves. More on this when I get responses and they see print. I need to learn to keep some secrets.
I'm trying to learn to type using the home keys. It's a little slower then hunt and pecking, but I hope in the long run I'll be more efficient.

I finally started some semi serious writing of my own, including a comic script. Let's keep that to ourselves, though, as nothing may come of it.

Just watched some fierce America's Next Top Model. Not because I fircely chose to, but because the fierce g/f was watching the fierce show. If you've never seen it, you won't understand what's so fierce, but Tyra Banls knows what's firce. She kept saying fierce.

And before anyone makes fun of me, I wasn't watching it, I was watching Tyra's breasts. i'm absolved of my sins.

Work has been an ass-kicker. Still, it's keeping me busy. I almost feel less stressed since it's been so busy. I'm weird like that.

Hmmm... what else. Oh, I wanted to share a little email I got from Warren Ellis (he writes comics, and it was to his email list, not to me personally). It's one of the most devestating things I've ever read. I want to write something like this one day. That's my life goal.

Here it is:
------------------------------------------------------
The little girl sat crying on the park bench, clutching a pink
backpack with an envelope sticking out of it. I sat next to her,
phone in my hand. “Are you lost?"

"No. My mummy and daddy died and I have to live with Grandma
who hates me so I'm running away."

"Oh, honey," I said. "I'm so sorry about your parents."

"Grandma makes me do horrible things and when I complain she
makes me read the note mummy and daddy left me before they died."

She gave me the envelope. The note inside read:

"You made us do this."

-------------------------------------------

Isn't that amazing? Just so WICKED.

Anyway, that's it for now, have some more work to do. Check in later.

Bwahaha

2006-07-27T13:28:00.000-04:00

I was reading through the comments on this blog o' mine (I keep thinking someone's going to leave me some super secret message. Hopefully involving free money and/or nakedness. good nakedness hopefully), when I noticed this comment:

"As for the black players, well, they're the one who play best so they are on the national team. It's like US basketball or football: you want the best athletes on your team and that generally means you don't see many jive turkeys there..."

That's why you and I were destined to be great friends, Damien. I have never heard anyone else besides my father use the term "jive turkeys" so well. A tip of my hat to you.

I mentioned that I'd publish some of my "outtakes" from Broken Frontier here, so below is my first one. Right now there is a huge event in Marvel comics where half of the heroes are pushing for super-hero registration. The other half are naturally against it. Anyway, this was a simulated letter to J.J. Jameson publisher of the Daily Bugle from a rural superhero. I thought it was amusing - though probably not as funny as I intended it to be. Anyway, for those of you who haven't surfed away when I started talking comic books (anyone? hello?), here is my article:

Mr. Jameson,

When it comes to superhero registration, all I see before me is the future. I mean, this is it; this is my opportunity to make a difference. I can come up with a name, slap on a costume, and become a hero. A government-backed hero.

Many people are up in arms about what is happening in the world today, that our heroes are being forced to come out. Well why the hell not? Why shouldn’t they? They’re citizens of the United States (or some other country) and should have to be responsible for their actions as law-abiding citizens.

The fact that such high profile heroes as Captain America… Captain AMERICA… are not obeying the law is disgraceful, and it is sending the wrong message to the world. It’s telling all the young up-and-coming superheroes that they don’t have to worry about their responsibilities. They are above the law, and can ignore the basic rules that keep our society civil. And that’s the most common fight during these trying times: that the heroes have to put themselves in jeopardy by admitting their alter egos.

Well, when I was born I had to have a birth certificate. I had to get a social security card. My car is registered to the state. My mom pays taxes on our house. As far as I’m concerned, I already am registered with the government. And soon, my status as a superhero will be too.

The truth is, I’ve been waiting for this opportunity, and I’m not going to let my chance pass me by. See, I know what the real reason that is preventing people from registering. They say it’s to protect themselves, to protect their families, but that’s not what the real reason is.

The real reason is that registering takes away their advantage. No longer will being a superhero be some exclusive club for only the lucky few and the privileged. With the registration, and the formation of a government-funded super force, a hero will have to prove himself. But more importantly, more then just the few will have the funding and support to choose the lifestyle, to fight the good fight.

I’ve tried to go out and do the right thing on my own. With no means of support I’ve run around the neighborhood night after night silently trying to protect the citizens of Mertztown, Pennsylvania. Let me tell you, it’s hard and unrewarding work. When I wasn’t saving someone’s house from being attacked by a bunch of bored teenagers and finding peoples lost cats, I was looked on like I was some kind of freak. And during my adventures, I didn’t make one red cent. I had to work two jobs just to get by, to be able to afford the various pieces of my arsenal I needed. Plus, out in the country, you’d never imagine how hard it is to get your hands on some of the more powerful items I’d need to be truly effective. I couldn’t find a Bo staff let alone a particle modulation ray.

Then, every morning, I’d have to open the page of the paper and see pictures of Spider-Man swinging through New York, his costume gleaming in the sunlight because it was so clean. And Captain America? If I remember correctly, he has a shield made out of some top-secret government material, such as adamantium or vibranium or something else that the public doesn’t even know about yet. I wonder how much overtime at the local Burger Shack he had to work for that…

Spider-Man revealing himself puts him at about 15 years old when he started, two years younger then I am. Think about how much good I could have accomplished over the past two years had the resources allowed me to use my powers to their full potential. Maybe instead of wasting their times writing about the heroes in some city a three-hour drive away, our local papers could turn their attention here, allowing me to receive the praise I so righteously deserve.

Many people fear that becoming a public civil servant will add danger to their lives, which is true. But life is dangerous every time you step outside the house. I’d never go anywhere if I thought I’d be in a car accident every time I started my car, and like that, I won’t stop going on patrol. Plus, the government will have in place a support system to shield our identities from the public if we choose that route. For years people have served in the armed forces, and yet America’s enemies have never come directly after a soldier’s family.

So now, thanks to the superhero registration those of us struggling superheroes out in the world will get a chance for their time to shine. The world is an ugly place, and heroes are needed in all corners of the country, not just New York.

And one last thing… maybe some of these heroes are scared because they realize their time is up. We’ll soon see try outs, required physicals, tests for placement within the pantheon of the superheroes, and that scares the vets. Without the advantage of unlimited resources, they’ll have to prove themselves other ways. And how are they going to deal when the younger generation steps up? A younger, smarter, STRONGER generation? By shunning the registration act they are trying to keep new heroes down, to keep their jobs secure. Well, step aside gramps, our generation is here, and we aren’t afraid to step up and announce our attentions, to reach for the golden ring supplied by the government, to be all we can be.

-Johnny Atoms

----------------------------------
The fact that this guy would call himself "Johnny Atoms" is ludicrous. I love crappy heroes, I am drawn to them like a moth to flame.

just foolin' around

2006-07-25T14:55:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to blatently rip off a good idea from a very popular website, so this post really has no purpose. I just wanted to see if I can makwe something happen by copying their html.

twoooo dollllllars

Well, it worked. See how it says something, then when you hover over it iit says something else? That's a cool little trick. Let me try one:

franks and

so sweet!!

See, I educate the masses when I'm not ranting. I'll probably throw up some articles which I have written that haven't made the cut for www.brokenfrontier.com. I mean, I wrote it, so it still has to be worth reading. right? I said, right? anyone? bah, whatever. jerks.

Sigh

2006-07-21T22:52:00.000-04:00

Well, my vacation is almost at a close. There is the old adage: “There are many fish in the sea.” Well, whoever said that was a filthy liar and can right go on and fuck themselves. After a week of non-stop fishing I can pretty safely say there are NOT a lot of fish in the sea. Six straight days of fishing has resulted in 2 barely legal fish. Bah.

I am known not to be a big lover of the beach, all that sand just pisses me off – it gets everywhere – and I go on these vacations to avoid the pissing off. The only pissed I want to be on vacation is of the drunk variety. SO the one day I go to hang out at the beach, I have to deal with the storm enhanced waves. That ocean was brutal. The undertow carried me at least 50ft. with each pull. I tried using a boogie board – a piece of foam that does not boogie at all – and was able to ride one wave before it filled my lungs with a gallon of salt water then ripped the leash from my arm. It was quite a bit of fun, actually.

The plus side was that the family decided to retire to the pool instead. Much more my style. Cool off, dunk the niece and nephew, then lounge in a chair beer in hand. That’s the life for me.

Overall, a successful vacation. Very unstressful. It’s weird, but I feel like I miss my anger. My constant fits of rage that my job inspires in me have been nonexistent on this vacation, and my mind doesn’t know what to do with itself. I feel if I lived on this little island permanently a drug habit would be much needed.

I had intended to do some writing, but never really got the chance. I did a lot – a LOT – of reading, but this is about the extent of my writing for the week. It’s ok, though, as with how things are going on with the comic book site and all, I feel like I am actually taking a break, not procrastinating. I did manage a bit of daydreaming, thought up a new story idea, and intend to go full bore when I get back to civilization. Hopefully, I’ll manage to churn some stuff out, and I’ll try to publish some random crap here (I really have no other outlet, so I force it upon you, unsuspecting readers. Now shut up and take it!)

Oh, one last bit, I did get to play Memoir ’44 – a game I bought a month or two ago – for the first time this week with my nephew. It is a fabulous two player game and it really is easy to play. I question how much strategy is involved, as my nephew managed to defeat me on several occasions, but I did help him out when he missed an opportunity. Plus, there is dice rolling involved, and I am always at a disadvantage for some reason.

The other game we’ve been playing non-stop? BOGGLE. That’s right, I got the family hooked on one of the best games ever. Of course, they have yet to defeat me. My dominance at that game amazes even myself. OK, time to enjoy my last few hours of vacation before returning to the grind.

A look to Vacation/self-promo

2006-07-13T08:40:00.000-04:00

I have two days left of work, today and tomorrow, and then I'm off to a family vacation for a week. This will be my first extended vacation in over 4 years. It will be wonderful.

This is my 94th post according to blogger.com. If I keep this up, I might lose my lazy title. I'm not at all comfortable with that. I'd love to do something cool/special for my 100th post, but the truth is, I wouldn't be surprised if I log in one night trashed just to bitch about what someone said at the bar. and then my 100 will be nothing but business as usual. Eh, it's a living.

Heard back from Mr. Gillen who I interviewed for Broken Frontier. He will be using my email for the first issues' letter column. I demand that you all go buy Phonogram from Image when it comes out on August 2nd. Don't worry, I'll probably buy several copies for those of you who can't find them, let me know...

I have another interview up... linking now: http://www.brokenfrontier.com/lowdown/details.php?id=438

It's an interview with the head honcho at Top Cow Comics. I actually wrote an article discussing the comics-on-demand scheme that they are working on. That article was what I submitted as a sample to the owner of Broken Frontier to get my gig.

The owner is from Belgium, and he wants me to come to visit. Which I'm contemplating. I figure if I do it, I might be able to hop a train and head over to France. I'm really thinking hard about it... most likely try to do it next year. the biggest drawback is that I wanted to go to Ireland next year - something my dad and I have wanted to do for years now - and I don't see having enough time to do Belgium, Ireland, and France. Plus, I'm sure if my family that still lives in Germany were to find out I was in Europe they'd be offended if I didn't pop in.

And now, a tip... if you use Firefox, and listen to music, you owe it to yourself to download FoxyTunes (www.foxytunes.com). It allows you to control your player right from the browser, so now you don't have to stop viewing porn, er surfing the web, to change songs. And it's a freebie. which is a plus.

I'm not sure how many of you check out www.lifehacker.com, but you should start reading it. I have an RSS feed on my homepagfe so I can see the tips all day long. This may be my favoritest site (not written by me). Not about videogames, music, porn, or comics it seems like an odd choice for favorite. But the knowledge I have acquired from this ste ovber a week is immense.

World Cup Action...

2006-07-09T16:33:00.000-04:00

I'm typing this up while waiting for the penalty kicks to decide the results of the world cup. I figured I'd write up my feelings because I've watched a soccer game this year - so I'm an expert now.

1. Someone should have told Italy's offense that the Championship game is, in fact, a full regulation game. You have to play longer then the first 20 minutes.

2. Zidane, you asshole. Wow, what a foul. No matter how this ends, that's what will be remembered. In his defence, no matter how shocking and classless the foul was, I think he got incorrectly red carded. Sorry, but those officials didn't see that, they saw the replay. As nasty as it was, he should have remained in the game.

Still, if something is going to get soccer into the dense heads of average Americans, a foul like that could do. Us and our love of unremittant violence.

Ok, penalty kicks coming up... my guess? Italy comes away a winner. I think their goalie is better. But, I'm still cheering for France. Even if Henry isn't in anymore (and Ribery was spectacular).
Italy scores the first kick.
France fires back, even the scores.
Italy gets their second. up 2-1. Can either of these goalies stop a shot? (Jens Lehmann would have been all over that shit!)
France bounces off the cross bar! No stop required!! Is it all over??
Italy gets another shot. 3-1. This is tense. THIS is why soccer is the world's favorite game.
France gets their next goal... this is some great television. 3-2 Italy.
Italy drains one yet again. Seriously... message to goalies: STOP A FUCKIN' SHOT.
But not this next one. Sangol with the kick... it's good!!! France is hanging in there.

Ok, this could be game. A stop or a miss is needed. Deep breaths. Grosso.

fuck.

Italy made it. So, for the record, not a single shot was blocked. Now, I know penalty kicks are difficult, I used to play soccer, but come on... not one:? This was the world cup.

Ok, well it's all over. Italy won. Frnace second. My beloved Germany third. Maybe I can prevent the g/f from finding out. She knows nothing - nothing - about soccer, but she knows how to gloat. fucking Italians.

Anyway that's my live coverage of the penalty kicks of the World CUp '06. Thanks for tuning in.
And sorry Damien.

Hurray!

2006-07-08T03:57:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'm writing this post at 4AM, and it's not fueled by alcohol for once. Well, not entirely, anyway. No, instead I was woken up by a phone call. Now I generally hate late night calls, I always assume it's something bad, but this particular phone call was a very good phone call.

My long-lost friend Michelle finally - finally - called me. The whole two of you who have been reading this thing since way back when may remember me mentioning her, that I emailed someone who knew her tryiong to search her out. Well, it turns out she did get the email, just never got back to me before. SO why now? Well, it turns out her best friend came across this little blog of mine and somehow read about a girl with a machine gun laugh. So she forwarded the link to Michelle, and she got around to calling.

It's important to note that this LONG delay before contact doesn't bother me at all. With me devoting so much of my time to being lazy, I appreciate laziness in anyone who knows me closely. heh.

So, if you read this again: thanks Nikki, I really appreciate it.

Michelle's doing well, hob-knobbing it out there in Hollywood. Good news is that my next trek to the west coast should be in September, so I'll probably get to meet up with her. woohoo! I'm already regretting the massive hangover if we get a chance to go out.

Anywho, I've got to get back to sleep... just wanted to post it here for the world to see. g'night.

More shameless self-promotion

2006-07-06T13:03:00.000-04:00

Ok, get it out of the way... go here for my first honest-to-goodness interview:

http://www.brokenfrontier.com/lowdown/details.php?id=430

It's a two-parter, so if you go soon, you'll have to check back in on Monday for round two.

Kieron was just a swell gyuy all around. It was an email interview, which made my work easy. Type questions, send them, receive answers, cut and paste. I guess I should say I slaved over the article, but sometime's I'm honest to a point. Still, those questions... I fuckin' nailed those questions.

I ended up chatting him up a bit on IM later, and he may use one of my eamils in the letter page of the actual comic. I'll let you know if that turns out to be a true statement. Because, frankly, I won't shut up about it.

Today I have another conference call with Marvel Comics. If all goes well, I should have a summary typed up, and it may be posted tomorrow.

Ok, enough wanking off.

I know that some of you out there that read this page from time to time are probably rather happy with themselves that they still have a team in the world cup. Well, go right to hell, jerk(s). Germany was milking the clock and payed for it. They had already set their minds on going to a shootout that they forgot they have to finish overtime play first. dumbasses. I was very shocked and disappointed. The girlfriend - being italian - isn't quite as upset.

So, I guess I'll be pulling for France this weekend. At least I can say I know some people who live there.

Anyway... that's all for now

A sad day...

2006-06-28T17:37:00.000-04:00

The adventures of the Plaid Scientist are coming to a close... at least temporarily. Sadly, with all that's going on right now, I just don't have time to play City Of Villains right now. I hope to be able to play again some time in the future... but I have so much crap going on, and I'm concentrating a lot of free time on my writing. So, by deactivating my account I skip the monthly fee... which is nice, I'm trying to manage my money better. If I ever want to play again, I can just pay and I'll still have my character, so that's pretty cool.

Speaking of writing, two new capsule reviews by yours truly:

http://www.brokenfrontier.com/lowdown/details.php?id=420

Also, I did a phone interview with the president of Top Cow. All I have to do is type it up, and then I might have something I can recommend. Unfortunatly, I'm not sure how to type it up - I'm learning interviews are a weak spot - so I'm not sure how it will come out. We'll see. I'm also waiting on email responses from a few other people, so I could have a rash of articles go up sometime soon.

what else... Um uh... not sure. guess I'll try to stop by later. This was all about the self-pimping.

Adventures in Journalism

2006-06-21T14:36:00.000-04:00

Well, more content created by yours truly has landed up on www.BrokenFrontier.com (http://www.brokenfrontier.com/lowdown/details.php?id=415). This time, just two small reviews... but it's still something.

The exciting part is I'm now working on several articles, as well as getting some interviews lined up. So exciting.

Oh, and last night I went to the Yankees/Phillies game. Yankees won 9-7. I saw "best closer in the game" Mariano Rivera pitch. Oh, and they won. This is the first time I ever saw the Yankees win live.

so, yeah, it was a great fuckin' game.

Anyway, I need to go about doing work stuff, I still do have a full time job, but I'll be back later I bet. and with a story update. scout's honor.

With a Yawn

2006-06-20T07:20:00.000-04:00

I've had one huge week of excitement, now I'm on the big come down. Last night I got an amazing 8 hours of sleep, a feat rarely attempted and even less rare to succeed. I actually feel well rested. I'll enjoy that for the next 15 minutes until I'm fighting the droopy eyes again.

My energy level for wtiting for the website is very high, but now I have to come up with something to write about, and it's actually giving me trouble. At first I had a laundry list of topics, which I did write down, but I just don't like any of them right now. dammit. I'll come up with something, it's what i do.

Oh, one bit of excitement, I'm going to see the Yankees play tonight. That's right: THE GREATEST TEAM IN BASEBALL HISTORY. hells yes.

I'm disappointed that I've missed almost every World Cup game so far. I like soccer, I really do, but I just haven't gotten around to watching any of the games. All the drama I'm getting second hand. I'll be surprised if France doesn't adopt instant replay for all of their leagues after getting royally screwed by the officials. Now I partake in a healthy dose of French-bashing (more for the sake of my reading audience then for any actual anymosity), but that was just uncalled for. They might miss the next round because of it. Oh well, fight on Germany! Fight on Sweden!

A note on Sweden: When I was 16, I went to Germany for 5 weeks. It was a great experience, and it was during the world cup. I watched games non-stop. And Sweden was amazing. They were rough, really brutal beating the crap out of the other teams. so much fun to watch. I don't think this year's team is as good, or as entertaining, but I'll probably have a spot in my heart for Sweden because of that Cup.

Incredible news

2006-06-16T16:52:00.000-04:00

Ok, so in a previous post I mentioned that I had some good writing-related news, and now I can share.

I now have a second job.

This job is a writer for the website www.brokenfrontier.com.

let that sink in... I will be writing semi-professionally.

*insert angelic voices now*

As a matter of fact, my first assignment was to attend a phone-in conference with Marvel comics. That's right THAT Marvel Comics. I'm still beeming.

So yesterday, on my way back from California, I sat in the airport and listened to several employees of THE MARVEL COMICS talk about upcoming projects.
Now, there is a bit of a downside. if you go to www.brokenfrontier.com you can see my first piece that has been added. Sadly, I find it to be a horrible piece of writing. I honestly didn't know how to write-up something like this, and I didn't get to record the conversation so I had to depend on my three pages of scribbled notes. Still it feels good to have something out there with my name attached.

Anyway, I'll probably talk about this a bit more, but I have to go attend graduation ceremonies.

Oh, and Beth: It's only underwear... no matter how titillating, it can't hurt you.

Ciao!

Quick Post/ backdated post

2006-06-13T02:29:00.000-04:00

Ok, in Cali for work, doing lots of stuff. sorry I haven't been around, but been working on something I'm keeping quiet on for just a few more days/weeks. It involves writing, let me just say that.

And, I haven't ditched our writing sample just yet, I will try to add something in the next day or two...

here's what I wrote up a day or two ago. Not my finest writing, but I was sitting next to a hot blond on an airplane and ended up chatting with her instead of finishing this. priorities, man.

June 10, 2006 4:42PM.

Planes. Again.

Just finished up in San Jose on a whirlwind of a one-day trip. Got in about 9PM last night. Was hooked up by dollar with a new Dodge Charger. Underwhelming power – will we ever regain true muscle car status? The hotel I stayed at had some kind of bangin’ (that’s right, I said BANGIN’) nightclub, but my head would decompress. Some kind of super-engineered sinal infection has taken lodging in my head and presents itself in the most inopportune time. Yesterday, it was on the slow – and agonizing – descent into San Jose. I was trying to will myself to pass out as opposed to sitting aware in my seat, but no luck.

I don’t think that I’ve ever actually passed out. Wait, I lie. I did pass out – I think – during one particularly nasty hangover post-St. Patrick’s Day. I had asserted my all around manliness by spending 17hours straight in a bar. I believe my nearest competition caved after 8. You all must recognize. Anyway, the next day was far from fantastic, as I woke up and proceeded to eject poison from every orifice imaginable. And, let me tell you, it’s worse then that last sentence sounds. Anyway, I remember lying on the couch, praying to whatever god took pity on those who rendered themselves shit-faced to put me out of my misery. Somewhere during my prayers, I believe I physically passed out.

I remember the only other time I came close was when I was donating blood. I am a total wuss when it comes to needles. I may have been heavy into drugs during my youth (who wasn’t?), but I was never in any danger of becoming a junkie, that’s for damn sure. Anyway, I had to have blood taken – I think for a standard physical – and I waited my turn. When called, I proceeded to take my place in the chair, and be strapped in. I turned my head away – did I mention I hate needles? – and gritted my teeth, sitting extremely tense. The nurse proceeded to plunge the needle into my arm, then commented on how she was not getting anything. As I sat there in what surely must have been a half hour of no blood, she explained how I had such nice veins. Um, thanks? She proceeded, to stab me again in an attempt to pull out my precious lifeforce from my “nice veins” this time, the blood flowed freely. She pulled out the needle, swabbed me off, and proclaimed an all clear. Suddenly, the world began to cave in on itself and I felt myself growing week. I went through extreme strain to keep myself conscious, actually breaking out in a massive sweat. I made it through, but wasn’t allowed to drive home for half an hour.

I DIDN’T EVEN GET A FREAKING LOLLIPOP.

The Weekend of the Geeks

2006-06-03T08:46:00.000-04:00

So, this weekend, I get to devote all of my time to my inner geek. (Though really, it's not much of an inner-geek, so says my Captain America T-shirts). Yesterday was the start of Wizard World Philly, and I spent the day hanging out with fellow geeks taking in all the latest news about the world of comics. And standing in lines. so many lines.

I had to wait in a line to get my 3day badge - that's right, I took the plunge and will hang out atthe convention all three days. It's less an enjoyable experience and more of an endurance test.

Then, after 45 minutes, I had to wait in another line to enter the convention. 45 minutes - 1 hour.

Then, I waited in line for another hour to buy a limited edition variant cover of a comic book. and hour to buy one freakin' comic.

That may be the most embarrising thing I've ever written.

After that, most of the lines were done, and I headed out to explore the sights and sounds of the convention.

Overall, the convention is a bit of a let down, a lot of people have cancelled, and I fear I might be searching for things to do buy the end. Plus, I've already spent a lot of money. a LOT. I won't go into the details, but it did involve a Bate Ray Bill bust. shameful.

Still, I'm loving the experience, and I'm tailing along with a friend who writes reviews about comics and knows a lot in the industry, so that is pretty cool. I'll probably talk about it more in another post, as it is taking up all of my time right now.

OH, real quick, we've really been getting into board games, and the two we love right now are: The Settlers of Catan and Carcosonne. if you can play either of these, by all means, do it. They are simply fantastic, and pretty easy to learn.

Story continued

2006-06-03T08:32:00.000-04:00

Ok, it's been my fault we haven't had an update... I'll try to be quicker, but again, anyone can go ahead and grab it....

The Soon-to-Be Titled Story as it Stands

Her real trouble, it seemed, was with the number three.

That number was three.

The story continues

2006-05-28T11:10:00.000-04:00

Ok, so a blogger has taken up the gauntlet in my little writing piece... so I shall continue it below. Notice that nowhere will I mention dragons, I am sorry to say.
Today I head North for grilling, drinmking, and gaming. Happy Memorial day to everyone!

The Soon-to-Be Titled Story as it Stands

Her real trouble, it seemed, was with the number three.

That number was three.

Ok, I had an idea where to go with this, but I want to give the next person something to work with so I'm stopping here. I'll be excited to see what someone does with this setup.

As I had mentioned before, it's not really a "paragraph per writer" type of exercise, and you can see I took that to the extreme. Hoever, I feel that I needed the above to get the story advanced. Again, any writer can write as little or as much for their turn. Though a paragraph will be the minimum.

On To A Long weekend... and a journey begins

2006-05-26T23:38:00.000-04:00

So, my weekend has officially started. And what have I spent with the blissful alone time I have had since getting home from work? Play some Magic online. So, all the productive things I could be doing, and instead am playing games.
Oh well, last night I got second in an 8-4 draft. Now, most of you out there have no idea what this means., which is fine. If anyone does understand it, they can understand my excitement. Tonight, no luck was to be had.

So, I mentioned about doing some kind of writing exercise, envisioning a story that jumps from blog to blog and grows with each jump. Well, just as I thought, a fellow blogger fell right into my plan. (Let's be honest here... I expected Beth to bite, and the post was directed at her. Her and her husband are probably the only people who tune into my ranting regularly.)

Anywho, I figure I'll just get the ball rolling and we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping I'll have a spark of motivation and will keep it going - as I will be the weakest link - but I think I can... I think I can... I think I can.

Without further ado, here is the opening paragraph. Whoever grabs it next, if you want to rewrite it a bit, feel free. If you feel you can't work with such rubbish, then fine, start it your own damn self. heh.

Insert Title Here

Bridget had three sisters, but you'd never know it by looking at her. She seemed a mess from afar, and when you zoomed in close, you could see the wheels were about to fly right off of that train. It was no fault of her own, however. She had been unceremoniously dropped right into the middle of things, her husband of three years deciding that what he needed more then a loving, committed relationship was an underage girl with an "ass that wouldn't quit" and a sports car that no matter how fast it was driven would never get him back to the youth he was now trying to emulate.

Well, there we go... i guess that's my start. And no, I have no freakin clue where that came from. I would think I would never write a story that started out like that, so don't hate me when it takes a turnb for the weird on my turns.

Ok, so I guess we need to lay down some kind of rules or something. They'll change as we go along, I'm sure of that.

1.When you want to claim a turn, you have to post a comment with a link to where your addition will be. Then, you will take what has come before it to your space, and add to it.
2. You will feel free to rewrite the part that was written before (only the part right before you grabbed the story... not rewrite the whole thing. we don't want it to have one voice). Actually, I think this may be a critical step, as my tendency for run on sentences may need to be curbed.
3. If we get more then two people... we'll try to keep the turns bouncing around as steadily between all that are involved. That way, if someone isn't around for a while, we could keep this moving. Again... that is if we get any more then two. we'll see.
4. The length is not going to be restricted to a paragraph. That will be the minimum. If you have a point you want to make on your turn and you need to take a few paragraphs, that is fine.
5. If we should keep this thing going on for a long time, and you feel we need to add chapters, or jump characters... then by all means, do it. And honestly, i say if you feel like killing someone off, go ahead. While it may be unfair if someone wanted to do something with this character... the exciting part is adapting our stories to address other's points of views and narratives.
6. Finally - to repeat - if you feel you have nothing to work here, go ahead and create a whole new place to start. but I think you have a lot to work with here.

Ok, that sounds good (actually unnecessarily wordy for something that may go nowhere). I pass the pen... whoever intends to grab, please, by all means, step up.

A quick link, and a fantabulous idea.

2006-05-26T09:15:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I know that some people who read this irregularly-updated blog have thought about writing something at sometime. Well, I just came across a link that said people (person?) might be interested in.

http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html

what that is, is a free software to help plan novel writing. I haven't fooled with it yet, but I got the link from a very trusted site, so I trust that it may be helpful, if not at least virus-free. Anywho, some of you might want to check it out.

Ok, so I also have an idea that may or may not be interseting to you few who come here. When I was in high school, to pass the time in study halls, we used to play "Who What Where When". What that was, was the first person wrote some names in a column, then covered those names and passed to the next person. The Next person filled out an action, then covered that part up... and so on. At the end, the paper was revealed and our silly little sentences were read to much laughter.
SO, I think it would be a pretty keen idea if me and some of my fellow bloggers
did a more "mature" version of this. Perhaps one person would write a paragraph, then the next person reads that paragraph and adds the next one, and on and on... passing the story from blog to blog. Now, maybe it should be more then a paragraph, but I'm just not sure. So, anyone interested? let me know.

Quick bits

2006-05-24T17:08:00.000-04:00

Well now, it’s been a while. Again. And once again it is due to nothing other then sheer laziness.
   So, to get something up, and quickly, here comes some rapid fire thoughts:

   Song of the moment right now is Limelight by Rush. This song is from the 70s(?) and I’ve been wondering why it took so long for me to hear it – or at least pay attention to it. Right now I can’t get enough of it.

  I’ve been to several baseball games so far this year (3). Got to see Bonds hit 713. What a shot, it was an amazing sight. Juice or no juice, that was one hell of a blast, and I’ll probably always remember it. The last game I was at? Phillies versus Red Sox. So I got to boo Manny and watch them lose. Well worth the money.  In a month it’s Yanks vs. Phillies. Hell yes

  I’ve not been playing City of Villains lately, as my time has been spent with Magic: Online or reading. I’m happy to be back into magic: the Gathering…  it’s a game that makes me feel smarter.

   Oh, and New Super Mario Bros. A new version of the classic? Awesome. Still my PSP sits around, collect dust, wondering what the hell it did wrong. It’s simple: the DS is just much more fun to play.

  I am listening to “Warlocks” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, and they mention a Rockappotamus. Man, I want one of those, even if they don’t exist.

  My body is falling apart… seriously. I can’t move my head to the left without much pain. Slept on it wrong. Still, I’m working out for this?

  Also, I messed my ankle up a bit, as I fell down the steps at a bar over the weekend. Who thought it was a good idea to put the bathrooms of bars UP the steps? And I thought my coordination got so much better whilest plastered. Hmmm.

Alright, there we go, some random stuff regurgitated for your pleasure. Hope to put something more coherent next time.

   Ooohhh…. Lost season finale tonight. Excellent.

Audioblogger

2006-05-10T23:15:00.000-04:00

I was looking for the Word plugin for Blogger when I came across Audioblogger. Apparently, you can dial a number from your cell phone and leave a message which is then posted on your blog. I think I am very much afraid of this addition, but I tried it out anyway, so it's below.

Does anyone actually like the sound of their own voice? I listen to this and all I can do is just wonder how I ever got laid.

2006-05-10T23:14:00.000-04:00

A post from the sky

2006-05-09T11:23:00.000-04:00

What appears below was typed while on the plane for my business trip. I didn’t get a chance to post it until now, and I don’t feel like messing around finding out how to post-date it, so I’m just posting it. Here you go:

Well, I get some free time to type up a little post, as I am now cruising several thousand feet above the Earth. I’m writing this on my short flight to Providence. I need to go up for a store opening. The owner of the store specifically asked for me, so I guess I’m a celebrity in the card-based laundry market. Hoozah.

While I was sitting on the airplane, which was in turn sitting on the runway – we boarded early, but Philadelphia International still managed a way to fuck it up – I thought about one of my favorite cartoons as a kid. It’s a cartoon in which the father is a B-17, or some other large aircraft. If I remember the cartoon correctly, the mother aircraft gives birth to a baby with jets. The father is at first ashamed of the kid, but then when he gets shot down the baby-jet comes to his rescue. In the end the father may end up with jets as well. The whole thing is kind of spotty. I can’t remember if the cartoon is a Warner Bros. cartoon (Looney Tunes). I believe it was by the same company that made Tom & Jerry (MGM?). Wow, do I ever need the internet now. I feel stripped of my superpowers. The evil Lord of pop culture stands before me, and though I raise my hands in defiance, my usual bolts of useless knowledge will not come to strike him down.
I promise that if I can find any more information on this, I’ll throw up a picture or a link or something. If anyone remembers it, leave a message after the beep (comments section).

Today I had to blow a wad in the CD section of my local house of worship (Best Buy). I couldn’t help it, there were just too many goodies to pass up. Thankfully, I had two reward zone certificates to lend a deer-discount to my overall purchase.
First up: Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ok, Their last two were CDs that everyone should own – especially Californication – and so there was no way I was gonna pass this 2-CD up. Especially after I saw all the reviews pointing out the fact that it kicks complete and utter ass, especially nailing the usual dreary double-disc feat. As of this writing, I’ve made it through the first half of the first CD, and I likes it. A lot. They basically took all the versions of themselves: the funk-soul brother punk rockers, the harmonizing inheritants of the ghosts of the Beach Boys, the introspective balladers that created such top 40 hits as “Scar Tissue” – and filled the disc with songs from each persona. The first single: “Dani California” was excellent, and if any of you haven’t heard it yet, you will. It will be over played – though in this case deservedly so. I’ll fill you in on the album once I’ve digested it in its entirely.
Or I’ll say: go get it, it rocks.
Speaking of songs that you may not have heard, but will… I also got the release from Gnarls Barkley. Gnarls is the name of a group formed by Cee-Lo and DangerMouse. The first single is a song called “Crazy” and some one, some where should be playing this non-stop. It is the official song of this summer. So I have spoken and so it is so. I only glossed over the album, but another absolute winner is “Smiley Faces”. It’s like they knew that I have a love for the 60s sound and some ass-kicker beats. They made this song for me. It completes me.
I also bought the latest (and sadly last) album from Grandaddy. I’ve heard good things about it, but at first listen I;m not so sure. I do know that Grandaddy was always a band that got better with repeated listening, so I’m not passing any judgement just yet. Lastly, I got the new Snow Patrol album. I haven’t played a single note of it yet. I did hear one of the song on Sirius, while I was borrowing a company car, and I was very disappointed. However, I loved the hell out of their last album, so I just couldn’t pass this one up. It was on sale, anyway.
I did not buy the newest one from Neil Young, though it sounds pretty good (You can actually stream the entire album. Go to www.tower.com, look up the album “Living With War” and there’s a link to play the thing.) Basically, it wasn’t on sale, and it wasn’t even cheap. I figured I had enough music to keep me busy for a while. Well, until next week when the Raconteurs come out. If you don’t know them: Jack White and Brendan Benson together. It’s gonna be stellar.
I’d love to put some touchy-feely crap here, but I needed to fill you all in on my latest consumerism. It’s sunny outside the plane window, anyway. You can’t really talk about your feelings in the sunshine, that’s for night time. Or rainy days.
I will tell you one thing, this laptop kicks ass. Over 4 hours left until drained. Well, gotta stow the electronics. Chat to you guys later.

The Sadness Awakens

2006-05-05T23:40:00.000-04:00

Well, I certainly wanted to type a little howdy-doody into this blog while I was up in NY for business. However, the hotel I was staying at did not understand what the term "Hi-speed" internet meant. They advertised it, but they sure as hell didn't have it. It was like you going to a fancy resteraunts, spying the bottle of wine you absolutely LOVE (Whitehall Lane in my case), order it, and the waiter brings you tap water. Muddy tap water, at that.
So, I didn't get to make an entry.
Trying to make up for it here. What's cool is I'm lying in bed - upstairs - typing on my laptop with no strings attached. technology can be really grand some times. I thought of going out for a beer or two, but just lost my energy. I don't even have the will to play some videogames right now. Traveling really wears me out.
The title is called "The Sadness Awakens" for a reason. See, I was just thinking about going to visit some friends in France (and I want to soon, I really do), and it made me think how most of the people I really connect to always seem to just float away.
I'm pretty sure I've brought this up before.

I understand it all, they all move on to persue bigger and better things, to live their life the best they possibly can, and I think that's fantatstic. It's just a little sad when distance puts a strain on relations; though I'm far from naive, time does the same damn thing.

When I was little, I mean REALLY little, my parents used to have this couple GAry and Luann over all the time. It seems like they were over every weekend. They played cards, hung out, drank, just had a good time. Eventually, they stopped coming over. I know my parents harbor no ill feelings toward this couple and I'm pretty sure this couple doesn't hate my family - I'm not watching my back or anything - but they just stopped communicating. I remember every now and then we'd run into them, and they would talk, but they never really came over.

It happens to us all.

Ok, the funny thing is, I'm not really feeling down or anything, and I hate to be such a downer here, but I miss my friends. I wish them all the luck in the world, and I hope we can talk often, and I'm glad technology allows me to communicate to them whether they are an hour away, or 20. Still, I miss them.
Maybe it's the booze talking.

I've been playing a game called "Brain Age" for my Nintendo DS, and it's fun. There are different challenges that you have to complete, with the intention that you get, well, brain-trained. Things like 20 simple math problems (8*8, 6+7, 3-1, etc.) I do pretty well, though some days I'm embarrased at how long it takes me to add 6+7 (13). Still, it's nice to stretch the mind. It's not the most perfect game, it wouldn't make you buy a DS (like Phoenix Wright would), but it is a good time-occupier.
Plus, it also includes Sudoku. Now, before this, I could never really get into Sudoku, but then I got this program. And then it pointed out to my I was doing them wrong (everything should have a tutorial), and now I love 'em. i finally GET them. and I can understand the craze a bit.
OK, I think that's it for now... I'm falling asleep here. I feel better, and hope to come back with a smile for next time.

Oh, and I found a Yankees jumper for my nephew while traveling. Let the corruption begin. heh.

Busy Busy

2006-05-01T15:39:00.000-04:00

Well, I actually have been somewhat busy as of late, so my blog has been neglected. I hope it will be updated frequently over the next two weeks, as I will be spending much of the time traveling. ephasis on traveling. TRAVELING.

I will be driving 1127 miles in 10 days. Yowza. My trip goes like this: NewYork -> Lake George, NY -> Montreal -> Burlington, VT -> Stoughton, MA -> back to Illadelph.

Notice the "Montreal" part up there? That's all for me. everything else is work-related, but not that. For the record, I've never been to Canada. I'm extremely excited. I've been to Europe several times, been to China, and never been to the closest country. strange, but soon to be a moot point.

To the left you might notice a list of songs - which may or may not update correctly. Anywho, it's part of last.fm. Not sure how this whole things works/will work, so I'll update it eventually. Supposedly, if I let it monitor what I'm listening to through media player, it will create a personalized radio station that I can listen to, for free, and ad-free.

we'll see.

regardless, it should allow me to easily create a "listening to" item in the sidebar right there for you guys to paroose. (how the hell is that spelled?) Fine, gander.

See you guys later. Oh, huge update if it wasn't mentioned before: I AM AN UNCLE (again). My twin sister had a pretty little boy: Kaden Francis. On April 27th. It was such a weird experience, holding this thing that had only been in the world for 6 hours. The good news is I managed not to drop him. I'd like to think the practice I got with someone's adorable little French girl is the reason I accomplished that feat.

Alright, see you cats later.

This one's for Damien

2006-04-24T13:56:00.000-04:00

Ok, everyone else can skip right over this post, unless you know anything about Magic: The gathering. you've been warned.

Went to the pre-release on Saturday. Got a deal upfront for 2 flights... so I played two flights. The first one I went my typical win one, lose one, win one so i had to play the fourth player instead of drop. I had a pretty good deck for sealed, almost every creature was flying. Sadly, I should have beat the final opponent (we split games), but I didn't use Convoke properly. Seriously, I missed three set releases and am completely lost, it's nuts. So I walked with the consolation "thanks for losing" prize of one pack.

Hunger pains took me, but I thought, I can get another flight in, it's only best of 3 for the second one.

I drew a Doubling Season and an Overwhelm. Unfortunatly, the first opponent had so much direct damage, I couldn't overcome (it was very close though, may have misplayed into defeat during the first game). The other two opponents were no contest. I really think the first kid may have cheated (bonus flight, so he had the cards), but I'm not a sore loser, I lost fair and square. Still Doubling Season and the new graft ability is so much fun. I'm gouing to try to grab as many Doubling Seasons as I can for online, for when Dissension comes out, I have a deck I want to make. Anyway, walked with 4 packs from that flight, so it was a worth it. I saw that guy we used to play with at Infinite Quests, but I didn't get to talk to him... and I don't remember his name anyway.

Anyway, that's how it went. I have two - count 'em 2 - pre-release foils with the date stamped on. Let me know if you want one.

Also, I hope you get to get online for some Magic sometime. My best friend has gotten into it... he plays lots of casual.

Ok anyone else who read this, you were warned. I'll be a bit more comprehendable next time.

One week later...

2006-04-21T17:22:00.000-04:00

Well, finishing up at work, and I just realized I haven't added a post in a whole week, so let me type up something quickly. Let's see... big plans for the weekend? Hmm... besides the usual video games?
Yup, got something real special like: A Magic:The Gathering prerelease. While I'm excited to go - the only times I play Magic in the "real world" anymore, the real reason I bring it up is to make my French friend jealous.

I admit, I can be a real bastard sometimes.

I've been getting back into Magic a bit lately as there's a pre-release this weekend, and they just released an old card set online last week. It points out how bad the old sets were, but I did get to the final in a draft, so it wasn't all bad.

My comic pile had dwindled to 3 measly issues left to read, but I stopped in last night to replenish with new tales. i'm trying to behave and buy less, but I need my fix. Still, when I hear people obsess over the O.C. or Survivor, or any show that is not: 1.Battlestar Galactica 2.Lost or 3.The Loop, I don't feel so bad... I mean, at least I'm reading. That means I'm smarter. right?? I mean, right!?

Hmmm... recent music? Built to Spill's latest is pretty good, I've been enjoying it. But, since it's the beginning of nice weather, I had to pull out the Virgin Suicides soundtrack. Nothing rocks so hard as the first licks of Heart's Magic Man in the shining warmth of the sun.

Ok, I hope I can stop by this weekend to chat more... but right now I want to get the hell out of here.

Ta-Ta all...

For the record

2006-04-14T10:54:00.000-04:00

The few lines I referenced a couple posts ago were from The broadway adaption of the Who's Tommy "Tommy's been to hospital.""Oh, 'e's been cured then, 'as 'e?""Oh, completely cured, they're gonna make him prime fuckin' minister" And then they launch into "Tommy can you hear me"

My second favorite musical song behind - and this is the best song to blare in the morning EVER - "What's the buzz" from Jesus Christ Superstar.

I'm headed to the parents for the weekend... and I'm sure I'll have time to type up a little post to this here blog. (They still use dial-up, so I need to do SOMETHING that doesn't require fast data).

Oh, and if anyone should be trying out the Internet Explorer 7 beta, you'll need to deactivate the Yahoo toolbar add-on if you have it on your computer. I know this effects NO ONE who reads this blog, but it took me a hell of a long time to figure that out. Firefox may still be better.

Thanks for the advice..

2006-04-10T12:34:00.000-04:00

But, have you been paying attention to my blog at all? time without videogames? You are crazy.

However, i do realize it probably has to do with poor time management, so I am taking steps to budget my time better. That being said, a fellow employee just handed me a copy of Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, so my official take on time-management: we'll see.

I wasn't going to purchase Oblivion so I'd devote time to other ventures, but the gaming gods have delivered unto me. I mean, what can I do?

The story: Supposedly this employee bought a copy, and it accidently shipped with two copies. oops. I'll have to sacrifice a virgin to show the god how much he is appreciated. Or at least toast him with a beer.

As to Damien: If you have 2.5 firmware and not something higher, wel mein friend, you are in luck. Homebrew games (*cough cough emulation cough cough*) can be had indeed. a site I first learned about it is at :http://pspupdates.qj.net/

BUT, they may have "gone commercial" and not be as reliable as back in the day. still a good place to start... and just look around. You could be playing Mike Tyson's Punch out in a matter of minutes. good luck. and remember, in GTA, obey all traffic laws, and return the hookers to the correct street corner. Those pimps are mean.

I have an anger issue

2006-04-08T23:06:00.000-04:00

PLeas read the post below this one first, as it was written before this one and is a better review of the state of all things dirty and bacon.

I'll wait.

no, seriously, read that first.

ok.

Lately, and lately being several months, I've really been a miserable bitch. What really has been going on is lots of anger. I seem to fly off the handle at every little thing. I wish I was over-exaggerating when I say this, but the truth is that there's something amiss. I just don't know what it is.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, so if I did, well, consider this an update.

I've been going to the gym regularly, and while I do want to get in better shape, the REAL reason I joined up was to try to get some of my frustrations out. I don't know, I just don't seem to be in my happy place here of lately. I mean, I'm probably more successful now then I have ever been in my life. (probably? definitely!) But am I measuring success correctly? i mean, out of debt, able to afford luxuries AND groceries.. not too shabby. Respected (stop laughing) at my job? successful.
And yet, shit has been getting to me.
I'm sure I have no one to blame but myself, and I think the biggest culprit is poor time management. I mean, I can't blame anyone else for draining so much free time into computer games. And the trouble is I like that I'm a gamer. i am very comfortable in my geekdom. My walls are second-generation plasma, with forcefields built in. the guards who man the lasers in the turrets of my personal kingdom all gained their mutant powers when puberty set in. (If that makes sense to you, you are welcome in the kingdom of Geek anytime).
BUT, I thnk I need to put some time to further my real life goals. what's that you say, family talk? hell no. that's not what I mean by real life goals. i mean that writing thing I complain I don't do, then never do. I need to start doing that again.
If anything, I think it will help me sort some of the shit going around my head.

In some of my darkest moments, I've felt as if my mind just had too much piled into it. A huge wait of daydreams, and ideas, and work-related plans, and stress, and music lyrics, and tech news... things I just keep shoveling in there. It's like going ot a big breakfast, when your body hasn't been properly emptied of the steak from the night before. (as graphic as that is, if you think about it, you know you understand). So, maybe I'm just backed up. And when I don't use some creative output (like what, you ask? you're looking at it), then it gets piled too high, and out comes the mental...well...shit.

I often try to think about seeing my father break down, and I don't ever rememebr it. He seemed to be so even, hndling things so well. And though I can't rememebr the hard times, there sure were some. We didn't have a house in the Hamptons or anything, plus there were two of us simoultaneoulsy, with another being put through college. ouch. I have trouble figuring where I'm gonna get the money for cat food sometimes. how'd they do it?

So, I've been trying to deal with my stress levels and trying to get my mind, body, and soul all sorted out. I've been rather unsuccessful to tell you the truth. Maybe I need Yoga, or meditiation, or to start smoking again. (Not serious on that last one) I don't know... I just need to get it together.

Ok, I know that was pretty deep and depressing, but it feels good to share. Thank's for listening.

Returning this blog from the dead

2006-04-08T21:55:00.000-04:00

Regardless what certain commentors might have you believe, this blog is not dead. It was just been to hospital.

"Dirty's blog has been to hospital"
"Oh, it's fuckin' cured then, is it?"
"Yeah, they're gonna make him prime fuckin' minister."

I'll give you a shiny Sakagewea dollar if you know what that references.

So, anyway, I'm trying to stop being lazy, and continue on, almost one month after the last post. It should be noted that I am writing this post couch-bound. That's right, via laptop. See, I convinced my boss that we would be more productive at work if we had laptops, so we could "take the office with us." He bought it. And so, yet another shiny new piece of technology to hang out in my home.

Oh, by the way, speaking of new technology, I recently set up a personal wi-fi spot, and went out and bought a Roku Soundbridge. (www.rokulabs.com) Let me tell you, if you've been following along at home, you know I LOVES me fancy tech. I also LOVES me my music. Well, now it's a case of "You got your tech in my music. You got your music in my tech!" If anyone should come acros this blog, and have a massive music collection, you need one of these. What is it? It allows me to stream my music mp3 collection from my PC to my stereo. So, for about 200 US dollars, I can play 30+GBs of music. (~700 cds). And that's only because I haven't added more of my collection to my PC. Plus, it's EASY TO USE. seriously. A user friendly unlimited CD changer for my stereo, god damn. I've been booming all kinds of crazy stuff, though it seems like Floyd and Zep get extended play for some reason. i think I have too many choices. Oh, and if I find a reason to care, I can stream internet radio as well. That's - as they say - hot.

Ok, so what else?

Still playing City of Villains, but not as much as before. It's still a great game, and some people should run out and buy the damn thing, but I just have been trying to devote my time elsewhere. For one, my comic to-read pile is embarrisingly large. Every week I hit the comic shop and hear my mom-sounding concious saying "How are you gonna buy more when you haven't read the ones you already have." Well, it's called continuity, and it is a bitch of a mistress.

Maybe in a future post I'll review some of the stuff I've been reading. But I need to keep going, too much to discuss.

Oh, yeah, it's the g/fs B-Day today. and I have the house to myself right now (working). Really, it's your birthday, you didn't have to get me anything. heh.

Ok, next. music. Well, let me see what I've been listening to that you out there should. Hmmm... I mentioned We Are Scientists before, but I know most of you ignored that advice. well, don't go get it. Also, Artic Monkeys. Super hyped, and super good. What else? Of Montreal is an album I bought on a whim, and have since fallen in love with it. It's quirky and poppy. very good (though the last few songs are crap). New Flaming Lips is good. Maybe a bit uneven compared to Yoshima, but still a good album. Um, also the Academy Is. They aren't the best band ever, but this is a pop-punk guilty pleasure extremely listenable.

Ok, next.

Books. Well, with comics and computer games and everything else, I have no time for books proper, and yet I try to pretend I am reading some. Still, reading Feast of Crows. Just like all the other books in the series, it'll probably be a year until I am done with it. the first one took me over two years if I remember correctly. Still trying to finish Othelllo, which I started a month ago. Though I've read it several times before, this may be the best I've ever comprehended it. That Iago is one bastard of a man. Also got a collection of T.C. Boyle short stories. He's an author I just don't read enough of. Finally the book I spent the most time with over the past week: A Mighty Fortress. How did I select to read this book? I was looking for a book on German history (I mean, I am German, you'd think i could read about that history instead of Japan's), well, this was the only book that wasn't about Hitler. I'm not making that up, and that fact is very sad. it's pretty good so far, though I've only got past the fall of Rome and the rise of the Babarian tribes. go go Charlemagne!

Ok, so books, comics, music, technology, what else is there? I was gonna write up some more serious type stuff, but I think the moment passed. Seriously, I wish I had a photographic memory. Because the amount of pages of this blog I write there while in my car is shocking. You guys would read some crazy and deep stuff. and you'd all think I was fuckin' nuts. Well, more then you do already. So, I'll sign off now, but may be back. we'll see.

Oh, and to the frenchman with the newly-minted PSP. Good for you! Though Nintendo DS has better games. i'm a Sony man, but I can't deny the amount I've played my DS vs. my PSP. Oh, and if you have GTA, you can use a program to play old-school NES and SNES games on it. you may want to look into it. I have one of the originals, so I can do it easily. THough I have been considering upgrading the firmware. That might be an end to my old-school gaming, but it might make me play the thing more. Do yourself a favor. Buy beth a DS with Tetris DS. She'll love it, and then you can play it too.

OK, signing off. kisses and hugs to everyone who bothers to read my drivel. and it IS good to be back.

St. Patrick's Day

2006-03-17T16:07:00.000-05:00

Well, so much for the whole Lent idea. blew it, big time.

I can't even blame City of Villains, as I haven't played it too much. Which is a shock, since I just unlocked the ability to have TWO costumes. totally kick ass. So, ladies and gentlemen and french persons, I give you the "Man In Black Variation" Plaid Scientist:

hells yes

Ok, so today is St. Patrick's day. And anyone who's known me for a long time knows that this is the one holiday I spend in a complete and utter drunken stupor. Now, I know I enter this state often, but this time of the year, it just seems like it's socially accepted. And I take full advantage of this.

I did not bug out of work, as is my usual custom, but am instead tapping my foot in a mildly irritated manner counting down the time until my stomach has yummy Guiness and Jameson in it, administered through the delectable "CarBomb IV" method. this is more then a hells yes, this gets the coveted "FUCK yes!"

The worst part is that I'm getting a total blank on anyone going out with me, so I'll probably hit the town solo. And some freaky shit went down last time I did that, I'm sure tonight will be no different. I'll give you an update.

I'll try to stop, but I'm not promising anything

2006-03-09T14:22:00.000-05:00

Ok, I know I keep going on about this City of Villains game, but it has consumed me. Not last night, mind you. Nay, last night I sat down on the couch and watched the last episode of Battlestar Galactica instead. This week is the hour-and-a-half season finale, and I'm totally stoked. imagine my head, now imagine it stoked. That's what's going on right now.
I like that the human-looking robots on Battlestar are sexy - well at least the females are - because, if you're gonna make a robot that looks human, you might as well make it a sexy human. I wonder why no one has tried to make a robot that looks like me?

ahem.

So, anyway, that game... I though it would be time for show and tell. Below is my latest character (who I haven't played for very long, but I wanted to grab that character name, because a name like that will go but fast):

MOTHER FUNK

She's an old lady with super-strength and invulnerability. and yes, I know she's pretty saucy for an old bird... but this is a video game. they don't do wrinkled bitmapping... they need to sell it to the 18-25 demographic after all.

My other character, and the one I spend the most time with, is none other then THE GREATEST SUPER VILLAIN EVER: The Plaid Scientist.

He's about 4ft. tall. that's 4 feet of pure evil.

In my mind their some kind of amazing villainous team. Listen to it: The Plaid Scientist and Mother Funk. mmmm... just rolls right off the tongue. yummy. And yes, i do know that they are both wearing ties. What, people plotting world domination can't dress appropriatly? please.

[insert expletive here]!!

2006-03-08T16:30:00.000-05:00

Well, golly gosh darn it…. Two days missed. Do I have a good excuse? Heck no! On Monday night I had a whole lot of things planned to accomplish. However, I logged onto City of Villains (from here on called CoV… I’m lazy), you know, just for a second… not long at all. See, I just recently acquired Super Jump, and all I was gonna do was jump over some buildings… just log on and move around, and that’s it. Well, as soon as I logged on, I see that there are people from my SuperGroup online.

Ok, an explanation… in this game you are a super villain. You choose an origin, choose how you look, and choose some starting powers. As the game progresses, you get new powers and become more powerful. During the first 10 levels you can die as often as you want, no big deal… however, after level 10, when you perish, you get debt, which has to be worked off… so you gain levels slower with each death.
At a certain level, you can form a SuperGroup, and have people underneath you join. You can also create a base.
Now, I didn’t create a group, but I did get recruited into one: Eternity.

And yes, that is a stupid name for a SuperGroup.

The few people I’ve met that are in the group are pretty cool, and one group: Foot-Loose and Fancy-free, are on regularly. They’re an engaged couple from down south. They seem kinda cool. The person who recruited me? A guy named Blind Spectrum from Boston.

So, I was on just to jump around, nothing else. Honestly. HOWEVER, I get on and all three of the above-mentioned “villains” were on and forming a group to go adventuring. Well, this supervillain could not say no.

A few hours later, no post was written.

Last Night? The g/f wanted to hang out… which meant me falling asleep on the sofa watching TV. Bah, what a waste of good gaming time. See how you ruin our lives, girls?

Oh, and she doesn’t read this blog. It’s forbidden. Or if she does, she doesn’t tell me… which is fine.

I’m entirely stoked for next weekend… when green beer runs aplenty. I have notoriously overdrank on St. Patrick’s Day, and this year will be no exception. You guys will have to stay tuned for my misadventures, of which I guarantee some craziness.

Alright, need to go back to work. Maybe I’ll write some more tonight. Current Lusts: a home Wi-fi network (must…play…Mario Kart… wireless), a Roku SoundBridge (my massive mp3 collection through my sound system? Hot shit indeed), Diora Baird (where is she? More more more),…
Oh, yeah, speaking of Diora Baird… (if you don’t know who she is, she was one of the naked girls flopping into bed in Wedding Crashers.. look for the biggest boobs), I’ve been trying to get a hold of an old friend Michelle Bush, who does costume design. She was living in Chicago somewhere… and I had emailed someone who said she worked with her and would send my contact info to her… but I never heard anything back. Well, using imdb.com – a must visit site for movie trivia – I see that Michelle is doing costumes on a movie – which stars Diora Baird. Somehow I should be able to work this. Heh. But seriously, Michelle and I had some fantastic times (she bought me booze when I wasn’t able to buy it), and I’d love to see her again. At least I hope things are going well for her… she laughed like a machine gun.

Ok, really need to get to work… only half an hour left. See you all later. Oh, and download “Fett’s Vett” by mc chris (www.mcchris.com) that shits is the bombs yo!

This is downright unheard of....

2006-03-05T23:24:00.000-05:00

Ok, I'll admit... i feel bad about not posting yesterday. so I'm doing two for today. Does it make up for the missed post? Not at all. I feel like an alcoholic father who missed their favorite child's birthday party, and now is showing up with a pony.

Unfortunatly, this pony is missing a leg.

The one thing I need to do is get into some routine. i mean I have a bit of a routine... wake up... grumble...be pissed for no reason... hit snooze at least 5 times... beat the roomate to the shower... head to the office... count the time until work is done... then either go to the gym, or head home to skip eating a well balanced meal in favor of a peanut butter jelly sandwich by the light of my computer monitor.

sad, really.

Now, somewhere in there I need to add: write something stupid. Wait, I don't mean that what I write be stupid (though it most likely will be), let me clean up my grammar here: write something, stupid. there, much better. that stupid is directed at my head.

I've read books on writing, and I have had some formal education on the subject (I've gone to - what - 5 schools since high school), and one thing is to read. read read read. Which I do regularly... magazines...comics....novels...cereal boxes... whatever I can get my hands on. My current stack: A feast of crows, othello, 25 to-be-read comics, 3 graphic novels, a copy of scientific american, the latest copy of wired... probably missing some stuff in there. This mother fucker reads man.

Of course, the OTHER thing I'm supposed to do is write. Somehow I've missed that little tidbit. In "On Writing Well" (I think that's the correct book), they tell you to make a routine... set a time that you should write everyday. it's not a hobby... it's a job.

That's the part I miss. these comic book writers, these novelists, their job is to write. And the really good ones, do it at regular jobs. Above i mentioned that I go to the office... welll these people do too. Their office may be in their home, and they may show up in pajama panmts and bunny slippers, but they stick to their strict regime. at least I think they do.

and so, along with typing some new posts in this blog... I'm gonna TRY to get into a routine. tomorrow.

right now, I'm signing off and going to lay down to read some comics, and listen to the "Superfly Soundtrack". I'm a get my funk on.

Well, looks like I'm hell-bound

2006-03-05T11:40:00.000-05:00

I kept telling myself yesterday: "write in blog, write in blog", and of course I totally meant to. But then I thought... you know I could play a little City of Villains... just for a half hour, or maybe just an hour.

I think the actual time came in closer to 6 of those earth hours.

And I realize I should not have admitted to that.

The last lengthy game session I remember (besides recent time with City Of Villains), was some kind of sick and twisted 5AM 13 hour marathon for Jade Empire. An action RPG set in the orient with kung-fuing? To me, it makes total sense.

I have this urge to put out some kind of creative output, but I just don't know what. I've been reading and paying attention to everything I possibly can, convincing myself that i am some worm creature holed up in his caccoon, waiting to spring forth as some beautiful literary butterfly... maybe not of the Hemingway genus, but a beautiful creature none the less. However, I realize there is a chance that this little kid known as life decided to do a little science experiment and cut me wriggling from my coccoon.. and now I crawl the earth, potential never to be realized.

that all made sense in my head.

I have not hid my love of all things geek, and that includes comics. The ultimate end of my creativity would be a successful comic series. However, now a days, comic writing has been taken over by celebrities. NY Times famous author Brad meltzet for one. The guy who created Lost is another. To get to comics... which with all the famous movies and everything STILL remains a niche market... i mean how many of you are having troubles keeping current timeline Marvel and ultimate Universe Marvel straight in your head? yeah, I thought so.
Still I have to do something ELSE to get into comics? That's just weird and I won't do it. I will get off the couch one day and do it. directly. and fail miserably. but I will do it. mark my words.

and I know that most comic creators can draw. and that's not a strong point for me. Considering I draw a stick figure and people need a minute to figure out it is in fact a man shaped bunch of sticks, I'm not looking to improve any time soon.

Anyway, a day full of food shopping at the Italian Market and doing laundry awaits. These weekends are just crazee.

Motivation: Less Than Zero

2006-03-03T19:45:00.000-05:00

So, I thought I'd come home today and whip up a hot batch of steamy blogging... but I just don't feel like it right now. Perhaps in a little bit, or maybe tomorrow? Either way, this post keeps me on track for that magic number 40.
And yes, we could well get 37 more of these craptastic entries. but I'll try extra hard, just for you the screen-illuminated masses.

I want my space

2006-03-02T11:03:00.000-05:00

Ok, as many of you may or may not know… I have a roommate. (Well, two actually.) And for the most part it’s not that big of a deal. I mean, assistance with the rent is always a plus. And, usually the roommate hangs out in the basement, almost like his own little apartment down there. Now, during the initial move-in, that downstairs was supposed to be my area, but I’m fine with it NOT being my area, as that means the living room becomes much more of my area. That’s where my PC resides, as well as my PS2 with the Guitar Hero controller. Looking through our Magic Mirror (ala Romper Room), we also see a stack of comics, a stack of unwatched DVDs, a record player – yeah, finally got one of those, and some discarded socks. So you see, it is kind of MY PALACE. Though lately, all I needed was the corner of the room where my rig resides (rig is slang for PC. See, I keep you people in the know. This is officially an educational blog. Maybe there’s a grant somewhere for me?) So, if I’m in the corner, that’s fine.
   Well, here of late, the roommate has been spending more and more time outside his dungeon, and this doesn’t fit into my plans at all. Not one bit. The other day I was churning along the information superhighway, scouring the internet for the latest porn news on the latest games and technology, minding my own, when the roommate decided to search for a snack while eating a piece of string cheese. Loudly. Mid string, he decided that reading over my shoulder and munching at high decibels would better serve his time then finding his inevitable bag of popcorn.

This annoyed me.

My thoughts were something like this: “If you’re gonna eat your stupid piece of stupid cheese, don’t do it so fucking loudly. Instead, take your stupid head with the stupid cheese and get out of my precious personal space.”

Logical, right?

Anyway, it’s actually been a build up. It’s just that everytime I have an idea to do something, there he is standing around, annoying me.

Ok, I really want to go off on this subject some more, including money talk, but you guys don’t come to me for the hate… you come for the geek lubbin’. And Geek Lub I shall give.

The last two movies I’ve (unsuccessfully) watched were Mirrormask and The Ultimate Avengers movie.

  Mirrormask had some crazy visuals, and the story was pretty interesting (it was written by one of my current literary heroes Neil Gaiman). Unfortunately, I slept through a large chunk of the middle, missing what I assumed were some extremely stunning visuals.
The same happened with the animated Avengers Movie.

  I obviously have become developed narcolepsy triggered by anticipated movie viewing. Thank God I didn’t have this during Star Wars Episode 3. That would have pissed my right the fuck off.
Anyway, I’ll try to return to the movies, and see if I can recommend either of them. I have a feeling I will be able to, so you might want to go ahead and check them out. Especially that Mirrormask movie.

Good God I Slack

2006-03-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

Good God, I Slack!

  Ok, so I’ve been away from this little blog thing for quite some time now. Almost a month. Would it hurt to call, or write… you know, just drop a line to let the blog know I’m still alive. It hurts the blog so much when I act this way. Why do I hate the blog? Why!?

  There, there… I don’t hate you. I’ve just been…um…busy. You know, doing…      stuff.
  What? No, no I haven’t been seeing other blogs. Well, OK, I may have been reading a few others, but they really mean nothing to me.
  And besides, I was JUST READING. Nothing else, I swear.
  No, no of course your still the only blog for me… come here… let’s have some blogging….

  Ok, so last week I was in Houston for a week. Never been to Texas. Did I have a good time? Hell no! why? Well, this little cowboy came down with a fever just as my plane was coming down for a landing. Seriously, I would have called in sick… if that was an option. But, I worked through it, managing not to pass out. I wasn’t about to be played out like that by no Texas! Well, little did I know Texas had more in store for me… On Wednesday, my eye became irritated, on Thursday I woke up with my eye sealed shut.
   I had developed the dreaded pink-eye.
  Now, up until this point, I thought I was immune to pink-eye. I never had this pain-in-the-ass disease until now. And I now know what I wasn’t missing. Ugh.
So, anyway, I was a miserable bitch the entire trip. Go me.

While at home, I’m staying busy computer gaming. I overspent on games and now am trying to finish what I’ve started. Just won the last case in Phoenix Wright for my DS… it was a great game, but LOOONNNGGG. Next, I’ll try to beat Trauma center while on the go.
  As far as PC games, I just got Star Wars: Empire at war. Not because it is a Star Wars strategy game, but because it came with a desktop death star that “annihilates my enemies” when I push the button (well, actually makes a hideous sounding explosion). I do intend to play the game…honestly I do… but all in due time. City of Villains has devoted a lot of my attention, and I’m at level 15. I enjoy my time spent in the game world, but don’t see it becoming an addiction. Thank god for gaming induced ADD, I don’t really run the danger of addiction to these online games. You know, as all the people tell the horror stories how their loved ones stopped talking to them to live full time in their tiny virtual world? Not me. I mean, eventually I’d need to come up for air. Air in the form of boobies.

Cds..whats going on lately… Oh, Artic  onkeys were overhyped, but they probably deserve it… very good shite there. She wants revenge has caught my fancy, and WE ARE SCIENTISTS still rocks the pants off of unsuspecting listeners. (go and buy, now! Consume, I command thee!)

  Ok, I look above and feel confident that I’ve submitted a worthy post (read: I need to get back to work), let’s hope we start seeing regular updates here. Maybe instead of giving up something for Lent, I’ll promise to write in this thing daily. Hmmm… ok, 40 posts coming up. Can he do it? Yeah, I’m not holding my breath either.

Happy SuperBowl/I'm a shit.

2006-02-05T23:04:00.000-05:00

Ok, first off, way to go Pittsburgh. though it's not Philly, it's still a PA city, and so we've won a championship! Suck it, you 49 other states!

Now, as for the "I'm a shit" part of the title...

Yesterday went to the Philadelphia Auto Show. A bunch of my friends and I go every year, though it's much more about acting like asses and drinking beer afterwards then the actual perusing of autos.
So, fun was had, and drunk was totally gotten. My friends had an hour-and-a-half drive to go home, so I was left alone in a drunked up state in Center City at about 10-11 o'clock. in that state, going home was not an option, I needed more brew. So off to a bar I went.
i ended up at Fergie's pub, sitting in the corner, drinking alone. Soon, the table next to me was filled with people, and I started chatting up a girl. I can be charming occasionally, mind you.
The night progressed and things went very well, her being a Yankee fan and all. Soon 2AM reared it's head and the bar closed down. I received an invite to continue the conversation, and as I am always up for after hours brews, figured why the hell not.
Now I'm a spoken-for man, and sex was not really in mind. I should probably feel sad about that realization, but whatever.
Anyway, so the table starts to stand and get ready when I notice it.
The gal had a deformed hand.
At first i thought my eyesight was failing, I mean I was ripped, but after a few more glances, I'm pretty sure it was like that.
I freaked out. Not in any way that was noticeable to her - I hope - but I needed to make a retreat.
I had not told her that I had a g/f, so if THE HAND came up before that was brought up, it would have looked very suspicious. So, what'd I do? I started to walk with them towards a cab, feeling very uncomfortable. Soon, i pulled out my cell phone and walked away. then just kept walking... and that was that.
Now, maybe if i was sober it wouldn't have been a big deal, but at this point we had been actively chatting for at tleast 2 hours. I was looking very interested. it was trouble.
I should say that this result was for the best, as I'm not sure where the hell they lived, and could have wound up someplace far away from my home. Someplace where taxis were hard to come by. trapped. and drunk.
I'm feeling pretty shitty that it bothered me, but I mean I was talking for 2 hours before I noticed. She may have been intentionally hiding it, but it really was a shock. I'd like to think that if I had noticed it right away, i would have kept on talking, and I really believe I would have. She just may not have kept talking, as she figured she was gettin' no luvin'. Which she wasn't anyway.
I just like to flirt, i'm such a tease.
Ok, so that's the story. it may not be very exciting, but it was so crazy. I mean, when I go out alone, i always have the craziest shit happen. And it was just another random night. The g/f goes out, has random stuff, but it always involves nudity and lesbians. me? I get deformities and arguments with homosexuals (don't ask). I like the experiences, but got damn it, would it kill the cosmos to throw me a little tit from time to time? I mean, come on.
heh.
Anyway, I'm done for the night I think. I need to return to the couch from whence I came, slowly slipping into my hungover, wings-induced coma. Peace out, G's.

The Official DirtyBacon Blog

The throne

One day....

Mobile blogging

Narcisism

Aaaaannnnnd.... we're back!

A challenge, met.

Fuck Paranoia

Woo!

BEWARE!!!!!!

still alive

smile

DOn't know who this reminds me of....

To Write

This one is for me

movies

*please insert something witty here*

This is a low.

one other thing...

Do it Live!

I made it... But barely.

Sometimes...

Still Here

Pull Trigger, Shoot Foot

ARGH!!! (Again)

My Christ...

Two For One

Hey Howdy!

Time to share...

A quick thank you...

*sigh*

Virgin festival still...

Mobil Blogging

The crowd at daft punk

Test

Another try

Test

I've lost you all...

proof of production

300

Finally Philadelphia

Heavy Duty Nerdcore

Moving oN...

I hope I never have to read this post again

Can you spot the difference?

I will blog more often... I will blog more often... I will blog more often...

A stalled blog... reignition?

Real Downer

Three Day Weekend!

Completely Bile Free

Mr. Cranky-pants

back and older

On the road again...

accelerated life/weirdness

Ladies and Gentlemen, Celebrity Comments!!

Ok, enough with the nagging...

That No Good Dirty Liar or We've Been Overtaken!

Well, hmph!

*The blaring of trumpets*

I, Weenie

What's going on

Bwahaha

just foolin' around

*Sigh*

A look to Vacation/self-promo

World Cup Action...

Hurray!

More shameless self-promotion

A sad day...

Adventures in Journalism

With a Yawn

Incredible news

Quick Post/ backdated post

The Weekend of the Geeks

Story continued

The story continues

On To A Long weekend... and a journey begins

A quick link, and a fantabulous idea.

Quick bits

Audioblogger

please insert something witty here

sigh

The blaring of trumpets

Sigh