Saturday, June 30, 2001
Hmm... me thinks my neighbor next door is moving out. That sucks. I didn't really know her, but she was quiet, and that's all I care about. I saw her and her boyfriend cleaning out an empty apartment yesterday, so I think that was a pretty good indicator. I don't know who will be moving in tomorrow, but they sure as hell had better be likewise as quiet. Speaking of that, rent is due tomorrow also. Damn. I told the manager on Monday that I was going to renew my lease, but he hasn't gotten me a copy of the new lease to sign yet. I was completely honest with him also - I told him the only reason I'm renewing is because I'm too lazy to move. I really wanted to study abroad this year, but moving sucks.
I didn't end up doing much of anything last night. I started out by downing a couple of beers while watching tv. I had a Coke and a glass of grape juice also. I didn't end up eating anything, and I'm still not hungry. Damn heat - makes me lose my appetite. I called Molly, but she was still at work. She called me back when she got home, but I didn't feel like moving my lazy ass by that point. I initially fell asleep while watching The Wild Bunch, so I got up and turned off the tv and stereo. I woke up again just as it started to rain after 4 this morning. I had to take my fan out of the window and partially close them. Rain was still getting in, but with the heat, I just couldn't bring myself to close the windows all the way. I didn't get too wet. I think that was our first rain of the summer, but there wasn't much to it. I saw lots of lightning also, but I wasn't hearing thunder.
Friday, June 29, 2001
I got up and got moving today early so that I could get home early. I did about 2 hours of work before taking off to run errands. I got myself a case of Coke and a 12-pack of Premium, so I'm set for the weekend. I also got myself a roll of quarters so I can finally do my laundry again. Now I just need to find myself some food.
Oh.. and I walked past Justin twice in a matter of minutes while he was waiting for the bus, but he still didn't seem to notice me. I even laughed as I walked past the second time because I couldn't believe that he didn't notice me.
My work apparently didn't go to waste. I talked to Ira today, and he said they're getting a print of The Day I Became a Woman from the Brookline (Boston) theatre. I guess "I done good."
I just finished posting the first part of the
photos from spring break this year. So far I have posted all of the photos which I received from Jonathan and one of my own photos. I am hoping to get more of mine posted soon, but I scanned and posted his first, since his photos were by far superior to my own in most cases.
Just got home a few minutes ago from a short night out. Molly and I met up at Big Ten and got a bite to eat. I wasn't really hungry, but once we got there, I started craving one of their subs and couldn't help getting one. I returned home to find a place to park right in front of the school. I circled past it once with the thought that I couldn't move my car by 7 am. It then occured to me that it's summer, so tomorrow isn't a school day, so I circled back and the spot just happened to still be open. Back up here, it's still 90 (about 10 degrees warmer than outside).
Earlier this evening, I had called looking for Molly, but she was still at work. I ended up being on the phone with Justin for almost 90 minutes before she got home. A part of that conversation got me thinking - why is all swearing deemed by Christians to be "taking the Lord's name in vain"? I understand their objections to screaming "God damn it!" or "Jesus Christ!", but since when do they refer to their god as "fuck" or "shit" or any other so-called cuss word? Do they often bow down and say, "Oh great son-of-a-bitch, forgive me, for I have sinned"? Then what's so objectional about these words? My mind is blown.
Thursday, June 28, 2001
Pfff... another day. I'll try not to complain too much about the heat, but dang, it sure is hot out there (and in here). I went to work today, but wasn't there long. Tried to help them track down those prints, but now it looks like they might not even try. That was a waste of my time. Al leaves tomorrow, so then there won't be any more nagging at me to poster when it's in the 90's. While out to poster this afternoon on the West Bank, I ran into Lois (old boss from the archives). I'm thinking about going out tonight, but I haven't a clue what I want to do. Blah.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Watching tv at 4:30 in the morning, they just said that Jack Lemmon died. He had been lookin pretty frail lately, but what a great loss to the world....
I'm living with the heat. Al wanted me to poster on Wednesday, so I did what I could, even though it was freakin' hot. Apparently we hit a little problem at work - Shooting Gallery Entertainment went under. As a result, we're scrambling to find a print of
The Day I Became a Woman in time for our scheduled screenings beginning next week Friday. I found theatres in Pasadena, San Francisco, and Brookline (Boston) that are all currently screening, so hopefully we can track something down. I don't know - maybe Ira already lucked out and found a copy.
Speaking of the film society, we're currently screening this wonderful film from China titled King of Masks. I watched the screenings both Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I couldn't help it, I really like the film! There's only one day left of it screening here, but it was released a few years ago, so if you can find a copy for rental, I definitely suggest it.
My Scrabble record for June dropped to 2-2 tonight. I didn't lose to Molly by much, really. In fact, with the letters I had, I'm sort of proud of how well I did do. Our board was one of the worst I've ever seen. It was just awful.
Well, I think maybe I'll go to bed soon.
Wednesday, June 27, 2001
Wednesday afternoon - sounds like a good time to complain about the weather again. With the change from spring to summer last week, we went from rain every day to 90's every day. 90's? Is this Arizona or Minnesota? I'm not sure which is better, the heat or the rain. Probably the rain, because you can avoid it by staying inside. This sucks.
Tuesday, June 26, 2001
Although it's a little cooler outside tonight that it was last night, it's just warm - if not warmer - here in the Sauna. As a result, I'm sitting here ass-nekkid with both fans on high, and it's actually kind of comfortable. I need to cool off from the heat, because I was roasting my tail off running errands today at work. Kyle mentioned that Al will probably want me to poster tomorrow, but you know what? I have a personal rule: When the mercury hits 90º, I don't poster. It's a bit of a battle to get me to poster even at 80º, but I might do it. "I'll take... fun in the sun Chuck! Yeah! Fun in the sun!" Yeah right, I hate summer heat.
You know, speaking of work... it's looking like I may have a lot of hours available to me in the next month. With both Kyle and Al out of the office, there will be plenty of work that I can do. If I don't, Ira will be completely overloaded. I don't know that most of the work is necessary to the operation of the business, but it should be done.
Last night, 1/25 of the harem I guaranteed Jonathan showed up. To be more precise, it was Molly and Lindsey. We ended up walking to Sebastian Joe's for ice cream. Yeah, the ice cream was pretty good, but I don't know that it was worth the money. I can live with my cheap ice cream and get more of if it. Of course, if I only sat around eating cheap ice cream, that wouldn't be much of a social life, now would it?
Tonight at the Bell, my last customer of the evening left me scarred for atleast a few minutes. I mean, I've seen fat man bitch tits before, but this pair were just plain scary. These were gazongas a woman would be proud of. They were being held in by a very worn Evita t-shirt also, so were very visible. Blech... trying to clear the image from memory.
Okay, Conan is on... time to go.
Monday, June 25, 2001
Man, I can't wait until the "Jeopardy!" Tournament of Champions!!! They've just had so many smart and exciting contestants on lately. The newest, for those of you haven't been watching, is guy from Toronto named Lan. Trailing the leader by $500 ($7500 for the leader and $7000 for Lan) entering Final Jeopardy, the smartest move for Lan would have been to wager $6000. Okay, let me explain this now.... See, the leader (I think his name was Gary, so for now on I'll call him Gary) had to wager $6501 to assure that should he and Lan both answer correctly, he would still win. Lan, on the other hand, knowing that should they both answer correctly, he could not beat Gary, decided not to try. Should they both answer incorrectly, Gary would then finish with $999, while Lan would finish with $1000. Now
that is strategy. In the end, Lan proved that he's the only one with a basic knowledge of opera, so it didn't matter, and he ended up finishing with a pay day of $13,000 and becoming a 4 day winner. Damn.
Okay, enough about "Jeopardy!." It's hot. It's really damn hot. Here in my apartment it's currently 90º. Outside, as of about 2 hours ago, it was 96º and predicted to rise another degree or two. I hate hot weather. Grr.
I also worked today. I ended up putting in about 3 hours while taking care of a mailing. Atleast that should be done and over with for another month. I also came home early enough to get a parking spot right out front. Man, it's hot.
I'm back to complain more. This time it involves the weather. It's currently 82º outside, while the high today is supposed to be 90º. It's also currently 86º in my apartment, and I have 2 fans blowing. This is the one day this week when thunderstorms are not forecast, and it's too damn hot to want to do anything except just lie around in front of a fan. I hate warm weather. This has me wishing for my winter again. Atleast in winter, if you're cold, you can put on more clothes. What can you do when you're too warm in summer? Nothing except what I'm doing right now - complain.
When things are going bad, man, are they ever going bad. Right now, I don't know if my luck could be much worse. I had $150 worth of money and items stolen from me tonight. I made the mistake of leaving my backpack unattended for 5 minutes in the lobby of the Bell. When I came back, my backpack was missing (I would later find it in the bushes out front) and the homeless black man who is often seen around campus was wandering around in the lobby with his bags full of stuff. When I finally found my backpack, the stuff was missing, including $10 in change, $10 worth of stamps, $10 worth of gift certificates, my harmonica, my utility knife, and my TI-85. Yes, that fucking bastard stole over $150 worth of stuff from me! I tracked him down and told him if I see him again, anywhere, I instantly dial 911. Jesus, with the stuff he stole from me, he can get a one-way ticket anywhere and never come back. Two stupid teenage dykes waiting for the Ani concert start over at Northrop berated me for "picking on a poor homeless man." Of course, when I tried to tell the vagina crew what he did, they wouldn't believe me. Yeah, within 10 minutes I had both a black man and lesbians piss me off. It's a good thing I'm not the type to hold grudges against all for the work of a few. I know it doesn't seem like I'm that pissed off now, but most of that has to do with the fact that I'm basically in denial right now. It'll sink in soon enough that all of that stuff is gone (I'm pissed the most about the calculator and the knife, although I wish I had the other stuff also). In fact, screw the cops. What are they going to do? If I ever see that stupid son of a bitch again, I beat the fucking shit out of him. $150 worth of stuff! That stupid homeless son of a bitch is always wandering around my lobby. I've never seen his lazy black ass attempting to do anything but panhandle. It's about time he gets off his fucking ass and gets a job. Seriously, if I see him again, he's going to wish I hadn't. Aaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!!
Sunday, June 24, 2001
The Walker's summer music and movie series kicks off on July 9 and two of my most anticipated weeks will be July 23 and August 13. On July 23, Janis Figure will perform before the film The Postman Always Rings Twice, while on August 13, Le Tigre will perform before the film Imitation of Life. Unfortunately, it just occured to me that I'll miss the August 13 night, because that will be while I'm in Appleton. Grrr... I stick around the Twin Cities because I've missed so much here in the summers in the past. I go home for just a couple of days and I'll miss one of the coolest events of the summer. Why do they torture me like this?!
Staying home last night didn't turn out to be so bad. I sat with the fans blowing on me, so I eventually cooled down. I ended up watching The Sting, which I have to admit was a pretty good movie (and once again, a good example of City Pages film reviewers demonstrating their lack of film knowledge). I also got up early enough this morning to watch "The McLaughlin Group," so I got my Sunday off to the proper start. I'm about to make myself some grilled cheese now, because I have to go to work early today to make sure we don't experience the same audio and video problems that we had yesterday. I just hope that they don't expect me to stick around the Bell until the 9:15 film is over tonight.
Saturday, June 23, 2001
So, for the second weekend night in a row, I end up coming home and doing nothing... it's like I'm back in the dorms. Maybe it's a good thing, because I started to get cranky as the night went on and more things went wrong at work. Earlier in the day, things weren't so bad though....
Jonathan is back, and he stopped up by me this afternoon. No more keeping and eye on his place. While he was here, I got a phone call from Molly (film society Molly, not Lauderdale/Milwaukee Molly), who said she's willing to trade days with me! I'm working for her on July 6, and she's working for me on July 3! Woohoo!!! I'm going to see the Go Go's! I'm going to see the Go Go's!
Well, after all the problems today, I have to go in early tomorrow to make sure all of our problems are rectified. Of course, that's better than dealing with it tonight, or having more problems tomorrow.
I guess it's time to retire for the evening. Maybe I'll watch a movie, or maybe I'll read a little and go to bed. All I know is that it's beautiful outside, but there is no breeze passing through my apartment, so it's about 20 degrees warmer in here. My thermometer says 82, but I don't know if that's even right.
Wow, I kick ass. So, I got a phone call from a rep of McLeod USA a little bit ago. He was trying to sell me on their services. After realizing that he could not save me money on local, long-distance, or internet services, he gave up and left me alone. I should actually stick around on the phone with these people a little more often. It's good to feel triumphant.
I got an email from Jonathan about an hour ago also. I guess he's back here downstairs. Boy, does that ever sound ridiculous (an email from someone living downstairs), but I guess he's pretty worn out from the drive.
I'm feeling so amazingly lazy this morning; I mean even lazier than normal. I finally ate some dinner at about 10pm last evening and then I laid down on my bed. I unfortunately fell asleep before Conan came on, because Andy was on last night. When I woke up this morning, the tv was still on and I didn't feel like moving. I atleast got up and switched the table lamp off before climbing back into bed. Even now, I finally got up, but I have no desire to do anything. I don't really even feel like using the computer, but there's nothing I'd rather do either. It's been 2 weeks since the last time I read my book, but I've been too lazy or too hyper (a bit of both really) to read. Jesus, I suck.
Well, I have to kill a few hours before work. Then I have to work. After work, I don't know yet. If anyone is looking for me, I'd suggest you check the Dinkytowner first. I don't know where else I would go, but you also never know what I could choose to do on the spur of the moment.
Friday, June 22, 2001
Hmmm... how to interpret this one.... Molly did admit in her
blog that she got her butt kicked on Wednesday night in Scrabble (a rarity, yes, but it did happen). Of course, she did sneak it in at the end with really small print, but then again, she used bold also. Also related to her June 21 post, I should point out that I don't know if François and Lindsey really hit it off, but then again, he has several brothers all un-wed and hoping to remain in America.
Forbes magazine has once again released their annual list of
the world's billionaires. Some of my favorites on the list, with their country and method gaining their wealth, include: Harrison McCain (Canada - french fries), Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen (Denmark - Lego), Tadahiro Yoshida (Japan - zippers), Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala and family (Mexico - beer), Alfred Heineken (Netherlands - beer), Enric Bernat (Spain - lollipops), Forrest Edward, Jr., Jacqueline Badger, and John Franklyn Mars (USA - candy), John Simplot (USA - potatoes), Edgar Bronfman, Sr. (USA - liquor), William Wrigley, JR. (USA - chewing gum), and Lorenzo Mendoza and family (Venezuela - beer). Hmm... guess you can tell from those I included where my interests lie....
Okay, and now for something completely unrelated. It would seem that the gov has come up with a budget deal. With members of the house and senate home jerking off to kiddie porn, Jesse stepped up to the plate and offered a deal for the budget in an attempt to avert a state government shut down. While the Senate-majority Democrats insisted they are willing to accept Ventura's budget deal, the House-majority Republicans are not so happy. In fact, they still want to waste our time with crap such as their 24 hour waiting period for an abortion, even though it may pass in the Republican-dominated House, it'll never pass the Democrat-dominated Senate and Jesse will refuse to sign it. It's just completely uncomprehensible to me why exactly these idiots still insist that such legislation be debated! Republicans - you hate big government, remember? So, why do you want to increase government control over our lives, our choices, and our freedom? Man, you really are a bunch of ignorant bastards. I'm much happier being independent than throwing my allegiance behind a party which not only didn't even exist when our country was formed, but also has no concept of the principles upon which this country was formed.
Okay, sorry... sometimes I just need to vent....
While today is the 95th birthday of Billy Wilder, the man who is easily my favorite writer/director of all time, yesterday was a much less festive day. What surprises me the most is that much more was made of the death of actor Carroll O'Connor than what was mentioned of the death of the more famous and influential John Lee Hooker yesterday. How could news outlets not recognize the death of John Lee Hooker as a huge loss?
Friday afternoon - a wonderful, beautiful Friday afternoon. It started off quite well, because as I was walking to my car, which was parked along the park, it just happened to be under a tree, which shaded it from the sun and kept it cool inside. I took care of my normal Friday errands and stopped up at the auto repair shop to update them on my car. If you need your car repaired in the Twin Cities, I whole-heartedly suggest you take your car to Four Star Auto at 3324 University in Minneapolis. They have been the nicest, most friendly auto repair shop I've ever been to. I cannot tell you anything of their work, because all of a sudden my car seems to be running fine, but they came highly recommended to me. Anyway, after discussing my car with them (which they didn't charge me for), I returned home and got a parking place right out front. I might go play soccer later this afternoon, but right now my biggest priority is actually getting watch "Jeopardy!" again.
I went from bad to good yesterday, watching both The Applegates and Yankee Doodle Dandy. I also went postering yesterday, picked up my car from the auto repair shop (still not fixed, but also not acting up), and bought a new notebook for my journal. I'm making my lunch right now, but afterwards I'll be running my errands, including stopping back at the repair shop. I don't know if I should be disappointed or elated that my car is running well. Boy, that sounds stupid.
Thursday, June 21, 2001
Rock bands are getting lamer and lamer these days. I saw some of the photos from Ozzfest the other day, and if those bands are considered rock, I want nothing to do with them.
This seems to be the sort of thing that would fit in with them also. Dumbasses.
This just goes to show how many of the people who vote for the All-Star game (such a lame American event anyway) don't really follow the season, but just vote for their favorite players overall. Cobi Jones? Cobi was good... 3 years ago. Landon Donovan? I think he's great too, but he's played in all of about 3 games. Mauricio Cienfuegos? Are you serious?! Marcello Balboa? Can you say "over the hill?" Tony Meola? Can you say "so last year?" McBride and Diallo?! What are you smoking?! One's overrated and one had a freak season a year ago. How could you pick them over Chacon and Serna?! Valderrama and Etcheverry? Have you seen a soccer match in the past 5 years? MLS fans are so lame.
Summer is here! Summer is here! Summer is finally here!
That's right, as of 2:38 am we hit the Summer Solstice. Hang on tight kiddies, because the days just keeping getting shorter again from here on out.
In a great way perhaps to celebrate the end of spring, I improved my Scrabble record for the month of June to 2-1 with a thrilling victory earlier this evening at the Dinkytowner. After sneaking out a victory over Molly back on June 6, I again emerged triumphant this evening over Molly, Lindsey, and a team of Sarah and Morgan. This is not to say that I am now on par with Molly and Lindsey, but I think we can safely say that the balance is beginning to even. The month isn't over yet and there are plenty of Wednesdays yet to come.
I am also carless right now. My car started acting up again on Tuesday, so I decided it was time to call the repair shop and get it checked. Of course, wouldn't you know, right after I call them and set up an appointment, just like a kid "too sick to attend class" on the day of a test, whose mother has just set up a doctor's appointment, she starts running fine. The repair shop is driving her around hoping that whatever is wrong reappears so they can try to figure out the problem. Let's hope the antenna orientation unit fails in the next 72 hours (let me know if you caught that reference).
Otherwise, not too much new around here. We'll probably watch The Applegates tomorrow and Jonathan should return this weekend. Molly just went to bed, but I think she's curling up with her "electric blanket." Okay, don't ask about that... just go outside and get yourself a suntan.
Tuesday, June 19, 2001
Ah... another Tuesday. Another Tuesday of dragging my sorry ass out of bed, watching pointless programs on television, wasting away a few hours checking out random websites, eating, working, and coming back home tired-out and ready to hit the sack so I can do it all again tomorrow. Yes, just another Tuesday.
I don't know what's going on at work today, but I hope it doesn't involve postering. I just dread postering. I mean, it's not that bad, and it gets me exercise, but I just don't like doing it. Thinking about work, and how much I dislike working, even though I have (in my opinion) and pretty nice job right now, gets me thinking about what I'm going to do one day. I mean, a year from now I'll have graduated from university with two pretty much useless degrees. I'll have to find some sort of job. I mean a real job. What the hell do I want to do? I get asked quite often what I'm going to do with my life post-graduation, but I usually either admit that I don't know, or I answer with some less-than-witty reply. Then I usually point out the fact that I have to be the only person in history to have ever applied for a job at McDonald's and didn't even get called back!
It's not that I don't want to do anything with my life, because I know I get bored very easily, but I don't want to do anything normal either. Every job I've ever had has really bored me, causing me to act rather strangely, and subsequently getting me into trouble with my bosses. I can't help it if your workplace sucks. Also, most every job I've ever had has involved being treated like I'm a moron. This comes from both the bosses and the customers. Am I stupid? No. Do I appreciate working where they treat me like I am then? Of course not. I don't know what I'll do with my life yet, and that's as simple and truthful an answer as I can give, but I still have to figure out how to translate that response into parent language.
Monday, June 18, 2001
Hahaha... I guess I'm a little behind the times here. A few hours ago, while watching tv, I saw this commercial for "Kidz Bop." Now, for those of you who haven't seen the commercial or don't know of the cd, it's basically a cd of recent top 40 hits sung by kids/ for kids. I found this at the same time both a rather disturbing and amusing prospect. Well, perhaps even more so is that difference of opinions on this little cd. They range from
this girl to
this one. What I find especially humorous about the latter is that she can't understand why anyone would want this cd, when the original songs... oh jesus, I just have to quote her on this, because I just couldn't put it any better:
why would kids rather hear cheesy-voiced people singing to cheesy instruments(Casio!!!Casio!!) then the original thing???
I'm completely serious! Click on the above link if you don't believe me. Anyway, I'm going to go back to killing time before Queen Victoria's Empire comes on.
I just returned home from grocery shopping, a chore I haven't taken part in for a couple of weeks. As a result, I ended up spending over $70 (remember people, this is just food for little ol' me here), and still realized I had forgotten things as I was leaving. I lucked out and returned home to an opening parking space right across the street from my front door, making it much easier on me to haul in my groceries. Of course, now I want to make food, but just about every dish I own is dirty, because I'm too damn lazy to clean them. Guess I'll just have to reuse more dirty dishes.
Outside, it's much more humid that it first seems. I mean, the temperature is fine, but if you move around at all you begin sweating. Man, I hate humidity. It's times like this that make me appreciate winter more and more. Heat is nothing - heat's a pussy. Now humidity, that's my real archenemy.
I hope they have our paychecks for us tomorrow. The film society hasn't paid me in a month, and I'm low on cash - like $10 in my account low. Atleast I now have food in my fridge and fuel in my car.
Okay, once again I have many more things that I could ramble on about, but I'll leave you all alone for now.
Like many other people, I have many times stated my dislike for President Bush. There are some very major reasons why Bush's presidency is step backwards for our country. Yes, many of his policy issues are terrible stands to take, but even worse is that as the leader of our country, he is supposed to represent our country's opinions and best interests. Most of the rest of the world already held the US in a rather negative point of view, but now it only gets worse. I wish there was some way to apologize to the rest of the world and also reiterate to them that what Bush wants, is not what the majority of the people in our country want. We're in favor or protecting the environment, conserving energy, and human rights, while we are against the death penalty, increased military presence, a missile defense system, and the proliferation of American "culture" abroad. Unfortunately, Bush and his gang are all that the rest of the world sees and are all they can use to form opinions of us. I made many statements back around election time that I would leave the country if Bush was elected, and obviously I have not done that yet. What is true though, is that for the first time, I am truly embarrassed to admit that I am American. I can't wait for January 20, 2005 so that I can regain pride in my country once again.
I just finally looked at my old
website for the first time in a long time. Yeah, it's pretty bad, but it's where I started. Perhaps best of all, I had forgotten that there was an Asphyxiation section on there, and it still has song clips, all of which I thought had been lost when Crosswinds deleted the Groutflow page. Woohoo! Asphyxiation!
Sunday was... well... Sunday. I showed up at my soccer game, but the other team only had 7 players there, so they forfeited. We decided to stick around and scrimmage anyway, but I had to leave early for work.
Work was as work always is. I watched the 7:15 movie, A Time for Drunken Horses, and I have to say that once again, another City Pages writer obviously doesn't know shit about movies. Granted, he was correct in that the film is not the end-all-be-all of films, but everything else he said was incorrect. Most noticably (or perhaps not noticable) were his accusationa about how the director used the handicapped boy. It's a good thing that paper is free, because I don't think a soul would read it otherwise. I also called Lindsey at Radio K and requested "Sunday Morning" by Velvet Underground (I love that song!). I almost completely missed it (since I was at work), but I caught the end as I was getting in my car to drive down to the office.
After work, I was going to go to the Dinkytowner and get some fries and a Coke, but they still wanted to charge me a cover price! Fuck that! I don't show up with 10 minutes left in a fucking show and still pay full cover price. I decided I'd take my business elsewhere. Of course, it quickly occured to me that there was nowhere else to take my business, so I decided to just go home. Unfortunately, I have no food, so I ate pizza rolls and chocolate pudding and drank grape soda. Yes, I'm going to go grocery shopping today! I watched Can't Hardly Wait and then fell asleep watching something on TPT. If you read through all of this, hit yourself over the head, and then have a nice day.
Sunday, June 17, 2001
I cut back on the angry-young-man gig as the day went on. Well, actually, I just went to work. I showed up at work, played some soccer, went back to work, and then I was done. Molly came by, and we went to Denny's. Hadn't been there since... last August, I think. Then we went back to her place (since my car was still there), but Clueless was on USA, so I stuck around for that before leaving. We had apparently just missed Can't Hardly Wait, because we just caught the ending. Maybe I should watch that again tonight. I don't think I've seen it since the multiple times Petey and I watched it last year (mostly because he couldn't remember if he had seen until after we started watching it again). I'll try not to be such a bitch. Honest! I swear Saturday was really one of the one-off flings. Okay, maybe like once a month. Fine - once a week! Anyway, I think you're all safe for now.
Saturday, June 16, 2001
Yeah, I'm back, the game is over, and I have more stuff to bitch about.
Let's start with the weather forecasters. I realize that these things can just pop up, but at the same time, severe thunderstorms are a far cry from "a few showers passing through." I don't know why I'm studying to be a meteorologist. I mean, people talk about baseball players only having to hit the ball 3 out of every 10 times and they're considered a decent player, but how about meteorologists? They're never right, and yet news outlets waste time and money on them. How useless is that?
Next, since I just finished watching the soccer game, let's talk about that. I'll actually start not with a complaint, but with a compliment. They may have been a little cautious, but atleast the US pushed up offensively at times. Bruce Arena, unlike past coaches, realizes that, sure, you can't lose if the other team doesn't score, but at the same time, you can't win if you don't score.
As for the game itself today, it was pretty lame and boring. I'm in agreement with Keller as MOTM, but I think Regis and Armas need to be given a little credit also. Regis was quietly effective on the left, forcing Jamaica to concentrate almost every attack on the US's right, while Armas was... well... Armas. The US's offense was just plain pathetic. Stewart had a few bright spots, was otherwise pretty quiet. Reyna was so obvious in his every move, that I could tell what he was going to do from my chair watching my tv with poor reception. McBride was typical McBride - the most overrated (or perhaps just underachieving) player in US history. Joe-Max was okay, but wasn't really given many opportunities. Kirovski and O'Brien were both pretty quiet also. In fact, the closest the US came to an offensive bright spot was Razov, who should have come on much earlier, if not even started in place of McBride. I wish Arena would realize that McBride is never going to turn into the player he was predicted to become, and would begin to turn to better up-and-coming players. Jamaica, on the other hand, despite a few fluke chances, was about as disorganized, both offensively and defensively, as a team could be. They really had no strategy, and their offensive consisted of a few ball-hogs trying to turn individual efforts into goals.
And then there are my old friends Jack Edwards and Ty Keogh. I wish the game would have been broadcast on the radio. A team of Bill Walton and John Madden doing soccer games would just as interesting and knowledgable of soccer. Does Disney seriously still think people who aren't soccer fans now are going to magically become soccer fans, just by having Jack spew as much dumbed-down garbage from his mouth as possible? As for Ty, he's not even capable of stating the obvious. The only decent commentary from him the whole game consisted of his praise for the officiating crew (which was, surprisingly, quite good). Get informed before you get behind the mic (and I'm not just refering to looking a player's stats).
Okay, I guess I'll leave off for a bit again. The sun seems to have broken through again, so maybe the rain will stop soon.
You know, since I already began ranting about things that piss me off, I might as well continue. Let me start with tennis. No, tennis doesn't piss me off, it's certain players that piss me off. I'm sorry clay court players, but if you suck on grass, you suck on grass. Deal with it. Practice on grass and improve your grass game. Why waste everyone's time bickering about your seeding at Wimbledon, just so you can show up and get your ass kicked in the first round? As far as I'm concerned, Wimbledon organizers should just tell them those whining bastards where they can shove it.
Next, let's discuss the American media and their depiction of Russia. How often do our news outlets inform us of goings-on at the Duma? Never. Well, I take that back. When a scuffle broke out on the Duma floor recently, every American news source was sure to jump all over it and show footage of the now-infamous headbutting. This is exactly the kind of biased and sensationalist journalism that has people actually agreeing with Bush and his cronnies that we need this ridiculous missle defense system. Please, for the good of everyone, Americans get some brains of your own and question the shit you're fed.
I have several other things I could rant about (like the fact that nobody still gives a fuck about hockey and basketball in June), but ABC is finally showing a soccer game. If you're looking for me, I'll be watching the USA kick some Jamaican ass.
These are the people I can't fucking stand. The GPT is hardly difficult or stress-inducing. The tests are not created with the intent of failing everyone. If students were able to pass the 2 years of language instruction, then the GPT is practically a joke. At the same time, she speaks of having to delay taking language courses because the Spanish classes were full. The U offers so many different language courses, and yet idiots like her, are convinced that the only language they can study is Spanish. As she mentions of in her article, I guess it might come in handy while vacationing in Mexican tourist traps. Right, my ass.
Good morning everyone - my hands smell funny. One smells like poop and the other smells like puke. I'm not sure why though, because I just washed my hands and brushed my teeth.
Last night I went to the gallery opening at the Nash. I didn't know John and Alison were both going to have pieces there. I talked to Dan and saw his piece, and also ran into several people I hadn't seen in some time, like Ed and Chris. Afterward, John, Alison, Adam B., and I went to the Triple Rock, and then to John's. Despite being up so late last night, I wasn't tired until they all started to mention how tired they were. When I got home, I sat down in front of the tv and woke up several hours later with TPT still on.
It looks to be quite a lovely day out again today. Of course, I get to go to work. I understand some of the MISA people are going to play some soccer about 5 today, so maybe I'll get the 5:15 movie started and then go play some soccer.
Oooo... Rick Steves is on!
Friday, June 15, 2001
Hey rock 'n' boys and girls! I'm back and better than ever! I was up all night last night, finally catching a few winks later this morning, and then got right back to work all afternoon, but the new page is up. What do you think? You like it? You dislike it? I may still make a few minor changes, but otherwise, this is it. So, whether you love it, hate it, or are completely indifferent, drop me an
email and give me your opinions.
For now, it's time to run off to the West Bank, because I'm running a little late for a gallery opening....
After toying around for what seemed like forever with Paint, Illustrator, and Photoshop, I finally came up with a decent lay-out for the redesigning of this page. I have been working ever since on creating new templates, moving and rewriting text, and cleaning and streamlining. I have quite a bit accomplished already, but I also still have quite a ways to go. I might have sat up all night working on it tonight, but now my host seems to have gone down, so I guess I'll just go to bed and get back to work on it again when I get up.
Oh wait, it seems to be working again! Maybe I won't go to bed just yet....
Thursday, June 14, 2001
I paid the bills, showered, and ate. I went to work also, but there was only about an hour's worth of work to do. Returning home, I got a parking place right out front and plopped my ass down before the tv. Watching Jeopardy, I have to say that the three contestants surprised me. In the Double Jeopardy round, there was a category of John Hughes films, which they left for the end and didn't even get to finish! Can you imagine it! Atleast the $1000 question, which they did get to, was Uncle Buck. Yeah. I need to find myself a life now.
Double ugh.
The humidity yesterday was nothing short of unbearable. After the storms finally ended yesterday, the temperature shot up about 20 degrees and the humidity was off the charts. While out postering yesterday, I must have lost 5 pounds just in sweat. After work, we had the Scrabble game. I got my butt kicked, but it was still an okay game. Today I have to work again, but it should be easy. I did all the postering yesterday, so today should just be faxing more people. I need to pay my bills. And go grocery shopping. And write a letter to my grandma. And take a shower. And eat. And....
Wednesday, June 13, 2001
Yes, regulars, you are in for a surprise today. As you've noticed, the revamping of my site has begun. I began by eliminating completely useless pages. I figured I have to get rid of the old before I can bring in the new. This page, which was formerly known as "EVENTS", is now renamed "SOAPBOX". The soapbox never amounted to what I wanted it to be (mostly because of my own laziness), so I have decided to combine it with my blog and just do all of my ranting and raving in one place. It's not like anyone ever read those separate rants and anyway. What you're seeing here is only the beginning of what are sure to be many more huge changes as I attempt to make my site more viable. Let me know what you think!
Email me!
Ugh.
I got very little sleep last night. After my last entry, I checked my email and then went to bed. As the thunderstorms continued to pass through the area (and they still are), one bolt of lightning must have struck somewhere in my vicinity. The resultant thunderclap was so loud and strong that not only did it bolt me from my slumber, it even set off a car alarm! That was at 6:45, and despite being very tired, I was unable to fall back asleep. As I stated, it's still raining, thundering, and lightning, and it's supposed to do this all day long. They want me to poster at the film society today? I think I'll call in and say I can't do it. Lightning is #2 on my biggest fears list right behind spiders, bugs, and other small creatures. Blech.
I just finished watching the AFI "100 Years 100 Thrills" broadcast (yes, I recorded it), and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. For some reason, I had failed to put my faith in Hollywood, and I was expecting the list to be chock-full of more lame action movies. In fact, there were only a few surprises for upon further contemplation. Most obvious has to
Titanic at #25. The film didn't even deserve to be on the list, let alone that high on the list. Perhaps the only film that really surprised me otherwise was
Thelma & Louise. While it is a good film, I wouldn't have figured it would make this list. I like how Hollywood recognized that films are more thrilling when brilliantly constructed than when they are just special effects-laden trash. I was even surprised to get a soundbite from Sandra Bullock (of all people) stating that fact.
Moving back in time, I worked today from 2 until 8. I watched The Wind Will Carry Us, which was essentially 2 hours of visual and verbal poetry. If it were an American film, it would essentially be considered pretentious, but since it is Iranian, critics will recognize (and have recognized) it as art. I'm not at liberty to disagree with them. After the movie ended, I went to the Dinkytowner. Molly had not yet arrived, but Kate Silver was there, so I sat with her and we talked until Tony and Karla arrived. Molly eventually arrived also, but unfortunately, they didn't show the film again, so I paid $3 for a movie I didn't really even get to see. Oh well. Molly and I stuck around for a while before heading home in the storm that was just rolling in and is still passing through now. I believe perhaps it is now time for bed.
Tuesday, June 12, 2001
It finally cooled down a bit here in the sauna last night. Once I had all the windows open, both fans blowing, and the wind started to blow through, it finally cooled a little. Felt nice, but I know it's going to warm up in here again.
I got an email today telling me that my free 50 hours of NTS connectioin are almost used up. I guess I can start using AOL again for the rest of the month though, because Mike left this morning for Germany and won't be back until July. I know it's only $4 for an additional 30 hours, but I'm a cheap bastard.
So, I have to work today. I hope they have enough work for me. I also wish I could get paid soon. We haven't been paid in a month. Paying bills is good. Oops... that reminds me... have to pay the bills. Bye bye.
Ahh... I've returned to the sauna (by which name I believe I shall refer to my apartment for the rest of the summer). You see, outside, it's about 65 degrees right now. The mercury here in the sauna shows 86 (no word on the humidity in here, but it's not good). It just finally occured to me a few minutes ago why it's so much warmer in here than out there. The current heat is caused by the same problem that made it cold in here all winter - the exposed brick. I'm reminded of elementary school in the brick building with no air conditioning. The brick absorbs the heat from the sunlight outside and releases it in here. I have my windows open and 2 fans running, but it can only counter the effects of the brick to an extent. Okay, enough of our dumbed-down physics lesson for today.
Yes, I did say that I returned to the sauna. As mentioned in my previous entry, I was experiencing cabin fever. It was quite some time after my post that the storms finally rolled in, but when they did, they were quick strong for about 20 minutes. I was witnessing frequent lightning strikes, one of which must have hit one of the buildings next door. Feeling even more restless after they were gone, I decided I wanted to see a movie. I called up Molly and we saw Memento. She commented after the movie (and I agree) that it was a great movie, but as it reached the end, it just ended too abruptly (as if they weren't sure how to end it - just like Wonder Boys).
Well, I'm back home now and I can rest and maybe even sweat off a few pounds. I swear the paint is going to begin peeling soon (which might not be good - I'm guessing there's lead paint somewhere under these layers). Nighty night!
Monday, June 11, 2001
The wind is blowing in thunderstorms from the west. Tornados are west of here, but for now, the rains are only beginning and the thunder can be heard. It's a little humid here in my apartment, but I dare not go out how as the storms are about to begin. It's a little unfortunate, really, because I am just starting to experience some form of cabin fever. Blah.
I may be online for the first time since Friday, but that doesn't mean that I have anything interesting to tell you. Nope. I worked this weekend. As usual. Molly, Lindsey, and I saw Better Off Dead at the Uptown, but it cost waaaaay too much to get in. I don't have to work today. I do have to work tomorrow. Me thinks it's time for lunch. My brother leaves tomorrow for Germany. I'm jealous. I want to go to Germany again. I'm going to go curl up in the corner and pout now.
Friday, June 08, 2001
Hahaha... I must have left my computer signed-on all night! I just walked over to my computer to sign-on, and it was already signed-on. Not only that, but I had received all sorts of ICQ messages from people I don't know. It's not that I don't like chatting with new people, but it's weird to have sat down at my computer and found so many new messages!
Last night Molly came over and we watched Benny & Joon. She left shortly thereafter and I watched American Graffiti. After that, I finally hit the sack. This morning, I wasted away time before getting my Friday work at the Bell done. Now it's time to relax and we'll just have to wait and see what tonight may bring.
Thursday, June 07, 2001
Man, I'm just on a freakin' roll right now. The last two nights that I worked, I introduced people to new bands and then last night... oh, last night. Yes, for the first time ever, I beat Molly at Scrabble. I shit you not. It took 194 points on my part to do it, but I finally beat her. Damn, I rule. Well, atleast this week I rule. As for now, we're watching movies in a little bit, so I should git.
Wednesday, June 06, 2001
Oh, I just recalled one more thing I forgot to mention - Happy Birthday Dave... finally legal down in Madtown.
I really have no complaints right now. Seriously. For any of you who know me, this might even be a first for you. I am completely at peace with myself and my surroundings. I have to work tonight, but I really don't mind. This morning I watched Planes, Trains & Automobiles and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. I don't believe it was either of those that put me at peace, but I am rather relaxed. I am experiencing shivers of pure ecstasy through my spine. I don't know... words fail to explain how I feel and I can find no explanation for it. It may only last 10 minutes, so perhaps I should just enjoy it....
Tuesday, June 05, 2001
I ended up sitting up tonight a little later than planned, but I got a start on the starraver industries website. I figure once I finish that, I can get to work on the new Groutflow page, after which I can finally take time to redesign this page. Sheesh - I've got plenty of things to work on this summer! Oh, and War and Peace is proceeding nicely also....
Monday, June 04, 2001
Woo-woo! Just got home from the Twins game - they beat the Indians 11-10. It was quite and interesting game was tied going into the bottom of the 9th. I got a lot of cleaning done today, but I also still have a long way to go. I guess every bit counts. I'll probably not get any more done for a few days now, because I'll to lazy to spend my free time cleaning. Legalize jaywalking!
Yesterday - another day of work, another day of reading, and another day of coming and falling asleep before the television. Today, I started cleaning this morning, but then got lazy and went online. I'm going to make myself some eats here soon, but I'm waiting for the butter to soften. I'm still feeling lazy, but I'm going to go offline soon and pretend that's not true. Maybe I'll walk down to Barnes and Noble again today. I've been there a couple times lately, but haven't bought anything. I'm waiting for them to put the June magazines on the shelves. I had also considered going to the Twins-Indians game tonight, but I'll probably be too lazy to do that also. We'll just have to see.
Sunday, June 03, 2001
Nothing new to report in Kristland, although there has been some ass-kickin' going on. On Thursday night, Molly and I saw The Faint and Sean Na Na at the Entry - both of them kicked ass. On Friday night, Molly, Justin, and I played Trivial Pursuit - and I kicked ass. Actually, it took 4 and a half hours, so maybe I didn't kick so much ass. Yesterday, I had to work, so there wasn't much ass-kicking going on. When I was driving to work and found out while en route that 94 East is closed for the weekend, I wanted to kick some ass though. Walking to the Dinkytowner after work, I ran into Tom and Adam on their way to a party and went there with them. When they dropped me back at my car about 12:15, I went to the Dinkytowner, but there was nobody there I knew, and no one ever came to serve me, so I just came home and made a little food before falling asleep before the tv. This morning I read the newspaper and watched "The McLaughlin Group." I have to work again later today. We'll see about any more ass-kicking taking place. Hopefully the Bucks kick some Philadelphia ass (because I dislike the 76ers, and I straight-up hate Iversen). That is all.
