Thursday... so glad it's over. I picked up Kyle and we headed in to work about 10:30. Everything was a swirl and a blur this morning as Al and Kyle threw everything at me to make sure I'd be ready once they were gone. About 1 I drove them down to the airport and then ate lunch. About 2:30 I got a call from Al, who was still at the airport. Apparently storms on the East Coast had caused his first flight to be delayed so long that he was going to miss his connecting flight to Germany. Instead of spending the night in the airport in Newark, he decided to pick up a flight to Jersey in the morning. So, I drove back to the airport again and picked him up. Back in the office about 4, I finally was able to get to work on the mailings again. It took me several hours to finish. I then decided to get as much work done as possible, so I wouldn't have as much left in the morning. Other than my own stuff, I now only have to bring the deposit to the bank and take the films to the Fed Ex depot before I can leave for Omaha. I'm hoping to be on the road sometime between 11 and noon. I need to finish up and get to bed, as I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.

Well, I guess it's technically Thursday morning now. Al and Kyle will leave later today for Germany, and since we don't know Adam's status or definite whereabouts, it may be just me in the office. At least it should make life easier once Al is out of town for over a month. I need to start getting stuff ready for this weekend's trip. The current plan is to leave from work about noon on Friday, but if I have everything done earlier, including the deposit and shipping the films, I may get an even earlier start. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

And how about those Twins once again? One night after letting the Sox thump them, the Twins come back and hold on for a 6-5 win over the overrated, big-mouthed, cheapshot-taking, undertalented White Sox. Yeah, that's right Chicago - take all the free shots at Twins batters that you want, but at the end of the day make sure you look at the score on the board and your place in the standings. The White Sox can kiss my ass. Actually, since they're probably staying in the Hyatt 3 blocks away from my apartment, maybe I should actually go over there and offer up my ass ripe for the kissing. Jackasses.

Germany and Brazil. Brazil and Germany. Neither team was supposed to be good enough to win the World Cup this year, and now here they are, the two most successful national sides facing off against each other for the first time ever in a final. My heart is pulling for Germany, but I'm not so sure on this one. Germany minus Michael Ballack will be akin to Brazil playing the semifinal sans Ronaldinho, except I don't know if Germany will be able to hang onto a 1-0 win. The difference in the final will most definitely come down to Kahn versus the Brazil offense (which, since the Brazilians can't defend in any way except hacking players, basically means everyone except for Marco). It ought to be a good match. Interesting to point out, I'll be in Omaha with Tony on Sunday during the match. 8 years ago, Tony and I watched the Brazil-Italy final from the bar at the campground which houses the Grouthouse. We all know how that one ended.

I don't think these storms are ever going to end! I don't remember ever having so many days of neverending thunderstorms. This is crazy.

How 'bout 'dem Twins? I almost gave up on them last night, but then after a terrible night at the plate, Hunter and Jones finally came through. What a game!

And then how 'bout 'dem Krauts? It was nice to finally see a decent ref who didn't give every call to the Koreans. It's too bad Ballack will miss the final, but nevertheless, it'll be a great game. I'm personally pulling for the Turks to beat Brazil, not just because I hate pretty much every one of the Brazilian players, but also because I'd like to see the tension of a Germany-Turkey match. Kyle is mad because he'll be in Germany on Sunday. Mad?! What a fool he is! A crank about his budget, careless about his gums! Okay, okay... I'm getting off here. Anyway... back to "work."

Ah... Monday afternoon in the film society office. I was slightly productive this morning, having sent out the movie clock to the local press and emailing an announcement about press screenings of two upcoming films. This afternoon I was much less productive, having sketched out the ballerina from the Moskva poster on a legal pad before taking off for lunch. Oh joy.

Althougth I didn't do a lot most of the weekend, Molly and I headed southwest to Excelsior and Hopkins Saturday evening. We got food and frozen custard at this place in Excelsior. I'll admit that both were good, but only in-the-neighborhood good, not drive-twelve-miles-out-of-my-way-just-for-frozen-custard good. Then we went to the "cheap seats" in Hopkins and saw A Beautiful Mind. The film disappointed me. I guess I really shouldn't have expected too much, but I figured it was worth seeing at least since it was picked as Best Picture last year. Ah - there were much better movies. Anyway, so I complain a lot. I bought a road atlas on Sunday so I'm all set for next weekend. Mini-roadtrip, here I come!

My life personally has been pretty slow and lifeless the last few days, which is nobody's fault but my own. Basically, I've been going to work, coming home, watching the Twins' inability to hit or score runs against National League pitching, and then going to bed. Today's a little different, as I'm attempting to clean my apartment. While my own life has been less than exciting lately, that doesn't mean the lives of others around me have been short on tragic events. What I mean to say is that my sympathies are with Audrey, Carrie, and everyone else who loved Steve, who sadly passed away yesterday due to injuries received in an auto accident with a drunk driver two weeks ago this evening. I don't even know what to say.

I'm here in the film society office again. Kyle had to run a film to the Bell and is picking up coffee. After that, we're doing an inventory of everything in this office. Uh-huh. If you've ever seen this office, you know what kind of a task that is. If you haven't, let me just say that the phrase "looks like a tornado passed through here" are a gross understatement. It'll be interesting to say the least.

Hey Tony-

Your inbox is full again! You really need to delete old crap that you don't need anymore. Just a thought.

I went over to Molly's Saturday night, where we watched the Twins game (luckily they didn't blow it against the worst team in baseball again!), and then we attempted to watch Mulholland Drive. Not surprisingly, it didn't make any sense whatsoever. I figure maybe if I was drunk and stoned it might make more sense. Justin is probably still sitting up in the living room trying to make sense of it (or messing around with his new computer... one of the two).

Since it's now officially Father's Day here, I want to take the time to show my appreciation for a certain father who never seems to get any thanks: Father Time. Oh sure, everybody calls their dear old dad today, and 6 months from now the Christians and gift-giving atheists will be talking about Father Christmas, but I've never once heard of anyone sending a Father's Day card to Father Time. What should I get him? I was originally thinking of a watch, but I'll bet he has lots of those. Think he has use for a toolbelt? What if I wax his car? Hmmm... I don't even know where he lives. Well, let me make this simple for him then: Father Time, I have to work today, but if you want to, I'll let you into our movies for free today. There you go Father Time - your Father's Day gift of appreciation from me.

I don't recall if it's a parade or a good fight that I love, but I figure I should find out soon, as since this is Flag Day, so there's probably at least one of them going on today. I want to get it right too, because I don't want to turn up a fight and find out it's parades that I love. That would be such a waste.

In other news, today would have been my paternal grandmother's 93rd birthday had she not passed away 17 years ago. Just thought I should mention it since I don't think I ever have before.

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!

I'm done! I'm done! I'm d-o-n-e done! Yee-haw!!!

Yes, I just dropped my last assignment in the mailbox for my independent study course. Once the prof has read and graded it I will officially be done and graduated. It's about time.

I also got a little bit of a reprieve on the job search this afternoon. Kyle called me up this afternoon to find out if I had a job yet. When I told him I didn't, he offered me a month's employment in the film society office. This being summer, it's time for everyone to go on vacation. Apparently Adam is leaving now and coming back on the 27th. Kyle and Al both leave on the 27th. And so, to make sure that we have 2 people in the office at all times, they're bringing me back for a month. This should thankfully buy me a month now in my hunt for a job. I start back there again on Monday.

Is anyone else having problems viewing my website? I'm having a whole slew of problems, but I'm trying to determine if the problem is my computer or the host. If you're having trouble viewing my page, please drop me an email and let me know what you are seeing. Thanks!

Woohoo!!! Girls Against Boys are playing the Entry on September 7th!!!

Friday Round-Up

I have a lot of little things to comment on today, so I thought I'd just spout them randomly....

Still don't have a job yet. I haven't applied anywhere other than the library yet. I figure I'll get into more of a serious look once I get the last of my schoolwork turned in for graduation.

Speaking of schoolwork, I finished my senior paper and I mailed in another assignment. I'm turning in the paper on Monday to both professors, leaving just the three assignments to mail in by next Saturday. I watched one of the films today - The Silence - and it was extremely, excrutiatingly boring. Zzzzzzz.... It's one redeeming quality? Midgets.

I see from the commercials on tv that Max von Sydow is in Spielberg's new film Minority Report. I guess that means I'm going to have to go see it.

Having seen the commercials on tv, the trailer in theaters, and a clip on Conan, I still say that this Chris Rock-Anthony Hopkins film looks terrible. The worst part about it is Rock himself. He's a hilarious guy, but he just seems annoying and whiney as hell.

So gun-toting hicks think everyone needs to own firearms to keep the government from being too oppresive, right? Then why are they the same bumblefucks who want to give Ashcroft, Bush, and all those other jackasses so much power to "fight terrorism?" Fight terrorism my ass.

I went grocery shopping yesterday for the first time since March. I just finally decided to get more food than what SA could offer me.

Cable tv is addictive. I think I'm hooked. I either need to get rid of cable or get myself a job.

How 'bout 'dem Twins? Oh yeah.

Speaking of the Twins, I want a Doug Mientkiewicz bobblehead! I have to work on Sunday, but I want one anyway! Maybe I'll go to the game, get the bobblehead, and then leave early.

Making Kool-Aid last night, I somehow managed to splatter all over - including on my computer! Damnit!

Turner Classic Movies kicks ass. I have my vcr recording almost 8 hours straight off TCM tonight. Right now My Voyage to Italy is on, and after that are The Bicycle Thief and Umberto D. I'm busy watching the Twins game while those are recording.

I'm not wearing any pants right now. That's the kind of thing you can do when you live alone.

Boy, we've been getting a lot of thunderstorms the last few days. It wouldn't bother me since I haven't been going out, except that it gets really humid before and after the storms.

Want to win a shitload of steaks? Since the Minnesota legislature passed a law making it illegal for George Corporaal to give away steaks with auto glass installations, he has a lot of them to offload. His commercials having him advertising that he's giving them away in a raffle. So, if you like steak, go check out George Corporaal right now.

I think I'll leave you with all that for now. Don't forget to vote for the MLB All Star game.

Aaaaahhhhhhhh!!! What the hell is wrong with my computer?! It's refusing to show most images and won't recognize external css files! Even crazier yet, it's actually working for some! What the hell is going on?!

23-2!

Damn, I wish I could have gone to the Twins game last night! I had sort of wanted to anyway, but I had to work until 8. It took me a little bit after coming home to remember the game was on, so it was 5-1 by the time I tuned in, but after that I was treated to 18 runs. 18! Holy shit! It was one of those games that if you went to it with some friends, by the end you'd be drunk off your ass and your hands would be sore from the all high-fives. Their 25 hits were a team record. So was the 21-run margin of victory. The 23 runs was 1 short of tying a team record. The 10-run 7th inning was the most in a single inning since 1996. Jonathan called me up during the 7th to see if I was watching. He said it just seemed like a moment that needed to be shared with someone. Thing is, I had been thinking the same thing. It's even better yet that it was against Cleveland. The only other team such an impressive victory would have been more satisfying against is the Yankees. Wow, I wish I'd have been there....

I forgot to mention the other day that I checked my spring semester grades the other day, and was quite surprised to find this:

Yes, in case you were wondering, that is the one and only "A" I earned my entire 4 years of college. I got a couple A-minuses, but as for A's, that's it. I'm celebrating by getting laid off from my job and sitting around all day answering the phone and telling off telemarketers. I rule.

So I just got an email from my mom. She says my dad had a tumor removed on Friday, and they should hopefully know today whether it was cancerous or not. As my pals at Morton would say: when it rains it pours.

Hey Tony-

If you should by chance read this, empty out your inbox! I can't email you because you've exceeded your storage capacity again.

I wonder if there are any schools that offer degrees in procrastination, because if there, I'd certainly make a great Ph.D candidate.

So I'm out driving around yesterday after work looking for a place with cheap, shitty food (as I have no food in my apartment), and the first thing that comes to mind is McDonald's. Yeah, I know... but I did say I was looking for cheap and shitty. Anyway, so I drive past the Dinkytown McDonald's and discover that the lights are off and the place looks deserted. Then I saw the sign on the marquee that said that they're closed for renovations and won't reopen until August. Wow, so that was unexpected. Okay, so the next closest one (with free parking) would be the one at University and Pillsbury near the Amtrak station. I drove over there and saw that one was dark and deserted also. That marquee simply said: Next McDonald's 1.5 Miles. That would, of course, be the Midway restaurant. Well, I gave up on McDonald's then. So the moral of the story is... what the fuck is up with McDonald's?

Well, the new site is up. It's not totally done, so there will be a few more minor changes as we go along and a few pages which still need a lot of work, but I'll end up getting to all of them eventually.

8-0!

There was never a doubt in my mind that Germany would beat Saudi Arabia, but I never could have imagined they would do it with such a dominance. Wow. I'm glad they kept scoring too, because I hate it when teams that are obviously far superior just give up and play with the ball for the final 45 minutes. If anything, the German team made a statement today that they're sick of all the talk about France and Brazil and Argentina and Italy and that they deserve some respect as well. We'll have to see now what takes place in the Ireland match to see how badly they want it.

Believe it or not, I actually have 2 complaints - one about the Germany-Saudi Arabia match and one about ESPN. In the match, I have to say that I disagree with both the referee and the commentators: a foul is a foul. As a former referee, I never cared whether a team was up 1-0 or 10-0, if the losing team commits fouls in the box, it should be a PK - period. While the Saudis never looked to get frustrated and take out anger by fouling, there are plenty of teams that do start making angry fouls in the box once they're down, and a foul is a foul. The other complaint is about ESPN. Why the fuck were they showing all those highlights of the Ireland-Cameroon match?! They should hold off showing highlights until after the game has aired later this afternoon. If I want the score and highlights earlier, there are plenty of places I could find them, so why ruin it for me before I've gotten to see the match? Fucking ESPN anyway. That's enough complaints for me.