November 28, 2005
OKStupid! Politics Test
I stole this from Teeeeeeeeeeem's site:
| You are a Social Liberal (75% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (38% permissive) You are best described as a:
Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid |
What you don't see up there is the "Famous People" graphic you can view after taking the test. On that graphic, I am squarely between Robert Redford and Bono.
I do wonder what your answers would have to be to score as either a FASCIST or an ANARCHIST.
Bored Now
The reason I haven't been updating that much is because my life is so fantastically boring these days. Every weekday is pretty much the same:
5:15 a.m. - Arise
5:30 a.m. - Arrive at gym
6:20 a.m. - Leave gym
6:30-7:50 a.m. - Shower, eat breakfast, get ready for work
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Work (with an hour off for lunch; sometimes I go home, sometimes I go to the gym for weight training)
6:45 p.m. - Arrive home after finishing whatever errand I needed to run after work (there always seems to be something); feed cats and take a shower
7 p.m. - Make/eat dinner; read my regular websites
8:30 p.m. - Make sure gym bag is packed for the morning, various other household stuff
9 p.m. - Go to bed
Yes, that's right - I go to bed at 9 p.m. now.
*loser*
On the weekends, replace "work" with "doing all those things I didn't have time to do during the week," like go grocery shopping, watch stuff on the TiVo, clean my apartment, do laundry, catch up with friends/family, etc. Every Saturday morning I drive down to Clearwater at 9 a.m. to see my nephew's flag football game.
I need more time, dammit. OR, I need a houseboy to come stay with me and cook and clean and make the apartment all pretty and shiny and stuff.
I really do need to get married!
November 27, 2005
Cats Doing Laundry
I folded a load of clean clothes this morning and then put the clothesbasket on the floor, since I had a second load of laundry to do tonight. I figured that laying a towel over one end of the basket would be enough to keep the cats out of it, but ... I was wrong.
Dawsey is on the left, Caygeon on the right. I took the shot with no flash because that's the only way to get a decent shot of Dawsey with his eyes open. The photo was pretty much completely dark right out of the camera, so I used Photoshop CS2 to bring up the exposure and brightness/contrast.
November 26, 2005
Merry Christmas To Me
I hauled my ass out of bed at 5:15 a.m. yesterday so I could get to Staples by 6 and buy the following:
Isn't it pretty? It's an HP Photosmart 2610 printer/copier/scanner/fax machine. IT DOES EVERYTHING. Except, apparently, make me dinner.
So I was all geeked to set it up last night, and even though the box does say that it "does not include cable" I wasn't too worried - I already had an HP Deskjet printer, and it has a cable! I'm all set.
Except ... no. This printer connects to the computer through either a USB or Ethernet port. The box included an Ethernet cable, which is all well and good except for the fact that I don't HAVE an Ethernet connection/hub/whatever. I will be connecting through one of my 850 USB ports.
Which means I have to go out this morning and buy a USB cable. Bleh.
I also picked up three packs of 4" x 6" Canon photo paper, so I will be giving the gift of my photos to various people this holiday season. BE FOREWARNED.
November 22, 2005
Climb Ev'ry Mountain
A tram car ascending Sandia Peak outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Click the thumbnail image for a larger photo.
November 21, 2005
Ten Words
Rappy: I'm stuck in the 10 words to describe yourself bit
Rappy: I've written:
Rappy: laughter
Rappy: books
Rappy: camera
Me: cats
Me: wry
Rappy: "haaretz" (meaning both "the country" and the name of a newspaper)
Rappy: cats!
Rappy: I suppose I could put both their names
Me: is that two more words?
Rappy: I need 3 more
Rappy: or is that cheating?
Rappy: should I put Canada
Me: hmm
Me: does Canada define you?
Rappy: sort of.
Rappy: the language does
Rappy: I've gone back to cats
Me: food
Me: or cooking
Me: "crafty bitch"
Rappy: heh
Rappy: no
Me: no smoking you bastards!
Me: or
Me: be a good lover, ok?
Rappy: one word
Me: oh all right
Rappy: fuckwell
Rappy: hahaha
Me: HAHAHAHAHAHA
Rappy: ok. 3 more
Me: haaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha
Rappy: heh
Me: LOLOL
Rappy: hahaha
Rappy: ROTFL!
Me: here's the thing
Me: there's a brand of cookies over here
Me: called SNACKWELLS
Rappy: oh, I know the snacks. Well.
Me: "Mmm, Fuckwells! You shouldn't have!"
Rappy: hahahahaha
Me: hahahahahahahaha
Rappy: *snort*
Rappy: three!
Rappy: more!
Rappy: words!
Me: ok, focusing
Rappy: ok
Me: loyal?
Me: determined
Me: destined
Rappy: uh, why am I making a dating profile? I just want to see the boys!
Rappy: hmm, not that determined.
Me: saucy
Rappy: i'm so not saucy
Me: blanched
Me: let's do food terms
Rappy: lipgloss!
Rappy: heh
Me: braised
Me: hahahahaha
Me: coq au vin
Rappy: yes. "you had me at braised."
Me: HAHAHAHAHAHA
Me: *megasnort*
Rappy: heh
Me: if you're not serious about this, fake it and let's get to the boys
Me: I want to see some hot Jewish boys!
Me: and your brother doesn't count
November 18, 2005
Patch Adams
Look at this! I got a letter from the middle of the Pacific!
The bestest little Nicaraguan freedom fighter sent me a lovely item that I will cherish forever and ever and ever:
I'm going to sleep with it under my pillow tonight.
Nothing's Gonna Change My World
 | Beatles "Across the Universe" Listen | Buy |
NOTES: My love for the Beatles tends towards their earlier, pre-hashish years, although for the most part it's all good. I'm just saying that I'd take "Ticket To Ride" over "I Am the Walrus" pretty much any day. I heard Fiona Apple's cover of this song, which only made me yearn to hear the original. Full disclosure - when I was a kid, I thought John was singing "Jackaroo Day, uh" instead of "Jai guru de va." And I thought that was SO COOL.
Words are flowing out
Like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy
Are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Images of broken light
Which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on
Across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind
Inside a letter box they
Tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter, shades of earth
Are ringing through my open ears
Inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love
Which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
November 17, 2005
Could My Eyelids Cover What I Did?
 | Buffalo Tom "Sodajerk" Listen | Buy |
NOTES: I can't say that I was ever a big Buffalo Tom - I only have one of their CDs, Big Red Letter Day - but I have always loved this song. For a long time I never knew what the lyrics were, so it was the music that really appealed to me. It's all jangly guitars. I remember being shocked (and a little disappointed) when I was watching T.V. one day and the intro to this song started playing behind a Nike commercial. Heh, apparently it was also used in a Pontiac commercial. SELLOUTS! *smirk* Although I guess they win their cool points back by having appeared in an episode of My So Called Life. So good for them.
Watch an eyeball
Take a free fall
At the mention of the name
In its socket
Like a rocket
Rises just the same
Could my eyelids
Cover what I did?
Shuttin' of the door
Could these ceilings
Contain my feelings?
Me down on the floor
Jerk my fountain
Ice cream mountains
I suppose I'm just too late
Form a line here
Think I'll die here
These people nauseate me
But if my patience
Were a spaceship
High up in orbit
I would rise here
Hypnotized here
Risen from where I sit
A solid angle
My legs do dangle
Off the counter's edge
Soft words spoken
Promises broken
I close my eyes instead
But could my eyelids
Cover what I did?
The shuttin' of the door
Could these ceilings
Contain my feelings?
Me down on the floor
Me down on the floor
Me down on the floor
Me down on the floor
November 16, 2005
Gimme an O!
Sometimes I just love the cosmic righteousness of the world. As in ...
The first reaction I had to that headline was, "That probably wasn't much of a battle, depending on who the otters are going up against." And I was right because they were going up against MAN. Or rather, man's folly in believing that he can shape the world to his liking.
When Sanders, a biologist, finally captured the critter at Southern California's Anacapa Island, he shipped Phoky north to Monterey under an ambitious federal program to preserve otters while protecting shellfish divers from natural competition.
But within six months, Phoky was back in forbidden waters. He was one of dozens of otters that surprised government biologists at almost every turn. Now, it seems, officials are throwing in the towel.
In an admission that the slick-furred creatures refuse to respect boundaries imposed by man, authorities want to officially abandon their otter-relocation policy.
If the government's battle of wits is at an end, the otters have won.
Goooooooooooooooooo OTTERS! *shakes pom-pons*
Seriously, look at this face:
Would you try and remove that cute widdle creature from its natural habitat and force it to live in a cold scary place that it doesn't know? NO! And no one puts Baby in a corner!
"We flew 'em out there," Sanders said, "although we didn't blindfold them."
The otters didn't play along. Some swam up to 200 miles to return to native habitat along the Central Coast.
Just like how sea turtles return to the beaches where they hatched to lay their own eggs. Just like how the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano every year on March 19th (also known as my birthday).
There's a lesson to be learned here: don't f*ck with the otters, man.
"It comes down to a philosophy of, what do you believe in? Do you believe in animals or do you believe in human beings?" said Robert S. Juntz Jr., president of the Sea Urchin Processors Association and owner of a processing plant in Mendocino County that employs about 45 people.
And that lesson goes double for you, Mr. Robert S. Juntz Jr.! Last I checked, human beings don't NEED to eat urchins, and in fact, urchins are not a staple of a human being's diet. Unlike, oh, OTTERS. So I guess I believe in animals.
I believe in the sweet spot, soft core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. Goodnight.
We Have Never Been Satisfied
 | Ash "Burn Baby Burn" Listen | Buy |
NOTES: So I was at the gym this morning (third day in a row - what is wrong with me?) and in the middle of my ellipticalling I felt like GIVING UP. Because I had set the incline on 8 and my quadriceps were about to stage a revolt. But I was able to press on. Why? Because Aaaaaaaaash started playing on my mp3 player. How could I possibly stop when a song called "Burn Baby Burn" was playing?
You're all I have in this teenage twilight
Your golden hair and pale blue eyes
But through all the days and the sleepless nights
We have never been satisfied
Tumbling like the leaves
Yeah we are spiralling on the breeze
Almost to the point of no return
Everything will burn baby burn
Look into my tired eyes
See someone you don't recognize
Binds that can't be untied
Oh this is slow suicide
Feelings that I can't disguise
And later we’ll be reconciled
Oh but something inside has died
You walk like you're in a daze
Unresponsive eyes in a distant gaze
Like all the good times have flown away
And the memory leaves a bitter taste
Tumbling like the leaves
Yeah we are spiralling on the breeze
Destructive love is all we have
Destructive love is all I am
Look into my tired eyes
See someone you don't recognize
Binds that can't be untied
Oh this is slow suicide
Feelings that I can't disguise
And never will be reconciled
Oh something inside has died
Vicious, bitter words
Becoming more and more cruel
But you always take me back
And let me lick your wounds
Tumbling like the leaves
Yeah we are spiralling on the breeze
Almost to the point of no return
Everything will burn baby burn
Look into my tired eyes
See someone you don't recognise
Binds that can't be untied
Oh this is slow suicide
Feelings that I can't disguise
We're living in a compromise
Oh but something inside has died
November 14, 2005
Keeps Spiders In Her Pocket
 | Sugarcubes "Birthday" Listen | Buy |
NOTES: Let me first say that I'm not really a Sugarcubes fan, and I think Bjork is kind of freaky. However, I've always liked this song, even if I have no idea whatsoever what it's about. This is one of those songs where I try to ignore the lyrics and just enjoy the music (especially the opening guitar line).
She lives in this house over there
Has her world outside it
Scrapples in the earth with her fingers and her mouth
She's five years old
Threads worms on a string
Keeps spiders in her pocket
Collects fly-wings in a jar
Scrubs horse-flies and pinches them on a line
She has one friend, he lives next door
They're listening to the weather
He knows how many freckles she's got
She scratches his beard
She's painting huge spoons
And glues them together
They saw a big raven
It glided down the sky, she touched it
Today is her birthday
They're smoking cigars
He's got a chain of flowers
And sews a bird in her knickers
They're smoking cigars
They lie in the bathtub
A chain of flowers
November 13, 2005
There's An Army On the Dance Floor
 | Psychedelic Furs "Love My Way" Listen | Buy |
NOTES: I was wanting to listen to a little Psych Furs tonight, but when it came time to decide which track to put up on the site I had a hard time deciding. So many good - yet tragically underrated - songs. I was going to go with the song almost everyone knows, "Pretty In Pink" but then stepped off that idea because, well, everyone already knows it. And a lot of people are going to know this song as well, but I chose it because it conveys a very specific mood for me. "Love My Way" is a song that my friends and I used to request whenever we'd go out clubbing. You could say it was the theme song for a pack of willfully misunderstood adolescents.
There's an army on the dance floor
It's a fashion with a gun, my love
In a room without a door
A kiss is not enough, in ...
Love my way
It's a new road
I follow
Where my mind goes
They'd put us on a railroad
They'd dearly make us pay
For laughing in their faces
And making it our way
There's emptiness behind their eyes
There's dust in all their hearts
They just want to steal us all
And take us all apart
But not in ...
Love my way
It's a new road
I follow
Where my mind goes
So swallow all your tears my love
And put on your new face
You can never win or lose
If you don't run the race
November 11, 2005
One Kick's As Good As Another
 | Franz Ferdinand "This Boy" Listen | Buy |
NOTES: This song is 2:21 of rollicking good fun. The single "Do You Want To?" is more popular, but this is the song I take with me to the gym. This is also the only song I can recall that makes reference to "Echinacea." That takes talent.
It seems this boy's bathed in ridicule
Too forward, way too physical
It's time that I had another
I'm always wanting more if there's another one
Give me some more, I'll have another one
I'll have a slice of your mother
And this boy's so spectacular
Not a boy, but a wealthy bachelor
I want a car
I want a car
I see losers losing everywhere
If I lose it'll only be the damn I give for another
I am complete, invincible
If I have one principle
Then it's to stand on you, brother
This boy is so spectacular
Not a boy, but a wealthy bachelor
I want a car
I want a car
If I like cocaine I'm racing you
For organic fresh Echinacea
One kick's as good as another
If I'm tired, I'm tired of telling you
I'm never tired, I'm always better than you
Bye boy, run to your mother
This boy is so spectacular
Not a boy, but a wealthy bachelor
I want a car
I want a car
November 04, 2005
Calf the Battle
Guess what? I got an email from my Aunt Jeanne, who I now know reads this site!
*waves to Aunt Jeanne*
Jeanne, if you're reading this, I'll write you back over the weekend.
Mini-updates:
1. Work is very, very hectic and a bit chaotic right now. I'll be going into the office for a few hours every Saturday for the next few weeks, to test content that's being converted. Long, boring story for you non-tech types. We have a Nov. 14 deadline for quite a few clients and we're working hard to meet it.
2. I stayed off my right calf exercise-wise from Tuesday to Thursday, but went back to the Y this morning (at 5:15 a.m.)(guh) and worked out on the elliptical again. And, well, my right calf is back up to DEFCON 4 level of pain. I'm icing it every hour so hopefully that will help. I think I'm going to have to lay off the elliptical machine until my calf muscle is completely healed, though. It felt about 90% better this morning, but it's much worse now. I guess I'll have to make due with the recumbent bike.
3. While at the Y I managed to lose the foam covering on one of my earbud things. If anyone knows where I can buy replacements, please comment and tell me where.
4. I'm meeting my dad for lunch at Jason's Deli today, where I plan on STUFFING MY FACE full of raw vegetable-y goodness. Mainly so I can have a Warm Delights Molten Caramel Cake tonight while catching up with stuff I have on the TiVo.
Roadtrip '05 - Day Four - Petrified Forest/Canyon De Chelly
It's really comical how long this is taking me to finish.
Photos for now; writeup to follow.
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| Mouseover the photo for a description; click for full version |
November 03, 2005
Photo Requests
I am stealing this from Rappy, who in turn stole it from someone else:
What three things about my life would you like me to photograph?
(And don't be crass.)