part vampire?

Am I invisible? Honestly folks...you'd tell me wouldn't you?
Not that I think I'm always invisible, or even ever completely invisible. It's more like I'm slightly opaque...kinda like frosted glass.
Only I'm not supposed to be, right? That isn't normal.
And you would tell me wouldn't you?
I mean, say we're having a conversation over dinner and you look up at me over that forkfull of delicious pasta you're eating only to find that my entire left arm has disappeared.
You'd say something right?

I ask because I've been having trouble lately remaining substantial enough to be seen.
I mean...I never can catch myself...well...lacking...but I've begun to think that I'll casually look up into the mirror and just not be there...like someone out of a vampire movie.
Weird huh?

Take today for instance...
I'm in the bathroom stall doing my thing.
I know, but bare with me. (couldn't resist)
Really now, we have automatic flushers on the toilets triggered by a motion sensor that sees when you are in the stall and flushes when you leave.
When you leave...this is key.
Just now, it flushed once every 5 or 6 seconds...as if it just couldn't make up it's mind. Is someone standing there peeing? Maybe not. Yes, no, yes, no. The hell? I haven't moved...I'm not rocking back and forth...not bopping to a song, I don't suffer from parkinsons...at least not yet...knock on THAT wood will ya?
So what the hell?
And this isn't the first time dear readers...no. I've had strange run ins with mechanical molesters in the past. There was a door at the old job rigged to recognize when someone walked nearby and unlock so you could push it and leave. The number of times I hit that door like a brick wall and had to back off and wave at the sensor so that it'd see me...I can't even say.
In fact, one time, I stood and waved and nothing...just ignored me. Imagine looking up from your desk to see the funny guy with the pointy hair walking backwards and forwards in front of a door as if he's practicing for the moment he actually wants to leave.
The hell?
Then there are the motion sensors that go off on their own...the office light switch that kicks on before I'm even in the room, or at a spot where it can even register my movement.
How, in the name of all that is holy, does it know I'm going to enter the room before I'm actually in there? How?
Crazy bastard machines making me crazy.

Or maybe I'm just part vampire. Not full vampire mind you...just part, like my mom and dad had some twisted threesome with Count Dracula. Man...that's an image I won't get rid of for a few weeks.
Eew.

Really though...what's the deal? Any of you have this happen?


-type o negative

Rango

Rango

Director – Gore Verbinski
Writer – John Logan

Starring – Johnny Depp and Isla Fisher
An animated comedy poking fun at the Spaghetti Westerns of old, this movie packs a ton of references into a funny little package.

We start with a thespian lizard playing Shakespeare to an audience of none, but his fortunes change and a bit of quick thinking lands him a role as Sheriff of the town of Dirt.
That’s right, Dirt.
Dirt is in the middle of the desert, and as such, water is power.
Power isn’t really what our hero is good at…he’s much better at being self deprecating and afraid…but he does this with excellent comedic timing. Heh.
The real push for me as an adult though…was all of the other references that have been thrown in. Don Quixote, Planet of the Apes, Fear and Loathing, Pirates of the Caribbean…there’s even a cameo by a certain western star, though it’d have been far better if he’d actually done the voice.

On top of the quotes and references…the movie is beautifully animated and hilarious in its own right. Playing the fourth wall is well done here, it doesn't take itself too seriously. I don’t think you’d have been disappointed in spending the price for a ticket…so now that I’ve posted this months late…don’t feel bad about a rental. It is definitely worth the time.

Came in at number 5 for now…though I think it’s kind of a tie with Battle: Los Angeles…really just depends on what you want to see, explosions and aliens or comedic lizard western?


-enjoys a hearty puttanesca

4 glasses of wine

And I'm a bit drunk.
I'd say tipsy...but I'm past that stage. Tnough I seem to be typing somewhat decently, so go figure.
Anyway, yes...4 glasses of some sort of Top Chef Pinot Noir, it was delicious by the way, and I'm seeing more than one stove in the kitchen.
There's onlly supposed to be one.
Exactly.

Man I'm hitting the delete key alot. You dont' even know.
Hahaha.

Anyway...so I'm in Austin Texas visiting Monkey and her lovely family. I drove up here this afternoon, had a lovely dinner cooked by Monkey and too many glasses of whine to accompany said dinner. Yes, wine...it was delish...did I mention that? perhaps I did...I don't know.
Byt here's the thing...family...especially for little kids...
Do they need it? Grandparents and cousins and whatnot...how important are they? Because I firmly believe that it takes a village to raise a child, but I don't know that the village needs be all family and blood relations. In fact, I'd venture to say that those folks hand picked by the parents as good enough to set positive examples for the little ones are far better than blood relations.
Perhaps I'm biased, as Little A (Hotflashin's daughter) is a prime example, and I'm known as Uncle in that family...but honestly...blood relations you have no cchoice with, you take the good with the bad...everyone else...
Everyone else just has to be a badass or else you dump them and refuse to let them around your kid.
But that's just me.

Part of why I want littlesub here is that H has neither family nor an extensive network of friends...it's pretty much just the two of them. I want him to know that there are plenty of people out there that he can depend on, rely on, look up to...

Meh.
I'm drunk and headed to bed.
Hope you've allhad a fabulous Tuesday night...I know I did. :) hehehe


-lightweight

long weekends

Yesterday was my first day back from a five day weekend.
Five days...no joke.
Then I had what they call a short turn, and it's a double today and tomorrow.
Forty hours in just 3 days. It's a bit insane I know...but by doing the doubles I've managed to whittle myself down to a meager 12 days of work this month. My next weekend is six days long. I don't have a clue what to do with myself.

No, that's not entirely true.
I'll be hanging out with the niece again at the neighborhood pool. Once again the climbing and dunking toy of little kids everywhere. Ha...that was Tuesday...and we had a ton of fun. But yes, a repeat is in my future.
Also, I moved my current homebrew (a Scottish Ale) into the secondary. I'm guessing that I had a stuck fermentation because it started bubbling away again not six hours after being transferred.
Anyway, so this next batch of days will contain soap making as well as sausage making, and possibly...hopefully...a trip to Austin. I am very much looking forward to it.

When I think about the next year and what it has in store, I freak out a little.
All of these projects make me happy, my goal is to by property and do those projects full time...but sometimes the prospect is a little overwhelming. Right now I need to confirm status of littlesub and his visit here this summer. Then I'll be looking into what kind of property is available.
Baby steps.


-freakin' out man

on work and joy

Yesterday as I walked out of the building I passed a coworker on their way in to the office.
She was smiling.
This may seem like no big deal...a happy person...calm down Sub, it's okay if she's happy.
But what struck me is that she isn't the first, that this seems to be a theme. Certainly for those of us who moved over from the other joint, the current gig is so much easier and less stress.
We didn't used to be happy. One of my main focuses as a supervisor previously was to manage expectations and attitudes...to keep people as happy as I could in a stressful crazy overwhelming environment. It was so easy to lose that fight, to watch a scheduler sit with tears in their eyes angrily working as those drops rolled down red cheeks. To listen as expletives suddenly poored forth regarding a change in situation or the unprofessional manner of coworker.
Expletives were just part of life at that place.

Here...here it is quiet, professional, easy...and we get paid more to boot.

It's normal to pass people who are smiling...actually smiling on their way into work. I guess it's kind of like me with my past relationships. I mean, once you've had the worst, everything else is so simple.

Everyone should be happy on their way to work. At the very least, they should not have a frown...or be hanging their heads like a beaten dog on their way in the doors.
That's part of the reason that I'm pursuing the farm thing so fervently. Why it is such a huge part of my thoughts now. You see...I really can't imagine how happy and content I'll be when I finally wake up one morning and all I have to do for the day is take care of my animals, my garden, and do something creative with food or one of my mad scientist experiments. I might actually be too happy the day that happens.
I'll let you know how it goes.

In the meantime...free advice to my friends...
Work shouldn't beat you down and make you miserable. Granted...it may not bring you joy on a daily basis (though this should be the goal) but if you wake up dreading it...find something new. Life is too damned short to be unhappy and miserable 5 days a week.
Now...I have some research to do for that farm...and you should be hunting down your dreams too. Get on it!


-dream hunter

must be 18 to enter

It was a very full weekend, very full indeed.
3 days off and a holiday to boot. Excellent!

Friday I worked a night shift.
Saturday, I saw Hangover Part 2. If you liked the first one, see the second one. Yes it is an almost identical plot in the most basic sense, but it’s still hilarious. I’m way behind on the reviews…you’ll be seeing a lot of them over the next two weeks.

Anyway, the real highlight of the film wasn’t the movie, it was the fact that I managed to refrain from choking the hell out of the woman next to me.
Out of control, I know…but allow me to set the scene.

Saturday afternoon on Memorial Day weekend for a relatively popular release…I manage to walk into the theatre right as the previews start...it’s obviously packed. As a result, my seat choice was limited so I picked something on the first row up the stairs. Not as far back as I would have liked, but not front row either. With it as full as it is I moved all the way in and left two seats open on the end of the row. Two or three previews in a woman came and sat down right next to me.
Not rude or a problem right? Nothing really wrong here…why are you so angry Sub? This is what you are asking yes?
You see, her daughter was sitting on the other side of her.
Still confused yes? Not sure why I’d be so angry about a mother and daughter sitting down next to me at an R rated movie. I get it. I do…so I’ll add the final bit of information that should explain everything.
Her daughter was maybe six or seven years old.

Exactly.

I was livid. I really was. It was all I could do not to cuss her sorry ass out of the theatre. Who the hell brings a seven year old to a rated R movie that we all know will be chock full of nudity and foul language.
Perhaps she didn’t realize? Sure…lets give her the benefit of the doubt. Except that, should she have been confused, you’d expect that this poor mother would have been shocked, and immediately left the theatre the first time there was excessive cussing or a naked cock was shown on the screen.
You know…the responsible thing.
Instead, this woman was just laughing and laughing. Yay for horribly scarring your daughter you crazy bitch.

Still mad. Yes, I am.

It isn’t as if Kung Fu Panda 2 didn’t come out the same weekend. There were other far more appropriate options.
Galldarnrickafracka!
Anyway, I kept my mouth shut and didn’t cause a scene. Mostly because I don’t know her and it’s not my business if she wants to be a terrible parent. Had she been family or a friend I’d have torn them a new one.
So yes…excitement of the wrong sort but excitement nonetheless.

Saturday night we got the band back together, and Sunday afternoon was spent at a family lunch with my Uncle and cousins.

Sunday night I hit TQLA in the Washington Corridor area downtown. D-frickin-licious. I had a crawfish spinach enchilada with mushroom sauce and goat cheese. Go eat there. It was awesome. My date loved her meal too. Good times.
Speaking of dates. We had a lot of fun. The conversation was excellent and I’m really comfortable with her. I don’t think we’ll be anything more than make out partners…but I’ve said for a long time that people don’t make out enough…so we can do our small part to fix that. Heh

Then yesterday was dinner with the family. Dad made ribs and brought potato salad, while I provided eggplant, asparagus, and a roasted potato and carrot dish. I have a picture of it, I’ll try and throw that in here tomorrow. Everything was fantastic.
Dad and I finished the evening with rootbeer/whiskey floats.
Wheeeee!

That is all. I think you have enough to read for today. Go try a rootbeer/whiskey float. Just a little less than a shot of whiskey is enough to provide a pleasant kick without overpowering the rootbeer or ice cream.
Do it.


-fun for all ages

searching for joy

Work is quiet and I’m trying to develop the writing habit again. Let’s see how this goes. The first few hours of the day are an excellent opportunity, as I’m not supposed to be on the net during the workaday 9 to 5 hours…but after is apparently acceptable? Well…assuming that it is quiet and all of upper management is gone for the day.
Anyway, so when it is quiet during the first few hours I’m left twiddling my thumbs…or writing an email, which is what this looks like at the moment.

I’ve decided that I can’t worry or focus on the relationship stuff. Certainly it will be in my mind, and I’ll be dating still…when I can…but it seems that’s most of what I’ve been focusing on lately and that is getting me nowhere.
So, no more stressing, and no more drama. Okay, I’m sure there will be some drama, but we are keeping it to a minimum.

Instead, I’m going to focus on my future, on making decisions and doing what I need to do to be happy.

I want a farm.

No that’s not a joke or a typo. I’m going to be a farmer.
Ever since I moved back to Texas I’ve been drawn to handmade projects. More than anything those involving food. I want to be independent and capable of taking care of myself. Knowing where my food comes from is very important to me. When I make bread, butter, jam…whatever…there is a joy there that is undeniable. It’s silly…I’m well aware, but that joy is what I want every day. Certainly, there will be rough days and hardships. Sometimes everything will go wrong, and I’m okay with that. Because I want all of the good that comes with this decision too.
You can’t possibly understand how happy it made me when Converse called last year asking for advice on how to make jam. Or when Monkey calls asking about a certain dish, because I’m her other amateur chef and she’s hoping I can provide insight.
Maybe if you had seen the smile on my face as I stood in a bedroom doorway watching a young woman dance absentmindedly as she cooked an alfredo sauce for herself…something I taught her…

That same happiness hits me every time I crack open a bottle of cider or beer. It was the same as a group of friends stood around tasting the cheese I made. I can’t wait to delve into the world of charcuterie…of home smoked bacon and cure pancetta…lardo….
Oh man…lardo…

Because here’s the thing…I’m getting excited just writing about this. I’m not going to get rich or famous…but I’m pretty certain that I’ll be over the moon with joy every day. Because this is what makes me happy…so it’s what I need to do.

So yes…a farm.
Some day soon.


-joy in every bite

not so alone afterall

Again...I've been inspired to write.

There was some confusion in my last post, SweetD isn't all that crazy...but I wasn't very clear. That ramble included a number of different women. One of them is all sorts of crazy and shares SweetD's thought that I'm the one who got away. Those of you who've been around a while know exactly who I'm referring to.

Now, the comment that led to this also included a lovely compliment that I very much appreciate.
Here's the thing...I feel pretty damned confident most of the time. I'm in this weird spot where it seems like I can do just about anything I want to, and get just about any woman I set my sights on.
Well, within reason mind you.
But yes, I have moments where I feel like a complete badass...perhaps I'm getting a bit too cocky?
Nevermind.
The point is...even while I feel that, there's this nagging doubt that I've fucked it up and I'm going to end up alone. Now...I know that isn't true...that I'll always have family and I am lucky enough to have some very true friends. But unless Lungclam has decided he'd be willing to get naked for me occasionally and spoon maybe once a week or so...I'm not going to have anyone to share my bed with.
Hahaha...that's so dirty.
But yes...alone...not quite alone really...but no one to share my bed with, and I'm a cuddler, I kinda require a sexy warm body in my bed.

Having said that...Anonymous..."Relish the opportunity to experience something new."
That's beautiful. I'll keep it in mind as I move forward. I'll also try and make more opportunities.
For example, I didn't talk about it, but I was a total nerd last weekend. I shot that rocket with the homemade motor mount Saturday morning.
Worked like a charm.
A serious charm.
In fact, it was so good that on the second launch it drifted beyond the edge of the sizable field we were using and got stuck in a very tall pine tree.
The sister felt terrible because she was the one that packed the rocket and set it all up for the second launch. I promised it wasn't her fault and not to worry. I took up rocketry because it costs like $10 to replace the damned thing. No biggie.
Plus...the homemade motor mount was a success. The point of the whole outing was to watch a rocket shoot up high into the sky. That we did. Twice.Woot!

Then on Sunday I made beer. It's called 90 Shilling, and is a semi dark scottish ale that is currently aging in my closet.

So, wrapping up...I'm a confident, almost cocky, nerd who is doing his best to get out and have new adventures. Thank you for the comments, I'll keep the posts coming.


-cocky

so much to say

Its been a long week.
Work is going well, the difference at this place is so...umm...different? Ha.
No really though, it's a world away from what I was dealing with.

Funny how the employees that I speak with on a regular basis are all very professional and polite instead of rude and angry. You wouldn't think that two groups of people in the same profession could handle themselves so differently.
No, maybe you can, but I didn't. I hadn't a clue. That's probably why it strikes me like it does. It honestly blows me away how much different these folks are. Really goes to show how much impact can be made by fostering a professional environment and holding folks accountable for their actions.
Crazy.

SweetD and I have been talking. I'm not sure where that is taking us. Apparently there were some miscommunications that lead to our breakup. Some very crazy assumptions were made on her end...well...maybe not crazy, I can see her logic...just can't believe she assumed some of these things without questioning why I'd be THAT much of a dick.
Because I'm not...and I wasn't...and well...those assumptions are how we got to the end of our rope.

That still doesn't put us back together, but this new information means that perhaps our paths weren't as far apart as I previously thought. Maybe I'm just grasping at straws because I'm still afraid of being alone.
I know she feels that way...she called me "the one that got away"
I hate being called that.
No, I don't...I just don't like it.
No, I do...in one case...because she's crazy and I definitely got away and she knows it...which makes me happy every time I think about it.
Boys...don't stick your dick in crazy.
That's solid advice by the way...words to live by. I'm not even joking.

Back to that phrase though...why do I have to be the one that got away? Why can't I just be some other guy that you had a great time with for a while and then our paths separated? Why is it such a sad thing?
Okay...crazy can be sad...but the rest of you?
Meh.
Seems I'm just spouting off now but there you have it. The topic du jour.

My Uncle is in Paris...seems he is having a fantastic time...I'm a little bit jealous.

Also, littlesub is having issues...so is his mom...don't know what is going on but I can't seem to reach her either...so yeah. Good times.

Okay, I'm out. Back soon I think. We'll see.


-getting away

surgery anyone?

Thank you both for the comments on the last entry.

I agree that hate breeds hate. To take it another step, anger breeds anger, love breeds love.
Also, killing them with kindness never literally works...though it is a nice strategy to employ from time to time.
That guy cutting off people left and right with no signal or regard for those around him is ruining the day for his fellow drivers...and to a lesser extent he is ruining the days of those around them. That cycle will rage on, every person a pebble in a pond with angry ripples emanating from the center.

War is a much larger, violent, extreme version of that analogy. The countless dead and injured, their surviving families...whole regions of the world torn apart.
The ripples much larger,
Time to heal far greater...

I may still believe there is sometimes no other alternative...but I'm starting to wonder how you end them once begun.

Are we spreading democracy in those regions? It certainly seems we are.
Is that our place? In my opinion no. This is just the new "White Man's Burden". The players are different...now not a race issue, but possibly first nation status? And our "responsibility" to teach other nations to emulate us because we are so amazingly awesome.
Riiiiiight.
If Dj is reading this he just started a mental list of all the horrible things going wrong in our two respective countries. War not withstanding.
Heh

I was one of the ones who said it was okay to go to war to prevent the deaths of countless thousands of our countrymen. Never mind that those reasons have turned out false...we can argue the problems of political posturing and grandstanding and I can easily point out how decisions made long ago painted a number of people into corners where the only option was continue down a poor path or lose respect internationally.
Meh.
I digress.

I do believe that we have the right to defend ourselves...even against a potential threat that has made it very clear they wish us harm and have the means to accomplish that task.
But what cost is reasonable in that defense?
This is where I've lost my bearing.

The surgical strike on Osama's compound is a perfect counterpoint to the ongoing wars actually. One recognized a threat and nullified it with minimal physical impact to the surrounding buildings, family, and even nation.
The others...well...do a google search or two...plenty of evidence from a ten year old war to see how badly we've damaged an entire country.

Of course...even the surgical strike isn't perfect. Is it murder? Was his death necessary? What about the political and social ramifications of sneaking into another country to attack a building and kill people we deem a threat to our security?
Man...you put Osama's name on it and everyone accepts it...but if you placed that description anywhere else there'd be an uproar.


Lots to think about...but it's all still bouncing around. Feel free to continue the conversation...


-not a surgeon

news from perry

Perry Farrell told me that Osama Bin Laden is dead.
Perry Farrell.
The lead singer of a popular band conveyed news to me that seems to be of such amazing import.
Seems.
But I'm not sure how to take it, and I'm not sure how important it really is.
Osama is dead.
Certainly, I won't argue that the world is now so much worse without him in it, that he was some bright light that will be sorely missed.
No. Not that.
But better?
To say that the world is now vastly improved by his removal from it...
I'm not sure that can be said.

Bear with me here...this is still being sorted out...bouncing around my head for two days and it still hasn't found rest.

But a better place?
Everyone cheered at the news. Ten thousand human voices shouting in jubilation at the news of his death.
Just writing that seems so macabre, and I'm still not sure how I feel.
Mostly though, it's not this single loss of life that upsets me but the overwhelming joy that seems to have come from us as a result.
Joy may be too strong a word.
It is...too strong...but I'm not sure what word is proper here.
There is no doubt that many found the news of his death to be cathartic, as if a switch had been flipped. Relief and whatnot pouring forth.
But that is so misplaced...we are still at war...one death isn't going to change that. I mean, there are so many deaths every day, on both sides, and yet we still fight.
I have the sad feeling that many in those countries would argue that their main reason for fighting is the same one that was given by so many Confederate soldiers in the Civil War..."You're here aren't ya?"

Man it's so weird to sit on the side of a group that doesn't want war...that doesn't want to fight. But I have no desire to pick a fight, to continue it, I just want to protect those I love and care for...
And I'm pretty sure that everyone on the planet has figured out that it's a bad idea to fuck with America...so can we just stop?
Just stop.

Probably not. It's never that simple.
These are all randoms...strands that have been floating around, as mentioned, for the past 48 hours. Please don't jump down my throat...but feel free to comment even if you disagree.

dear anonymous...

Anonymous, I miss it too.

Seems I can't find that place anymore, and I don't know why.
Over time I think I've just started censoring myself too much. Closing off all of those doors to rooms still unfurnished.
The only things I share are those I'm relatively certain of, that I've thought on for hours.
No, that's not right.
I don't share those thoughts either, because they are sorted and straight. No need to get them out, to see them in black and white.

Maybe part of it is that I just don't take the time to sit down and write. I'm out of practice, words don't flow.
That used to happen you know? Flow flow flow.
I'd sit down at the computer and
letter word phrase
they'd come splashing out,
brain fingers keys screen
and there would be an entry, raw and energetic, containing all that was in that crazy mixed up room in my head. Sometimes jumbled, sometimes neatly organized, usually somewhere between the two.

Practice is what I need...but yeah...I don't get it. Perhaps I've become apathetic...I lack the energy to get riled up and on the war path, to spill out my guts. Or I just lack the bravery...I'm hiding in the corner now afraid of what others will think of these words. Or just afraid of what will happen if I put them all down. Of what may actually come out of this head. I don't know if I'm comfortable anymore. I like who I am, just don't know if I'm happy with where I'm going.

Meh.
Mostly I'm just out of practice. The new job is supposed to be uber quiet and simple...so maybe I'll have more time. That's when I did most of my writing before, back when I was just a minion myself...so hopefully I can return to that.
It felt good to have something substantial here instead of just using it as a calendar...a spot to write down my comings and goings.
Which is where I am now at.
I don't know...but time ticks by and I have one week left of the old job...today is day 1 of  4...gotta run.


Meh.
Today was a decent start.We'll see.


-not quite perfect

new math

Last night saw yours truly entering a bar not too far from Post Oak to hang out with California.
California is the lovely minion who is moving with me to the new job, so she'll soon cease to be a minion and will then be a coworker.
California is probably my new best friend.
That sounds silly, and neither Hotflashin' nor Monkey have anything to worry about...but yes...California and I have a mad brother/sister/bff connection. It is awesome.

Anyway, we met for drinks, she introduced me to her new man, good times were had.
Too much good times.
Too much.

Now it hurts.
It hurts because two shots were ordered, with the thought that this would see me through the rest of the evening. Only those two shots were both doubles and California's new man bought another round on top. With a bit of quick alcoholic math you can see how two shots quickly became six, and now it hurts.
It was fun though, and this man needed the trip out of the house. So yes.
How was your Friday night?


-hungover

jolly brown

I'm working back up to regular posts.
SweetD and I are no more. I think I've mentioned that.
It kinda sucks I gotta say. Because I do think the world of her, and I enjoy her company, but still...completely different paths so it was doomed.
DOOM!

heh...Invader Zim is the bomb.

Last night I hung out with the Jolly Brown Giant, forever after known as JBG. She calls herself that so I think it's okay if I give her that nickname here. I hope so, because she's fantastic and a good friend. So there should be stories in here to come. Anyway, yes, JBG, the sis, and myself hit Molly's here in The Woodlands for drinks. Great converstaion and good times. I've logged back into OkCupid for the first time in forever...even downloaded the app...but I changed my status to basically just looking for friends. We'll see how that goes.

This morning I woke up early, headed downtown to turn in the last of my paperwork for the new job, and confirmed my start date as May 2nd. I ended up talking to like 6 people who used to work for me or with me. It was a bit crazy. This is almost like transferring to a different department, not moving to an entirely new company.

Then on the way home, I bought 2 new tires and a battery for the GTI. $600 down, but the car will be mucho happy with me.
I was supposed to brew beer this weekend...but I don't know if it's going to happen. Oh, and Pixie! I made vegan cheese last weekend. It's currently aging. Taste test tonight or tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. :)

Boring really, I know, but that's all I've got for now.


-busy bee

Battle: Los Angeles

Battle: Los Angeles


Director - Jonathan Liebesman
Writer - Christopher Bertolini

Starring - Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodriguez

Cloverfield meets Black Hawk Down.
That's really all you need.
There is a cool subplot regarding the main character, and the movie is well executed.
Aliens attack the planet, we don't see too much of them, the pace is frenetic at times, and there is definitely that macho war feel you get from Black Hawk Down.

Good Freaking Movie Man. I'm putting it at number 4 for the year, under Tron, but it's really close to a tie with that movie.


-obsessed with the fat lady

The Eagle

The Eagle

Director - Kevin Macdonald
Writers - Jeremy Brock and Rosemary Sutcliff

Starring - Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, and Donald Sutherland


This is a redemption tale.
Except there's no need for the main character to redeem himself.
This is a story of honor, except even that is muddled and sometimes pushed too far.
Okay, so it's an epic quest...pulled off through deception and thievery?
It's a buddy tale...as told in the last 30 seconds of the film where they make lighthearted jokes about the whole thing?

Man I'm confused.

Channing and Jamie do a decent job playing their roles, no complaint there. Sutherland has a good sized supporting role, and delivers well as always.

Here's the thing...the plot sucks and the story is mediocre.
But the history they tell and pictorals? Beautiful.
The cinematographer is fantastic...man deserves a medal. The fight scenes are really well done, and while much of the middle section of the movie is slow drudgery...it does so with fantastic scenery and visuals.

Don't spend money on this. It's number 5 for now, and will stay at the bottom unless something truly horrible comes along.


-the eagle is rome

slumber, or lack thereof

The dreams continue as I toss and turn.
Monday night, was a continuation of me as murderer. The friend I had killed from Sunday morning? Yeah, apparently I had stuffed the body in a box and hidden that in a refrigerated storage shed.
Only I shared the shed with other people, and they needed to move stuff around and check which boxes were what. I spent the entire dream trying to keep them from touching or messing with that one box while helping them move everything else around.
It was like Tetris of the Damned.

Last night I was living at an insanely large apartment complex where, it turns out, one of my old minions also lived. She was practicing her bowhunting skills by shooting at a target.
I joined her.
Why? Why would I do that?
At some point she morphed into one of my exes, and we were discussing how we ended up back together...as we continued to shoot at the target.

It's got to be the change in weather. That always throws me off. I'm taking something tonight. Not sure what yet...but something good that will knock me the hell out.


-the real slim shady

Gnomeo and Juliet

Gnomeo and Juliet

Director - Kelley Asbury
Writers - William Shakespeare and Kelley Asbury

Starring - James McAvoy and Emily Blunt

I'm waaaay late on writing this one, and the next, and kinda late on even the one after that...forgive me?
Anyway...this is cute, funny, and highly quoteable for kids. I know because I took my lovely niece LittleA.
You know the story, or at least I hope you do. I liked the Elton John that was thrown in, but I hear many people didn't appreciate it at all. It is simple, with a ton of one liners, but I don't think they went over the top.
LittleA loved it, and the two of us quoted it the whole ride home.
As a standalone movie for adults...not at all. but the kid loved it so yeah.

For all of the little things, and the recommendation that you should definitely take the kids...it is at the bottom of the list for the moment at number 4.


-a weed by any other name

on seasoned fries

I call this place subliminal hits, a reference to background thoughts and ideas, to dreams and random notions...
Last night found this man tossing and turning as dreams and thoughts assaulted his mind with stunning clarity. At one point chased by ex girlfriends begging for marriage, another I had slept in past my showtime at the new job...the one I don't start for 3 more weeks. Inbetween are half remembered images of real people that I know in surreal settings...a hospital, a mountainside, a desert ridge...
Waking suddenly, covered in sweat, at the thought of screwing myself so thoroughly at the new job...it took me a minute to gather my thoughts, to realize that it was monday morning, that I still have a month to go at the old job before starting the new.

Then I realized that this was my body's way of paying me back for drinking and staying out far too late last night. Evil evil body.
So my painful yelling sweaty sorry bag of bones was rolled out of bed, quickly showered, though I wanted desperately to stay under the spray of hot water for an hour at the very least...and got ready for work.

Work is good...meh...make that decent. I'm dealing with the douche supervisor...and I don't even know why he's here, but he is. Whatever, I'll make do.
For all of my whining about hangovers and the pain we must endure the morning after, I had fun last night with that minion that needs a nickname and one of our flight attendants. Good times and good conversations...followed by a late night snack at Jack in the Box.
Let's be honest, my body was probably more angry about Jack in the Box than the drinking. Lesson learned...I'll try to refrain from the siren song that is Jack's seasoned curly fries in future.


-what happened last night

peanutella

I made this yesterday.
The recipe came out to roughly two pints and it tastes fantastic.
I gave one of the pints to Barista as a birthday gift.
Also, Z (boyfriend) proposed to her at the birthday party...how awesome is that? She said yes...because he's a Superhero! hehehe
All in all it was a pretty great night.
I met a bunch of new people, hung out with Converse and her man, and just generally had fun.
I left there about 2230 and met up with one of the minions...who needs a nickname because I'm sure I'll be spending more time with her in the future.
She's a good kid.
We had two drinks at The Harp before I sent her off to hookup with her new man.
Because I'm cool like that.

Did I mention that I got the other job? I start the first of May. More money, better flight benefits, less responsibility, room to move up, and they don't leave town until march or april of next year...so that gives me a year to make up my mind about moving.
It's truly a win win win.
Winning!

Okay, that's all...I am out.


-got his peanutbutter in your chocolate