2014: Resolution Year End Review

Last post of 2014! And what better way to end the year than reviewing the resolutions from the beginning of the year. Here is my EOY resolution review:

1. Be social! 100%, no question

2. Make media! I had set out to create a work of art every other week for a total of 26 pieces. I ended the year with 25 pieces, comprising of 13 paintings, 6 CD mixes, 3 pairs of Adidas shoes, and 3 installations. 96%

3. Social media. Blogging. Facebook and LinkedIn. Instagram. Zoosk and OKCupid. 100%

4. Social exercise. The goal was to run 300 miles. After I got Lung Plague in April I missed the mini-marathon. And after that I lost the desire to run. I ran a total of 74 miles in 2014. 74/300 = 25%

5. Read media. Ugh. I failed here. I read one book out of the six I resolved the read, and it was a very short one - The Art of War by Sun Tzu. 1/6 = 17%

6. Thrifty weekly spending. I wanted to keep weekly spending below $400/week. Weekly spending includes any non-monthly costs. I started the year strong but vacations, doctor bills, and reckless year-end spending got me off-track. I ended the year at $479/week. 84%

7. Do not touch the froggy. Froggy not touched. 100%

Mixed results. I really stuck a few but missed terribly with readin' and runnin'. My aggregate resolution rate turns out to be 74.5%. That's better than many years.

A year ago I wrote:

I am the king of breaking most resolutions but sticking to that one that doesn't make the year a total bust. How cool would it be if I stuck to all of these? "Fucking cool!" is the correct answer.

Did I stick to them? For the most part I am going to say I did... at least enough to say "Mission accomplished!" >:)

Atheist's Ten Commandments

I am no atheist. I believe in higher powers that are not necessarily named Gawd or Jeebus. I don't think we, as mortal worker bees, can begin to comprehend the big picture. I liken us to worms trying to understand how a cell phone works when it comes to trying to figure out the mysteries of the Universe.

I am also not a religion-hater. Religion has its place and plays a key role in the shaping of many hearts and minds (both for good and bad but I'm going to ignore the bad for the purpose of this post). I grew up a Southern Baptist and strongly believe that more good came from that than not.

However, at this point in my life, I am a solid agnostic and very comfortable with my thoughts and beliefs. And while the below "commandments" are from atheists, I back these 100%. Without further ado, listed below are the atheist's Ten Commandments:

1. Be open-minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.
2. Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.
3. The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.
4. Every person has the right to control of their body.
5. God is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.
6. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.
7. Treat others as you would want them to treat you, and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated. Think about their perspective.
8. We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.
9. There is no one right way to live.
10. Leave the world a better place than you found it.

I made smiles tonight

I have been dealing with my Star Wars collectibles collection and was asked fairly recently by my friend Scott if I had any AT-ATs or TIE Interceptors. His son is really into Star Wars now and the prices he has seen on eBay have been ridiculous. It just so happens that I have 2 AT-ATs, a special edition TIE Interceptor, a TIE Bomber, and an AT-ST scout walker. Or I *had* them. ;)

I brought them over and, up until bedtime, Grant thought they were to play with. Only at bedtime did he realize I was giving them to him. He had the biggest smile and looked adorable in his stormtrooper PJs.

Making smiles is, like, my most favorite thing!

Two days of good news

I cataloged my Star Wars collectibles collection and it is seriously nuts. Behold!

"Look Sir, Droids" Diorama  by Sideshow Collectibles
2007 Membership Kit - Pin and Qui-Gon Jinn Replica Light Saber  by Master Replicas
30th Anniversary Coin Album w/ Figure #1 Darth Vader  by Hasbro
42 Galactic Heroes 2-packs Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Animated Debut: Boba Fett w/ Exclusive Collector Coin  by Hasbro
ArtFX Clone Trooper (Ep. 3 Ver.)  Snap Fit by Kotobukyia
ArtFX Clone Trooper Commander Bly Snap Fit by Kotobukyia
ArtFX Snow Trooper Snap Fit by Kotobukyia
Asajj Ventress - 1/6 Scale Figure Lords of the Sith by Sideshow Collectibles
Assorted Boba Fett comics and books  by
Bantha with Tusken Raiders Battle Pack by Hasbro
Boba Fett Mighty Muggs by Hasbro
Boba Fett Real Action Doll Collection by Tomy Direct
Boba Fett The Power of the Force by Kenner
Boba Fett The Saga Collection by Hasbro
Boba Fett The Saga Collection by Hasbro
Boba Fett Bobblehead Whacky Wobbler by Funco
Boba Fett Collectible Bust  by Gentle Giant
Boba Fett Convention Figure 2003  by Hasbro
Boba Fett Deluxe with Wing-Blast Rocket Pack and Overhead Cannon  by Kenner
Boba Fett Helmet Scaled Replica  by Master Replicas
Boba Fett Slave I Die-Cast by Titanium Series
Boba Fett Special Edition 300th Figure  by Hasbro
Boba Fett vs. IG-88 Comic Book Pack  by Kenner
Boba Fett w/ Exclusive Collector Coin  by Hasbro
Boba Fette Helmet LE  by Master Replicas
Bounty Hunter Pack  by Hasbro
Clone Commander The Episode III Greatest Battles Collection by Hasbro
Clone Commander Cody The Saga Collection by Hasbro
Clone Wars Animated Busts - Set of 8  by Gentle Giant
Darth Maul Mighty Muggs by Hasbro
Darth Maul - 1/6 Scale Figure Lords of the Sith by Sideshow Collectibles
Darth Maul w/ Exclusive Collector Coin Saga Legends by Hasbro
Easter Egg Decorating Kit  by ?
Galactic Heroes - Aqua Battle Droid & Senate Commando Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes - Cad Bane & Aurra Sing Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes - Mandalorian Warrior & Pre Vizsla Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes - Obi-Wan Kenobi & Darth Maul Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Assault on Ryloth Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Assault on the Death Star Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Assault on the Death Star Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - AT-AT Walker Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Attack on the Invisible Hand Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Battle on Mustafar Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Cantina Band Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Cantina Encounter Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Endor Attack Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Escape from Kamino Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Escape from Mos Eisley Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Geonosis Battle Arena Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Hoth Snowspeeder Assault Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Hoth Snowspeeder Assault Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Jabba's Palace Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Jabba's Skiff Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Jedi Starfighter Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Millenium Falcon Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Starfighter Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Purchase of the Droids Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Shadow Squadron Y-Wing Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Slave I Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - The Battle of Hoth Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - The Battle of Naboo Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - Vader's Tie Fighter Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Galactic Heroes Cinema Scene - X-Wing Dagobah Landing Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Lucas Collector's Set  by Hasbro
Manufacturer's shipping box of 4 original Galacitc Heroes Cinema Scenes Galactic Heroes by Hasbro
Mr. Potato Head - Artoo-Potatoo Mr. Potato Head by Playskool
Mr. Potato Head - Darth Tater Mr. Potato Head by Playskool
Mr. Potato Head - Spudtrooper Mr. Potato Head by Playskool
Order 66 1 of 6 - Emperor Palpatine & Commander Thire Order 66 by Hasbro
Order 66 2 of 6 - Mace Windu & Galactic Marine Order 66 by Hasbro
Order 66 3 of 6 - Darth Vader & Commander Bow Order 66 by Hasbro
Order 66 4 of 6 - Obi-Wan Kenobi & AT-RT Driver Order 66 by Hasbro
Order 66 4 of 6 - Yoda & Kashyyyk Trooper Order 66 by Hasbro
Order 66 5 of 6 - Anakin Skywalker & Airborne Trooper Order 66 by Hasbro
R2-KT Katie Johnson Memorial Figure  by Hasbro
Real Action Hero - Boba Fett Real Action Hero by Medicom
Real Action Hero - Boba Fett Real Action Hero by Medicom
Real Action Hero - Clone Trooper Commando (Attack of the Clones) Real Action Hero by Medicom
Real Action Hero - Jango Fett Real Action Hero by Medicom
Real Action Hero - Revenge of the Sith Clone Trooper Real Action Hero by Medicom
Real Action Hero - Sandtrooper Real Action Hero by Medicom
Real Action Hero - Shocktrooper Real Action Hero by Medicom
Real Action Hero - Stormtrooper Real Action Hero by Medicom
Republic Commando Delta Squad  by Hasbro
Republic Elite Forces - Mandalorians and Clone Troopers  by Hasbro
Republic Elite Forces - Mandalorians and Omega Squad  by Hasbro
Shadow Scout with Speeder Bike  by Hasbro
Shadow Stormtrooper The Saga Collection by Hasbro
Shadow Stormtrooper Helmet LE  by Master Replicas
Star Wars Animated - Anakin Skywalker Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - ARC Trooper Captain Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Barriss Offee and Luminara Unduli Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Blackhole Stormtrooper Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - C-3PO Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Chewbacca Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Darth Maul Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Darth Vader Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Emperor Palpatine Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - General Grievous Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Han Solo Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Luke Skywalker Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Luke Skywalker in Stormtrooper  Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Mace Windu Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Princess Leia Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Roron Corobb Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Stormtrooper Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Yoda Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Animated - Yoda on Kybuck Animated Maquette by Gentle Giant
Star Wars Evolutions - The Fett Legacy  by Hasbro
Star Wars stamp sheet  by USPS
Star Wars Stormtrooper Photo/Cover  by USPS
Super Deformed Boba Fett Super Deformed by Medicom
Super Deformed C-3PO Super Deformed by Medicom
Super Deformed Clone Trooper Super Deformed by Medicom
Super Deformed Clone Trooper (Vader's Fist) Super Deformed by Medicom
Super Deformed Royal Guard Super Deformed by Medicom
Super Deformed Shadow Guard Super Deformed by Medicom
Super Deformed Shadow Stormtrooper Super Deformed by Medicom
Super Deformed Stormtrooper Super Deformed by Medicom
Super Deformed TIE Fighter Pilot Super Deformed by Medicom

"We want it all," is what Great Escape said when they called after I dropped the list off. Fucking awesome!

What. A. Day.

I've had the last two days off and it's been a nutty 48 hours. I've been wrapping up the 2014 budget and readying the 2015 budget. I'm working on tracking the progress of 2014 resolutions and working on ideas for 2015 resolutions. I've been cataloging my Star Wars collection in an effort to sell it and have been cleaning the house after being gone most of the month in Bucharest and Amsterdam.

So yesterday, while having lunch with my folks, mom told me that dad was going to get another check from the lawsuit and that she was going to forgive my debt to her. I argued against it since it is a substantial amount of money. Plus I just don't feel right letting her eat all that debt. But she made a great point that my sister receives tremendous benefit from mom taking care of the kids, cooking dinner for them, and other things she does for that household. So, with much resistance, I succumbed and accepted her offer.

This puts me in a great place to focus on debt-reduction next year. In fact, I started thinking and wondered if they would cut another check like they did years ago after dad got the first lawsuit check. That's probably too much to hope for but that would be life-changing.... seriously.

I've not been blogging for a while but it's only because I've been too busy and/or having too much fun. Life has been good enough. My luck with the ladies hasn't really changed... it's rotten. Work has been crazy but "crazy" is the new normal. The family is doing well. I'll blog more often. I *have* missed it.

Crazy game tonight!

I knew going into the game tonight that we were going up against the #1 team in the over 40 league. We have a good team but it's not deep and our opponent tonight had plenty of subs. Luckily, their keeper played the game of his life! I was on fire. The final score was 11-8. Victory! People were singing my praise and it felt amazing!!!

Amist all the drama...

... some good news came to me today. I hope my hard work will pay off. I am more hopefully today that my efforts are being recognized. Fingers crossed!

Speaking of losing friends...

I caught a coworker red-handed in a lie yesterday. This is someone I get along with and often have lunch with but recently have noticed behavior that has caused me to back off a bit. There had previously been a few incidents where lying and exaggeration were confirmed. I have no tolerance for liars. I can probably thank my ex for that. Thanks!

Anyway, this bumbling buffoon and I are done. I have warned him so many times to be mindful of what he says, of how he acts, and of how people perceive him. But he is either incapable or unwilling to really listen and change. I'm not his mom and I have no responsibility to help raise him. He is a 30-year old child that is socially ignorant. I am certainly better off without him.

Two friends in two days... the next thing you know I'll be doing something drastic like quitting my job!!! ;)

"The thing about girls is if they want it to work, they'll find a way."

Text exchange I had with a "friend" of mine from yesterday:

Me: "Hey there. So, let me ask you for your opinion, as a woman. I've been flirting with <insert name here> all year and now she's totally disappeared. I have no idea if it's something I did or not. Reach out to her or just leave it be?"
Me: "Grrrls are dumb. ;)"
Her: "Lol. Leave it be. Even if it was something you did, if she was really interested, she'd address it with you."
Her: "The thing about girls is if they want it to work, they'll find a way."
Me: "Okay. Thanks."
Her: "Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear."
Her: "I know you like her."
Me: "I doesn't matter what I want at this point. I don't want to be the fool."

What my "friend" doesn't realize is that I think she is also talking about her own feelings. And my final comment was really more for her than the grrrl I was texting about.

Seems like a fitting last comment from me. I think I'll end that friendship. It'll be best for both of us.

Random thoughts

I like the new Lana Del Rey album. It's very sad. I also like last year's "Melophobia" from Cage the Elephant. It's also very sad. Love (or the lack thereof) does funny things to people. The new "300: Rise of an Empire" movie is utter garbage. I don't even want the copy I bought in my collection. Blech! I scored a goal in soccer from my box. Only the second time in 25 years when that has happened. And mom has forgiven a few thousand dollars I owe her since she lent it to my sister. On the same day mom told me that I received a letter from my attorney. They want to refund part of the retainer fee they have held. Fine by me! Got shit-faced hammered (at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, I may add) at Gerstle's for the opening Viking's game of the 2014-2015 season. And I was invited, at the last minute, to participate in an FFL league. I nearly started the NFL season not in FFL. That would've made me sad. Had a great meeting Friday night with a recruiter. The good news? He doesn't think I'll have any problems finding the job that is suiting for me. The bad news? That job does not exist in this market. Leaving town looks more like a possibility. And it probably is a good thing. I feel like this town has been pushing me out for a couple of years.

I need something good to happen

Soon please.

:(

Vikings and Titans

A friend got tickets to see the Vikings and Titans play in Nashville tonight. I know it's the preseason but the opportunity to see my boys in purple in action was something I couldn't miss out on. Nashville is a great little town and we are staying just across the bridge, so it was an easy walk. It rained like crazy for pretty much the entire 1st half but we had ponchos and they performed miraculously keeping us dry. Plus we got to see UofL alum Teddy Bridgewater toss a TD pass. AND THE VIKINGS WON!!!

Great night. :)

Better to know than not...

The day started off fine. At some point in the morning my boss Skyped me and asked me bluntly if I was in the market. Never being one to shy from the truth I admitted that I had an appointment setup with a recruiter to get things moving just in case things don't go my way at the end of our fiscal year. The conversation meandered until it finally reached the tipping point. And in that moment I understood what my boss was telling me. My salary expectations will not be met. I told him no hard feelings but I have to find a job that pays more. I've been working my ass off for a year under the assumption that if I "put the time in the money will come". Turns out that was never necessarily the case. Frowny face.

I left work a little early to contemplate things. I dug down and found the strength to continue working at bust-ass pace. But I also found the courage to start distancing myself from the people that I know and love at work.

In a way, I am relieved. I am disappointed. But also relieved.

The time for me to move along has come, much to my chagrin.

...rrrrrrrrk

Woke up at 6am to go to work. Played golf. Showered. Went to work. Played soccer. Showered. Blogged. Went to bed.

Wooooooooo...

I spent all day at work. I went to yoga. I showered. I went back to work. I came home and passed out.

OMFG, YOU GUYS (re: SolForge)

This is the exact email I sent to two of my friends that play a common game with me. It is called SolForge and it is a card-based game played on the PC or iPad. I didn't help Kickstart it but I came in on the first wave after it was becoming a thing. I like it. It's kinda nerdy, perhaps, but that is part of the charm.

I was griping to myself, literally speaking aloud to myself (I find that going 12+ hours without talking isn't good for the voice), about not being able to buy new booster decks with silver for the new Secrets of Solis expansion. And said, "I never get anything *really* good..." as I was opening the first of the two packs I had won for the day...

Boom.

Legendary! It was Cercee, the badass Forgeborn level IV Nek card!!! Alas, <insert heavy sigh>, I wanted her so bad that I crafted her immediately after she was unlocked. So that was cool and raised my spirits a bit. Time to open the second pack...

Kaaaboom.

LEGENDARY!!! Call the Lightning. Tempys spell bestowing friendly creatures with +8 attack and battle and additional turn. I had never even heard of that card and it's from the original set. Kaarazy!

/me is nerd. 8)

Work hard, play hard

This weekend was packed with two things - work and play. And I performed them both at max power.

Brew at the Zoo

Even with the pre-party torrential downpour, the Brew at the Zoo was a blast. Ran into friends, old and new. Drank some good beer and cider. Had a bite of a White Castle. Had a cuddle buddy for the night. What a great time!

On the other hand, I've been working off and on all day and night with the mess from a deploy at work. Argh!

Work is killing me

It's only a matter of sooner or later. Gawd, I hope sooner. ;)

Tournament night...

... ended with yet another loss in the finals.

L

A

M

E

Checklists

I operated on a daily basis using checklists. I really enjoyed regulating my day with a checklist. I'm pretty efficient with a checklist. But a few months ago I inexplicably stopped, cold turkey, making a daily checklist. And I truly think that my life has suffered because of it. I known that I've been in a funk - multi-month funk now it feels like. And I'm beginning to wonder if the lack of a checklist is contributing to it.

I don't feel like I get anything done during the day. I have no list to keep me on task. I have no list to remind me what I actually did. So I've felt like a worthless turd for a long time. Some people might be okay with that feeling but I expect more from myself because I strive for more.

So, yesterday evening, I made a checklist. I didn't get through it all but I did get through a good amount of it. Dishes, laundry, sheets, shower liner, trash, mail. The place looks better because of it. And I feel better because of it. I made one for work and I've been more focused today than it feels like I've been for a good while.

Checklists. Who knew that they were so important to me?

Golf league!

Golf league started today. What a great way to end a busy Tuesday! Yay! We lost but it was a good time... always a good time!

And I know that 2015 is a ways away, but I am really excited about the new Mad Max: Fury Road movie. I admit that it is a guilty pleasure. But I keep watching the trailer and I want to see more! :)

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/madmaxfuryroad/

Another wasted Monda... no wait just a minute! GalCiv3 beta!

Monday mornings comes fast. Work was tough but I had a good pace today. Lunch was lunch. I left after lunch for some home field advantage. During that time I figured something out that had me stumped at work... kinda like a boss, if I do say so myself. Work, work, work. Video games and video games. Grind, grind, grind. It's almost 8pm and my evening is slipping away into waste.

And then I remembered that I had a beta I wanted to try out... for a little ol' game called GalCiv 3. Back in April, I was busting with joy when I was able to name my own star in the upcoming Galactic Civilizations III game. I named that star PoraPora. I did not want to have to put up with the nonsense that the alpha was going to give. And I'm downloading the game after a pretty significant beta patch.

Might this herald a new era of turn-based strategy video game addiction? One can only hope...(?) I have my beta key and the game is downloading now...

Another wasted Sunday

Woke up early. Made lasagna while I did laundry. Took the 'rents to see the Downs fam. Those kids sure love Nana and Poppy. Ate lunch with mom and dad. Went home and let the day waste away. Ate candy all day and night until I passed out at my desk. I woke up at 3:04am.

So tired of this routine. So unable and/or unwilling to go through the trouble of figuring out what I must do to break myself out of it.

I have decided that I am going to stack the boxes from my storage unit in my bedroom. At least the collectibles. The Halloween stuff might go in the shed (or the trash). It's gonna be a tight squeeze but I need to empty that thing!

Another Saturday...

... another day wasted on video games.

If I didn't get out to go have lunch with my mom I doubt I would've left the house yesterday. I'm such a loser.

Random Gripes

I don't want to be the guy that wakes up a curmudgeon. But I'm really having trouble getting myself out of bed these days. I'm going to vent, randomly and rapid-fire...

My job is really stressing me out these days. I'm already stressed out but now I'm being asked to take on more. And we're reducing our headcount by another two resources. I call them resources because I don't like to think of them as people if we are "firing" them. I'm worried about what happens at the end of the fiscal year. I need to have that talk with my boss but I never seem motivated to do it. I'm fretting, to say the least. I'm really still mad about some of my father's behavior during vacation. Perhaps it's unfounded, but I feel angst toward him for not being a better role model for me and everyone else. It gets under my skin so bad but it really shouldn't, I suppose. People are who they are. I need to empty my storage unit and do *something* with my collectibles - either sell them or keep them. I need to sell them. I don't know why I'm being such a wimp and not just accept that. It'll be another $200 if I don't get them out by the end of the month. My work friend situation is bugging me. A good friend moved away. Another friend is on my last nerve. I have a crush on another friend. I totally shouldn't. I'm a heart-broken heart-breaker. I'm a mess. I'm so broke. I am hella-addicted to video games right now - or at the very least the escape they bring me. But even that escape is turning into a bad taste in my mouth. I'm seeing a grrrl that I don't really feel any spark for. She's *really* into me and I am simply not feeling it. I was texting another grrrl. I really liked her. But then she sent the pic that confirmed what I thought she had been hiding... that cute chubby face is attached to a large body. Boo. :|

Okay, enough of that. Video game hella-addiction...

I need to break out of this cycle

I'm rutted. I'm grinding through each day but not enjoying any of it. I don't like work right now. I don't like not working right now. I'm having trouble finding joy in anything I do. So I'm sticking to a daily schedule, just to make it through the day. And I hate it. Ugh.

I've got to snap out of this. Something's got to give. Living my life these last few weeks is no way to live.

Guardians of the Galaxy

I was in a pretty bad mood today so I took myself to go see Guardians of the Galaxy again. I really love that movie. I love the charisma and charm of that motley crue - Peter Quill, Gamorra, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket, and Groot. There are moments in that movie that really tickle me. And there are moments in that movie that move me - I nearly tear up at three separate moments in that flick. Oh boy, what fun!

I walked out of the theater in just a stellar mood! Stop reading my silly blog and go to the theater (or pop in the BluRay) and watch this flick!

Welcome to the world, Wee Abram

Wee Abram was born this morning at 9:28am. Last I heard, he has all 10 fingers and all 10 toes. Everyone is doing well. :)

(and happy birfday, momma!)

Robin Williams Dead at 63

Holy shazbot. Robin Williams is dead. He was a funny man once. Apparently he went via suicide. Na-Nu Na-Nu.

The weight of the World (Cup) has been lifted

Something hit me yesterday. I was cleaning up in the kitchen. Earlier in the day, I woke and started hustling around the house. I'd like to call it cleaning but it feels more like wandering, occasionally picking up something and putting it somewhere else - sometimes with a wiping or swishing motion. That's cleaning, more or less. Haha! Anyway, I cleaned and rummaged and did laundry and finished dishes and worked a little. I had already started to get my day-drunk on and it was barely past 10am. I was buzzed pretty well and didn't really need to waste another day to oblivion. So I cooked up a hearty of breakfast of 3 eggs, 2 soysage patties, and 5 biscuits. I finished my beer and passed out from buzzed food-coma for a few hours. I sobered up at the pool, sweating like a little piggy. Cycled through the new Starry Summer 2014 Mix. Watched the World Cup. GERMANY! Showered.

At some point between the shower and the aforementioned moment back in the kitchen something felt different. I first noticed it going up and down the steps. There was a spring to my step. There was a "light" feeling in me. I definitely felt less emotionally encumbered, almost as if a weight had been lifted. The weight of the world? Perhaps. The weight of the World Cup? Eh... Who knows?

I feel this weight off of me. That is the point of this post.

The fever broke...

... with Germany reclaiming the World Cup, beating Argentina in extra time 1-0.

Life can now return to normal... whatever that means.

Brazil v. Germany

Unprecedented. Unbelievable. Shocking.

Just finished watching the World Cup semifinal match of Brazil v. Germany.

Holy. Crap.

Germany, 7-1.

I am stunned.

Brazil gave up 4 goals in 6 minutes. Insane.

Wow.

I turned 40 the other day...

I had the obligatory facebook well wishes, a few texts, and a couple of phone calls. I spent the day wishing it would go differently, drinking steadily along the way. But I did enjoy it. A typical Saturday that was atypical in one way: I started drinking at 6am. Well, and I suppose around 1pm or so I officially hit 40.

Drinking throughout the day does seem to make it all go by a little shinier. I will give the 120 oz. of Miller beer its due credit, I had a good ol' time all day long.

It was only the next day that something began to bug me...

Weeks of Blur

I've been so busy but I'm not really sure what I've been doing. Work has been a blur. Painting has been a blur. Life has been a blur.

I spent around $1000 last month on dates but all I've done is hold a grrrl's hand... once. This isn't economical.

Pissed off a friend really bad. I'm such a dope.

Finished the skyline of L'ville that I always wanted to do. I may do another one some day but I've had my fill of the skyline.

Game of Thrones and Silicon Valley have both been incredible. Too bad their season has one more ep or is over, respectively.

I'm at the tail end of a crazy mania. I hope sleep and appetite return instead of this sick feeling in my stomach.

After I eat some kind of celebratory junk food I think I'm going to treat myself to a movie tonight... Godzilla again, X-men: Days of Future Past, or Edge of Tomorrow? Hmm.

That was fantastic. :)

Disenfranchised?

I am totally suffering from anhedonia. Since it was recently introduced into my vernacular I will offer the benefit of explaining that it is a clinical diagnosis of the inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found enjoyable. These activities include but are not limited to exercise, hobbies, music, sexual activities, or social interactions. (check wiki or read a book)

Work is kicking my ass. I'm lying to myself and rewarding myself for feeling on top of it. And it's working! I feel like I'm kicking *its* ass. But I'm not. I'm shining on a few projects that are dwarfed by a mountain of shit. I think the job I have now should be rotated periodically... like undercover units on police forces. This shit is intense. And overwhelming. I am pwning a few things... but merely celebrating in the shadow of the mountain of looming impossibility. This job is impossible. But fuck it... I'm pwning what I can, kicking ass where I can, and bearing the rest.

Dating is not fucking fun. I've gone on some dates. I've called a few grrrls. I think it's fun... I *tell* people it's fun. But fuck that. It is not. We're all too old and too weird and too set in our ways. What a fucking mess it is out there. Tonight I went on a third date with one grrrl. It was very nice. Last week I would be going nuts over it. Tonight I'm just... eh. (I hope to see her soon though)

And dating. Did I not mention it is no fucking fun? Had a great time with a grrrl Sunday. We hung out all afternoon. Had some cocktails. We really hit it off. And this one wasn't from a site. We connected on our own. But I have heard nothing from her since. Fucking weird and NO FUCKING FUN!

I'm spending too much money. Period. I'm blowing cash during manias. I'm blowing cash during lows. Way too much financial hemorrhaging. Dates are hurting the budget. Gov'ment sent me a confusing letter about some shit. Money is kicking my ass.

But what the fuck ever... you know what? I don't know who in my real life knows all of that. I pretend pretty well. I put on a great face at work (hell, this churchy grrrl at work has been Skyping and fb-liking me... like, a lot). But it's the face I put out. I imagine that I am at the place I want to be and not where I feel like I am. I project what I want to be and strive to be it instead of making the inadequate choices I could easily settle for each day. Some weeks it works better than others.

These last few days... jeebus Christmas, I've had some trouble getting stoked about anything. I thought it was lack of sleep from the weekend but I just feel so... jeez, I dunno. Disenfranchised? That's not the word I mean but that is the word I'm going with. I'm tired. I'm drunk. I'm going to bed.

What a weird few days

Weird stuff. I don't even want to go into details. Notes for future self forthcoming. Just a bunch of weird stuff happening, like a glitch in The Matrix. 8)

Hey, future self, remember these? That road raging redneck in the parking lot who honked because you didn't cross the street at the crosswalk, as I previously mentioned, in a fucking parking lot. You went red and kicked his truck, didn't you? Aww, you wily little fucker. How about that guy just standing really still in the bushes watching us on the 9th hole at Seneca. What a creepy motherfucker. I felt more comfortable yelling at a redneck through his window... for seriously. Long meetings. Long nights. Went on a date tonight. Felt weird. Good weird, but weird. Going Away happy hour and charity picnic later on Thursday. True Detective Marathon is Friday. Pool opens Saturday (I think/hope). I may go see X-men this weekend. Hooray for three-day weekends!

Lazy Sunday with a Game of T'rones

I think I burned up all of my weekend spark yesterday. I was less than motivated to kick equal-if-not-more ass. I worked through a list a bit in the morning. Then I painted for a short while. Lunch was carry-out Moby Dick at mom and dad's. I dropped off the fixin's for Kentucky Honeysuckles to my coworker, who will then give them to my dentist at her inaugural visit tomorrow. How fun! I am also giving my dental hygienist a stormtrooper sketch for her son. Oh! And I dropped off blueberries for Nemo's parents. (I get to babysit him next weekend). After that I met up with dad and my uncle at the driving range. They helped with my swing - my uncle more than pops. We'll see what happens Tuesday. After I came home from that I was pretty much done. Piddled around the house... and by piddled I mean I rearranged my living room furniture AGAIN. But I like it... this is it! (I think I say that every time). And then Game of Thrones. BANGER EP!!! Gawd, I love that show.

11-Hour Spring Cleaning Rampage

It went for over 11 hours, starting with list making at 11am. Dishes. Laundry. Cleaned snowboarding gear. Rearranged the glassware in the cupboards. Cleaned the utensil. Cleaned out the fridge. Ordered a custom pair of Adidas Vikes - purple and yellow for the Minnesota Vikings. Ordered another custom pair of Adidas Cards - red and black for the UofL cardinals, with the logo on the heel and UK blue as the color of the sole... muwhahahahahaha!!! Replaced the light bulbs. Arranged the "chip area" of the counter and found a new home for my paper towel stand. Hand washed an old backpack in the tub. IT WAS FILTHY GROSS!!! Cleaned the tub. Wired up the sharpie on canvas "Stormtroopers" for Sonja's son. Target. Kroger. Liquor store. Worked on the budget. Worked on Samurai Jack. Ate myself into a food coma.

The Baddest Adidas Alive™

I had my Baddest Adidas Alive delivered yesterday. These were the mi Adidas that I designed online at the adidas.com store. And they *are* the baddest Adidas alive! They are orange and grey with white laces and stripes. I. Love. Them.

Whenever I'm walking around in these (like right this very moment) I have the Black Keys and RZA's track "Baddest Man Alive" running through my head and soul. Tell a great white shark to go and brush his teeth - hehehe. :)

Godzilla

Went to see Godzilla tonight for opening night. It. Was. Awesome.

The little kid in me has been going nuts all day but I kept the calm demeanor at work. It's bad enough that they know I love Star Wars. I don't need them to know how much I love that silly lizard.

If you think you will ever see it, go see it in the theater. I went with XD and the unfortunate 3D that normally goes along with it. But the 3D was subtle - not annoying. So it wasn't so bad. But, man-o-man, what a fucking ride! My heart was pounding at times. And the sound editing was body-thumping brilliant. I can't wait to go see it again!

The Sweet Crack of Social Media

I've joined a few dating sites. I've gone into it with zero to few expectations and it's working out better this time. I think it's working the way it is supposed to... it's fun! These sites aren't boyfriend/grrlfriend factories. They are people watching, plain and simple. It's the same thing I do at the bars or Target or anywhere else out in public. Except I get to do it from the comfort of my own home.

The other benefit is the number of ego mini-boosts I get throughout the day. Someone viewed me. Someone else messaged me. Someone wants to meet me! Granted, a lot of these attempts are borderline undesirable women but some cuties make their way through. And those notifications, whether they be winks, messages, views, or whatever, give me a little boost... to the point that I wait for one to get my "fix". The social media rock is good stuff and I'm totally hooked. It has reached a point where I'm not sure I want to find someone for fear of their eventual insistence that I take down my profiles. Muwahahaha!

Where have I been for 10 days? Derby recovery. Crazy mania. Painting. Working. Livin'. (gawd, I hate it when people say "Just livin'!"... NO FUCKING SHIT, ASSHOLE!?!?)

Derby Mania

Been in a crazy mania! Spring Time Busy Crazy Horny Mania 2014! Another great victory in futbol, 11-7. I love these new gloves! Martinis for Thurby. Woke up at 6am to mop and clean the bathrooms. Hosted the fam for Oaks. Plenty of snacks! Day drinking for Derby. Minty Kentucky Honeysuckles. Laundry. Tons of dishes. Gluttony galore! (I'm such a fatty) Getting a new AC on Monday. Got visits galore from all my people: my two fave ladies, Chick Pea, Sam, Honey Badger and Kia, Justus, and the whole fam. Rearranging the studio and "reclaiming" some canvases today. My new patio is my favorite place to be. May the Fourth be with you! :)

Ain't Life Grand

Life has been good to me these last few days. Soccer was a blowout last night, 14-5. Golf got cancelled during play before it got too wet. Saw The Grand Budapest Hotel tonight and enjoyed it. Had lunch with my college buddy this week. Feeling extra flirty at work and in emails and that's always fun. Been really engaged at work these last few days. I missed that place during my illness. Feeling better finally... like, all the way better. What little cough I have is allergies, for sure this time. I've been eating well. Love all of the new Adidas shoes I got (well, except that one pair). Nomming on blueberries all week. Ain't life grand?

Better?

I've been sick for at least 18 days and I think today may have been the last of it. At least I hope so. The Lung-Plague of April 2014 didn't kill me. But it took up the better part of the month and knocked my mortal ass to the ground for a good while. I guess, looking back, I spent too much time working hard, partying hard, and playing hard. A body has to take a rest.

I dare say I'm better. I have a small cough but I can hear and taste nearly as well as before. Onward.

Diagnosed

Got my diagnosis today. No surprise. I scored well, overall. And I'm satisfied with what the doctor said and recommended. I'm going to follow up with another professional and see where that goes. Life ain't so shitty. ;)

I'm the Baddest Man Alive

I'm not. Let's be clear about that.

But... I kinda am. :)

I loaded up on some new sneakers tonight. It was a great haul. Five pairs of shoes total. I even customized a pair by designing the colors. It was glorious. They are my super persona's sneakers. Bad. Ass.

I've had "I'm the Baddest Man Alive" by The Black Keys and RZA on repeat. I will walk with that as my theme music. And I *will* be the baddest mine alive...

I can take the pitchfork, from the devil
Keep a super suit like I'm incredible
From the deep blue sea, to the dark blue sky
I'm the baddest man alive

Excerpt from The Black Key's (with RZA) "The Baddest Man Alive"


On a completely unrelated note, other that possibly also being potentially badass, Ep 7 secondary shooting is happening, the script is all but approved, and the casting is down to finalists. The Star Wars saga continues and I hope for the best! :)

Sick.

Being sick sucks. It always does. And it seems to take so long to recover these days. As bold and clumsy as I am at times, it is illness that will be the end of me.

I am finally coming out of the haze of this latest illness. I am on my second round of antibiotics. Levaquin. It fucks me all up. It's used to treat patients with Anthrax and plague. No shit. I am shitting you not. I experience mild pychotropic effects when mixing it with Prednisone. I'm dizzy and confused. It's a very weird sensation and hard to endure for long spats - especially when the insomnia hits.

I've been sick for nearly 3 weeks and I'm quite tired of it. I feel like I'm getting better but I'm not done with it. My cough is better but still deep. My ears are still full. And I still can't taste (that is getting very annoying).

I keep telling myself this will end soon. I don't know how in the world I am going to function at work tomorrow. I will have to work from home. Can I even work a full day? I haven't moved off the couch or out of bed unless I had to. I've burned through 3 seasons of Game of Thrones and caught up with the new Cosmos.

I've been to the doctor twice. I've been on two antibiotics. I use two inhalers. I'm taking cough syrup and nose spray. At some point wellness has to return. And I hope he brings his buds back with him... taste buds, that is!

Sick Movie Watchin'

If I'm gonna spend the day horizontal and sick, I might as well watch some movies:

The Game. Cool!

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Cried.

Warm Bodies. Clever.

3:10 to Yuma. Meh.

Pacific Rim. Kaiju!

Game of T'rones. Aria.

Pacific Rim again. Jaeger!! I admit that some of the luster of this movie wears off outside the movie theater. That is why I *must* see Godzilla in the theater when it comes out in May.

Sick. Blech.

Blah.

I'm sick and I don't feel good. :(

Somehow the laundry fairies visited me overnight. What a lucky boy I am!!! :)

Three Thursday Theories

Akin to January's Five Friday Facts...

1. Both Central Futbol and TNT Strikers are doomed to fail. Why?

We lost in the finals AGAIN! Our guys ran out of gas. And, dammit, I knew they would. Two of our better players were goofing around on the field during a forfeit and burning energy they needed. The Red Bull chicks showed up again and passed out liquid candy. But yeah, we lost. AGAIN. In. The. Finals. Just like Five Friday Facts. Just like Lost in the finals... again. And every time before that. I honestly can't remember a streak like this. Baffling.

2. Does the drink-that-has-yet-to-receive-a-name have a name?

Perhaps. Out in Boulder I had a drink at a Latin fusion joint called Centro. It called a Kentucky Wildflower. Bulleit bourbon, housemade vanilla cognac, lemon, lavender extract, agave. It was not only deelish but it tasted very similar to the drink-that-has-yet-to-receive-a-name. So I believe I will stick with their floral theme and name mine the Kentucky Honeysuckle. Jim Beam Honey, freshly brewed AtG cream soda, lemon - on the rocks.

3. How is the new job working out?

Ще видим.

A Game Called FTL

FTL. Faster than light. It's a term used when describing fictional and/or hypothetical engines that warp spacetime. But it's also the name of a game that I love! And it's finally on iPad!!! Hooray! I never beat it on the PC but I came close several times. I will on the iPad. The interface is so sweet! The designers really put a lot of thought into this UI.

I downloaded it and played it and, before I knew it, an hour had passed. I suspect that will happen with more frequency. Muwahahaha!

A Star Named PoraPora

Submitted a name for my star.

PoraPora.

(dramatic pause while I waited for the email... about 2 hours)

Accepted.

Yayayayayayayayayaya!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So one of the my all-time favorite games from adulthood was Galactic Civilizations II. GalCiv2 was a spiritual sequel to MOO2, or Masters of Orion II. Both are cherished games. So when GalCiv3 was announced and there was an opportunity to purchase the Founder's Edition I jumped on it. If anything deserves my monies this video game title is one of them.

One of the many perks was the ability to name a star that will appear in-game. So I named my star and I hope to colonize a planet on it one day in the game itself. I will make it a beautiful, lush, loving, tropical, peaceful place.

You know, with proper terraforming facilities and such. ;)

Crazy week in the mountains

Flew back to Boulder Tuesday and worked 12 to 15 hours Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Got some nutty news on my career... nutty, I tells ya! I left work Friday after having some incredible sushi over a late lunch and went for a beautiful (albeit muddy) hike up the Flat Irons. Then we got hammered! Watched the Game of Thrones marathon off and on while resting and working on Saturday. UK made it to the NCAA finals and face off against UConn tonight. Couches were burned. Hit up A-Basin with Jer yesterday. The weather was perfect. The runs were fast. The lifts were empty.

The Game of Thrones Season 4 premier last night was fantastic! Like the old Battlestar Galactica eps I always considered a good ep to *seem* like it lasts less than 20 minutes when the show actually goes an hour. When it faded to black last night I couldn't believe it had been a whole hour. We watched it again immediately after. I love that show. I suppose I really should read the books.

I was supposed to go to Denver tonight and hang with a friend but he is in the doghouse after a bad day of Rockies baseball mixed with edibles. He was rather passive-aggressive about the whole thing which sucked but whatever. Lesson learned... I will just not extend my trip again.

Looking forward to coming home tomorrow. My nutty career news, plus being gone for a whole week, makes me crave home more than I have since I moved.

2014 New Year Resolutions - Q1 Review

End of the quarter pop quiz!!! How are we doing with the 2014 New Year Resolutions?

"Social And Media" Q1 Review

1. Be social! Go out once a week.

I feel really good about this one. 60 West. Knob Creek. Firefly Fridays. Basa. The Back Door. Decca. The Garage. Papalino's. Mellow Mushroom. Paintball Asylum. Doc Crow's. Science Center. Boulder. Church!  I'm getting out. 

2. Make media! Create a work of art every other week.

I've created 7 - 1 more above my pace of 6!

3. Social media. Raising the self-imposed Internet ban! 

Still on Facebook. Still blogging (duh!). Still need to update my LinkedIn. Keeping at it though.

4. Social exercise. Run 300 miles.

According to MapMyRun.com, 73.88 miles. Wow, not bad since my pace over the course of the year should have me at 75 miles. I'm counting it. 

5. Read media. Finish reading a book every other month.

I should have read at least one book by now. I have not. I've read half of The Art of War... but it's such a short book. *blush*

6. Thrifty weekly spending. Spend less than "the magic number" per week on average weekly expenses. 

Welllllll, I'm only $25 over budget if you don't count this last week. I got a little nutty with some spending on golf gear yesterday. I suppose we really do have to count it so I'm $62 over. Oops! I gotta do better.

7. Do not touch the froggy. 

I'm going to make an addendum to this resolution, and by addendum I mean I am totally going to rewrite this. How about this instead?

7. I am not going to fall in love with anyone/anything that cannot love me back.

Succeeding so far.

The Walking Dead season finale

SPOILER FREE

This whole season of The Walking Dead (obligatory The Walking Dead link) has been top-notch. The finale was great. There have been 3 mind-blowing episodes (3 of the last 4) that I consider to be some of the best story telling on television - great character development and a fantastic job from the respective actors for delivering it. I cannot wait to see more!

Hearthstone Arena tutorials

Woke up feeling beat up. Definitely a day to chill at home.

A friend came over in the afternoon and helped me with some deck construction in Hearthstone, specifically the Arena builds. I am a sucker for the game Hearthstone right now (obligatory Hearthstone link). I can't get enough of it. But I'm not quite as good as I would like to be. So I picked up some good pointers and feel as if I learned a lesson or two. I'm ready for more action once the season rolls over March 31st.

Chick Pea also came over with nommy Cuban. Oh. Em. Gee. It hit the spot! She's the best. :)

Farewells

I experienced two farewells tonight. They occurred at the same time, more or less.

The first was watching UofL fall to UK in the NCAA tournament. As we were winding that party down, the Lord's kiddo, Junior, was begging me to let him go out. It was his last night of his internship before heading home. He said he wasn't going to make it back to the states soon so it was tough seeing him go. I hope he enjoyed his time.

Ease My Mind

In a
In a deep sleep
Awakened
By the dragons
Kept you hidden
Here with me
Was not prepared
For a dead end

Take me
Take me downtown
Tonight
I want to forget ()\
I want lights to
Blind me
I want beat
Want to disappear (to disappear)

Oh oh, DJ
Ease my mind, will you?
Play that song again
'Cause we were in love
Before
Before the rain began
And if I cry I
Cover my ears

Ease My Mind - Skrillex
(from DJ, Ease My Mind - Niki and the Dove)

Been in a funk

Work has been killing me. This month seems like a blur. Finished my project. Endured the IT Summit and the 24-hour (more like 40+ hour) Hackathon. Heading back out to Colorado next week for more work and play. Training for the mini was going well and then I stopped. Head testing continues. Made 4 hours of phone calls today to people like Roberta, Luis, and Carlos. Didn't get what I wanted but it did give me ideas. Filed my taxes tonight too. Ouch. The good news is that what I owe falls right in the middle of where I guessed. The bad news is that far too many zeroes are involved.

It's tough to do things. Life seems so heavy right now.

Nutty, crazy, sexy dream!!!!

I had the craziest dream this morning. It's weird, I warn you:

I was scuba diving with a grrrl and I had a huge fish captive in a small net. She and I were in radio contact. Not sure how that technology works these days but it was pretty clear in my dream. Anyway, the grrrl admitted that she was going to be ill. I told her to throw up in the water and I would let the captive fish "clean up". She removed her breather and "expelled" into the water. But then I had second thoughts about releasing the fish. And then I woke up and she was on top of me in my bed! Wham! The dream ended sooner than I would have liked after that.

Project continues.

The project

Started a big deal project this morning... full-stop, deep-dive, balls-to-the-wall... feels like the beginning of finals week. I hate stress like this but it is tempered by some good runs the last two days.

Fundays continue

'Nuff said.

Arcade Expo

Nothing takes me back to childhood and better days than the sounds of an active arcade. For whatever crazy reason it is musical to my earballs. ;)

It was a great time!

Firefly Friday continues!

Another Firefly Friday night out. It was a good night and one that I needed. Took a 4-hour nap this afternoon after a wonderful morning and emotional afternoon.

Blursday

This day was a complete blur. Resolution #7 is officially broken, that much I know for sure. :(

Angry 5 miles

Got my ass chewed out at work and ran an angry, fast-paced 5 miles during lunch. Grr!

Tuesday Q&A

Question:

What do these things have in common?

Chernobyl-level meltdown.
Magic.
Eggs and soysage and Lentil soup over basmati rice lunch.
Work > Play.
Pork chop and roasted brussel sprout and fresh green bean and roasted new/sweet potatoe and couscous with tomato and banana pudding dinner with baby Hudson!
Warm sheets out of the dryer and onto the bed.

Answer:

They were today. Wow.

Tiramisu and fried green tomatoes

Mmmmmmm!!!!!!!

(I'm home. Flight was on-time. Ran into a dear friend returning to Colorado as I was coming home. Conference call at the luggage carousel while the fire alarm is going off was a terrible idea. My father is a maniac driver. The roads are fine but there is no way I'm getting up that hill. Refreshing shower to clean away the grime. Sort laundry and it looks like a massive trash heap. Chick Pea came over with minty-lemon-tea-honey-bourbon drank and nommy food, including but not limited to the aforementioned title of this post. Mmmmmmm!!!!!!! Best ep of The Walking Dead ever! What great story telling (I mean, in a television setting with actors portraying characters based off a comic book)! Made a hilarious mess that required a full change of clothes. Thank you load of black clothes in the dryer! Tried to sleep but failed again.)

A-Basin

My snowboarding bonanza came to a close with a half-day of snowboarding at A-Basin. We hit the Montezuma bowl until lunch, where I got kinda hammered on 48 ounces of Pabst Blue Ribbon tall boys, at elevation and on an empty stomach. Woohoo!

So, I learned something about snowboarding in deep powder today. When you hit powder at high speeds it is unwise to make hard stops. Every time I did my tail would catch, I would lose my edge, and the mountain would flip me head over heels. I smacked my head pretty good once and then followed that initial impact with at least a couple of white-out cartwheels. I had to shake that one off for a bit. I spoke with theKim about it and she explained what I had already figured out - don't do that. :)

Ready to head home tomorrow although I heard the town is getting iced and snowed on by Winter Storm Titan. Here is hoping that the snow plows and de-icers are on their A game tonight and tomorrow.

Breckenridge

Spent the entire day snowboarding at Breckenridge. The conditions were nearly perfect. The slopes were empty until well after lunch. And the drinks during lunch were strong (and our server was super-duper cute). I had the best run of my life right after lunch. I felt like I was just gliding down the mountain. We made it back, started a fire, hung out in the hot tub, and now are just chilling on the couch in the living room. Will went back to Keystone for some more night skiing. Oh, the youth. It's going to be an early night for everyone. And I need it... I barely slept last night. My thoughts were racing, I sweated through my sleepwear and changed clothes, and I just listened to my heart pound in my ear for hours. A good night of sleep would be divine.

Keystone

Night skiing at Keystone. What a great time. So many great memories but the one that I want to mention are the coyotes. Right after we were done we went to dinner - the same place we went last year on National Margarita Day. Afterward, as we were ungearing (yeah, I made that word up) at the car I heard what I thought was a young kid imitating a coyote's howl. It was so over the top and seemed just across the parking lot. I kinda giggled, thinking to myself, "Oh, to be young, brash, and stupid again." But then more chimed in. And in moments it was a cacophony of piercing howls. They were real. And they were so close. It was jarring and it shook me. A pack of coyotes would tear me apart in no time... and they would. Spooky shit.

Great (Work) Day

I don't know if it's the mountain air or the change of scenery or just the planets aligning, but yesterday was a fantastic day at work. I wasn't terribly distracted. Things happened and clicked. I made progress on a number of things. And I felt like I had a handle on the different things I have going on. I wish I had more days when I felt on top and in control. Hopefully they will come more often.

Also, happy birfday Dad!!!

Leaving on a jet plane...

Woke up early this morning to pack before catching a flight to Denver. I suppose I had forgotten to do that prior to passing out last night. Oops! But other than the early morning rush to get packed and tidied up the day went perfectly. There was no wait at the ticket counter. There was no wait at security. The trip in the air was uneventful. Lunch in Denver was fine. The bus ride to Boulder seemed to fly by. Spent a few hours in the office and that was good. At dinner at Ermain's, a great little Mexican joint in Boulder that I tried last time I was out there. Settled in by watching some Archer and The Walking Dead episodes with Kim and Jeremy. Can't wait to hit the mountains this weekend!

Bad Day Turns Great!

Spent the day on a Fool's Errand, in a sense. Phone calls. Bank visit. Attorney visits. I really wish I could pay someone to do this legwork for me. It'll all turn out in the end but it's such a pain in the butt right now.

I did manage to make it to the candy store as well as a visit to mom and dad's to get their luggage. I was looking forward to spending a fun evening with Chick Pea to catch up on some Olympic coverage that we had missed. And I was supremely delighted to see her vehicle and my lights on when I pulled up the the condo.

"Honey, I'm home!" I jokingly called out when I came in the door. She was finishing up cleaning up my kitchen and the dishes. So sweet of her to do. I was a little tipsy so we took some shots to level the playing field. And then spent a great evening chatting and watching the Olympic closing ceremonies I had recorded.

It's truly amazing how your day can turn with the company you keep.

Artful ramblings

I finished a piece over the weekend that I am very proud of. The source photograph was blurry so I could not manage to get a good mock-up for the duotone the client requested. I was given a good bit of leniency with this one so I made up for the lack of discerning detail by adding more colors. In the end, I utilized a combination of nine separate colors. And the methods I used to create the piece were similar to the styles of the art of the latest comic book idea I've been noodling over the last few years. So it was really neat to see that style realized.

The client loved the piece and that was great. I swear, if I could paint everyday and put smiles on people's faces on the daily I would. But, life is expensive and I've never really been into the whole "starving artist" lifestyle. So I'll keep my day job.

What. A.(typical) Day!

Slept in. Gloooooooorious sleeping in after a lazy Saturday (which is an oddity, in and of itself). The kind where you feel like you slept waaay in but you wake up and it's still early? So you roll over and taste the pillow with your grin? It was a good stay-in-bed morning. And I was not in the mood to do anything. The Universe had other plans...

Drank too much OJ and got some virtual motivation.

Cranked out 5+ miles on a tough little course I had previously mapped out.

Logged off and on, working off and on.

Painted a piece, "Boots With Pipe", acrylic on canvas, 24" x 18".

Created a pretty good Paladin deck in Hearthstone. 8-)

Played turns as Lord Drogo in an epically long game I'm playing. 8-)

Watched Olympic coverage - the closing ceremony, in fact. ;)

Gawd, I'm gonna miss those Olympics. :(
(Gratz to the host nation, Russia, for winning overall metal count and to the Netherlands for winning overall gold. Well done, to all involved!)

Ate snacks, including but not limited to half of a box of the new Cheerios with chocolate clusters, until my belly put me into food coma.

Passed out on the couch watching The Walking Dead.

What. A.(typical) Day!

Ebulliently Sexy Dream

Do you know those dreams that are more or less fantasies but since you are not fantasizing you are not controlling it so the whole thing seems even more exciting? I mean, let's be honest. When fantasizing you kinda already know how the story ends. Dreams can take any number of plot twists. Anyway, I had this dream that seemed so real that I woke up wondering if it had...

In my dream, I am asleep in my bed. Except I am on top of the covers and wearing socks and pants and stuff (I sleep in undies and a tee). I awake and find a mysterious woman sidling up next to me. It's too dark for her to see my smile. And it's too dark for me to know who she is. But I feel safe and don't even question that some grrrl broke into my house and is in my bedroom. I don't know how I know exactly, but I know that this woman wants me and I know that I want her. Shaking off the effects of sleep, we pull each other close.

We share a tender moment followed by kisses. Kisses lead to caressing. Caressing leads to sharp breaths. Clothes are lost during the entanglement. Fingers and lips navigate toward desired destinations. At some point I am on my back and she is straddling me. I can feel her pressing against me and I am only thinking that I want this woman - I yearn for our bodies to bang and our teeth to clang.

*poof*

I woke up. I was there only by myself. The sun wasn't even up. She was gone... or she was never there to begin with. I got up for a bit and went back to bed, hoping to go back to the mysterious stranger. Alas, I did not find her nor receive any more visits... although my deadbeat ass did manage to stay in bed 'til nearly noon.

... running together.

Wake up. Is it Tuesday? No. Shower. Go into work. Meetings and calls. Lunch. Calls and meetings. Work. Is it a run day? Yes. Run the Big Four 3.92 Miler. Go home. Eat dinner. Do I have to work? No. Video games, movie, or TV? Olympic coverage and video games.

Days seem to be...

Wake up. Is it Tuesday? No. Shower. Go into work. Meetings and calls. Lunch. Calls and meetings. Work. Is it a run day? No. Go home. Eat dinner. Do I have to work? No. Video games, movie, or TV? Olympic coverage.

WE WON!!!

Chick Pea helped me (well, I only barely helped her, really) make a bombass batch of white chili, named Scott Tenorman's Chili. It was deelish when we sampled as we were making it. And it must've been good to others because it won the Best White Chili award at the chili cook-off! :)

Thank you so much, Chick Pea, for your help and for everything you do!

Musings

I think I am stronger than people give me credit for... even myself. Sure, things have been rough. But ask yourself this question: when aren't they?

Life is all about what you make out of what you are given.

I want that sentence to be all by itself up there because I truly believe that. The Universe gives us options and we choose to take them. We live with the rewards, consequences, benefits, and punishments for those choices. We win some. We lose some. We come out even. Times sometimes seem rougher than normal. Times sometimes seem greater than normal.

I have said this and will continue saying it: Happiness (in life) = Expectations (what you expect out of life) - Reality (what life gives you). It's really that simple. Find yourself sad more than you think you should? Maybe you are in a rough patch. Maybe life is kicking you while you are down ('cause Lawd it certainly seems like that's the way it goes). Or maybe, just maybe, you should expect less out of life. Just a suggestion.

I'm getting older. (DUH!?!, right? No shit... we're all getting older) I am no longer in my heyday when it comes to unadulterated fun and antics. But do I lament this fact? I hope not. I truly believe I am embracing my place in my life right now and facing what is to come with my chin up, my eyes open, and a smile on my face.

Why the introspection when my posts have recently been short and mundane? I'm not sure. But I think it has something to do with visiting with my two fave grrrls today and thinking about cycles and patterns by which we live. It bothered me to think that I may have fallen into a cycle I do not care to be in nor even admit to myself that I am in. But I thought long and hard about it and realized that I *feel* differently, act differently, and treat them differently. Most importantly, I love them both and can't think of my life without either. If I were just going through the motions of a cycle, would one not be interchangeable with the other?

Life is messy. Life is dirty. Life is mean. Make the best of it. I try to. :)

In the last 48 hours...

... I woke up early to run a 5-mile run on patches of a snow/ice mix at 7am. Kick ass.

... I cooked up a killer breakfast of maple syrup-flavored soysage and eggs with Manchego cheese.

... I donated blood in the blood bus.

... I made a run to Sam's (candy bars!).

... I watched some Olympic coverage. ;)

... I ate a Burrito Gigante and felt absolutely crammed with food.

... I enjoyed Firefly Friday on a Sunday and played Carcassone for three. Beginner's luck! :D

... I watched another great episode of The Walking Dead (SPOILER: Carol is back!).

... I slept in, hard.

... I enjoyed lunch from North End with Chick Pea.

... I went through a half-dozen bins and am 80% done with putting all of it away.

... I ran a 2-mile run in a cold deluge. I was soaking wet. Soaking.

... I watched some more Olympic coverage. ;)

... I enjoyed a wonderful birfday with Chick Pea!

... I finished a painting. "Anna Laine", 20" x 20" acrylic on canvas.

"Off and On"

The blood is thick, thicker than my thoughts are quick
Quicker than these thoughts turn sick, sick, 

Sicker than my temperature rising,
Sicker than the whites of their eyes despising 

Me and all my lovers that I can't disguise
And I'll never know why

Ooh, the air is clear, clearer that the taste of tears,
Clearer than the smell of fear

And I'm fearful for a long cold year with you.

Don't you know what you do?
You give me the horrors and I give you the goo that oozes
Separate the scabs from the bruises

I turn my thoughts off and on, off and on, off and on...

(Instrumental)

I'm out of breath, offers me a taste of death
Equally a taste of life and I freeze to feel it,
I prayed to my gawd and I prayed to yours Jesus, oh yes
I prayed and I pleaded that I'd never go back
But I'm always going back

'Cause the touch is sweet, sweeter than he touches me,
Sweeter when that touch repeats, repeats,
Please believe my heart spills its guts every time that you leave.
Don't you know what you do?
You give me the horrors and I give you the goo that oozes
Separate the scabs from the bruises

Off and on, off and on, off and on...

(Instrumental)

He's gonna teach me how to live, he's gonna teach me how to live...

-- "Off and On" - Findlay

A full day planned...

I had a full day ahead of me: painting, work on tickets, work on metrics, do laundry, sort bins, go to Target, go to Sam's, scope out tomorrow's run at the park, and hit up the Apple Store if I got out that way.

What did I accomplish?

I watched some Olympic coverage and napped for 4 hours. Hey, it's a Rest Day. ;)

Sparkling Cocktails at Basa

Yummy!!! :)

Wow (continued)

Run. Meetings. Lunch. Work. Soccer. Play. Wow.

Great day. 'Nuff said.

Wow

Just WOW.

So much happened today. But the evening is what I will remember. Marvelous!

Lost in the finals... again

I'm getting tired of getting all the way to the finals and then losing. This has happened three times in a row now on the Tuesday league. TNT Strikers cannot catch a break. Fucking. Lame!

We won the first game 3-0.

We won the quarterfinals 3-1.

We won the semifinals against last season's champions, 4-3.

But then came up short in the finals, 1-3.

We're getting old and tired. And the opponents just keep staying young. This is an open league and it is brutal on tournament night. Tonight was no different. I think both of my thumbs are jammed and both palms are still tingling.

Still, we had fun. And I hear that is the point of it all. ;)

Lexicographic Ordering of BluRays

I will no longer avoid taking into account a common article in a title, like a leading "The...", whilst sorting BluRays alphabetically.

The movie "The Man With the Iron Fists" gets shoved in with the T's.

Period.

(untitled)

*sigh*

What a day.

:)

Bustin' ass

Watching people eat it, or bust their ass, is kinda funny to watch if you know that the person won't be or isn't hurt afterward.

I've often tried to explain how funny it is using stories from Bust Ass Hill back at Transy. But each time I try to formulate the story I realize how it really isn't something that you can explain with effectiveness, similar to how disengaging it can be for the recipient when relaying the contents of a nightmare. I digress...

My runner partner and I did our best to power through some crap weather the the conditions at the park were between Unsafe and Treacherous. I was slipping and sliding all over the place. It was not cool. We were barely down the block when she called it off and walked back to drive to her neighborhood. I looked both ways before crossing the street, just like they teach you, and while looking one way my partner busted ass the other. I caught her as she corrected but noticed the snow going up side of her. Teehee!

I didn't make it. Too little sleep? Too salty dinner? Didn't hydrate? The stop-and-go screwed me up? We walked. We started back up. We walked again. We decided it best to walk back and call it.

We were nearing the turn to her block. I was fiddling with the iPod. Flisssh. I was about to bust ass. I felt at least one foot wanting to fly up so, remembering "ankles over head", I tried to drop to the ground. I think my right elbow took most of the blow. Some old guy offered to help but we were both laughing by that point. I made some joke about being good at bouncing. /me is lame. ;)

Ups and Downs

Waking up all night due to 5-minute job failure alerts? Down.

Slipping up the hill on the way to work? Down.

Morning Skype greetings? Up!

All day at work? Down.

Spending $2000 at my 3:30 appointment? Down/Up... jury is still out (punny).

Knowing that I'm firing someone Monday. Def UP!

Home Depot run for low wattage bulbs? I'll count it as up.

Two-mile run in 18 degree weather with Chick Pea? Up.

Dinner with chicken feet? Up (although I honestly did not try the chicken feet)

Ascension for three? Up!

Firefly Friday? Up!!

One more day closer to Funday? Up, up, and away!!!

Saints != Pool Hall

Here is something I learned today: If you want to play pool, you should mark Saints off of your possibilities. No pool tables. They got rid of all of them. We asked what the ruckus was upstairs and the answer? Salsa dancing. HUH?!?!

Also, for the record, I think 60 West's Shock Tart is my favorite drink.

Lastly, what a weird day for Sassy Pants to come out of the woodwork. Love talking with her. Oh, to be so young and silly again... (take a chance)

Is it really only Wednesday?

This has seemed like the longest day. Woke up to ice. After getting stuck on the hill three times I drove into the office. Sore from Monday's intervals. Glad soccer was cancelled last night. Morning meetings. Walked to Muth's to buy M some Modjeskas. Shared a pound with the office. They were gone in minutes. Afternoon frustration with ticket 2811. Grr. Bought a curtain rod at Target. Ran a quick 2 miles with Chick Pea in the freezing weather. Popped in and chatted with the kids. M was very generous with her Modjeskas. Came home with a gift of my own. So sweet! Showered, ate Taco Pie, and hung the curtain rod. Surprise visit from Chick Pea with new curtains! Showed off the new lighting in the rooms upstairs. Played a little Hearthstone. Not sure where the rest of the night went. So tired and worn out.

My final day before the Icy Storm of Icy Doom-Ice destroyed us all...

Waking up seemed tough today.
Morning meetings in bed with my chestop (laptop sitting on my chest).
Called to make an appointment for my head.
Read a letter that ruined my day. It just upset me so much!
Showered and slipped a bit driving up the hill.
Old man thew a snowball and yelled at me to slow down.
Turned around and asked him where his radar gun was.
Words were exchanged.
Fuming, I figured that was the right time to make a phone call.
Made a phone call.
Words were exchanged in a similar if not different tone.
Work and work and work.
Made an appointment on Friday to replace the source of the letter that upset me so.
Commuted home before the Icy Storm of Icy Doom-Ice.
Took a rest on the steps for a moment.
Rolled up a rug to give to Chick Pea.
Switched out back porch light.
Found where I made an $0.08 mistake in the budget last week. That was killing me.
Rearranged the studio again.
Wired up lighting that works with the wall switch.
Laundry.
Thought up a way to arrange the paper lamps in my bedroom.
Wired up lighting that works with the wall switch again!
Found my favorite Dyson attachment.
Vacuumed the upstairs and steps.
Laundry.
Stomach is so raw from all of the emotions it is digesting. Blech.
Icy Storm of Icy Doom-Ice is beginning to drag limbs down.
Dooooooooooooom!

Monday recap

Woke up with an unexpected overnight guest. Chick Pea got snowed in. She made breakfast while I worked. More than 3 inches came down last night but the roads turned out to be fine, albeit messy. After my morning meetings we picked up the kids and went to the Science Center. It was a blast. There is so much for the kids to do down there. After a good time there we came back to the abode and devoured some Tony Boombozz. After cleaning up and watching the kids play on the back deck we headed back over and ran intervals. Ugh. I used to make fun of the nut jobs that ran in weather like this. After being dropped off at the place I cleaned the closet, stored the memory bins, went through my DVDs, changed light bulbs, cleared off the foyer table, reconfigured the Alienware on the desk, changed all the Tiffany lamps around, started a new box of giveaways, and watched the first 5 minutes of Archer (can't ruin Archer Tuesday). Then I finished the night by pigging out on raisins, chocolate chip cookies, and cream soda. What a fucking day. Yeehaw! :)

Sunday Funday... Mmmmmm

What a beautiful day.

Highlight of my day

Was the highlight of my day waking up to another mild temperature? Nope.

Was the highlight of my day kicking off my Kentucky Derby Mini-Marathon training with Chick Pea at the park for 3.5 miles? That was good but no.

Was the highlight of my day eating Taco Bell for lunch a second day in a row? Nom but no.

Was the highlight of my day hanging my stormtrooper pieces high on the wall in the studio and catching up with Archer with dad? Nah.

Was the highlight of my day getting a ton of goodies on a late night Target run? Not even close.

Was the highlight of my day spending laser pointer time with Nemo? Cute but no.

The highlight of my is why I'm still up at 1:58am with a huge grin on my face. And it's gonna make for a rough early morning. (but totally worth it) RAWR!

The gift and the feeling...

I haven't felt this feeling in a good long while.

It's a good feeling. A warm feeling. A feeling of safety.

Somebody cares for me.

A friend of mine crafted the most beautifully thought out gift I have received in my adult life. It all started with a joke about the lack of clocks in my place. I knew that she was up to something and that some sort of construction or fabrication was involved. I knew that this project involved at least two trips to different places.

The gift is a clock. And like so much of my friend's cooking, it's made from scratch. I cannot go into the details of how she put it all together because, frankly, when she was explaining it I was doing my best to fight back tears. It really touched me to have someone care so much about me that they take all of little things they've learned about me and put effort and love into creating something from that.

I think it has been a long time since someone has cared for me like that. And it just feels wonderful.

I made a "snack" tonight

This "snack" consisted of:

Half block of Gouda from Holland
Third block of mild cheddar
Sleeve of rice crackers
A few reheated chicken kebabs
A reheated beef kebab
Grapes
Cherry tomatoes
Day-old flatbread
Hummus
Reheated baba ghanoush

Soooooo, "snack" was more or less "dinner". It was lovely. And it goes without saying that my guest that shared my snack with me only enhanced the evening.

Scotland Yard's newest inspector...

... is Inspector Chick Pea!

After a yummy dinner at Shiraz, Chick Pea and I went back to my place and broke out the board games. Chick Pea chose Scotland Yard and we played two rounds, one each as Mister X and the inspectors. We drew. What impressed me was how fast she picked up the game mechanics. I pride myself on being an excellently elusive Mister X and yet, on her initial play through, she nabbed me... hehe, oh boy did she! :)

Looking forward to more board game playing with her.

Twos-day

Sunday Funday.
Monday drama.
Tough day.
Work stunk.
Tickets unresolved.
Request made.
Request granted.
Lovely evening.
Too short.
Television blamed.
Slept soundly.
Early meeting.
Late commute.
So cold!
Negative vibes.
General drama.
Archer lunch.
Tony Boombozz.
Lame afternoon.
Gas stop.
Bank stop.
Parent visit.
Revolution catchup.
Soccer victory.
Missed chick-a-dee.
Hearthstone beta.
Already sore.
Late bedtime.

Funday Limericks

I had afternoon company coming over
So I left for my neighborhood Kroger
Gouda, milk, soda, candy bar
Then out to my car
Where I was almost hit by a Land Rover

The eggs in a basket were yummy
The fig in the cookies so gummy
Tomato gravy for the win
Followed with Burnt Ends
All made for a satisfied fat tummy 

In the past, this day I call Sunday
Was just a day, the day before Monday
Until this chick-a-dee
Came and podded my pea
And now I think of today as our Funday!

Hearthstone Open Beta

Question(s):

Where were you all day Saturday?
Why didn't you answer my text/call/email on Saturday?
Were you able to get out of your complex with all this new snow and ice?
Did you shower on Saturday?
Did you do laundry on Saturday?
Did you go to the grocery store on Saturday?
Did you eat?
Did you sleep?

Answer (to all questions above):

I joined the Hearthstone open beta.

Five Friday Facts

1. Central Futbol Club is happy to have their goalkeeper back.

After taking a mid-season break and then missing additional games due to illness, I returned to the roster of Central FC... on tournament night, no less. Tournament night is the night when all the teams are seeded and play in a single-elimination tournament. The games are shortened by an entire half. And the play is intense. This is how I feel about tournament night: I want to either win the whole damn thing or lose the very first game. So how did Central FC fare? Hell, we lost in the finals... worst possible scenario. They were all great games though and everyone played well.

2. The Shock Tart, silly as it sounds, is the best martini at 60 West.

If you like nontraditional and sweet martinis, that is. They used to have a drink called the Flux Capacitor and it was the bomb. They made one for me time before last even after it had been off the menu but I fell in love with the Shock Tart that night too. Tonight was no different. And veggie goat cheese dip. Nom!

3. My new job is a very different beast than previous work experience.

I like it. And I hope I'm good at it. I think I am. There are personnel management situations that I am capable of handling but feel kind of bad for saying one thing and knowing something else. I understand the need and comply. But I fear secrets build secrets and, hell, transparency is what we do. Today was a day like that.

4. Blood work came back negative.

Does that sentence, out of context, sound like bad news? It does to me. But no, that sentence is good news, I suppose. Going back next week.

5. Savant is coming to North America.

I will see a show. The problem is that the *week* he is in North America is the Developer's Summit at work. The night I would want to see him in St. Louis is the night after an all-night event. Double, double toil and trouble. Argh.

I'm a fool

Thought my friend was getting shitty with me. Called her out. Then I was the one who felt bad.

Samurai Jack

For those of you who missed Genndy Tartakovsky's works during the early 2000s I am sorry. He was the man behind such classics as Dexter's Laboratory, The Power Puff Grrrls, Samurai Jack, and The Clone Wars microseries. His animation is very stylized. His stories are very tight. He keeps dialogue to a minimum. And I love when it all comes together.

Those who know me know some of the things I love: Star Wars, art, video games, soccer. There are few who know of my deep love for Samurai Jack and his never-ending run-ins with the evil, shape-shifting sorcerer Aku. I thought the series was brilliant. I show my niece and nephew the cartoons these days and they hold up. In fact, they sometimes ask their uncle if they could watch "that cartoon with the guy with the sword."

I don't really have a point. I'm working on piece that is an homage to Samurai Jack. I see that reruns are back on the Hub channel. Talks of a movie to wrap things up are still rumored. Mako, the iconic voice of Aku, passed away in 2006 though. But still, perhaps, in some form or another, the saga of Samurai Jack may continue...

"Only tears can bring a dreamer back to earth."

A day of ups and downs.

Mom had cataract surgery on her other eye but she feels good and it turned out as expected. I had 6.5 hours blocked off for meetings and appointments. That gave me three 30 minute breaks here and there. And it was a busy day. McD's cheeseburgers for lunch. Blech. Cut out early to take Honey Badger to the airport. Made a run to Sam's to load up on tea drank (1 for me, 3 for dad).

Had a very interesting visit with my doctor. Copious amounts of blood were drawn. What's a gill? Possibly but probably not thyroid issues. Possibly but probably not heavy metal poisoning. Probably something else. Possibly one other thing. Laughable phone call afterward but it put me in a rotten mood.

Headed home and started texting Sexy Back about sillines. Her little grrrl with the fake mustache was hilarious. Hilarious!!! And she realized something funny... such a small world! I wonder if a punch from Sexy Back would even hurt. (I kinda doubt it)

Counted down the moments before Chick Pea showed up. I knew she was bringing me dinner and I was excited to see what she made. What I didn't realize is that she was bringing dinner for SIX! Omg, it was so nommy and I'ven't even *tasted* everything yet. We chilled, watched a show, told stories. She's really such an incredible person. She does so much and considers it just part of her day. I strive to be as productive in my daily life. Hated to let her go tonight.

After she left I started sorting my memory bins further. I was trying to split them by age for the longest time but kept having trouble. I think I've got it down though. Childhood. Middle School. High School. College. 20s. Marriage #1. 30s. Marriage #2. 40s. Legal & Taxes. Efforts stalled out very close to the end. I have to further sort my 20s bin and then go through a humongous pile of pictures strewn across the ages. At least the mess is off of the kitchen floor.

Wound down by watching UofL annihilate USF and nomming on rice crispy treats.

Thinking back on a full day and smiling. I have very good friends surrounding me and supporting me with their love. Cracked open my fortune cookie from last night's Great Wall: "Only tears can bring a dreamer back to earth."

Smiles abound here! :)

UPDATE: Chick Pea's ciabatta  kicks all kinds of ass!

What a relaxing day!

I haven't had such a relaxing day in a long time. The ice storm kept me in for most of the day. It was a good, albeit hectic, day "at" the office (I worked from home in my pjs). My Tuesday Archer Lunch didn't happen due to the weather but that's okay. Sweet Pea came over for an afternoon visit and that was lovely. We talked about lighting and bedroom arrangements and all of the things that match the color turquoise. And of course we teased each other. That grrrl is so much like me... it's like a female clone that ended up with a few better qualities than I did. Haha! Time with her seems to just fly by. She left and I gobbled up some Great Wall... Singapore Chow Mei Fun and Curry Chicken (STAY AWAY FROM CURRY CHICKEN BECAUSE IT IS BOILED TO DEATH AND GROSS). Then I got an invite to go to Chick Pea's house to watch Firefly. I never got into that show but I had always heard great things about it. Hung out with Chick Pea until it got late. Came home, wound down, and went to bed early. Mmm, good day. :)

2014 New Year Resolutions - Day 20

Pop Quiz! We (the royal "we") are going to check in on the 2014 New Year Resolutions progress, 20 days into 2014 with a 7 question TRUE/FALSE quiz.

And without further ado:

"Social And Media"

1. Be social! Go out once a week.  TRUE/FALSE:

KINDA. I have been social. Pizza and brownies with Sexy Back. Pizza-less inaugural Archer lunch with the boys. Pan's Labyrinth and Funny Face with Sweet Pea. Curtain Epiphany 2014! Honey Badger's 35-minute power nap. Catching up and conversation over the UofL game that we didn't even watch! Sharing drinks and saying goodbye to Einstein at Against the Grain.

I've done all of these things since the beginning of the year. So the answer should simply be TRUE, right? The problem is that, other than the last one on the list, all of these fantastic things have happened at my place. So while I feel like a butterfly (as in social butterfly... don't know how else one would take that but that's neither here nor there - I felt like clarifying... perhaps like how Muhammad Ali in that I am...) I am not exactly getting out much. Still have 12% unpacking and arranging to do. And then I have to clean. Thank you, Dyson! The weather has been crap and that's been keeping me in. Oh, I am certain the Weather Bomb had something to do with it too as thousands perished in the blistery vortex the scientists warned us about - IF ONLY WE HAD LISTENED!*

* The sentence immediately preceding this asterisk is completely false although not too far from how I felt the news was attempting to portray it 

2. Make media! Create a work of art every other week.

TRUE. I have really gone ape shit in the studio. SIX PIECES! Six. I've been posting everything. And people say the sweetest things! It's so uplifting. But yeah, six pieces... that sets me out until the Spring but I have no intention of slowing down.

3. Social media. Raising the self-imposed Internet ban!  TRUE/FALSE:

TRUE: I have been very busy with work and painting. I am back on Facebook and it's a lot of fun. I need to at least get my LinkedIn page/profile/whatever updated. I don't want to gussy it up too much though, lest my employer think I'm looking to walk. Ha! I just take pictures with my phone so Flickr may be overkill. We'll see.

4. Social exercise. Run 300 miles.  TRUE/FALSE:

EHHH. It's COLD. I can't run in this cold. So I'm waiting. I still have some days before I have to start with the Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training Guide - Novice 1 Program.  The problem is that I'm out of soccer shape and haven't played since before Christmas. It sure has felt good though. :| 

5. Read media. Finish reading a book every other month. TRUE/FALSE:

EHHH. I have demoted The Hobbit from the first book to be read and will instead bestow that honor to The Art of War. It's a loaner from... well, I can't call her Runner Grrrl anymore because she had surgery... a good friend.

6. Thrifty weekly spending. Spend less than "the magic number" per week on average weekly expenses.  TRUE/FALSE:

MOSTLY? Dude, I killed it the first two weeks of January. This week, eh...I'm over by $10.92. I can live the rest of the week with either food here or pocket change and folding money in the car. It's only ten dollars! Plus a little bit of that helped make miracle Curtain Epiphany 2014 (tees available soon). Besides, on average, I am still well under my magic number by $111/week. Mark it 8, Dude.

7. Do not touch the froggy.  TRUE/FALSE:

WELLLLLLL. According to the parameters of this resolution when I first put it out there in my head, then answer is TRUE. But the parameters were ambiguously clear whilst concurrently clearly ambiguous. In fact, a number of things I had never considered could now be considered contenders for addendums to the resolution. Since the resolution itself has nothing to do with either "touching" or "froggies" it would be hard to explain using those terms. Perhaps another time. Suffice to say, TRUE.

Sunday in a nutshell

Reports in the morning. Sweet Pea came over for a visit. Power cord at work. Lunch at Ramiro's. Good conversations. Target run. Checked out Sweet Pea's house. Curtain situation: Resolved. Funny Face. Big smiles. More hanging. Always good times. Finished reports. Pigged out on homemade pretzels and fudge. Watched late-night movies. Woke up on the couch at 6:54am.

It Was A Good Day

Just waking up in the morning gotta thank God
I don't know but today seems kinda odd
No barking from the dogs, no smog
And momma cooked a breakfast with no hog
I got my grub on, but didn't pig out
Finally got a call from a girl want to dig out
Hooked it up on later as I hit the do'
Thinking will i live another twenty fo'
I gotta go cause I got me a drop top
And if I hit the switch, I can make the ass drop
Had to stop at a red light
Looking in my mirror not a jacker in sight
And everything is alright
I got a beep from Kim and she can fuck all night
Called up the homies and I'm askin' y'all
Which park, are y'all playin' basketball?
Get me on the court and I'm trouble
Last week fucked around and got a triple double
Freaking brothers every way like M.J.
I can't believe, today was a good day

-- Ice Cube

Just waking up in the morning gotta thank Gawd
I don't know but today seems kinda odd
No barking from the dogs, quick blog
And momma cooked a breakfast with fried hog
I dropped the goods off, got my payoff
(gotta side thing if I ever get laid off)
Forgot my list as I hit the do'
Thinking what to buy for the next twenty fo'
I gotta spend 'cause I got me a cute date
And if we hit it off, she may even stay late
Had to stop at a red light
Looking to my left, and turned a red on right
And everything is alright
I got some stuff from stores and I'm set for all night
Facebooked my buddy and askin' ya'll
Still coming, for UofL basketball?
Crack open bourbon and I'm trouble
Last week fucked around and drank a triple double
Having fun everyday 'til my last day I can't believe, today was a good day

-- DeadBrinley

I just read in the news recently (even though I've mostly cut myself off from the news... you guys realize it's about a bunch of stuff we have no control over like weather, politics, religion that rarely affect our day-to-day lives and yet we feel compelled to read/watch everyday?!) that Ice Cube wanted to get the Goodyear blimp to light up "ICE CUBE'S A PIMP" to benefit some charity. I don't think the old white guys who run the gnomes and gremlins that crank the cranks that make 'merica move forward will allow it, but that would AWESOME!

Running on empty

I'm out of gas. Emotionally, mentally, physically, interdimensionally, and literally. That latter one is easily remedied with a trip to the gas station. The others will take time and rest. The problem is that I do not have time to take, which disallows the aforementioned rest.

My work week ended but my work did not. I have 6 reports to complete tomorrow. I have done a ton of research and will have great stories to tell for each product in my decks. But I have to compile and compute and tell the story with the data. I like doing this part of my job. It's just tedious.

I have 3 paintings due to be dropped off at the client's house tomorrow at 9am. I am not going to even admit how much I still have left to go. Suffice to say, it's gonna be a late night. I'm going to eat some cold pizza, crack an energy drank, and get the fuck to it!

I have to run errands. I'm out of tea drank. I'm out of food. I'm nearly out of toilet paper. I need to go to Target, Kroger, and probably Sam's. I have a good grocery list (remember the perfect answer?) and I'm hoping my friend appreciates all the snack options that will be available. :) I know they will!

A friend is coming over Saturday to watch some basketball and catch up. Another friend is coming over Sunday to watch a flick. And, wouldn't you know it, I have Monday off. Thank you for being born, Martin Luther (the) King! :)

I will be wrecked in the morning after this last push to get all of the paintings done. But perhaps, just maybe, I might be able to catch up a bit over the weekend. Get myself recharged. Get the rest that I need. Eat the food that I'm missing. Still feeling the manic, crazy, sweaty feeling and I'm going to the doctor on Wednesday to talk about that.

A day of rage and tears

Made a phone call today with the intent of severing ties. The "victim" was on another call. Can't really "break up" in a voice message so I left a message with a secretary. I told her that I was thinking about leaving and that I had been unhappy with the service for quite some time. She assured me that I would get a call back ASAP.

That's part of the problem. She always says that. And they never call back - ASAP or otherwise. I don't want to be the kid who takes his ball home when he doesn't get his way but I am PAYING for the service. It's not a courtesy, it's part of the service that I expect. So I've heard all of this before. Perhaps this time was different.

Turns out it was. But I started hearing the same excuses and my blood began to boil. I shot up from my desk and frantically searched for an office with a door I could close. I fell about 12 paces short. Right in the hallway, in front of cubes and offices alike, I *kinda* lost my shit. Temper flared. Voice raised. Effectiveness was questions. Expletives were utilized.

It takes a lot to get me worked up. Even more so these days than just a few years ago. And I cannot tell you when I have been that upset. I was given assurances. I was given promises. I don't care about all of that. I want results. And I think I've paid quite enough to have "earned" the right to get them.

I think my outburst, embarrassing as it was, actually may get things rolling. I hate squeaky wheel syndrome. I don't like to be the complainer. But the time had long passed for me to give this person a piece of my mind. I like where things are going, at least preliminarily. We'll see in the coming months if I made the right choice in sticking with them. I hope so. I'm just tired of the fighting.

Well, a few hours later, I guess things just caught up with me and I began sobbing at my desk. I went into a dark office and got my shit back together. I returned to my desk, cracked open a special bottle of Woodford, poured a triple, and gulped it in one motion.

Thankfully the night was not full of further acts of self-destruction. In fact, quite the opposite. A friend came over late and brought me hugs, hope, and some PB M&Ms. It was kinda fucking awesome and they are kind of my hero right now. <3