Thanks to The Last Angry Man for backing me up. I know my previous post may have been a bit over the top, but sufficed to say I have a great deal of anxiety over the idea of an America under John Kerry. I simply don't trust him and his policies. Unlike the rhetoric of anti-Bush voters, my distrust of Kerry is based on his weak at best, treasonous at worst, record in the Senate and not on some unjustified hatred of him as a person.
Granted, our government is designed so that no matter how much things change, the more they stay the same. There are enough checks and balances to prevent any sudden swing towards any radical policy. And sure, in his own way, deluded and irrational as I may view it, I'm sure Kerry really does believe that he has the nation's best interests in mind. But, not only do I not agree with the ways he wants to do things, I don't believe Kerry actually has any realistic plans to do the things he says he will.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Into the Lion's Den
I barely survived the afternoon spent with my mom's family in Lansing. My dad and I arrived around halftime - two Republican Wolverines in a house full of Socialist Spartans. My brother is at MSU, two aunts and my grandfather are alumni, and one uncle is on the faculty there. My mom had been there since last night, and had explained to my extended family that I was voting for Bush. They didn't want to hear why, they were too busy trying to convince me I was wrong and just needed to hear Kerry's ideas one more time. For those of you still dumb enough to be making a gametime decision in the voting booth, let me give you something to chew on. This is why I'm voting for Bush.
Welcome to John Kerry's America...
International Policy
Kerry will hold true to his words, and pull US troops out of Iraq within the first 2 years of his presidency. Since he loves Vietnam so much, just picture Saigon and you'll get an idea of how this will happen. This will not be victory with honor, or even a tactical retreat. No, he'll pull the troops out right in the middle of a mission and leave the fragile Iraqi democracy to the wolves. This will show Iran that we really don't care about the Middle East anymore, and they will promptly test out all of their new missiles on Israel.
After pulling out the troops, he'll give France and Germany back their oil fields in Iraq in the first of many attempts to bend over backwards to please Old Europe. In case you're wondering, France and Germany had no moral objections to participating in the creation of a Democratic Iraq - they only resisted because it meant losing the oil fields they had been giving Saddam money and food for, both of which went towards building his army instead of helping the Iraqi people.
So after completely abandoning the War on Terror, Kerry will sit atop the Ivory Tower of the UN rubbing elbows with other losers like Kofi Annan, all the while claiming to be deeply concerned about crises and tragedies around the world. Kerry will slowly retreat every American asset back within our borders, and proceed to cower here hoping that nobody bothers us. Being from Massachusetts, he wants to make the US a "City on the Hill" where we can talk about how great we are instead of actually doing something. And in proud UN tradition, we'll sit atop our hill just like the UN peace-keepers did in Rwanda, watching the rest of the world murder itself.
Domestic Policy
The latest video released from Osama Bin Laden is basically threatening the US to vote for John Kerry. Personally, if Bin Laden tells me to vote for Kerry, that's even more reason to vote for Bush. Bin Laden is hoping that the US will go the way of Spain and elect a new leader who will cave into the demands of terrorists. Bin Laden knows that if Kerry is elected Al Qaeda will be free to rebuild itself and do whatever it wants. They've been planning something big for a long time, and Kerry will blissfully ignore that while he invites Bin Laden to Camp David for tea and cookies. As a result, I pray that I'm wrong, if Kerry is elected there will be another attack on the US before the end of 2005. I don't think it will be in the same scope or design as the World Trade Center attacks, I think it will be something designed to kill as many innocents and as many Jews as possible. Think along the lines of blowing up Jewish schools or synagogues on Yum Kippur. Think along the lines of blowing up a High School State Championship Game, or a prom. They don't hate our freedom, they don't hate our military... they hate us. They want to kill us, and they'll try to kill as many of us as they can once Kerry makes it a lot easier for them to do so.
Kerry has promised to add two new divisions to the US military. Well, that's going to be hard to do since everyone that can get out will get out since Kerry has no support from our troops. And is building the military free? No, that will be the first new tax you'll pay. Oh but don't worry, there will be plenty of other taxes to keep it company. You want a large government controlled health care system? Well, you'll pay for one but your coverage and services won't improve any. You want social security reform? Oh you'll get it, but it'll mean paying 20% of your paycheck to Social Security.
Kerry's domestic policy is to create a socialist state. I know you hippies think socialism will be great, but why don't you go ask Europe how it's working out for them. European nations don't spend any of their national budget on defense, have 20-40% income taxes to fund all their government programs, and still don't have the same level of service provided to their citizens that the US does.
"You're guilty conscience may force you to vote Democratic, but deep in your hearts you long for a cold-hearted Republican to lower taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you like a king!" - Sideshow Bob
Welcome to John Kerry's America...
International Policy
Kerry will hold true to his words, and pull US troops out of Iraq within the first 2 years of his presidency. Since he loves Vietnam so much, just picture Saigon and you'll get an idea of how this will happen. This will not be victory with honor, or even a tactical retreat. No, he'll pull the troops out right in the middle of a mission and leave the fragile Iraqi democracy to the wolves. This will show Iran that we really don't care about the Middle East anymore, and they will promptly test out all of their new missiles on Israel.
After pulling out the troops, he'll give France and Germany back their oil fields in Iraq in the first of many attempts to bend over backwards to please Old Europe. In case you're wondering, France and Germany had no moral objections to participating in the creation of a Democratic Iraq - they only resisted because it meant losing the oil fields they had been giving Saddam money and food for, both of which went towards building his army instead of helping the Iraqi people.
So after completely abandoning the War on Terror, Kerry will sit atop the Ivory Tower of the UN rubbing elbows with other losers like Kofi Annan, all the while claiming to be deeply concerned about crises and tragedies around the world. Kerry will slowly retreat every American asset back within our borders, and proceed to cower here hoping that nobody bothers us. Being from Massachusetts, he wants to make the US a "City on the Hill" where we can talk about how great we are instead of actually doing something. And in proud UN tradition, we'll sit atop our hill just like the UN peace-keepers did in Rwanda, watching the rest of the world murder itself.
Domestic Policy
The latest video released from Osama Bin Laden is basically threatening the US to vote for John Kerry. Personally, if Bin Laden tells me to vote for Kerry, that's even more reason to vote for Bush. Bin Laden is hoping that the US will go the way of Spain and elect a new leader who will cave into the demands of terrorists. Bin Laden knows that if Kerry is elected Al Qaeda will be free to rebuild itself and do whatever it wants. They've been planning something big for a long time, and Kerry will blissfully ignore that while he invites Bin Laden to Camp David for tea and cookies. As a result, I pray that I'm wrong, if Kerry is elected there will be another attack on the US before the end of 2005. I don't think it will be in the same scope or design as the World Trade Center attacks, I think it will be something designed to kill as many innocents and as many Jews as possible. Think along the lines of blowing up Jewish schools or synagogues on Yum Kippur. Think along the lines of blowing up a High School State Championship Game, or a prom. They don't hate our freedom, they don't hate our military... they hate us. They want to kill us, and they'll try to kill as many of us as they can once Kerry makes it a lot easier for them to do so.
Kerry has promised to add two new divisions to the US military. Well, that's going to be hard to do since everyone that can get out will get out since Kerry has no support from our troops. And is building the military free? No, that will be the first new tax you'll pay. Oh but don't worry, there will be plenty of other taxes to keep it company. You want a large government controlled health care system? Well, you'll pay for one but your coverage and services won't improve any. You want social security reform? Oh you'll get it, but it'll mean paying 20% of your paycheck to Social Security.
Kerry's domestic policy is to create a socialist state. I know you hippies think socialism will be great, but why don't you go ask Europe how it's working out for them. European nations don't spend any of their national budget on defense, have 20-40% income taxes to fund all their government programs, and still don't have the same level of service provided to their citizens that the US does.
"You're guilty conscience may force you to vote Democratic, but deep in your hearts you long for a cold-hearted Republican to lower taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you like a king!" - Sideshow Bob
Friday, October 29, 2004
Good God do I Hate Grant Morrison
I warn you now, this is going to be a nerdy fanboy post. Any of you who have spent any amount of time around me know that about 8 years ago I got back into reading comic books on a regular basis. I started off with just a few titles a month that I followed, and the list grew until eventually I was buying about 15 different titles a month at my high point in college. Since then I have gradually pared the number down, and last fall when I started student teaching and thus no longer making money, I stopped cold turkey.
Well, this summer I was living back on campus right down the street from the comic book store, and making money again to afford to purchase said comics. With the bane of Art Fair came the hidden blessing of the comic book store's 3 for $1 bins out on the sidewalk. So, for about $25 I was able to pick up most of what I had missed in the preceding six months, albeit with a severely shorter list of titles I would continue to follow. But, even after this there were still some large gaps in the issues I had, so I only flipped through the new issues instead of really reading them.
About a week ago, enter X-Men Legends for my Gamecube. I had been waiting for this game for months, and it spurred a rededication to getting caught up in my comics. An online order later, I think I've filled in the gaps and am ready to get up to the present.
The blessing of buying a year's worth of comics is that you don't have to wait a month to see how the story ends. I just finished reading the final two arcs of a writer named Grant Morrison, though to call him a writer is using the term loosely. This man is a hack of the highest order, and I hope he never again even writes on the back of a napkin. His story was convoluted, made huge jumps in both narrative progression and logic, and did not exhibit even the slightest grasp on the most basic aspects of the characters. That is, when he used the main characters, since half of what he did focused on some guy who didn't exist a page earlier and all of a sudden we're supposed to view him as the second coming. Just flipping through what the new writer has, I'm actually excited to be reading again. From what I've seen, the art is exponentially better, and the story doesn't require hitting myself in the head in order to get through.
He's actually treating the characters and their world in the way they're supposed to be used, instead of trying to be some daring, risk-taking, self-aggrandizing, post-modern hack.
So there you go. Fanboy rant over. Come back next time for a "what if?" sneak peek of (Heaven forbid) John Kerry's America.
Well, this summer I was living back on campus right down the street from the comic book store, and making money again to afford to purchase said comics. With the bane of Art Fair came the hidden blessing of the comic book store's 3 for $1 bins out on the sidewalk. So, for about $25 I was able to pick up most of what I had missed in the preceding six months, albeit with a severely shorter list of titles I would continue to follow. But, even after this there were still some large gaps in the issues I had, so I only flipped through the new issues instead of really reading them.
About a week ago, enter X-Men Legends for my Gamecube. I had been waiting for this game for months, and it spurred a rededication to getting caught up in my comics. An online order later, I think I've filled in the gaps and am ready to get up to the present.
The blessing of buying a year's worth of comics is that you don't have to wait a month to see how the story ends. I just finished reading the final two arcs of a writer named Grant Morrison, though to call him a writer is using the term loosely. This man is a hack of the highest order, and I hope he never again even writes on the back of a napkin. His story was convoluted, made huge jumps in both narrative progression and logic, and did not exhibit even the slightest grasp on the most basic aspects of the characters. That is, when he used the main characters, since half of what he did focused on some guy who didn't exist a page earlier and all of a sudden we're supposed to view him as the second coming. Just flipping through what the new writer has, I'm actually excited to be reading again. From what I've seen, the art is exponentially better, and the story doesn't require hitting myself in the head in order to get through.
He's actually treating the characters and their world in the way they're supposed to be used, instead of trying to be some daring, risk-taking, self-aggrandizing, post-modern hack.
So there you go. Fanboy rant over. Come back next time for a "what if?" sneak peek of (Heaven forbid) John Kerry's America.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Can't Sleep... Clowns Will Eat Me
This past weekend, I had some disturbing dreams. Not nightmares, not even bad dreams really. But the kind of dream that I wake up from eternally thankful that it was not reality. The first was Thursday night, and the second was Saturday. Seeing this every-other-day pattern, I wondered if they would continue last night, but thankfully they did not.
Like I said - the dreams were not that bad. But it was the unexpected nature of their subjects that got to me. Both of them were set in college, despite the fact that it's been nearly a year since I graduated. And though I graduated almost a year ago, since I spent the final semester student teaching it's been a year and a half since I last took exams and studied like a college student. And both dreams involved my ex-girlfriend - which is even more odd since I haven't seen her in over 2 years, and have not thought about her in months.
In the first dream Thursday night, I was in Holland and had to drive back to Ann Arbor for a final exam. The exam was a combination of two History classes I took - one Junior year and one Senior year. Though the subject was more closely related to the course taken Junior year, my unbelievable lack of preparation and complete befuddlement of the subject was much too close to the reality of the class I took Senior year. Not only was I running against the clock to get back for the exam, but I needed to get back early so that I could review notes and materials after having not been to the class in a month. In the dream, I arrived on campus with time to spare, and was headed to the lecture hall my exam was in for some last minute cramming. Along the way, I ran into the aforementioned ex-girlfriend, facing down a scenario much like what happened in real life. In the dream we were in the process of breaking-up, and in reality I ran into her like this right after I had broken up with her, and in both cases she had gone from acceptance of this to the need for argument and discussion over the matter. I had to deal with it in real life, but in this dream scenario I was lucky enough to wake up before finishing the confrontation.
I don't remember the details of the second dream from Saturday all that well. All I do remember is that the narrative of the dream involved the ex-girlfriend and I in a much more stable and happy relationship than ever really existed in my waking life.
It's a bit disconcerting to have her intruding into my dreams, and a bit confusing. As I said, I have not given her so much as a casual thought in months. There's no unrequited love on my part - I took great comfort and solace in the fact that I broke up with her on my terms only after trying every conceivable course to mend our relationship. The psychology major in me is trying to figure out if I was actually dreaming of her, if she represented something greater and more metaphorical, or if there is some unconscious conflict within myself that needs to be resolved.
I guess there's a good chance that I'm on the brink of a High Fidelity-esque "What does it all mean?" top 5 countdown to figure out where I am in my current state of romantic stagnation, but I don't think so. I have no plans to drag out the little black book and try to piece together the rended scraps of my love life.
Like I said - the dreams were not that bad. But it was the unexpected nature of their subjects that got to me. Both of them were set in college, despite the fact that it's been nearly a year since I graduated. And though I graduated almost a year ago, since I spent the final semester student teaching it's been a year and a half since I last took exams and studied like a college student. And both dreams involved my ex-girlfriend - which is even more odd since I haven't seen her in over 2 years, and have not thought about her in months.
In the first dream Thursday night, I was in Holland and had to drive back to Ann Arbor for a final exam. The exam was a combination of two History classes I took - one Junior year and one Senior year. Though the subject was more closely related to the course taken Junior year, my unbelievable lack of preparation and complete befuddlement of the subject was much too close to the reality of the class I took Senior year. Not only was I running against the clock to get back for the exam, but I needed to get back early so that I could review notes and materials after having not been to the class in a month. In the dream, I arrived on campus with time to spare, and was headed to the lecture hall my exam was in for some last minute cramming. Along the way, I ran into the aforementioned ex-girlfriend, facing down a scenario much like what happened in real life. In the dream we were in the process of breaking-up, and in reality I ran into her like this right after I had broken up with her, and in both cases she had gone from acceptance of this to the need for argument and discussion over the matter. I had to deal with it in real life, but in this dream scenario I was lucky enough to wake up before finishing the confrontation.
I don't remember the details of the second dream from Saturday all that well. All I do remember is that the narrative of the dream involved the ex-girlfriend and I in a much more stable and happy relationship than ever really existed in my waking life.
It's a bit disconcerting to have her intruding into my dreams, and a bit confusing. As I said, I have not given her so much as a casual thought in months. There's no unrequited love on my part - I took great comfort and solace in the fact that I broke up with her on my terms only after trying every conceivable course to mend our relationship. The psychology major in me is trying to figure out if I was actually dreaming of her, if she represented something greater and more metaphorical, or if there is some unconscious conflict within myself that needs to be resolved.
I guess there's a good chance that I'm on the brink of a High Fidelity-esque "What does it all mean?" top 5 countdown to figure out where I am in my current state of romantic stagnation, but I don't think so. I have no plans to drag out the little black book and try to piece together the rended scraps of my love life.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Keep on Trucking
I did the math before I left, and I made the correct guess that my car would roll over 100,000 miles at some point during my weekend trip to Chicago. Of course, I have a digital odometer so it didn't actually roll over, but I like to use the vernacular in describing this event. I had my digital camera with me, planning to take a "before and after" shot of 99,999 and then 100,000 miles, but I ended up not doing it. Sure, it's a monumental achievement in the life of a car, but I decided not one that needed to be saved for posterity.
Before I left on Friday, I got an oil change on said automobile. Reaching what is undoubtedly a "higher mileage" level, I chose to put some more premium oil in the V-Dub. I don't really know if it was worth the extra $5 (well, $10, but I guess I can get a $5 mail in rebate that will arrive in 6-8 weeks).
I've got a few other things on my mind, but want to give each one its own dedicated post. Keep checking back over the next few days for some posts with a tad more substance than these sort of benign updates.
Before I left on Friday, I got an oil change on said automobile. Reaching what is undoubtedly a "higher mileage" level, I chose to put some more premium oil in the V-Dub. I don't really know if it was worth the extra $5 (well, $10, but I guess I can get a $5 mail in rebate that will arrive in 6-8 weeks).
I've got a few other things on my mind, but want to give each one its own dedicated post. Keep checking back over the next few days for some posts with a tad more substance than these sort of benign updates.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
We Named the Dog Indiana
Played a round of golf this morning with Mails and Opaluski, and by the time I got to the back 9 I was doing pretty well, all things considered. It's amazing how much further south Indy really is... it was a beatiful warm and sunny day. It was perfect weather for golf - just cool enough that you weren't warm with pants on and warm enough to wear short sleeves.
While the weather down here is mild, nothing can make up for the surroundings. We went to a Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch after golf, and I have not seen a more wretched hive of scum and villany in some time. Everywhere I looked, Colts' fans running up and down the ailes, yelling, jumping, drinking, throwing things - and that was the women. Even in civilization it's the boonies down here.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about where I'm going to head this summer/fall. After the job search in Michigan turned up nothing, and barring the complete retirement of an entire generation of teachers, I think I've accepted that I may be heading out yonder. I know that the Carolinas, Florida, and Texas are in need of teachers, but I refuse to move to any of those states. Right now the top list (given that Michigan will always be #1) is made up of Colorado, Virginia, New York (upstate), and Pennsylvania. I know California is hiring, and I know people out there who are trying to convince me to move out there, but I don't think I could live in California. So, as the months of subbing go on, we'll see where I end up this next school year.
While the weather down here is mild, nothing can make up for the surroundings. We went to a Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch after golf, and I have not seen a more wretched hive of scum and villany in some time. Everywhere I looked, Colts' fans running up and down the ailes, yelling, jumping, drinking, throwing things - and that was the women. Even in civilization it's the boonies down here.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about where I'm going to head this summer/fall. After the job search in Michigan turned up nothing, and barring the complete retirement of an entire generation of teachers, I think I've accepted that I may be heading out yonder. I know that the Carolinas, Florida, and Texas are in need of teachers, but I refuse to move to any of those states. Right now the top list (given that Michigan will always be #1) is made up of Colorado, Virginia, New York (upstate), and Pennsylvania. I know California is hiring, and I know people out there who are trying to convince me to move out there, but I don't think I could live in California. So, as the months of subbing go on, we'll see where I end up this next school year.
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Blogging 'Cross the USA
Tonight's blog comes to you from rainy and dreary Indianapolis. I left Holland last night to meet up with Malis in Chicago, and then we continued down I-65 into Indy. While I hate driving in the rain and in the country in the dark, I love driving in cities at night. Ever since I was a kid, I love the lighted tunnels and night skylines of big cities. We'd drive through St. Louis, Detroit, Milwaukee, and other Midwestern cities while on vacations. I never want to live in a big city, and city life does not hold the same awe for me as it does many others, but I do love driving through.
Tonight's plan is haning out with the boys for poker and more Jeopardy on Playstation. Since U of M pulled it out against Purdue, I don't have to worry about hearing about it from the 3 MSU kids. It should be a good night, and we'll see if my previous poker luck holds out.
Tonight's plan is haning out with the boys for poker and more Jeopardy on Playstation. Since U of M pulled it out against Purdue, I don't have to worry about hearing about it from the 3 MSU kids. It should be a good night, and we'll see if my previous poker luck holds out.
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Free at last!
I actually got out of Kalamazoo on Wednesday, but after two weeks of not being able to go anywhere I haven't been sitting down at my computer long enough to blog since I've been home. All in all, now that I got my paychecks, there are far worse ways to earn $2500. The other people there with me were a good group, so were I to do it again I doubt I would be as fortunate. I don't think I could do another 2 week stay, but a few days for a few hundred bucks would be worth it.
In my absence, it seems that there has been raging debate and accusations about metrosexuality. Thank you to the Watergirl for defending me and Wilson for putting things into a more proper perspective. And Jon, shut up. Showering regularly, wearing clean clothes, and not peeing on things does not a metrosexual make. I buy stuff at J. Crew, and I did buy my iPod... but I hate sushi, I hate spending more than $3 on any soap, shampoo, or other bathroom products, and I don't even know what else defines a metrosexual.
Anyway... it's good to be home.
In my absence, it seems that there has been raging debate and accusations about metrosexuality. Thank you to the Watergirl for defending me and Wilson for putting things into a more proper perspective. And Jon, shut up. Showering regularly, wearing clean clothes, and not peeing on things does not a metrosexual make. I buy stuff at J. Crew, and I did buy my iPod... but I hate sushi, I hate spending more than $3 on any soap, shampoo, or other bathroom products, and I don't even know what else defines a metrosexual.
Anyway... it's good to be home.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Days 14 and 15
Did anyone celebrate Columbus Day yesterday? Did you bring your neighbors blankets infected with smallpox and plant the Spanish flag on their lawn? Well, you should have.
I'm finally out of here tomorrow morning, and it can't come soon enough. After two weeks in here, this weekend is going to be a glutton fest. Not all at once, but I want:
- Buffalo Wings
- Chinese Food
- Pizza and breadsticks
- Chocolate
- Chalupas
After all this food, and after sitting on my ass for two weeks, I'm also eager to get into a workout routine. Now that I've got $1 a visit membership to Ultimate Fitness just like a mile away, and since I'm going to buy an Ipod with some of this cash, hopefully I can stick to it.
I'm finally out of here tomorrow morning, and it can't come soon enough. After two weeks in here, this weekend is going to be a glutton fest. Not all at once, but I want:
- Buffalo Wings
- Chinese Food
- Pizza and breadsticks
- Chocolate
- Chalupas
After all this food, and after sitting on my ass for two weeks, I'm also eager to get into a workout routine. Now that I've got $1 a visit membership to Ultimate Fitness just like a mile away, and since I'm going to buy an Ipod with some of this cash, hopefully I can stick to it.
Monday, October 11, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 13
Take that Michael Vick! Oh no, you're still adjusting to West Coast offense. Oh no, you're not going to start 5-0. HA!
We got some new people here for a different study, and I don't like them. Some chach that was watching the game with a few of us kept grabbing the remote and flipping to other channels. It's one thing to flip to another game during a commercial or halftime, but he was flipping to the Colts/Raiders in between downs. Hey, newsflash Chachie, you're in Michigan. It was a close game, and you've got six guys that are on the edge of their seats watching it. He looks like one of those damned stoner slacker hippie throwbacks, with his beard and scraggly hair, hemp necklace and hemp woven ski-cap. Go hug a tree, hippie.
We got some new people here for a different study, and I don't like them. Some chach that was watching the game with a few of us kept grabbing the remote and flipping to other channels. It's one thing to flip to another game during a commercial or halftime, but he was flipping to the Colts/Raiders in between downs. Hey, newsflash Chachie, you're in Michigan. It was a close game, and you've got six guys that are on the edge of their seats watching it. He looks like one of those damned stoner slacker hippie throwbacks, with his beard and scraggly hair, hemp necklace and hemp woven ski-cap. Go hug a tree, hippie.
Saturday, October 09, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 12
Just like dorm food, the food around here has lost its novelty and appeal. Some meals are still good, but the endless parade of bland chicken dishes has worn out its welcome. I like chicken in most cases, but we have absolutely no options for seasoning here.
The common feeling around here is that Wednesday can't get here soon enough. When I heard that Martha Stewart's prison sentence was only 5 months long, I laughed at how insignificant it was. Now, after being stuck in here for only a week and a half, it seems like a far stiffer punishment than it did before. Sure, it's nothing compared to actually being in prison, but I'm still ready to blow this joint.
The common feeling around here is that Wednesday can't get here soon enough. When I heard that Martha Stewart's prison sentence was only 5 months long, I laughed at how insignificant it was. Now, after being stuck in here for only a week and a half, it seems like a far stiffer punishment than it did before. Sure, it's nothing compared to actually being in prison, but I'm still ready to blow this joint.
Friday, October 08, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 11
Just finished watching High Fidelity, and I had forgotten just how great it was. I mean, I own it and could watch it at any time, but I haven't seen it in probably more than a year. I have wanted to watch it lately, but the copy I own is on VHS, is buried with the rest of my stuff, and we don't really have a VCR set up to play it on. I almost bought the DVD at Best Buy, but since I wasn't making any money I figured I couldn't start replacing VHS with DVD yet.
My ex-girlfriend is the one that really got me into John Cusack movies. Her favorite was Say Anything and as I remember, didn't like Rob Gordon in High Fidelity because she thought he acted like a jerk compared to his other roles. Looking at it now, I think I like it more for that reason. Sure Lloyd Dobbler is a great guy - one of my heroes - but none of us can actually be Lloyd. Rob's just like all of us - he screws up, he acts like an ass sometimes, but he works hard to do the right thing.
My ex-girlfriend is the one that really got me into John Cusack movies. Her favorite was Say Anything and as I remember, didn't like Rob Gordon in High Fidelity because she thought he acted like a jerk compared to his other roles. Looking at it now, I think I like it more for that reason. Sure Lloyd Dobbler is a great guy - one of my heroes - but none of us can actually be Lloyd. Rob's just like all of us - he screws up, he acts like an ass sometimes, but he works hard to do the right thing.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Days 9 and 10
Yeah, I've gotten lazy. Really, most of the days here blend together without a whole lot of high points that are really worth relaying to the general blog-reading public. Well, we did have the chicken fingers dinner again tonight, so I guess that's a high point.
To start with, just ignore the little tiff between Malis and I over the Mac issue... he just wanted to goad me a bit and I replied in kind.
After receiving comments and support to this effect from Wilson and Vicky, I started a new short story with the main character of Neil Beckman from a submission to The Newsletter earlier this spring. I wrote a bit two days ago, and have spent the last two hours or so listening to mellow music and working at it a bit more. I've been jumping back and forth within the chronology of the story I've got in my head, writing out little bits of it that come to me figuring that I'll fill in the holes later. When I first wrote it I had thought of more after what became the ending, but since I was already 800 words into a 500 word limit story I wrapped it up in somewhat of a cliffhanger.
The overall story I have in my head is broken up into five parts. Part one is what I first wrote this spring, and what I started the other day is more or less part three. I just started part four this evening while also working on part three, and came up with the basic idea of part two. I have no idea when and if it would be published, but I admit that it is fun to just work on it for myself.
To start with, just ignore the little tiff between Malis and I over the Mac issue... he just wanted to goad me a bit and I replied in kind.
After receiving comments and support to this effect from Wilson and Vicky, I started a new short story with the main character of Neil Beckman from a submission to The Newsletter earlier this spring. I wrote a bit two days ago, and have spent the last two hours or so listening to mellow music and working at it a bit more. I've been jumping back and forth within the chronology of the story I've got in my head, writing out little bits of it that come to me figuring that I'll fill in the holes later. When I first wrote it I had thought of more after what became the ending, but since I was already 800 words into a 500 word limit story I wrapped it up in somewhat of a cliffhanger.
The overall story I have in my head is broken up into five parts. Part one is what I first wrote this spring, and what I started the other day is more or less part three. I just started part four this evening while also working on part three, and came up with the basic idea of part two. I have no idea when and if it would be published, but I admit that it is fun to just work on it for myself.
In Response to Laudec
Yeah, I get it... your powerbook works better than a PC. I have used Macs... the Gargoyle office only had Macs... Saline used Macs... Holland Schools use Macs... I used a Mac half the time I was in a computer lab at U of M... I've used Mike and Dave's Macs.
And so, when it came time to ditch my desktop and buy a laptop, I looked around. And given the facts and knowledge I had from my experience in using Macs, they didn't do anything a PC couldn't do, and I had more problems using them than I ever had using a PC. Therefore, my opinion was that a Mac was not for me.
Congratulations, you work in IT. I may not need to upgrade things on a daily basis or open up the BIOS more than once a year, but I know what RAM is, I hate AOL, and I've never taken a computer to a store to fix it. You talk about doing the "right to an opinion dance", well you've been doing the "Kiekintveld I'm an engineer so my shit is always right and more important than anyone else's dance".
Don't give me this shit.
And so, when it came time to ditch my desktop and buy a laptop, I looked around. And given the facts and knowledge I had from my experience in using Macs, they didn't do anything a PC couldn't do, and I had more problems using them than I ever had using a PC. Therefore, my opinion was that a Mac was not for me.
Congratulations, you work in IT. I may not need to upgrade things on a daily basis or open up the BIOS more than once a year, but I know what RAM is, I hate AOL, and I've never taken a computer to a store to fix it. You talk about doing the "right to an opinion dance", well you've been doing the "Kiekintveld I'm an engineer so my shit is always right and more important than anyone else's dance".
Don't give me this shit.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 8
Hooray for Pizza Day!
Today is a benchmark in the course of the study... today marks the half-way point, and to celebrate we each got our own pizza from Domino's. The last two days or so the food has been declining in quality, so this meal from the outside world was welcome refuge. Starting tomorrow, the menu should recycle back to its beginning and repeat for the duration of our time here.
Of course, I'm not sure this post will actually be published. Blogger is acting pissy, and Day 7 has not yet been published on the blog. Every time I try, I get a blank screen and an error message. So, whenever you finally read this, there you are.
Today is a benchmark in the course of the study... today marks the half-way point, and to celebrate we each got our own pizza from Domino's. The last two days or so the food has been declining in quality, so this meal from the outside world was welcome refuge. Starting tomorrow, the menu should recycle back to its beginning and repeat for the duration of our time here.
Of course, I'm not sure this post will actually be published. Blogger is acting pissy, and Day 7 has not yet been published on the blog. Every time I try, I get a blank screen and an error message. So, whenever you finally read this, there you are.
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 7
Again, posting a little after the fact... not a whole lot going on here. I think the boredom and sense of cabin fever is starting to set in a bit. I'm able to keep myself occupied with the internet, movies, reading, TV, etc. I don't mind the facilities here, I just wish I could get out for a bit. Even on the days at home where I didn't do anything, I tried to find at least one errand or something to run so I could get out of the house for a bit.
I'm not complaining too much... I think it's all well worth the eventual payoff. But, it'll be good to get out of here.
I'm not complaining too much... I think it's all well worth the eventual payoff. But, it'll be good to get out of here.
Monday, October 04, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 6
This post is a little late, coming on the day afterwards instead of the night of. I watched the two new shows on ABC, and since Boston Legal ended at 11:00, I didn't get around to posting last night.
Not that there's a whole lot to post about... the highlight of my day was winning at Trivial Pursuit after dinner. Between the poker game and that, it would seem that I've got a lucky streak lately. I guess we'll see what that means once I get out of here.
Not that there's a whole lot to post about... the highlight of my day was winning at Trivial Pursuit after dinner. Between the poker game and that, it would seem that I've got a lucky streak lately. I guess we'll see what that means once I get out of here.
Saturday, October 02, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 5
Not much to talk about today. I watched the Michigan game, and was glad to see a solid victory even though it was never really in doubt. While watching it on ABC, I saw a bunch of previews for their new fall shows. As a result, I ended up watching the encore 2 hour premiere of Lost, because really, what else do I have to do?
It was actually pretty good, and left me wanting to watch the next new episode on Wednesday night. Tomorrow, I am going to watch the series premieres of Desperate Housewives and Boston Legal. The former just looks interesting enough to warrant watching the premiere, and the latter can be described in only one word. SHATNER! I love William Shatner, and his performance alone is what makes me want to tune in. The previews look really good, so we'll see of ABC ends up being the one network to rise above the depths of reality TV. Lord knows NBC's in the crapper with nothing but The Apprentice and Joey to hang its hat on, I don't even know what's on CBS, and FOX has sunk even lower than any derogatory comment made about it in the 90's could ever do justice.
Well, that's all from me. Time to play some GameBoy.
It was actually pretty good, and left me wanting to watch the next new episode on Wednesday night. Tomorrow, I am going to watch the series premieres of Desperate Housewives and Boston Legal. The former just looks interesting enough to warrant watching the premiere, and the latter can be described in only one word. SHATNER! I love William Shatner, and his performance alone is what makes me want to tune in. The previews look really good, so we'll see of ABC ends up being the one network to rise above the depths of reality TV. Lord knows NBC's in the crapper with nothing but The Apprentice and Joey to hang its hat on, I don't even know what's on CBS, and FOX has sunk even lower than any derogatory comment made about it in the 90's could ever do justice.
Well, that's all from me. Time to play some GameBoy.
Friday, October 01, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 4
The day's not quite over yet, but I just had to write down that I WON AT POKER! I played a round of Texas Holdum with some of the guys here, and after 2 hours I finally took the chips. I've learned from some of my mistakes in the games I've played before, so with a little thinking and a little luck I actually cleaned the last guy out on all in.
As far as the rest of the day, the food was a little disappointing today compared to yesterday. Again, it's at about East Quad quality, so it's hit and miss.
I watched Jersey Girl and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind today. I was actually pleasantly surprised by Jersey Girl. I mean, I wanted to like it and I wanted it to be good because of Kevin Smith, but I was really afraid of how it would be. Even in the beginning with Jennifer Lopez it was good the whole way through. I really felt for Affleck's character, and was reminded of just how beautiful Liv Tyler is. If you haven't seen it, it's worth a rental.
After watching Eternal Sunshine... I think I can safely say that I don't like Charlie Kaufman. I saw Being John Malkovich on a bad double date, so my perception of it is colored by that. But I hated Adaptation, and I was just bored with Eternal Sunshine...
Well, that's all from me here in the maze.
As far as the rest of the day, the food was a little disappointing today compared to yesterday. Again, it's at about East Quad quality, so it's hit and miss.
I watched Jersey Girl and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind today. I was actually pleasantly surprised by Jersey Girl. I mean, I wanted to like it and I wanted it to be good because of Kevin Smith, but I was really afraid of how it would be. Even in the beginning with Jennifer Lopez it was good the whole way through. I really felt for Affleck's character, and was reminded of just how beautiful Liv Tyler is. If you haven't seen it, it's worth a rental.
After watching Eternal Sunshine... I think I can safely say that I don't like Charlie Kaufman. I saw Being John Malkovich on a bad double date, so my perception of it is colored by that. But I hated Adaptation, and I was just bored with Eternal Sunshine...
Well, that's all from me here in the maze.
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