I’m Nervous
Saddam Hussein’s lifespan is now being measured in hours (maybe even minutes by now) and I’m very nervous about this. He’s an evil bastard and needs to be removed from this world. I’m fully in favor of his execution, and hanging is very appropriate. I think the firing squad would be better, but that’s too honorable for that son of a bitch.
The reason that I’m nervous is that he will become a martyr for his particular sect of Islam, and that will just incite more violence against the other Islamic branches. It will also make things much worse for our troops that are over there trying to keep these people from killing each other.
I think his execution is a good thing, but there are going to be so many bad things come from it. We’ll just have to struggle through it, and make the best of it. Of course, I’m not sure why I just said “we.” I’m here in my house in the United States of America. I’m pretty much in one of the safest places in the world. Personally, I’m not going to see any violence or problems out of this. However, the troops (and a few of my friends that are over there) that I pray for will see more than their fair share of problems. I just hope for the best out of all of this.
Prisoner
This is the second blizzard that we’ve had in the past two weeks. This is the third storm that we’ve had since we moved into the new house. Each time has been about two days of heavy snow, then another four days of waiting to be dug out. We have neighbors that have tractors and snow blowers, so we’re not totally screwed. It takes the neighbors a day or two to make a decent trail through the snow, and to clear out our driveway. However, the county takes four days to get to us to make a real trail through the snow.
The main road (two blocks from here) gets plowed out the day after the storm, but it takes them another two days to somehow get through to our road. There is a road that connects us to the main road. That road is about two blocks long. Our road is about two blocks long. If they just turned left on to the connecting road and did these four blocks, that would be great. It would take them about 30 minutes to go through and do all four blocks. I realize that this 30 minutes only frees 7-8 households, but we’re all really tired of being stuck for four days after a storm waiting for freedom.
I haven’t managed to get out of the house in the past two weeks to do anything fun. I haven’t played D&D in over 2 weeks. I haven’t seen my friends (other than that ones that I work with) in almost 3 weeks. I want to be able to go into town to order a meal. I want to be able to drive around. I simply want to get out of my house. I love my house. My house is great, but I just hate being trapped somewhere.
Now that I think about it, I better not commit any crimes. I don’t think that I’d handle prison life very well. It wouldn’t be the gangs, the shivs, or the gang rapes in the showers. Sure. That would all suck. I think the main thing that would get to me would be the fact that I would not be able to go out and do anything. Gnah. What a horrible thought.
Sledding
Our neighbors have a gentle hill on their property, and they went out after the snowstorm and built a sled run down the hill. We went out and sledded down it, and it was quite fun. It wasn’t very steep, so we didn’t get up lots of speed. It was still very cool to cruise down the slope on the sled. The entire run is about 100 yards long. About 30 yards into it there is a left-hand turn that is a challenge, but that just adds to the fun. About halfway down, it levels out before going over a ridge, and that’s when you really pick up the speed.
The entire experience was very fun, but the long walk up through the soft snow was exhausting. I could barely make it back up the hill, and I had to wait a while to catch my breath. My lungs don’t like physical exertion in the cold weather.
A hot shower and some Primatine Mist helped get my lungs back into condition though.
PS: Primatine Mist in the eye really burns!
I’m Possessed
With the passing of President Gerald Ford, his spirit is free to roam the world. His spirit has found me, and taken full charge of my body. I know that President Ford was a great athlete, and really wasn’t all that clumsy, but he made enough physical gaffs in front of cameras to earn the reputation.
While out at lunch today I dropped my keys three times. I dropped my sunglasses twice. I spilled my soda at McDonalds in a horrendous way. I tried to carry two sodas and two books into work after lunch, but managed to only make it inside without dropping the books. Can’t open the sodas right away because of the droppage. Dammit.
I was too young to remember President Ford when it was in office, but I’m becoming more and more familiar with him as the minutes pass. I’m almost afraid to get up from my desk for fear to causing the building to collapse around me.
Bookstore
Yesterday some friends of mine and I were talking about the benefits of going to a locally owned business over a “big box” store that is owned by stockholders and run by a CEO. I’m all in favor of going to smaller, local businesses for my purchases in order to support them. If I have the option of going to a small business over a large corporation, I’ll pick the small business. This isn’t always an option, though.
Anyway, this conversation must have invaded my dreams because I spent most of the night dreaming that I was in a role-playing shop. It was in my hometown, and run by one of the rudest owners that I’ve ever met. However, I still shopped there when I lived back in Texas because it was pretty much the only place to get what I wanted to buy.
In my dream, the owner had taken these really large role-playing books (over an inch thick each), stripped them apart, photocopied them, and rebound them. He was selling the original books for normal price, and he was selling his copies for $1 less than the publishers’ copies. I guess he was trying to turn an extra buck. That’s very much the attitude of this guy.
I remember getting very upset at him for piracy of the publishers’, authors’, and game desiners’ works. I wanted to refuse to buy anything from him, but he was my only option in the dream. I wanted to buy this new role-playing game that had an orange cover, and all of its supplements (which also had orange covers.) The problem was that I could not afford any of them. I remember dejectedly looking through the books and marveling at how wonderful they were.
I spent most of the night reading through these books and lamenting over the fact that I could not take them home. This is pretty normal for me when I lived back in Texas. I had a hard time staying at jobs, and, consequently, I had very little money for luxury items. I’m glad those days are behind me (both the job jumping and the shortage of money.)
Soundtrack Of My Life
I saw this on Jhianna’s Blog, and she said that she got it from someone else. I guess it’s going around. Kind of like the flu.
Anyway, here’s the premise:
1. Open your music library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc.)
2. Put it on shuffle/Random
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
YOU CAN’T CHEAT OR SKIP SONGS!
I used my iPod on shuffle through my favorite songs. I have quite a few more songs than what are on my favorites, but I’m not sure why I have them still. Someday I’ll fill up my iPod, and I’ll have to pare down the list of songs that I have in iTunes.
Opening Credits:
Tears for Fears — Power :: What a great song to open a movie with. It’s so melodic and peaceful. Totally not me. It’s a good way to get a crowd to think that I’m a mellow guy, but totally surprise them with the truth. Once the lyrics start, though, they’re pretty close to me. I like it.
Waking Up:
Bryan Adams — (Everything I Do) I Do It For You :: I thought that Sting, Bryans Adams, and Rod Stewart did this song together. Maybe that came later. I don’t know. I guess this is his solo version. This is a great song for the start of my life. My mother sacrificed tons for me when I was younger. It taught me loyalty to the people that I love, and I can apply this to all of the loved ones in my life.
First Day At School:
Eric Clapton — I Shot The Sheriff :: I’m not sure how this applies to my schooling. I was on the start of such a great adventure when I went to school. I was eager to learn, and I was always sad to go home after school. There never was a shooting at any of my schools (that trend started way after I graduated high school,) so I really can’t identify this song with my schooling. Maybe there’s a deeper meaning here that I’m just not getting.
Falling In Love:
Fleetwood Mac — Don’t Stop :: I love the match up on this one! “Don’t stop looking for tomorrow.” is such a great way to live. Love and live for today, and worry about tomorrow when it comes. Cherish the moments that you have now, and live them for all they are worth. What great advice. I wish I had lived that way when I was in love for the first time. I had a wonderful time back then, but I could have made so much more out of it.
Breaking Up:
Metallica — Stone Dead Forever :: This is how I’ve felt every time I’ve been broken up with by someone that I cared about. What a horrid feeling. Each time I felt like I would never be able to recover enough to love again. I hope that I never have to go through this feeling again.
Prom:
Godsmack — Spiral :: I didn’t go to prom. I hated the people that went to prom. Prom sucks. All people that go to prom suck. Godsmack music, in general, is probably a good summary of my attitude towards those people. “I feel rain pouring down.” is a good lyric for how I feel when I think about the prom. “Ride away. Live again. Here forever. The spiral never ends.” sums up my feelings as well. Isn’t angst great?
Life’s OK:
Pink Floyd — Take It Back :: Not a song that I hear all that often. I had to listen to the whole thing to get its full impression. Good, soothing music makes this song a good “Life’s OK” song.
Breakdown:
Prodigy — Smack My Bitch Up :: Nothing gets better than Prodigy for a breakdown song. This particular version is a heavy techno remake by Haujobb. Never heard of them before, and I must say that I like the harder edge that Prodigy put on the song. It’s too bad their lead singer committed suicide. Not much in the way of lyrics with this song. Still. Good rhythm and beat.
Driving:
Reel Big Fish — Snoop Dog, Baby :: Big band sound here. Good song for driving to. I could totally see the video montage of me driving across various parts of the country with the landscape rolling by in the background while this song played on the radio in the background.
Flashback:
Ugly Kid Joe — Madman (’92 Remix) :: This starts with people screaming and explosions in the background. What a great way to start a flashback. The harsh vocals of Ugly Kid Joe go well for a flashback, too. This would probably be a flashback to some of the more violent parts of my past.
Getting Back Together:
Led Zepplin — In The Light :: This is a little psychedelic. I’m not sure it’s a good “Getting Back Together” song, but that’s what came up. This song seems to be something about drug addiction, but I could be way off base. Maybe this isn’t a romantic get back together, but a return to addiction. Hum. Odd. Ok. I had to read the lyrics for this one, and it’s a lot about getting back together. The whole “When love is pain it can devour you, but you are never alone. I would share your load. I would share your load. Baby, let me, oh, let me.” section sounds very much to me about getting back together. Either that, or about being there for someone’s rebound after a breakup. I can’t tell which.
Wedding:
Creedance Clearwater Revival — Have You Ever Seen The Rain :: What a depressing way to start a wedding. It’s supposed to be joyous, not lamenting about the weather. I hope this isn’t an omen for my marriage.
Sex Scene:
Pink Floyd — Goodbye Cruel World :: This one made me laugh. As most of you know, my sex life isn’t the greatest, but I don’t think it’s to the point of “Goodbye Cruel World” just yet. Again, I hope this isn’t an omen. Good thing this didn’t come up as the next song.
Birth of Child:
Pink Floyd — The Show Must Go On :: Wow. Another Floyd song. How odd. This is a good song for the birth of a child. It’s a time of change, and no matter what happens, the show must go on. One lyric that struck me was “Am I too old? Is it too late?”
Final Battle:
Rollins Band — Up For It :: This would be a better driving song, but Henry Rollins has enough anger in him to turn almost any song into a “Final Battle” song. Good lyrics: It’s always pushin’, shovin’. Sometimes it comes to nothin’. Sometimes it’s more than a mere mortal man can take.
Death Scene:
U2 — The Sweetest Thing :: I’ve lived a hard life over the years, but it’s getting better as time goes on. I always figured my “Death Scene” would be horrible and violent. This song is so mellow and laid back that it gives me hope that I’ll die a peaceful and natural way in the company of loved ones.
Funeral Song:
Bon Jovi — Story Of My Life :: Great title for a funeral song. Good song too. Not one of Bon Jovi’s best efforts, but I like the appropriateness of the song for this topic.
Dance Sequence:
Meat Loaf — Bat Out Of Hell :: Not a good dance song at all unless you like frenetic energy dancing. Don’t get me wrong. I love this song, but it’s really not a dance song. It’s also not a song that I would get up and dance to.
End Credits:
Red Hot Chili Peppers — Suck My Kiss :: I love this song, and if I had to leave an audience with one feeling or emotion while walking out of the movie about me, I could only pick a few songs that would rank above this one.
Christmas
I’ve been spending the past few days with my mom and my step-dad. They came in Saturday afternoon, and it’s been a great three days with the two of them. We got out of the house Sunday and took them to Garden of the Gods, Old Colorado City, Meadow Muffins, and finally back to the airport to pick up their luggage that arrived a day later than they did.
The rest of the time we’ve spent in the house. We tried to go out last night to run to the store to pick up some fixings for dinner tonight. We managed to dig our way out of the driveway and into the road. However, as soon as we started down the tunnel of snow that is our roadway, we found several drifts blocking the way. We decided to not get stuck, and turned back. We walked around the neighborhood (in the snow and blowing wind) trying to find green beans, but we came up empty. When we got back to the house, we called our nearest neighbors who happened to be out somewhere else. Kiara left a message for them, and they called us back today. They had two things that we needed: green beans, and a snow blower. The great neighbors that we have actually spent part of their Christmas plowing our driveway, and the roadway so that we can get out tomorrow morning to take my folks back to the airport on time. What wonderful people! We’re going to have to do something for them as a thanks.
We opened presents this morning, and I got two books that I’ve been wanting. I also got a guitar book and a George Carlin book from Kiara. My folks got me some cool little toys from the Toyota plant where my step-dad works. I also got some flannel clothes to wear around the house, and a light-wedge to use while in bed. I got Kiara a portable DVD player that she has been asking for along with Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain DVDs and a case to carry it all in. I think she’s happy with what I got her. She was already spending part of this morning watching the Animaniacs DVD set.
We got my mom a book/DVD on Chihuahuas (she has 4 of them), and we got my step-dad King of the Hill, Season 2. We also got them a 10×13 black and white photo from Sears of Kiara and me that they really liked. I hope they liked their gifts. We couldn’t get them much this year because money has been so tight. I feel like I received more than I gave this year. That used to be a great thing as a kid, but as an adult it makes me feel a little guilty. Of course, I still have a handful of gifts to give out to friends. I’m hoping that giving them stuff will make up for what I couldn’t give to my family today. I also didn’t get my brothers, or nieces anything this year. We just couldn’t afford it. I did manage to get in touch with my brother, though. We had a good talk on the phone this morning, and I was grateful for that.
Kiara’s cooking dinner right now, and my folks are taking a nap. I’m taking advantage of this time to post one final thought. I’ve always liked my step-dad. He’s always been the nicest, most down-to-Earth guy. He’s been a good thing for my mom, and he’s taken my little sister, my little brother, and even me (when I was 23) into his home and treated us all with dignity and respect. Over the years, I’ve grown to love him more and more. This weekend has really sealed our relationship even tighter. He’s more of a father to me than my own biological father has ever been. I overheard him talking to several people back in Texas, and he’s always referred to me as his “son”. Not “step-son”. Son. It’s made me so proud that he thinks of me as a son that I had to step away because of the tears in my eyes. That’s pretty much the best gift that I’ve received all year.
I hope that this Christmas season finds you warm, well-fed, in the arms of loved ones, and as happy as you can be.
Trackback Spam
Ok. This is a message to all you sorry fuckers out there that are doing your automated spam on my blog. Piss off. Your efforts to flood my blog with your bullshit have resulted in half of Russia’s IP space being permanently blocked from ever connecting to my server in any capacity. Fuck you Commie bastards. I’ve also hacked the code for my blog server, and I’ve removed the ability for people to leave trackbacks. You sorry bitches will have to resort to leaving comments for spam from now on, and I have things in place to block that as well. Call it a preemptive strike.
I got tired of manually deleting over 200 trackbacks a day. It started with a few here and a few there. This morning I woke up to over 200 (276 to be exact) trackbacks that were all totally bogus. I’m tired of people trying to use my hard work to spread word about their porn, meds, politics, ideals, and other bullshit. They can all go fuck themselves. I hate the fact that I’ve had to spend time away from my family on Christmas Eve hacking away at code to stop these sorry little bitches.
Here’s my Christmas message to all spammers: Go get fucked in the ass.
Here’s my Christmas message to everyone else: I hope your day has been better than mine, and enjoy your family while you have them! They’re precious and fleeting. Love you all!
PS: Comments should still work fine for those of you that like me enough to comment.
The Sun!!!
The sun is finally out!!! After three miserable days, we finally get to see the sun today. The storm that hammered our area this week finally passed yesterday evening, but the sun was already starting to go down. With the storm gone (but the snow still around,) the sun has a chance to help melt off the many feet of snow that has surrounded the house.
I’ve got cabin fever so bad right now that I can taste it. I want to get into my car and drive around, so that I can just say that I was out of the house. I can’t wait until next week when I get to go into the office! I know. How sick is that? I’m actually looking forward to working in the office, so that I can get out of the house. Gnah!
I’m really surprised that Kiara and I haven’t gotten on each other’s nerves yet. I think it has to be that we’ve spent most of the time in our respective offices working on work stuff. We haven’t really interacted much during the day, and we’ve done our usual evening routine of watching TV or reading.
Speaking of reading, I finished a book last night. It was the first time in about 2-3 years that I’ve read a non-technical book simply for the pleasure of doing so. I had totally forgotten how great it is to read a book. It was a short one (about 230 pages,) but once I got going on it, I finished it all off within a few hours. I can’t wait to start my next book!
Enough rambling. Time to get back to work…
Serendipity Upgrade
I just upgraded the blog software that I use. Let me know if you find any problems. The upgrade went smoothly, so I don’t expect any problems.
