30 day challenge. Day 7...

I don't really have anything clever to say so I'm just gonna get on with the 30 day challenge.

30 day challenge. Day 7.


A picture of your most treasured item.

I don't really treasure items. I may like them quite a bit to the point of spurious adoration, not actual adoration. But, I don't treasure them. The item that I do use very often and do like quite a bit is this:

My Gibson Les Paul Special. It's a great guitar. Very durable and hard working with a great tone to match.
My studio wouldn't be complete without it. It's the first guitar I ever purchased. When I got home from being out to sea for many many months in 2002, I had 6 grand burning a hole in my pocket. I bought this for $1000. Best $1000 I have ever spent. Then I saved the rest.


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RSAnimate...

For some time now I have been watching these RSAnimate videos. They are very enlightening. If you have not done so, I highly suggest you watch them. If you are like me and you like to get your information from learned people and not the normal type of uninformed ridiculous garbage, you'll like these. Not only are they informative, they are entertaining. I'm not going to go into great detail about the subjects that they touch upon, but I will say that they are subjects in which you need to be educated. Go HERE to check them out.

30 day challenge. Day 6.

A picture of a person with whom you'd like to change places for a day.


This is tough. I guess it would have to be some one who works on the production line for the Audi R8. As seen here:

I think that would be way cool.


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Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die...

...Life will go on and so will everything else. The end.

I'd like to talk a little about the "American Dream". What is the "American Dream"? There never was, and never will be an American dream. It is just a state of mind made up by someone to get people to conform to a social status elevated by wealth and/or popularity.

The American standard of living is based solely around work and money. The harder you work, and the more you work, the more money you get. Now let me get this straight. I work for 50 years until I am forced to retire at 70 or so. Live out the remaining few years of my life on a fixed income from a dilapidated 401K (or some other form of broken retirement fund), and non-existent medicare. And die without ever having lived because work and money consumed my entire existence. What a great dream...

My wife is reading a book right now called: "A Geography of Time", by Robert Levine. In one part of the book he talks about life in the Middle Ages juxtaposed to life during and after the industrial revolution. In the Middle Ages people would have an average of 115 holidays per year. 115 days of celebration and relaxation per year. That's almost one-third of the year. We don't even have one-quarter of that in America. Think about it. How nice would it be to have 115 days off per year? Of course, back then there were no 9-5 jobs or any kind of work structure like we have now. Life was seemingly more relaxed (minus all the plagues and wars and slavery and whatnot). Because it was even shorter then. Now that I think about it, I don't think I have ever had 115 days off, period. In my entire working life, up to now, I have not had off what they used to have, on average, every year. Even in poor countries in the present day, they have more holidays than us.

What is the reasoning behind our standards? Money, money, money, money, money. That's it? That's the dream? Well, you can keep it.

On to the 30 day challenge:

A picture of your favorite memory.


Because I am cursed with having and extraordinary memory. I can not choose only one. But if I must, I must.

I listened to this album for the first time when I was around 10, or something. It changed my life. Listening to this for the first time is one of the best memories I have. I still remember sitting there with my headphones plugged into the record player. Yes, my first hearing was on vinyl. It was magical...



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Write on...

I have been really thinking about this fortune cookie...fortune...that I got the other day. It said, and I quote: "You have a unique way with words. You should write a book." It struck me as odd for a second, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I've even gone as far as to form a few ideas. One fiction and one non-fiction to be exact. My fictional idea seems to be more prominent in my head, and therefore I have a better idea of the layout of that one. The non-fiction was just a working title with just a basic idea that goes off the title of the book. I'd call it "How We Work" and base the entire book on how the work ethic in America has changed from my generation's grandparents and great-grandparents down to us. The fictional work I thought would be pretty cool. The protagonist would regale you with memories of his, but the thing is, these memories never happened to him. He just thinks they did and he talks in great detail about them. As the story unfolds you will see that something is not quite right about him only to find out at the end that he is dead. But only just. He had just died and for the brief moment that he is still conscious, after death, all kinds of memories come flooding out. So , in essence, you get decades of memories in only a few seconds. I thought it sounded cool. I'm not sure if it's medically accurate or not. But, it's fiction, it doesn't have to be medically accurate. I also thought about doing the same thing only he's not dead. Just in a coma. Tell me what you think.

Anyway on to my 30 day challenge.


A Picture of your favorite night.


Now I know a 14 year old girl wrote these "challenges". I don't even know what this is supposed to mean. So, in lieu of my favorite "night", here is my favorite "knight".

Sir Robin (Monty Python and the Holy Grail):

"Bravely bold Sir Robin rode forth from Camelot.
He was not afraid to die, O brave Sir Robin.
He was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways. 

Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin..."




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30 day challenge. Day 3...

Only in Cleveland can it be 60 degrees one day and then 2 days later there is an ice storm/blizzard. I can't stand this place. It's like the snow around here has hallucinogenic properties because everyone loses their mind when there's a bit of snow on the ground. Someone stopped their car in the middle of the road and just got out and walked away...You only do that if A, you have been hypnotized, B, you are way high, or C, you're just plain stupid and therefore should not have been driving in the first place. Entire trees were downed, power lines, dogs and cats were living together, just...mass hysteria. No matter how much it snows, some people in Cleveland will never get it. EVER!


On with the show...




30 day challenge. Day 3:




A picture of the cast from your favorite show.




My favorite show, huh? That would have to be Top Gear. A British series about cars. From left to right: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.

But, we can not forget this one. Some say he has night vision but requires no goggles, and that he once ate an entire giraffe in one sitting, just...because. All I know is, he's called: The Stig...

There you have it. My favorite show on the tele. Top Gear.

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30 day challenge. Day 2...

Ok, just to set the record straight. I never said this 30 day challenge would be 30 consecutive days. Just 30 days total.

I want to get a new camera. I don't want something crazy and expensive with 400 Gigapixels, a 30" light emitting diode screen, and able to record high definition video while broadcasting live television. Just something other than the one I bought in Singapore 10 years ago. Thing is, though, they're all expensive. I just have to find one that is the least expensive with what I want. I'd like to get something that records HD video as well. Maybe I'll just get a camcorder. They do both.

Anywho, on to the 30 day challenge day 2.

Day 2: A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest.

That's Joe and me. I have been friends with Joe since we were in 7th grade. That was 17 years ago. That may not seem like a long time for some people but, you have to remember, I'm 30. That's more than half of my life.

Sorry there are no outfits this time. I only have a few so I have to save them for later. Plus, I'm still trying to pick some out.



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30 day challenge. Day 1...

I'm gonna do something like the 30 day challenge that you see on facebook except it's a blog.

Here is the list of things I will do (I'll try, at least):

1. A picture of yourself with 10 facts
2. A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
3. A picture of the cast from your favorite show
4. A picture of your favorite night
5. A picture of your favorite memory
6. A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
7. A picture of your most treasured item
8. A picture that makes you laugh
9. A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
10. A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with
11. A picture of something you hate
12. A picture of something you love
13. A picture of your favorite band or artist
14. A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
15. A picture of something you want to do before you die
16. A picture of someone who inspires you
17. A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
18. A picture of your biggest insecurity
19. A picture and a letter
20. A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
21. A picture of something you wish you could forget
22. A picture of something you wish you were better at
23. A picture of your favorite book
24. A picture of something you wish you could change
25. A picture of your favorite day
26. A picture of something that means a lot to you
27. A picture of yourself and a family member
28. A picture of something you're afraid of
29. A picture that can always make you smile
30. A picture of someone you miss

Day 1:

Edward Norton? No...ok...










10 facts:


1. I don't really like liquid coffee but I like coffee ice cream.
2. I have a degree in IT that I'm probably never going to use.
3. I play drums, guitar, piano, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, and I'm fairly good at singing.
4. I served in 2 separate conflicts in the Navy.
5. I don't like beer unless it's mixed with lemon lime soda (aka "Radler"). 
6. I would like nothing more than to live in Germany.
7. I have the sexiest wife ever. 
8. I am (was) a qualified Naval medic.
9. I don't really like beards. I just have one because it makes my face look less fat.
10. I hate the sound of my voice when it's recorded.


There ya go, folks. Day 1 or the 30 day challenge. I'll try to make my pictures less creepy. Maybe I'll put together some sweet outfits like Lexi |||Check out her outfits.||| 'Cept mine will be, ya know, mens clothing. Yeah that's what I'll do. Along with the other pictures I'm supposed to do for the 30 day challenge I'm gonna put together a few outfits. I know, it sounds kinda fruity but, hey, deal with it.




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The root of all evil...

I was reading the news about the new NFL updates. Some team owners now have a collective agreement about not even having a season next year. These owners and players are just insufferable. They sit on the verge of taking away a whole season of football from the fans with the threat of a lockout, and for what? More money? How many more billions do you want? The NFL is already one of the most profitable businesses with over 9 billion in revenue each year and the owners are within weeks of staging a lockout of the players. How much greed do we have to endure before we can't do it anymore? We already watch millionaires prance around the field once a week during the season while these bastard owners just sit around and collect money. Now they want more money. I don't want to curse, but, ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! Is your $50 million mansion not good enough for you anymore?!

I have a question. What is going to happen to the businesses in football towns if there is a lockout? That's when they are the busiest. During sporting events, especially football. I'll tell you what'll happen. Jobs will be lost by the thousands, and hundreds of millions of dollars will be lost...for each city. Cleveland can not afford to lose any more of anything. These owners have taken greed to a whole new level. If this lockout does happen, the NFL will never, EVER see one straw penny from me EVER again. I refuse to contribute to that colossal amount of stupidity. I guess if you've had your nose that high in the air for that long, it's hard to see straight.

For more information: Read this.

The hypocrites are slandering the sacred halls of truth.
Ancient nobles showering their bitterness on youth.
Can't we find the minds that made us strong?
Can't we learn to feel what's right and wrong?
- - - Rush "A Farewell To Kings"




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The party's over. For now...

I have never, in my life, danced as much as I did last night. I was like a well oiled machine. It felt good to cut some rug. I'm glad Joe finally decided to settle down. Living the bachelor life for too long sucks. I want to wish him and Anna a lifetime of happiness, joy, punch and pie, and junk and stuff. As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs I had written a poem as a best man speech. Since the wedding is over I can post it. So, here it is:

It all began back in '74

...Maybe that was '94

I don't remember anymore

When we first met, I remember the day

Out in the school yard where we would play

It was snowing and some kids were making fun of you

So I joined in, ya know, as kids do

I didn't know any better and I can't remember when

But you invited me over and thus our friendship began.

Through the next few years you lived just a stone's throw away

We would meet at the tracks almost every school day

We'd walk and talk and we'd get to school first

Yes, we did that on our own. We didn't have to be coerced.

When you were there it made high school seem almost bearable

Even band camp and a certain 9^th grade science project (which was terrible)

Those days, way back when, though they seemed fleeting

Were the best days we had together and are worth repeating.

Bike rides that would go on for miles on end

Playing Nintendo in the basement, oh the hours we would spend.

Even when you moved nothing really seemed to change

Though walking to school all alone seemed strange.

We hung out every chance that we had

Though you were kinda far away it didn't seem that bad

The 4 years after school were pretty tough

Hanging out once a year just wasn't enough

The parties we'd go to when I was home on leave

We could tell you stories that you wouldn't believe.

After my time in the military was done

I knew living together would be a lot of fun.

Those next few years were a blast and a half

Looking back on it you could sit there and laugh.

It was crazy living with so many guys

The ones we still talk to and the ones we despise.

But friendships have come and some have gone

But ours, it still soldiers on

Your first love came and your first love went

But at least one good thing came of it.

I met my gorgeous, adorable, radiant, stunning, exquisite, lovely wife through you.

And doesn't that make you feel good too.

So here's to us, man. Stepping to the beat of our own drum

To the adventures we've had and the ones yet to come

To the good times and bad times, it's what makes friendship strong

To the new love you've found, may it last your whole life long.

And as you drive the road of life, guided by the cross.

It's you and her now, 'til the wheels fall off.

Like it? I thought so. 

"So now that it's over can't we just say goodbye?"

--- Ozzy Osbourne, No More Tears.

Buzz

Done, done, and I'm on to the next one...

Well, the super bowl last night was a pretty good game. I'm glad the Packers won, but I'm not sure if I wanted to see them win or if I just wanted to see Pittsburgh lose. I guess the latter of the two, right? 

I went to Audi of Bedford today and filled out an application. They are looking for a Porter and I'm pretty sure I fit the bill of that. When I walked in there it was like the gates to Heaven. All these shimmering machines of perfection sitting there, waiting for someone to drive them home. It took me a long time to fill out the application because I was staring at the cars. The new A8 is just...stunningly brilliant, and the new A7 is magnificent. Working with and for Audi would be the ultimate. I can't think of anything better that I would want to do. The ultimate fan working for the ultimate car manufacturer. I'm excited just thinking about it. At the Auto Show, I make a b-line for Audi. It's the first thing I have to see. In car parks and parking lots I stop and look at the Audi's (if any). I don't do that for anything else. Not any other car maker (except exotic cars, but those are rare), guitar, drum set, or even pretty girls.

Keep your fingers crossed for me folks. Not only do I need this, I want it...bad.

"There's no way out of here.

When you come in, you're in for good."

--- "There's no way out of here.", David Gilmour

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If only...

I wish I had the cajones to tell people how I feel about them. Especially when people make snide remarks or say something that they think is hilarious when, in fact, it's not in the least bit funny. I am far too reserved for my own good. Today, whilst at work, I was shoveling snow in below zero temperatures. I've been out there for a little over 45 minutes making a path so people don't fall and break a hip, or something. This old (expletive deleted) thinks it's just the most funny thing ever to say to me: "Is it cold enough for ya?" I usually just brush comments like this off because ALL of the old people at the club think it is hilarious to rattle off old, worn out cliches at me, e.g. "Ya workin' hard, or hardly workin'?", "Are they keepin' ya busy around here?", and "You missed a spot". I just take it with a grain of salt because I know that they are old and senile and they have no idea what they are doing, where they are, or even who they are. I didn't take it with a grain of salt today. I got heated. I was so cold I just lost it, in my head. So I muttered (semi sotto voce) "man, shut the f**k up". I'm sure she heard me because she gave me a look like I just pissed in her cereal and like she didn't just say something majorly a**holish to me. So I gave her a nasty look back and I spit on the ground. I know I probably shouldn't have done that but being extraordinarily cold makes you tired and loopy. It's not my style, I don't go around making a scene if something isn't quite right. I never send my food back at a restaurant if they get it wrong. I happily eat it because I know the cooks are probably on hour 12 of a 15 hour double shift day and haven't had a day off in the past 3 months. I can't stand people who make a scene at a store, or some place of business, if things don't happen just the way they want. I really do just want to hit them. Very hard. But, again, it's not my style. I just go with the flow. I'm so laid back I'm almost in a coma. I shoulda been a hippie. But, I can't stand them either.


"I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time...
I'll give it right back to you, one of these days."
- - - Jimi Hendrix "Voodoo Child"




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Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.

I have never cursed at an inanimate object as much as I do the sign at the German club. Today I had to change the sign and to do so I had to trudge through 3 feet of snow, open the front of the sign, take letters off and put more on. Doesn't sound hard does it? It's not. At least, it's not supposed to be. There is a key that unhooks 3 latches at the bottom of the door on the sign. You unhook them, lift up the door, prop it open, and proceed to change the letters. One of the latches decided it was going to freeze and I ended up stripping the hole where the key goes. I then had to trudge back through the snow and get a pair of pliers, all while yelling obscenities at this thing. I get back and wouldn't you know it, the pliers can't grab onto the latch because it's too small. Obscenities fly from my mouth as I smash the latch with the pliers to try to break it free. If I were being filmed this is what it would have sounded like:

"I *bleep*ing [clang] hate this [clang] [clang] *bleep*ing piece of *bleep*. You mother*bleep*ing [clang] *bleep*. *Bleep* you, [clang] you *bleep*.*Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*. *Bleep*[clang]"

Needless to say I finally got it open and changed it. Only after 20 minutes of cursing, after I had said I reduced it to a minimum.

I finally started putting my best man poem to paper. I only have a little bit, but I have some time yet. If I do a few lines a day, it'll be done in no time.

You may be right.
I may be crazy.
But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for.
- - - Billy Joel, "You May Be Right"


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