Angie and I went to a burrito joint* the other night. As we entered the establishment the electric heaters above the patio tables gently warmed us. I thought in awe about a business that would consider the feelings of someone wishing to procure a thin round of unleavened wheat flour bread filled with charred beef and pico de gallo, and taking time to consider that they may wish to enhance the experience with 5 degree weather. Long story longer, we waited in line, admiring the simple menu. Burrito, Burrito Bol, Taco's, Salad. Simple menu notwithstanding, we began to wonder why someone a mere 3 people in front of us was having such a hard time deciding. We quickly determined that it was the "new employee effect" at work. We could have opened up our own tasty burrito establishment with a catchy slogan in the time it took them to make our order. Clearly they assumed that, being Monday night, business would be slow and why not put the FNG on the front line, even though he clearly was not up to par, or up to sub-par at the time. Before you get mad at me, I am sure that he is a wonderful man with a sweet spirit who pays his rent on time and helps his elderly neighbor across the street take out the trash. (Keep in mind that's what they always say about serial killers...) However, he was clearly not ready to be "on the front line." He at least needed a helper to prompt him on what he needed to do next. Not being a regular customer of the fine establishment, I couldn't prompt him myself.
Alas, we managed to gather our foil wrapped manifestations of spicy goodness and eat. We sated our hunger and we left, once again warmed by the electric heat lamps on the patio, fearful of the warming to follow the next day.
*If I were to establish my own burrito joint it would be self serve. The slogan would be "At this joint, you roll your own." You'll come hungry, but you'll leave starving. With cottonmouth.
It seems as though when someone gets sick, they are either sick of being tired or tired of being sick. I am sick of being sick. I have had a cold three* times in the past month. I don't have a nearby camera or I would take a picture of my nose-in-need. And it has been a while since I have used the personal groomer. I like to keep it at a number 2, not too short because it gets cold in the winter, but not so long I look like Walter Matthau. Y'know, simple.
Anyway, I was glad to find that Wal-Mart's Equate brand cold medicine works just as well as Day-Quil because it is one third as expensive. Luckily gas doesn't cost nearly as much, so getting to the store is cheaper too.
Though being sick has its advantages. You can get out of work meetings or presentations because you "don't want to get people sick." Don't get me wrong, I'm terrified of avian flu (H5N1) but I don't pal around with shady birds all too often. Though I did get my start in the living room of an extremist bird many years ago....
In the event of a pandemic there are certain things to remember:
-Avoid large gatherings (finally, an excuse to not go to church)
-Wash your hands (with soap and water. I know, who knew?)
-Make me the primary beneficiary in your will (I will explain this after you die)
-Tin foil hat (Everyone knows tin foil hats are the best protector against this "flu")
-Liberal use of hand sanitizer (yes, spread the wealth of sanitizer and socialize!)
-Most importantly, don't "know" any birds as Adam "knew" Eve. Simple to follow, yet incredibly helpful.
By following these basic rules, along with the ones that are actually effective, you can be assured that your chances of developing the flu are decreased. In fact, just by staying indoors and reading this post have decreased your chances by 0.0000001%! I know, crazy.
*This is week two of what I think is the same cold making a comeback, thus it counts as two.
So this band is quite good, I saw them on Conan O'Brien a while back, and I quite fancy their music. I am not sure who to compare them to, but its not rock, but its not pop. I guess some may call it indie. Pretty good nonetheless. They are called The Airborne Toxic Event. Not too sure why.
I'll admit it's no Japanese Pizza commercial, but still good.
After so many months of bombardment, it was strange waking up with no political ads or people policticking. As if the blanket of snow covering my yard was a sign of the inner peace that I was now experiencing, I though back on the last several years. Two years ago, I was finishing up my bachelors degree. now, halfway through my masters degree, I realize I am only one election season away from graduating! crap.
Two years ago I was working in a job field which I thought would carry me to retirement. Not so much. Not to say I didn't like the job, I still miss it, thought it did not work with my 5 year plan. (by the way, I don't have a 5 year plan)
Two years ago the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 12,221.
Two years ago Saddam Hussein was executed after being found guilty of war crimes.
Two years ago Avian Flu kills 79.
Two years ago James Brown dies at 73
Two years ago Jeffrey Skilling, COO of Enron is sentenced to 24 years and 4 months in prison. And fined $45 Million. Thousands lost everything.
Two years ago Google buys YouTube for $1.65 Billion dollars.
Two years ago North Korea drops the bomb.
Long story short, although much has changed in the last two years, so much has also stayed the same. Now, regardless of what your particular political beliefs may be, we are responsible for effecting the change we would like to see in the world. Gandhi was right. We can bitch and moan that things are not what we want them to be. We can point fingers across the aisle and say "they" did this and how dare "they" do it again. Meanwhile we sit silent and watch it occur, waiting to "use it against them" come election time. Remember how short the voters memory is.
I don't remember what I had for breakfast today, or what happened two years ago, and two years from now, hopefully with diploma hanging on wall, I will look back and say, it was a good time to be, two years ago.
I was interrupted when I was typing this post a week ago. I have no idea where it was going, but I am sure that it was hilarious! I can only imagine. In the meantime, I would like to post this video because it is effin' hilarious. As we are now approaching the election, let us take a look at politics in action.
Clearly, the front fell off. Cardboard, no good. I love it. I hope everybody voted him in again so the hilarity could continue.
I have written down some things that I have heard in the past while that have made me chuckle. I decided that I would list them and share the love.
-I'm a fixin' to...
I guess that if you live in the South (capitalized as it "shall rise again") you probably hear this more often. However living in the Utah, I don't hear it nearly as much. It was a friend of mine that called someone out on this statement. She queried whether or not they actually said that. They did.
-Tempest in a Teapot
I would assume that this is metaphorical, meaning that the situation is not critical, but people are acting as though it is. This is true unless you have ever had a teapot of hot tea spilt on your lap.
-Navel Gazing Nonsense
I have no idea what this means.
-Hootenany
(as in "shindig") Unfortunately I am the guilty party on this one. It was nigh upon staff meetin' time and I asked my boss what time this hootenany was going to start. Understandably all conversation stopped. A several minute discussion on the term hootenany ensued. We are none the wiser.
-Wait California is a state? (or something to that effect)
I overheard this walking across the campus of a liberal (not capitalized) University in Utah. I was surprised at the surprise of the student who suddenly realized that the thousand or so miles of west coast line was occupied by a "state" and not a receptacle for celebrity excess. Go figure.
-...its like the older I get, the less I change...
Another student on said campus. Talking on a cell phone, because who talks to those physically present anymore. I only heard this brief exchange but chuckled nonetheless.
-Fauxumentary
I heard this on the radio and liked it. It has probably been around for a while, but new to me. Films such as This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Drop Dead Gorgeous are good examples of this.
-shindig
Referenced earlier in this post, and I apologize.
So there you go, a list of some funny stuff overheard in the past while. I hope to update this list soon. I hear often, remember less.
While I cannot remember off the top of my head which pharmaceutical commercial the post title comes from, it is indeed a brand new day. With a black man accepting the Democratic Party nomination on the 45th anniversary of MLK's historic speech, and a woman being named as a vice president for the Republican Party, things are changing.
Like others, I was not always involved in politics. This is mostly due to the fact that I had no reason to be involved in politics. I had a job, paid income tax on my 3,000 year and got it all back. Oh, and I was mooching off my parents at the time so had no real expenses, save my slurpee habit.
With the ever-increasing primary season, I have had to ask, why? No, not why Fred Thompson (Dun-Dun), but why so long. It was clear almost from the beginning who the top candidates would be. (Sorry Ron Paul, maybe that "no IRS thing" will work next time) All that happened was a great waste of money that campaign contributors will never get back.
I did get to see Chelsea Clinton and Bill Clinton speak at the local University during the campaign. Eh, I've had better motivational speeches from RonCo.
I can't wait for the Republican National Convention because then the left wing nutjobs will have a chance to respond to the right wing nutjobs and we will all be so incredibly tired of this damn election process that the Elephant Man-Iceman ticket will seem like a good idea because we wont remember hearing anything bad about them like how many houses they have or how they are a Muslim sympathizer......I am going to sleep till January.
It is official. School is done for the summer. Now I have three weeks before Fall Semester to finish my honeydo list. Speaking of my honey, she asked me to pose a question about my last post. In that post I mentioned something about being "wont" to do something. When she read that she made fun of me. After I proved the definition of the word using the Internet, she continued to poke fun at me and said that no one uses that word like that in this day and age. With texting and blogging all the rage I shall finish this blog post accordingly.
OMG, I was LMAO when you GED's were looking at him. IDK what you were thinking. ;-) BRB, /b/ :::: @-->--- OSC! LOL
ugh. I can't do it. TTFN.
No, he is not your neighborhood dentist, this is a term used for cooking pasta. I was watching TV, as I am wont to do when I'm not working or in school. I saw a pizza hut commercial for their new Tuscani Pasta. The newer version of the same commercial starts by saying that New Yorkers know their pasta. This got me thinking, are you an expert on a certain type of cuisine by virtue of your ZIP code. That's an easy answer. No.
Recently someone I work with was bitten by a rattlesnake. Not a twelve foot one either. A baby one. According to everyone I've told this story to, those are the worst kind. Although this may or may not be completely accurate, it still sucked. (for him of course, not me) The doctor told him, which most have been absolutely comforting, that "this is the first rattlesnake bite I have treated. Oh, and you may lose your finger, I got this off the Internet." Nice, good work on the bedside manner. However, if being a doctor only takes a thorough knowledge of wikipedia searches, I'm sittin' pretty for a degree in medicine.
I have learned much about html code, and obviously have much to learn. I got this template off a website. Still working out the kinks and stuff. I will try to liven it all up a bit. In the meantime, use the comment box on the right side of your viewing device. Let me know what you think. Yes, this is all new to me.
I amazed myself. I know. Though I don't have any amazing raccoon stories, nor do I have copious amounts of information regarding the dangers of fluoride, I do have good news. No, I didn't save a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to geico, (No hyperlink there, they are neither friend nor foe) I am done with classes for Constitutional Law. Hooray! I still need to write a large paper and I am not looking forward to it.
Here's the thing about the blog, I think of things all the time to write about. Amazing things, incredible things, things which neither man nor beast will ever understand. However, I am never near a computer and able to freeform it right then and there. If my memory serves me correctly, it doesn't. Thus, as I sit to write a blog post, I think to myself, what was that thing I was going to write about? Was it about sitting down on a already warm toilet seat? no..... Was it about techniques used to appear working when you are not? could be...... It may have been more pictures of my garden......
I regularly visit a few blogs and I am consistently impressed with the amount of consistent dedication by the blogs author who manage to produce posts on an incredibly regular basis. Kudos to them.
I guess they find it easy as they have something to be passionate about. I on the other hand am passionate about not being passionate. The occasion is rare when I drag the dusty soapbox out of the garage where it has acted as a makeshift sprinkler repair workshop. I stand and deliver a short but sweet tirade careful not to unnecessarily offend. Therein may lie the issue. Perhaps a lesson from the sprinkler box is called for more often. Not that any would particularly care, but I may feel better about it.
Hmmm.... If I could just find someone to yell at...
I've noticed something particularly odd about time. When you really need it, y0u don't have it. When you have to much of it, there nothing to fill it with. If you wanted to reserve a block of time for something, say homework, it's amazing how something better comes along. I have been forced, by way of my own doing, to write 1-2 four page papers every week for about the last six weeks. Not to say that the better option will edify and uplift quite as much as reviewing supreme court decisions, and making uneducated inferences about their meaning and present day applications.
Though I try to look at it with the attitude that I have scarcely more than one year until the suffering has ended, that's a lot of papers. A lot of papers. I have learned some stuff along the way, however. Nothing that will solve world hunger, yet. If anyone is looking for a good book on effective leadership, and a good example of someone to follow, pick up a copy of this book on President Lincoln. It is an easy read and actually has some good points and interesting anecdotes about honest Abe. Not to get too political, but clearly the current president did not read this book. Nor did he read Sun Tzu's The Art of War.
But remember, if you vote with your heart and not your pocketbook, the terrorists win. Not really. But please read Lincoln's speech delivered at the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery for the slain Union soldiers.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Not too long ago I posted some pictures of my garden. I'm sure that you can scroll down and see them. Here are some updated pictures. I know, the garden seems kinda boring, but I have no children and this is what I am raising now. So enjoy. We also ate the first strawberry. It was delicious. Albeit a little small.
or look here for a photo journey!
Maybe next time we will have a camera. But the history is great other wise. We also found rocks. Geodes to be specific.
Ours weren't quite this cool, but we didn't have much time to look around. We need to go back just for the rocks. maybe next time.
No, not a pirates pumpkin patch. The wretched patch of dirt on the side of my house (my hizzie, if you will, and no, I won't) where the missus and I have planted some food stuffs. What I didn't realize, is how much I actually care that the stuff grows. And how much trouble it is to make sure that it does. Constant watering and tending to it. Then I'm supposed to thin them out when they get two inches tall. It took me forever to grow them, why would I pull them out?
Oh, and up until most recently it was even an organic garden. Some miracle grow accidentally fell on it. stay tuned.
I was so sad when I heard the news, David Archuleta, Utah's native son, came in second place. Tragedy. Actually I never watched an episode of this seasons show. Or last seasons, or the one before that, or the one before that. The only ones that are worth watching are the first few episodes wherein the bad singers who actually think they are good singers perform for simon, paula, and randy. Does it bother anyone else that simon is consistently the only one on the show with an original thought? Their season planning meeting must go something like this:
(and yes, I know that's Ford in the middle)
I had to post this video because it made me laugh. I now have the chorus downloaded on my computer. When my supervisor walks in, I play it. He usually looks at me funny then leaves.
It really makes no sense, but then again, I am not a native of Japan. Perhaps there are different cultural norms there that I don't understand. However I do understand how annoying it is when your pizza toppings ignore you. When they turn their back on you, it's just awful. Oh well, I've switched to Chinese food anyway.
Although I think I may be onto why they call it a "morning constitutional."
In order to be completely random, one must be unpredictable. If I were to think of a "random" thought, I would need to clear my mind of all thought, and think of something random. Easier said than done. For most sentient beings, at least those not in Hollywood, clearing the mind of thought is difficult. Ask the Dalai Lama. Also, when you are finally able to clear your mind, and then think of something instantly, it would not be completely random. the mere process of randomly thinking requires processed thought.
Say you were to think "apple." wow that was random. Nope, actually you read about apples in a friends blog post yesterday. Yep, even in my explanation of random, I have confirmed exactly what I am talking about. I think.
On a completely different note, in 1803 the US Supreme court issued a decision finding that William Marbury had is constitutional rights violated and that he should have them remedied. Boring right. NO! This also found that the supreme court was the supreme court in the land and they were the sole interpreters of the constitution. Wow. That...is...awesome. If it wasn't for Marbury v. Madison, who knows where we would be. Yes folks, be prepared for a summer semester of constitutional law. Constitutional Fever...Catch it!
What I do have is sunshine in my soul as the spring 2008 semester has drawn to a close. I think it was a stick figure. However I am fully briefed on the issues of national healthcare policy and how to resourcefully manage humans.
I will now commence enjoying a two week (almost) reprieve from school. I think I will try to watch some of the movies from my Netflix Queue. I have been woefully neglectful of the movies there. I have kept some at home for nearly a month before finally watching them. That defeats the purpose of the three at a time program which I currently enjoy.
Enough about me though. Wait, a blog is supposed to be self-centric. Which brings me back to my initial lamentation. I am uninteresting, but have a head full of useless facts and figures with which I can regale you.
I can't think of any now. Damn. Back to square one.
Maybe I will tell you a story. I have come so far working on my novel but have suffered from
I guess I will end with the postulation, not promise that the next little while could result with a few more blog posts. Perhaps in the interim between posts I will create a family. A superfamily of sorts. One where there are many women to conceive and raise my children. They will all look the same and wear white plastic uniforms. And these small versions of me, these "clones" will be at my command to do my bidding. We will be able to dominate the universe...
Yet another week has passed without any word from Cacciato. Not really, I didn't know the guy but Tim's still searching. Anyway, I dont have much to say this week, it's spring break (insert obligatory WOOHOO! here) but I have no racy pictures to post, yet. Some problem with the developer and "losing" my role of film, but some vice detective wants to talk to me... I dont know.
I did however hear this song on the radio and I really liked it. Occasionally I stumble across a song, and after cursing loudly and rubbing my toe, I listen to it over and over again. This one is by Linkin Park, who I thought I didn't really like but after sampling the album I discovered I really did.
The song is called "Hands Held High." Be advised there are two "adult" words, well, one used twice, but good song nonetheless.
Let's take a listen...
And there you have it, your, ummm, feel good for friday song. Kinda.
WOOHOO! spring break!
Finally, the sun has decided to show its face. And I say its about time. No longer are we remanded to the winter blues, bitter cold winds, and snow crunching 'neath our feet. Hallelujah.
But while you wait in the ER, you can at least have fun and make a cut puppet. This one is courtesy of Ovalspleen. Check out his flickr site http://www.flickr.com/ovalspleen.
I was sitting at my desk on Tuesday and my boss came in. Not my supervisor, but the big boss. He looked at me and told me I looked terrible. As he said, I look like I'd been hit by a truck. Unfortunately I do not believe he was talking about me looking sick. Apparently, a nice button-up shirt and tan pants don't dont qualify as appropriate dress.
After he left, my co-worker told me that was a hint from the big cheese to put on a tie.
Thanks captain....
So yesterday and today, I have sported a tie, and although its not horrible, I dont practice wearing one on Sunday. Perhaps the worst part is that people keep asking me if I have court.
I guess thats why I liked knowing what I would wear everyday.
Yes, there are benefits to having a uniform. And a properly fitted bicycle. But this one was pretty sweet.
so I havent broken down exactly how much it costs me to go to school, but it is alot. which means, it is costing me a lot to write this blog. i blame the internet. and its phenomenal accessibility provided by the University of Utah. therefore it is not my fault.
as I am supposed to be learning about policy analysis at present, i would suggest a inclusive policy which provides for the Handler-Hasenfeld poverty construction theory, with an emphasis on the supply of cheap labor with major focus on the Schneider-Ingram-DeLeon axis diagram for a more functional explanation.
ya, thats why I'm typing a blog entry. I realize that to my faithful blogging public i have been few and far between, however remember, absence makes the heart go wander. so please return, and I promise, no more theory, but increased concrete application.
Apparently my home computer refuses to participate in the whole "blogging craze," as such it will not let me log on. However, I shall survive. Recently I stumbled across the music from a comercial that my three year old nephew loves. Whenever the commercial came on t.v., he would stop and watch, and if I recall correctly, hum along. The music? Royksopp - Reminds Me.
Not ring a bell? check out the following.
Ring a bell? it may, but it sounds a little different from the commercial version, that is here...
Aside from the strange videos, I like them both. Which one is better?
Its catchy, and it brings stored images from my brain to consciousness...
thats my motto. at least when it comes to home repairs. I have a pile of drywall in my basement that, despite my direct orders, has failed to put itself up. this means that I still have a pile of drywall in my basement. no photos yet.
The word of the blog is- incunabulum- a book printed before 1501.
I dare you to use that in a sentence.
If you cant tell, I have a word of the day calendar. Some have proven helpful, others have not.
Despite all this levity, school still sucks.
I was driving to work on January 1st, and I thought to myself, it feels like a fresh new year. That or someone sprayed Febreeze on the old year. Now that the holidaze are over, we can focus on life again. For Angie and me, that is school and work.
I have a new desk calendar, and a new desk, so be prepared for a new word of the blog. This one will be an easy one.
Baleful- 1. deadly or pernicious in influence. 2. foreboding or threatening evil.
Try to use it in a sentence. I will also. Now, wheres the Febreeze...