I'm looking at the piles of crap on my desk and thought, "Ah, I think I'll do my blog entries first :P".

Last night, I got as far as putting some new music on my iPo to listen to, but that was about it. I had a couple of tamales for dinner, then watched 'Pretty In Pink', and that was it. Josh and Ivan showed up from dinner around 10:15p or so, and we played a little Rock Band/GH until 11, and then I went to bed.

It seems as if there's a big bug in some of the downloadable content in Rock Band that after you play certain songs, it locks up your xbox until you reboot it. After every song. It's really annoying. It seems to only affects downloadable content, so you can play songs that came on the disk as opposed to what is on the harddrive. But since this game is currently Josh's favorite, he's pretty pissed about it. So much so that he sent a private email to one of the guys at EA who works next door and told him that he'd offer to let them have the xbox to trouble shoot it if they wanted. I doubt that'll happen, but if enough people bitch, I'm sure they'll have a patch for it soon. At least there's the ability to do such things now!

I've been going to bed way too late lately, thus waking up tired. I was up late Tuesday because of the Queensryche show, and then I wanted to go to bed at 10p last night, but that didn't end up happening. And since I have a movie night tonight, I doubt that'll happen tonight either. Maybe I can shoot for sleep around 11. Tomorrow, I have an ultrasound to make sure that my insides look okay, and then I'm hanging out at home with Josh. I may go out at like 10p to play some Leap Games (November games, only played on Leap Day!), so no early to bed tomorrow either. Tho, it means I can sleep as late as I like on Saturday. And, I can go to bed early Saturday if I want as well, tho I have to get up early on Sunday for airport-pickup duty.

Nap now, plz.

1. Do you have a green thumb? How so/not?
Kind of. I have 7 plants in my living room, one in the bedroom, one outside, and I'm about to get one more inherited from my office. I somehow manage to take care of them and keep them alive, tho I'm sure with a little reading, I could do a better job.

2. What is your best skill/ability? Why?
My anal-retentive/OCD-like qualities. It's both a blessing and a curse. For me, it put the chaos that is life into some managable order. It allows me to do things like totally move into an apartment and put 95% of it away in 24 hours.

3. If someone asked a friend of yours, "Hey, what is one thing your friend is exceptional at?", what would they say about you? Why?
Oh, probly either something to do with my music snobbery or something to do with my organizational skills in one form or another.

1. Do you have a green thumb? How so/not?

3. If someone asked a friend of yours, "Hey, what is one thing your friend is exceptional at?", what would they say about you? Why?

Remember to post these in your blog and don't forget to post a comment letting us know where you posted them by posting a link here!

Last night was the Queensryche show, and it was teh awsome. Josh and I arrived to see Don Dokken (insert snickers here) play his last few songs, and even tho I kid about him, it was pretty good. Queensryche got on stage about 20 mins after that. The stage setup was pretty simple, but everyone looked comfortable up on stage. The drummer still has that ridiculously cool drumset with the chains back from *mumbles*-something years ago. It's the same band, except Chris DeGarmo has been replaced by one Mike Stone. Now, make no mistake about this guy's talent, but he looked like he was working just a little too hard to be playing in a rock band. He had headfones on the entire time so he could hear himself, and his eyes were closed most of the time because he was concentrating so hard. But, I guess that's how perfectionists work. Tho he's 39, he sure doesn't look it, and he's very talented. However, for the 'traditional' Queensryche sound, it's my opinion that the white guitar he was playing for the most part last night did not have the 'correct' sound. Geoff Tate sounded a little tired (it's the end of the tour, I believe), but he is still as awsome as ever, and the other band members performed awsomely as well. I was a pretty happy camper.

At any rate, it was a great show. They played a few songs off their covers album, a few off albums from 93-present, but a lot of old songs, including 4 off 'Empire', which I was very happy about. And during those songs, I couldn't help but think of Micah and the summer of 91. Ah, those were good times :)

I'm a bit tired today since we got home late, and today looks to be long and tedious, so I will be doing a lot of nothing this evening. Josh is going out, and I think maybe it'll be a good night to put together a new playlist of things to listen to on my iPo. My 'downloads' directory is growing, and I need to listen to the stuff that I've dumped into it!

It was a good weekend! Friday, I went and saw The 3 Munchkins for an hour, then went to Cato's for a couple of hours for a friend's birthday. I saw a few people I hadn't seen in awhile, and Alasdair's back in the U.S. again! After that, I picked up JoeJoe at BART at around 11:30p, and we went back to my house where we (Josh too!) played RockBand and GH til 2am when it was time for bed.

I got up around 9:30a on Saturday, made Joe and myself coffee, and shot the shit with him until it was time to take him to the airport. He also surprised us with all of the Max Headroom episodes! Totally. Fsking. Awsome. Almost as awsome as DOWSII:The Metal Years, but not quite. I don't think he'll ever be able to top that one! I dropped him off at the airport, then realized my bloodsugar was dropping, so I went to Lois The Pie Queen for breakfast. I spent the rest of the afternoon with Josh, then spent the rest of the evening doing absolutly nothing, and it was everything I thought it could be.

Yesterday, I got up, went to breakfast, and then went back to bed for awhile. I was going to go on a walk with Josh, but Science-related activities prevented my brain from letting my legs work, so we watched cool science shows instead. Another lazy Sunday. Yay! I went to bed at 10p.

I'm bumming around (and taking that walk!) with Josh tonight. Tomorrow, we're going to go see Queensryche play at The Fillmore, which will be 5 shades of awsomeness. I don't think I have plans Wednesday other than going to see my needle man after work. Thursday is movie night. I have a fun ultrasound on Friday morning, but no plans that evening or for the weekend either, which means I get to be incredibly lazy. Because I'm a *really really* nice person, I've agreed to pick someone up at the airport at Stupid O'Clock in the early morning on Sunday. Person, you are buying me breakfast afterwards, just so ya know :P.

Questions taken from Bear's LJ.

* What are you most proud of in your life?
For growing up without much mishap, getting an education, getting the hell out of the midwest, and making a pretty good life for myself.

* Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
I don't know. For some reason, I don't feel the need to plan out my future. Right now, I just feel like taking things one day at a time. When I want to do something else, I will!

* What 3 words would your best friend use to describe you?
Organized, caring, and fr34k.

* If you had only six months to live, what would you do first?
Go on a real vacation. Maybe a cruise of some wierd out-of-the-way place. Why not see the world before you're gonna die, right?

* Are you an outdoor or an indoor person and what do you enjoy about that?
I grew up in the midwest, so I'm an indoor person. There's lots to do inside *and* outside, and I now live in a place where I can do both, so I do!

* What would you prefer, a day at the races or a night at the theatre?
A night at the theater.

* What do you do for fun?
I hang out with the people I care about, go to shows, crochet, play games, watch bad movies, spend time with my kitties, read, and sometimes I even clean for fun. No one said I was normal!

* Who was your hero as a child?
I never had one.

* Do you believe that the cup is half empty or half full?
It depends on the day, but it's usually half-full.

* If you could have lunch with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Jeff Keith. Just because I could.

* If you could time travel to the past to correct any mistakes you feel you've made, would you?
Nope. "If you're standin' there saying you 'coulda, shoulda, woulda', you don't deserve to go". I regret nothing I do. Sure, there are things I would have done *differently*, but I regret nothing. And, you can't change the past. You can only live from it.

* If you won the lottery, how would you spend your millions?
I'd pay off my debts, buy a car, and buy a house. Then I'd pay off my friends/family's debt just because it's a nice thing to do. I'd invest some, and then probly give the rest to charity.

* If you were an animal in the wild, what would you be?
Some sort of cat.

* What was the first record you ever bought?
I had a lot of music bought for me before I ever bought anything myself. But I remember that the first CD I ever bought was RHCP's 'Bloodsugarsexmagik'.

* Where in the world would you most like to be this weekend and why?
In the company of the ones I love the most. I don't need a reason!

* What luxury item would you take on a desert island?
My music.

* What makes you laugh?
The little things.

* What makes you cry?
Injustice.

* What is your favourite word and why?
Currently, it's 'diabolical'. I like the way it sounds, and it can be used in lots of different contexts.

* If you have friends coming for supper what would you cook?
Depends on the setting. Probly something that can feed a handful of people fairly quickly.

* If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?
No one. I like being me, thanks!

* Would you rather climb a mountain or trek across a desert?
Neither. I prefer safer activities like a nice hike :P

* If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Planet Bay Area, CA...oh wait, that's where I live now!

* If you could be successful at any job in the world, what would that job be?
I'm pretty good at the job I have. I also want to teach when I grow up. I know I'd be good at that.

* Describe your perfect Sunday morning.
Sleeping late, an awsome breakfast, and then going back to bed...I spend a lot of my Sunday's like this...I am spoiled.

* What did you do today that made you feel good?
I took my Critters and then I made myself coffee. It's the little things that please me the most!

* Aliens have landed and selected you to visit their home planet. Do you go with them?
In a heartbeat!

* Were you a mod, a rocker, a punk, a soul dude/diva or did you follow any other trend?
I've been a rocker since I was about 12...I don't really see anything changing until I die.

Yay, it's Friday! And, I'm in an exceptional mood today, so yall got lucky :P

Yesterday after work, I spent some time hanging out with Josh, and then we went and had sushi for dinner. It was expensive, but yummy. Afterwards, we came home and watched the construction of a big bridge in SC, and afterwards got into bed. Things are going pretty well with us right now, and it's good. Yay for the relationship being on a good track!

In fact, most all of my relationships (wether it be with family, work, or friends), are quite good right now. Life in general is quite good right now. My body is healing, which *definatly* makes everything better from the start. It's a wierd and strange sensation knowing now just how broken my body was. I'm starting to loose less hair, my moods are better, I can eat food again without problems, and even my core body temperature is rising. One might not think that this would be a big deal, but it is. It had dropped to 97.0, and I was friggin cold *all* of the time. Now, I'm warm (on the verge of hot) half the time, but it's better than the 80 layers I was having to rely on to stay warm! I'm sure this'll even out over time, so I'm not worried about it. Now I'm just playing the waiting game with the rest of my body (my body healing the digestive damage, and the nerve damage). I'd say if my body keeps up the way it has been going, I should be almost right as rain by the summer.

So, I'm in a good mood today. My body's kinda sore (*grin*), but my spirit is good. If you need/want anything from me, today's probly the day to ask :P

I got an email this morning saying that The Police are playing in Concord in July. Just for giggles, I went and looked at how much tickets were selling for. They're $90-$225 for real seats, and lawn starts at $40. How do I put this delicately....fuck that!! A bunch of us are going to see Rush at the same place in May, and tix are only $30! And the hardest working band in rock and roll will put on a hell of a lot better show than Old Fogie Police any day of the week. $90...sheesh.

Tonight, if I don't get lazy, I might go hang out with The 3 Munchkins for a little bit, and then JoeJoe is coming to hang out with us the rest of the evening. Tomorrow afternoon, I'm going to a belated boofday party for M, and then am gonna go hang out with "I" in the evening. And Sunday, I'm not doing a damn thing. And it will be good :)

1. What is your prefered type of candy?
I love chocolate, and I love sour candy. As far as chocolate goes, lately I've been in to really dark chocolate. A friend introduced me to Endangered Species Chocolate, and I've been hooked since. When it comes to sour candy, the more sour the better. But, they don't make much good sour candy anymore. Some of the highlights include lemonheads, sour straws, sour starbursts, and sour patch kids/fruit.

2. What is your favorite meal?
Breakfast. Doesn't really matter what it is, I love breakfast. Eggs, pancakes, sausages, hashbrowns, french toast, waffles, the occasional bowl of granola....yum. And I love having breakfast for dinner as well. In the past year, I've started trying various breakfast places. It's kinda hard to screw up, but some places are better than others. My favorite place so far is Lois The Pie Queen.

3. If you could only have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
"Pez...cherry-flavored Pez....no doubt in my mind". :P

1. What is your prefered type of candy?

3. If you could only have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Remember to post these in your blog and don't forget to post a comment letting us know where you posted them by posting a link here!

I'm starting to think that 99% of relationships are dysfunctional for one reason or another.

Case in point: There's a Rush show coming up in May. There are like 8 of us going so far. Another friend of mine wants to join us. He tells me he isn't going to bring his gf because she doesn't like the band. Then today, he emails me and tells me she agrees to go. I promptly emailed him back and politely asked her not to bring her. For some reason, this is a common occurance at Rush shows. It not only aggrevates the fans who *want* to be there, but it irritates the band as well. Why bring your female S.O. along if she doesn't want to be there? It's a well-known fact that a great many females do not like Rush. Why make them misreable?

More importantly, why do these stupid couples think that they have to agree on everything and do everything together? That is *not* what a relationship is about, folks. And it sure as hell isn't healthy. People have different likes and dislikes. Josh loves Ween. I dislike Ween. When they come to towne, I stay home and he goes to see them. Josh goes to Burning Man every year. I think that's punishment for certain crimes in certain countries. He goes, I stay home with my modern-day comforts. He goes to movies about politics and Doom with his friends, I stay home and watch goofy 80s movies. And then there are things that I like to go do and he doesn't, so he stays home. But we also do things together that we have common interests in. We go to dinner together. We go to hockey games together once in awhile. We play w0w together. We watch science stuff on TV together. We play Guitar Hero and Rock Band together. We go on trips together. We go to campouts together. There are lots of shows that we *do* go to together, because our tastes in music merge at a certain point. We watch bad 80s movies together. We hang out with friends together. So while we have our differences in the things we like to do, we also have our common interests.

Why don't more couples understand this kind of concept? Why don't they understand that there are 3 lives in every relationship? There is Person A's life, Person B's life, and then the life that the two share together. That's healthy. Sure, sometimes we do things with our S.O.s that we normally wouldn't do by ourselves because we know that the other person likes whatever it is, but it's not an every event occurance! And people wonder why most couples don't tend to stay together for very long.

People don't pay enough attention. They are too selfish. And they don't have their relationship's best interest at heart. This pisses me off. I'm not saying my relationship is perfect, but it seems to be a whole hell of a lot more stable than most.

A large number of people that I have encountered today are either having bad days, or are being incredibly moody. When it involves having contact with me, frusterations are being vented at me like I'm responsible for a person turning a device the wrong way, the sun shining, or someone not taking care of their responsibilities. I'm not sure *why* everything seems to be my doing today (or rather, me perceiving it that way), but I suppose I should take it as a compliment. Afterall, if it's all my fault, I must have supreme power, right?

I AM TEH ALL POWERFUL MISYCARROT!! RESPECT AND PH34R ME!!!!

:P

In an attempt to be a happier person and not quite so damned impatient, I've started trying to drop something that is frustrating me and pick it up again later. Like just now, I was trying to get ahold of someone at Enterprise rent-a-car and after trying 3 different times, I still couldn't get hold of a human who could help me or that spoke English. They have an online help, but they stop serving at 5p CST and apparently (so said the time on the screen) it was 5:01 CST. *rolls eyes*. So, I've decided just to put it aside today, and try again tomorrow.

And even tho it's good I'm being proactive so whatever is bothering doesn't turn me into a mega unahppy person, it still doesn't prevent me from thinking, "Jesus H. Christ, can't I just talk to a fucking human who speaks my language so I can get some information that I can't find online?". Obviously not today! :P

Josh and I went to the Panto show in the afternoon in San Anselmo, and then we went to Kingman's to see Kenny and have a drink, then went to a steakhouse across the street for dinner. It was pretty yummy!

After that, I went to the Stork Club in Oakland to see the Plastercatz (among others) play. There was much drinking involved, as well as some pinball and Ms.Pacman. I think I got to sleep at 2a....on a school night :P. So, in order to get a good night's rest, I told myself it'd be a good, restful 6 hours of sleep. And, it was! So, yay! I feel okay today, so that's good.

We're having problems with things getting fixed in our building in a timely manner (because 2-3 months is NOT timely in my book), so I had a phone conversation with the landlord today, who told me that he would get things taken care of. He did not apologize for things not getting taken care of sooner, but whatever. He also reassured me that he would watch the workers so either Josh or myself wouldn't have to stay home and babysit them. Josh was going to leave them alone this morning while he did laundry and I was like, "Eh? Make the landlord do their jobs because that's what we pay them for", hence me calling the landlord and talking with him directly. I was very nice, and so was he, so that's cool. I don't ask for much, but when you say you're going to fix my shitty plumbing, please do it! And I don't want my stuff stolen in the process!

I think JoeJoe's coming over tonight, so it'll be cool to see him! Other than that, not too much is going on this week so far. Yay for that!

After work on Thursday, Josh and I went to the Sharks game. They lost, but we still had a good time. We were up til almost 2a talking, but hey, communication is more important than sleep! And, it was a good conversation.

Friday, I worked as usual. I got hungry around 2p and nothing in the office looked good for lunch, so I ventured to my old standby, Mr.Lucky's. I ordered a grilled cheeze (american) with tomatoes and some fruit on the side. While I was ordering, there was a soda explosion or something behind the bar, and the owner was cleaning it up. He asked 3 of the regulars that were sitting near said explosion to come sit at the other end of the bar next to me. As usual, all 3 were drunk, or pretty darn close to it. One is a golf pro, one is the ex of one of the waitresses, and one is a friend of the other two and the owner of the bar. Aparently, guy #3 is kinda a dick anyway, but today he decided to be extra butthurt because (he was blaming the golf pro) apparently, he lost $1k on a SuperBowl bet. I said something like, "Ah, live and learn!" and he says, "I was not talking to you...you should turn your head away and not even look over here".

me: "Excuse me? You don't need to be rude. And, it's just money."
him: "I told you to turn your head the other way and not talk to me. You do not exist."
me: "Sir, you don't need to be such a dick to me! (meanwhile, he keeps saying I should go away because I still don't exist)
me: (turns to the golf pro) "Are you going to sit there and let this asshole treat me this way?" (golf pro just shrugs at me)
me: "Again, are you going to let this guy treat me like this?"
Golf Pro: "Look, I apologize for him , but he always acts like this"
me: "Well, I'll be goddamned if he's going to treat *me* like that, I don't give a fuck *who* he is or what his problem is."

Somehow, things chilled down, and I turned my head and tried to think straight about the situation. I shed a tear or two, got up, and walked down to the other end of the bar, took the owner aside, and had a few choice words with him.

me: "Look, I know you were in the middle of cleaning up this mess, and this guy is also a friend of yours, but the behavior by this guy is *completely* unacceptable. I don't care if he hates women, he is *not* going to treat me like that, and you need to take care of it"
owner: "Alright, I'll say something, but not today" (since the guy was already 5 sheets to the wind, it would have made no difference)
me: "Fine, as long as you say something, because *that* was *crap*, and you *know* it."

Damn, I was pissed. Apparently the guy is such an unhappy person and his disdain for women is so great that he refers to his own wife as 'his whore'. I can't help how people treat others, but I'll be goddamned if I'm going to be treated poorly! I *almost* walked out of the place without paying (I would have payed later, but I would have walked out to make a point), but I figured I would loose if I just walked out. I go to that place about once a week for lunch because not only is the food good (most of it's comfort food), but most of the regulars are cool. I feel comfortable there. And it's in the owner's best interest to keep his other customers in line so people will come back. If something like that ever happens again, they *will* loose my business and my money. And that would suck for them *and* me.

While I feel sorry for someone as misreable as that asshole, I still really wanted to lay him out. And I was so angry at the time, I probly could have. No joke.

I go back to work and it gets to be about 4:30p, and I check 511.org for giggles to see what the traffic on 24 looks like. Usually it's green (good) or yellow (mild)...this time, it was a solid black line from one end to the other. Shit! So, I parked at WC bart and took the train home. And sure enough, traffic *was* stop and go solid all the way from one end to the other.

So, my Friday afternoon was kinda 'eh'. That evening, Ben & Lorraine came over to hang out, and Josh and I ordered Raj, and the evening was good.

Yesterday, Josh took me to get my car, and then I started laundry at the mat, went to Momma's for breakfast, put the laundry in the dryer, went to Longs, then came back and folded my laundry and brought it home. I put the laundry away and potted 2 plants, and by that time, it was like 5p. Josh played w0w most of the evening and I spent a large portion just being lazy and watching bad TV. I think we went to bed around 1:45a.

This morning, I got up and made coffee, and watched an episode of Sesame Street from 1978. I also had some scrambled eggs w/ Sausage, and my daily regiment of my critters and my fiber. And now, here I am. I'm gonna go take a shower and then head up to San Rafael to watch my friends do a show called Panto at 2p. After that, Josh and I are going to a local steakhouse for dinner, and then the weekend'll be over!

Oh! I am also feeling pretty good! At least, a lot better than I used to! I still have a little discomfort, but the longer I take my critters, the less it becomes. I also discovered that certain things make my nerve damage worse, and what I can and can't do to help that. So, yay for things getting better with my health! It's about damn time!

Yesterday also marked the 1yr anniversary of my Mammaw heading on to the next life. Oddly enough, I'm still not really sad. Why? Well, she didn't really go anywhere! She's sitting here in my livingroom. I've got a picture of her at the office, and most of all, I'm a *lot* like her. Sure, I can't talk to her anymore, but at least she's still around, making sure I don't fuck up too badly. Maybe kinda wierd to some of you to see me talk like that, but she is/was my most favorite person ever. Hell, her # is still in my fone, and probly will be until I get a new one. I heart my Mammaw.

Just about everyone has tomorrow off except for me, so I gotta get up early while everyone else gets to sleep in. Oh well, it just means it'll be quiet at the office! But, um...I'm staying away from Lucky's. :P

1.What is love? Do you believe in it? Why/why not?
I think every person has their own definition of love. It's a certain level of feeling for an individual. For me, there are different degrees of love. I can love my cats unconditionally, but not be in love with them. I'm *in love* with Josh. See the difference?

2. Have you ever been in love? Are you still?
Several times. And yes, I'm still in love with my boyfriend. For all of the nice and great things he does for me, ignoring the little things that bug me is a small price for something far greater.

3. Do you believe everyone in this world is capable of love? Why/why not?
Yes, I think it's instinctual. Sometimes, something happens along the way to turn an otherwise loving person into a monster, but in the end, they have a heart just like everyone else.

Happy V-Day, folks!

Yesterday, I got an early V-Day surprise in the form of DeBrand chocolates, truffles, and pretzle sticks. Way yum! Today, I got a very boquet of roses! They're very pretty (pink, white, and peach) and very awsome! I just wish I had brought my camera :)

I've got a small something for him, and then we are going to the Sharks game tonight. Doesn't sound very romantic? It does when your other half is a huge hockey fan! I think I'll take him out to dinner this weekend as well.

Yay!

As a long-time TooL fan, a few things that you learn very quickly are 1: never believe what you see in the media about them regardless of the subject matter and 2: never ever EVER anticipate when the next album will come out. It's futile. And still, I heart them.

TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan has told MTV.com that the band will soon be reconvening to start kicking around song ideas for the group's fifth studio album.

"The music always comes first," Keenan said. "We all get in a room, shut out all the extra noises from the other people and what goes on outside the room and just focus on the four of us, where we are that day. And then we just start making sounds."

1.What is love? Do you believe in it? Why/why not?

3. Do you believe everyone in this world is capable of love? Why/why not?

Remember to post these in your blog and don't forget to post a comment letting us know where you posted them by posting a link here!

I have a party friend who works for Pandora, and I saw him last week, which reminded me to go play with the website. So, that's what I did today. Pandora is part of the Music Genome Project. Since I listen to so many different kinds of music these days, I figured I'd give it a whirl. I can't stand the website (flash sucks, it's hard to find anything, and more often than not, you have to back out to get where you were before), but the music and the selection of music is pretty cool.

For example, I created a blues station. I have a certain Live365 blues station that I listen to normally, so what I did was to write down the names of some of the artists, and then plug them in to Pandora. And out of 13 songs, there was only one that didn't fit in to what I was looking for. So, so far, it's pretty neato!

My Live365 account is paid up thru August, but then I'll need to decide what to do. Dues went up from $35 to $71 per year. If I wanted to pay for Pandora (which I don't necessairly have to do to listen to what I want), it's only $36, and I can weed out what I do and do not want to listen to. I think that I will take my favorite music channels from Live365 and make them into my own stations on Pandora and see how it takes off. I just might be switching music sites come the fall.

Friday night was the Tesla show, which was awsome as usual! We got there about 10 mins before they got on stage, so there wasn't much standing around that had to be done. They got on stage, and I looked over to find this kid standing where Tommy Skeoch normally does. Hrm. Cute guy. High cheek bones, beautiful hair...but can he play? Holy *shit*, the kid can play! Apparently, his name is Dave Rude, and he's from here in the Bay Area. Actually, he lives about 10 mins away from me :P. This kid (okay, well, he's 29, but he looks younger) is amazing. He filled a huge pair of shoes with little effort, and I am very pleased. This guy was having the time of his life on Friday night. He was jamming, playing solos alongside Frank, and more often than not, singing all the lyrics to all the songs. *And* he was playing locally, so I'm sure that made things even more awsome. I mean really, how many people think they'll ever play The Fillmore? He was in 7th heaven. Just by watching him, this is what I got from him: "I started listening to Tesla when I was a kid and they are either my favorite band, or one of my favorites...and here I am, on stage, playing with them. Hooooly shit". I found an article with him, stating pretty much what I had thought. Yay for being perceptive on my end! I can't wait to see them play again with that guy. He was amazing. Really.

Speaking of Tesla, I saw this article today on Engadget entitled Tesla Guitar Amp Sparks The Great Radio Controversy. It's a modification of a Tesla coil for guitar amplification. And while that's cool, I had to totally laugh at the title of the article because The Great Radio Controversy is the name of Tesla's second album. The poster had to be a Tesla fan to think that up. And while most people won't get it, the handfuls of us that do totally appreciate it.

Saturday, I hung out at home most of the day, then took BART into the city around 7 and went to the 5 Cent Coffee CD release party, which was pretty cool. I saw and hung out with lots of people that I knew. After that, we went to a warehouse party in Emeryville, which was pretty cool. I think we left around 3:30a, but I was up for another 5 hours. Don't ask :P. I got home around 6:30p on Sunday to find Hickory, Taylor, and Matt Buster all playing Rock Band in our living room. We all took a short walk, hung out for awhile, and then I went to bed at 10:30p. I slept til 7:30a, got up and got dressed, and was like, "Man, I feel like total crap...I'm going back to bed". I called in sick and slept til 2:30p. I can't remember sleeping that late ever. I slept 16 hours! I walked to Peet's and got some coffee beans, and then my energy was zapped. I took a nap in the recliner, half-listening to Alice In Wonderland. A little later, I made some eggs and sausage for dinner, then watched Big Fish, a show on 13 cool discoveries of the cosmos, and went to bed again at 10:30p. So, I think I finally got the sleep my body needed. I hope to hit the sack before 11p tonight again.

I was supposed to go to dinner with a friend of mine, but they never got back to me, so I don't think I'll be doing much of anything tonight. Tomorrow, I really need to do laundry. Thursday, I'm going to the Sharks game with Josh. Friday, I'm going to a show some friends of mine are putting on in Marin. Saturday and Sunday, I plan to stay at home, and if I get out of my PJs, it'll be a miracle :P. Also, my friend JoeJoe is supposed to be in towne next week for the GDC, so that means I'll get to see him! Yay!

Anyway, that's about it for me.

I think the way that the medical profession handles patients in regards to test preperation sucks complete ass. They *really* need to warn you of certain things. Take a colonosocopy, for example. The prep for this might be considered torture in some countries. Seriously. They should really warn about how the patient will feel, what the process is like, and certain things like puking up half the solution you have to choke (cause good lord it's diabolical stuff) down, is normal and if you can keep the 2nd half down, you'll be fine. It's a pretty traumatic prep, and I think they could be a whole lot more clear about what to expect. And when it comes to special dietary needs people (like diabetics) and procedures like this, they need *extra* documentation as far as their diets go. I had to do some difficult research as to what I could have to eat so my bloodsguar didn't bottom out. It really shouldn't be that hard. The prep is hard enough. And then there's the possible aftermath of the whole procedure. They should really let women with sensitive systems know that because of the cleaning out process, it is common for a yeast infection to occur. No warning about these things really fucking pisses me off, and not only is it uncomfortable, but I have to go out of my way to push doctors into prescribing things for me in a quick manner. If have to go thru torture for the test and take an entire day off of work, the least they can do is fully prepare me for it, and what might come afterwards.

Anyway, I finally got the diagnosis I was looking for. Remember when I had that undiagnosed MRSA infection back in 2006 and was on the wrong antibiotics for 3 months? Well, it killed my system to the point where the whole digestive part retaliated. There is no good bacteria around to process things, and so the system starts imploding on itself. This begets things like constipation, hemoroids, and fissures which begets things like surgery and being on pain meds (when things get really painful) for a year. So anyway, I have an annoying, but slight case of IBS. The fix/help? Lots and lots of good bacteria, hopefully restarting and eventually maintaining said digestive system. My G.I. doc is also going to do an ultrasound and an endoscopy just to make sure my innards and stomach are okay. Another day off work...oh flipping yay. At least the prep only consists of not eating after midnight the night before.

So, the good bacteria thing....your body is *full* of bacteria. Some are good, some are bad. It's finding a good balance that is the trick. The good bacteria are called 'probiotics'. You can get them from yogurt and supplements. The supplements usually come in the form of caplets containing billions of live bacteria. When you buy them from places like health food stores, they contain anywhere from 4 to 8 billion critters. And, they aren't cheap. For people with IBS, colitis, and a few other things, that is not enough critters. So, the doctor put me on this stuff that contains 900bn critters. 900! They make it in 450 and 900 strengths. The 450 is available from one company (there's only one company that makes this stuff) for about $85 a month, and insurance does not cover any of it. The 900 is available thru a perscription only, and *sometimes* insurance will cover it. Thru some stroke of luck, my insurance will cover the 900bn critters dose. So, instead of costing me $160 out of pocket (or $85 if I could only afford the 450), it's only a $35 copay. Thank Whoever for small favors, right?

So, I started on that stuff yesterday, and within a week or so, should start feeling better, or at least noticing a difference. I'll give it at least 2 or 3, as my body is pretty stubborn most of the time.

So, hopefully things will be looking up, and I can stop being in pain all of the time. A solid year of that really gets old quickly. You know, like, after a week.

So, our exchange server at our corporate office (2500 miles away) died at 1p yesterday. It's still down today. I find this hilarious. However, my boss doesn't. But, what the hell...the email'll be waiting for us when it finally comes back.

Last night, sushi was had on Grand Ave., then a stop at Kingman's to celebrate Hickory's week-long-birthday-celebration was had. After that, I chilled out at home for awhile, then went to bed. Tonight, I think Josh and I are going to Cato's for dinner. And, I will probly go to bed early tonight. I didn't get to sleep until midnight last night, and I probly won't get much sleep this weekend either.

Can someone explain to me why Jarvik possibly using a body double in some stupid commercial is something I should care about? Why is this news? Actors use stunt doubles, so what's the big deal about doing it in a pharmaceutical commercial? It's not like the companies can't afford it. Let the guy be vain if he wants! Sheesh.

So, today is the day I go talk to the G.I. about what he found last week, and if there's anything he can do for me. Hopefully he doesn't say the dreaded "I can't help you" phrase. Good thoughts!

1. What's your opinion on all of these 'random' cuts to the rather large underground cables that supply communications to the Middle East? We're now up to 5 in a week's time. And now it's starting to affect certain countries that certain governments don't like. Do you think it's a coincidence, or do you think there might be something else going on? Why/why not?
Well, on one hand, you can say, "Cuts in the ocean happen all of the time", because they do. It's not a perfect system, but it's maintained nonetheless so people don't get cut off from the rest of the world. But this many in such a short time frame is a little hard to ignore. So, I dunno what to think really. I just hope this doesn't continue. Otherwise, things might get a little messy.

2. Aliens. Do you think other forms of life exist in this universe? Do you think they have landed here (anywhere in the world)? Do you think that The Powers have tried to hide this from us? Why/why not?
Well, as they say, "If it's just us, it'd be an awful waste of space". So yeah, I think other forms of life exist. And yes, I think they've visited earth. But, they probly saw how under-developed we are, and how our military views the out-of-the-ordinary, and left. And yes, I certainly do believe that landings and sightings were purposely kept from us. Why? Because, "a person is smart. *People* are fucking stupid." It's true. We're nowhere near ready for something like that. And we probly won't be in my lifetime. But it'll happen some day.

3. Out of all of them, what is your favorite conspiracy theory? Why?
My most-recent current favorite is the whole 9/11 conspiracy. It was what it was, but I love people's reactions to it. Still, 7 years later, they fret and hem and haw and cry about 'the U.S. getting attacked'. We weren't attacked. Bomb 10 cities...okay, then I'll call that an attack. It was 2 buildings. Some people who didn't need to die, died. Some moron thought it would break our spirit. It didn't. Learn from it and move on. Living in fear is what the Powers want. And who cares if there *was* a conspiracy? It all shakes out in the end anyway.

One of my friends sent this out to a list that I'm on:

Today Dad went through our MILLIONS of legos , so he could make Kid B (whois 3) a lego death star. After much searching and an hour and a half of building and sorting looking for the perfect smooth edge legos to make a curved death star, it was done.

Dad gives it to Kid B, goes about his business and comes back to a demolished death star. Dad asks Kid B what happened to which he replies "that is what Luke does, Blows up the death star dad..."

Awsome :)

1. What's your opinion on all of these 'random' cuts to the rather large underground cables that supply communications to the Middle East? We're now up to 5 in a week's time. And now it's starting to affect certain countries that certain governments don't like. Do you think it's a coincidence, or do you think there might be something else going on? Why/why not?

3. Out of all of them, what is your favorite conspiracy theory? Why?

Remember to post these in your blog and don't forget to post a comment letting us know where you posted them by posting a link here!

So, I love my mom, but the woman is certifiable. Really. She *does* get it right sometimes, tho.

Yesterday, I made sure my addons for w0w were updated on a PC, then FTP'd them to my server where I could pull them down to my Mac when I got home. I pull the files down, replace them over the old ones, and one component still wasn't working. At the same time, I was on the fone with my mom. I'm like, "Goddammit, why isn't this working?!". My mom, who knows nothing about computers, goes, "Well, is it plugged in?". Shit. The component that wasn't working *wasn't* 'plugged in'. Rather, I had it unchecked, so it didn't load. But, same thing. Gee, I guess she knows what she's doing sometimes afterall!

Thanks mom :)

So, for those not paying attention, there have been these major cuts to the cables providing internet, phone, and other communications services to the Middle East. One cut is nothing to talk about. Two is wierd. Three is the start of thinking about a conspriacy theory. Now we're up to 5. FIVE. Between last Wednesday and today. Take a look at that link and look at the map of exactly where these cuts occurred. And while no one thinks much about when Malaysia looses internet, but now it appears if Iran is affected also. What, if we can't bomb/invade them because we have no resources, we screw up their communications? This is all really fishy, and I don't like the obvious, blatent way this is unfolding. A dragged anchor (generalization)....across the entire sea? Are you friggin kidding me? Even my cat would not buy that story. If you're going to fuck up a system, do it with some class, wouldja?

And a week has gone by and it seems that even the first cut hasn't even been addressed yet. Strange things are afoot at the Circle K indeed.

I love my Mac, but here's a short blurb about where Linus Torvalds points out some of OSX's lesser qualities!

Yesterday, I got out of bed around 11:30a. Josh saw me and all he said was, "I would have cleaned it up, but I wanted you to see it and deal with things how you see fit". Uh oh. I walk into the living room to find a plant that I had re-potted 3 days earlier (that I hadn't quite finished...I needed to put the rocks on top after I had staked it and tied the branches to it) half-dug up and scattered over half the living room. It seems as if some bored little girl thought that since it wasn't protected, that playing with the fern and literally eating two branches off it would be a good way to pass the time. *rolls eyes*. I spose I should have taken a picture, but didn't. I was concentrating on how to clean the mess up and fix everything before people were to show up at 2p. I put in a text msg to my next door neighbor, asking to borrow his vacuum cleaner, and he was kind enough to oblidge. Helen got a good smacking, and I went to work cleaning everything up. I was able to put the plant back together, stake it, tie it, and put the rocks back on top so she wouldn't dig it up again. Damn brat! I also had the chance to vacuum in places where Domo doesn't reach, so I killed two birds with one stone. I couldn't get too awful mad at Helen because it's the first really bad thing she's ever done. When I think back to what Squeeek was like when he was a kitten, and the fact that he did stuff like that *every day*, this was nothing. And so while I was outwardly mad at Helen so she knew she did a bad thing, I kept turning my head and rolling my eyes. Bad baby girl!!

Thursday and Friday sucked for the most part, but I got thru it! I got my test done, and apparently they found some stuph, and I'll have a conversation with the G.I. guy on Thursday about where to go from here. In the meantime, my digestive system is having a bit of a time getting back into gear, but it's slowly getting there. Lots of fiber, water, and sit-ups :P. Stupid system!

I came home from the hospital and slept for 4 hours, then got up and had something to eat, then headed out to the city. 3 of us went and had dinner (I was so hungry from not eating for 2 days that I had 2 rather large creeps and a glass and a half of rootbeer) and then made our way to the art showing that was going on. We made it in time to see the last half of Dr.Toast's set, which was cool. And there were lots and lots of people that I hadn't seen in awhile. A fun time was had by all. There was a side-stop at Colin's for a couple of glasses of whisky, and some ass-kicking (done by me) by way of Guitar Hero, and then I was drunk and had to go home and go to sleep. I had a good evening tho.

Saturday it rained. And rained. And rained some more. Josh and I made a trip to Whole Paycheck and Safeway, and returned home and didn't leave the entire evening. Yesterday, we had people over for the SuperBowl, and also got some RockBand played in there. We quit at 10p, everyone went home, and I watched my crap show and went to bed.

Tonight is movie night at M's house. I think Down By Law (another Jim Jarmusch film) is on tonight's watch list. It's less than 2 hours long, so it should be a fairly early evening. Tomorrow, Josh is cooking steak and potatoes for dinner. Wednesday, Josh has a Sharks game, and I think I will clean (or rather, help someone *else* clean). I don't think I have any plans for Thursday so far, but that's 4 days away. Friday is the Tesla show (yaaaay!!!), and Saturday is the 5 Cent Coffee CD release party. So, I have a fairly busy week ahead of me.