7.31.2005
I'd hate to see what's considered an incline
7.30.2005
For Wolf
The St. Louis State Hospital provides care for long-term mentally ill patients. At one point, the Malcolm Bliss Mental Health Center (for short-termers) shared the building, but they moved to their own facility in the mid 1990s.
Several of my friends did their high school service project at Malcolm Bliss/State Hospital...they spent most of their time playing cards or Nintendo with the patients or working in the Canteen. Meanwhile, I worked with 30 third-graders as a teaching assistant at a Catholic grade school on St. Louis's North Side.
From what I've heard, the higher the floor, the crazier the people.
These buildings are relatively new...they were built in the mid-to-late 90s. They're apartments for the least dangerous, IIRC.
Notice the remnants of the old gate...it used to surround the entire facility, but a lot of it was taken down when the apartments were constructed. I guess they wanted the place to seem less imposing. Of course, directly across the street is the South Division police station, which opened in the early 90s.
On the same grounds as the Hospital are a soccer club, a fire station and the YMCA that April used to run. Back in the day, my friends and I would joke that any strange-looking or strange-acting people in the bordering neighborhoods escaped or were let go from the Hospital. April might have actually dealt with that sort of thing for real, though.
See, Wolf, I told you it would be all good. Every time I go by State Hospital, I think of you. :)
7.29.2005
My ass is on fire!
From KSDK-TV, St. Louis: A Kansas woman claims in a lawsuit against the Denny's restaurant chain that cleaning fluid left on a toilet seat at a Lake Saint Louis Denny's burned her buttocks.
The lawsuit says Kathleen Williams of Leavenworth County had to be taken to a hospital after she sat down on the toilet in February 2002. It says she did not see the chemical cleaner on the seat but felt it burn as soon as she sat down.
I don't know about y'all, but I almost always wipe public toilet seats down before I sit on them.
The lawsuit says Kathleen Williams of Leavenworth County had to be taken to a hospital after she sat down on the toilet in February 2002. It says she did not see the chemical cleaner on the seat but felt it burn as soon as she sat down.
I don't know about y'all, but I almost always wipe public toilet seats down before I sit on them.
St. Louis souvenir #2
Steak 'n Shake is actually a regional chain (midwest and southeast), but their advertising (print and TV) is creative and funny. Click on the above image to see the larger version, and pay careful attention to the upper left corner.
7.28.2005
And the problem with this was...?
From MSNBC: The state of Utah can’t block a woman from using her license plate to tell the world "GAYSROK," a judge has ruled.
The state has no good reason to prevent Elizabeth Solomon from having that plate — which can be read "Gays are OK" or "Gays Rock" — or another one saying "GAYRYTS," according to Jane Phan, an administrative law judge with the Utah State Tax Commission.
The State's use of the slippery slope argument was rather cute, IMO. Nothing like political correctness run amok.
The state has no good reason to prevent Elizabeth Solomon from having that plate — which can be read "Gays are OK" or "Gays Rock" — or another one saying "GAYRYTS," according to Jane Phan, an administrative law judge with the Utah State Tax Commission.
The State's use of the slippery slope argument was rather cute, IMO. Nothing like political correctness run amok.
Now that's dedication!
From MSNBC: About 300 Boy Scouts were treated for heat exhaustion Wednesday after waiting for President Bush to arrive at a memorial service for four Scout leaders who were killed while pitching a tent beneath a power line.
That son-of-a-bitch...making those poor folks suffer like that! ;)
That son-of-a-bitch...making those poor folks suffer like that! ;)
7.27.2005
For Bruce
This is owned by someone around the corner from the pizza shop...I believe it's a '55. It appears to still have the original interior, which doesn't look bad. And other than the bit of damage on the passenger side, the body looks great.
It's not for sale or anything...it's just a sharp car, and it reminds me of Bruce.
7.26.2005
We're back, bitches!
(Image from NASA)
From MSNBC: Space shuttle Discovery launched into orbit Tuesday, opening a new chapter in space history more than two years after the Columbia tragedy grounded NASA's shuttle fleet.
Now we just need to get the shuttle and the crew back home safely...
7.25.2005
Today should be a good day to...
...spontaneously combust:
Note the time in relation to the temperature.
Note the time in relation to the temperature.
7.23.2005
Diary of a pizza delivery driver
So, if you're a regular reader here, you probably know that my current occupation is delivery driver for a St. Louis-area pizza chain. I make good money, and it's a relatively easy job. Although, maybe that's just IMO.
I grew up on the South Side. I rode my bike all over the area as a child. I lived in several of the neighborhoods. I live here now, as do a good chunk of my family, April and her family and several of my friends from high school. I watched good areas become bad. I watched bad areas come back to life. And some areas didn't change at all.
So, when it comes to delivering pizzas, I know the area like the back of my hand. And while a lot of areas have changed dramatically since I've been gone, I got a feeling for them rather quickly.
You have to know where you're going: Do you need to worry about your car getting jacked? Do you need to hide your money? Do you want to venture into that apartment complex, or should you have them meet you at the door?
Thus far, there has only been one apartment building where I've felt uncomfortable venturing in...fortunately, nothing bad happened. I won't do it again, though.
If it's dark out, and a person doesn't have their porch light on, I'm immediately suspicious. I always survey the scene before heading up to the door. For all I know, it could be a robbery setup. Of course, I carry VERY little money on me.
And our franchisee is smart (though we're part of a chain, my boss is a franchisee--he owns 4 other locations). Unlike Dominoes or Papa John's, with their retarded uniforms, you won't know that I'm a delivery driver until I show up at your front door with a pizza. That's a good thing, IMO...makes me less conspicuous.
So, there's the street smarts issue. Then you have the quirks:
--Enter code xxxx to get into the apartment complex.
--Deliver the pizzas to the back door.
--Call when you're near the house.
Those are specific ones. Then you have to remember:
--That complex is easier to access from the alley than from the street.
--You might have to knock on a person's window if the front door to their building is locked.
Like I said, for me, the job is a cinch. Some folks aren't good with direction, and some would get easily irritated by bad neighborhoods and the little things...not me. And I could easily go work in a better area, like our store near my high school. But I'm 5 minutes from home and 5 minutes from April's...and it's my home turf.
Once I finally get a real job, I'll probably still deliver pizzas one or two nights a week...I can use that money as mad money. Or even better...pay off my car with it. That'll work.
I grew up on the South Side. I rode my bike all over the area as a child. I lived in several of the neighborhoods. I live here now, as do a good chunk of my family, April and her family and several of my friends from high school. I watched good areas become bad. I watched bad areas come back to life. And some areas didn't change at all.
So, when it comes to delivering pizzas, I know the area like the back of my hand. And while a lot of areas have changed dramatically since I've been gone, I got a feeling for them rather quickly.
You have to know where you're going: Do you need to worry about your car getting jacked? Do you need to hide your money? Do you want to venture into that apartment complex, or should you have them meet you at the door?
Thus far, there has only been one apartment building where I've felt uncomfortable venturing in...fortunately, nothing bad happened. I won't do it again, though.
If it's dark out, and a person doesn't have their porch light on, I'm immediately suspicious. I always survey the scene before heading up to the door. For all I know, it could be a robbery setup. Of course, I carry VERY little money on me.
And our franchisee is smart (though we're part of a chain, my boss is a franchisee--he owns 4 other locations). Unlike Dominoes or Papa John's, with their retarded uniforms, you won't know that I'm a delivery driver until I show up at your front door with a pizza. That's a good thing, IMO...makes me less conspicuous.
So, there's the street smarts issue. Then you have the quirks:
--Enter code xxxx to get into the apartment complex.
--Deliver the pizzas to the back door.
--Call when you're near the house.
Those are specific ones. Then you have to remember:
--That complex is easier to access from the alley than from the street.
--You might have to knock on a person's window if the front door to their building is locked.
Like I said, for me, the job is a cinch. Some folks aren't good with direction, and some would get easily irritated by bad neighborhoods and the little things...not me. And I could easily go work in a better area, like our store near my high school. But I'm 5 minutes from home and 5 minutes from April's...and it's my home turf.
Once I finally get a real job, I'll probably still deliver pizzas one or two nights a week...I can use that money as mad money. Or even better...pay off my car with it. That'll work.
7.22.2005
St. Louis souvenir #1
Over time, I'll pass along "souvenirs" from St. Louis for you all to enjoy.
And here is the first one: a menu from St. Louis's first pancake house, Uncle Bill's. Their menus also double as placemats.
Click on the below image to see all the menu items.
And here is the first one: a menu from St. Louis's first pancake house, Uncle Bill's. Their menus also double as placemats.
Click on the below image to see all the menu items.
7.21.2005
John Roberts
Okay...so do we all know that John Roberts has been nominated to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court?
At the very least, you do now.
I haven't looked at this guy's record extensively, but based on what I have read, he's not a bad choice. Of course, I would have preferred a more moderate candidate...and people in hell want ice water. And I know that my liberal comrades probably want this guy's head on a platter, but:
--The conservatives run this country. They don't have to please us.
--I don't think liberals gave much of a shit when Souter and Ginsburg made it onto the Court.
--Roberts could wind up being another Anthony Kennedy. Kennedy was nominated by Reagan and has wound up being a big moderate-to-left weight, from what I've seen.
Roberts is no Bork. And he's no Scalia. He might actually be a good thing for the Court. Let the vetting begin, and we'll see what this guy is really made of.
At the very least, you do now.
I haven't looked at this guy's record extensively, but based on what I have read, he's not a bad choice. Of course, I would have preferred a more moderate candidate...and people in hell want ice water. And I know that my liberal comrades probably want this guy's head on a platter, but:
--The conservatives run this country. They don't have to please us.
--I don't think liberals gave much of a shit when Souter and Ginsburg made it onto the Court.
--Roberts could wind up being another Anthony Kennedy. Kennedy was nominated by Reagan and has wound up being a big moderate-to-left weight, from what I've seen.
Roberts is no Bork. And he's no Scalia. He might actually be a good thing for the Court. Let the vetting begin, and we'll see what this guy is really made of.
7.20.2005
We always knew it, now there's proof
Today's Manifesto was brought to you by Wolf, Drunken German Washerwoman, Nut Wrangler and Official Primary Guest Host
You can't get some thing, if you ain't got the bling!
More money = More honey
The article even has an authoritative looking table, so it must be good research.
Higher incomes are linked in a new survey with raised libido for men and women.
HIGH earners of both genders boast an increased libido but only the wealthy men end up having more sex, the largest survey of its kind has indicated.
We're doomed.
And here for years we thought that being poor led to more sex, since you don't have much to spend on other entertainments.
Silly fucking me. I should have saved up for the Jaguar and some Prada shoes.
You can't get some thing, if you ain't got the bling!
More money = More honey
The article even has an authoritative looking table, so it must be good research.
Higher incomes are linked in a new survey with raised libido for men and women.
HIGH earners of both genders boast an increased libido but only the wealthy men end up having more sex, the largest survey of its kind has indicated.
We're doomed.
And here for years we thought that being poor led to more sex, since you don't have much to spend on other entertainments.
Silly fucking me. I should have saved up for the Jaguar and some Prada shoes.
7.19.2005
Check?
From yesterday's St. Louis Star: Gov. Matt Blunt today signed several bills that will protect consumers from insurance fraud, provide counties with resources to issue law abiding citizens' concealed carry permits, promote parental involvement in education, establish a process to resolve disputes between homebuilders and homeowners, protect homebuyers from sexual offenders and make it a crime to harm service dogs.
...
House Bill 365, sponsored by Rep. Brian Munzlinger, allows sheriffs to use the proceeds derived from permit application fees for expenses associated with processing concealed carry permits. The bill will assure law abiding citizen's right to obtain a concealed carry permit, while providing the financial resources to the issuing authority.
St. Louis City and County do not yet issue the permits, but nearby Jefferson County does. I wonder if we'll see some more legal action on this...
And Matt Blunt actually did something good for Missourians! Whoohoo!
...
House Bill 365, sponsored by Rep. Brian Munzlinger, allows sheriffs to use the proceeds derived from permit application fees for expenses associated with processing concealed carry permits. The bill will assure law abiding citizen's right to obtain a concealed carry permit, while providing the financial resources to the issuing authority.
St. Louis City and County do not yet issue the permits, but nearby Jefferson County does. I wonder if we'll see some more legal action on this...
And Matt Blunt actually did something good for Missourians! Whoohoo!
7.18.2005
Insurance people are our friends!
Last weekend, I went to my local Walgreens to refill a prescription. My prescription coverage is nationwide (i.e. I only have to pay a co-pay), and was still in effect to my knowledge...I hadn't received my COBRA paperwork yet.
When I got there, the pharmacist told me that my insurance rejected the Rx b/c my insurance was no longer valid. So, I called my former HR folks along with the insurance company...and both gave me the same response: Call BAS (they are a third-party insurance administrator).
So I called BAS. They told me that they sent my COBRA paperwork out on the 5th. I had not yet received it, which may have been because I didn't change my address with my former employer until June 30th. I asked the person at BAS if they could fax the information to me. They faxed the COBRA enrollment form over to my mom's work, I went down and filled it out and faxed it back right away.
The COBRA paperwork finally arrived via a forwarding order on Tuesday. And when I looked at it, something caught my eye:
Last Day of Current Coverage: 7/31/2005
I got one paycheck in July, which had insurance deducted from it. Therefore, my regular coverage should still be in effect, and should not have been canceled in the first place.
Fucking idiots™.
I called BAS back and left a message (it was after hours), demanding an explanation and a return phone call the following day.
That was Tuesday night...I never did hear from them. Friday night, I decided to go by Walgreens and have them run the insurance on the Rx again to see what happened...
It went through.
Fucking idiots™.
It's all good, though...at least I have the coverage back. And I don't have to pay for COBRA until August 1st.
When I got there, the pharmacist told me that my insurance rejected the Rx b/c my insurance was no longer valid. So, I called my former HR folks along with the insurance company...and both gave me the same response: Call BAS (they are a third-party insurance administrator).
So I called BAS. They told me that they sent my COBRA paperwork out on the 5th. I had not yet received it, which may have been because I didn't change my address with my former employer until June 30th. I asked the person at BAS if they could fax the information to me. They faxed the COBRA enrollment form over to my mom's work, I went down and filled it out and faxed it back right away.
The COBRA paperwork finally arrived via a forwarding order on Tuesday. And when I looked at it, something caught my eye:
Last Day of Current Coverage: 7/31/2005
I got one paycheck in July, which had insurance deducted from it. Therefore, my regular coverage should still be in effect, and should not have been canceled in the first place.
Fucking idiots™.
I called BAS back and left a message (it was after hours), demanding an explanation and a return phone call the following day.
That was Tuesday night...I never did hear from them. Friday night, I decided to go by Walgreens and have them run the insurance on the Rx again to see what happened...
It went through.
Fucking idiots™.
It's all good, though...at least I have the coverage back. And I don't have to pay for COBRA until August 1st.
7.17.2005
I'll give you a playlist alright...
I created this on October 4, 2004, while at work. I just kept adding songs on Rhapsody, depending on what I was in the mood for, and this is what it turned into:
Creatures (For a While)--311
Moon River--Andy Williams
A Long Time Ago--David Byrne
I Feel Loved--Depeche Mode
She Rides--Danzig
Brand New God--Danzig
God Give Me Strength--Elvis Costello
Rest In Peace--Extreme
Push Upstairs--Underworld
Aven, Aven--Gipsy Kings
Predictable--Good Charlotte
Guilty--Gravity Kills
Ironhead--Helmet
Really Doe--Ice Cube
You're Gonna Need Someone By Your Side--Morrissey
My Life Is a Succession of People Saying Goodbye--Morrissey
Electric Relaxation--A Tribe Called Quest
Umi Says--Mos Def
Fallen--Mya
Ace of Spades--Motorhead
Everyone I Went to High School With Is Dead--Mr. Bungle
Chemical Marriage--Mr. Bungle
None of Them Knew They Were Robots--Mr. Bungle
Vanity Fair--Mr. Bungle
Golden--Jill Scott
Talk to Me--Jill Scott
No Such Thing--John Mayer
Juke Joint Jezebel--KMFDM
A Drug Against War--KMFDM
Wish--Nine Inch Nails
Last--Nine Inch Nails
Milk It--Nirvana
It Takes Two--Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock
Go Let It Out--Oasis
Don't Know Why--Norah Jones
Milk (Ode to Billy)--Anthrax
Bring The Noise--Anthrax and Public Enemy
Forgiven--Alanis Morissette
Kill You--Eminem
Welcome to the Fold--Filter
Butterflies--Floetry
Now You're Gone (More Than I Can Feel)--Floetry
This Is a Call--Foo Fighters
Lift Me Up--Howard Jones
B-Boy Stance--K-os
King for a Day--Jamiroquai
Are You Gonna Be My Girl--Jet
Situation--Yazoo
Let's Go!--Wang Chung
I'm 'A Be Alright--Thicke
Birdhouse in Your Soul--They Might Be Giants
Istanbul (Not Constantinople)--They Might Be Giants
Drunk Asshole--The Urge
Steven's Last Night in Town--Ben Folds Five
Army--Ben Folds Five
Wonderful--Adam Ant
Magdalena--A Perfect Circle
Somethin' Hot--The Afghan Whigs
Love and Happiness--Al Green
59 songs, 4 hours.
I've been meaning to put it up for a while now, but forgot. I should run a radio station. Enjoy!
Creatures (For a While)--311
Moon River--Andy Williams
A Long Time Ago--David Byrne
I Feel Loved--Depeche Mode
She Rides--Danzig
Brand New God--Danzig
God Give Me Strength--Elvis Costello
Rest In Peace--Extreme
Push Upstairs--Underworld
Aven, Aven--Gipsy Kings
Predictable--Good Charlotte
Guilty--Gravity Kills
Ironhead--Helmet
Really Doe--Ice Cube
You're Gonna Need Someone By Your Side--Morrissey
My Life Is a Succession of People Saying Goodbye--Morrissey
Electric Relaxation--A Tribe Called Quest
Umi Says--Mos Def
Fallen--Mya
Ace of Spades--Motorhead
Everyone I Went to High School With Is Dead--Mr. Bungle
Chemical Marriage--Mr. Bungle
None of Them Knew They Were Robots--Mr. Bungle
Vanity Fair--Mr. Bungle
Golden--Jill Scott
Talk to Me--Jill Scott
No Such Thing--John Mayer
Juke Joint Jezebel--KMFDM
A Drug Against War--KMFDM
Wish--Nine Inch Nails
Last--Nine Inch Nails
Milk It--Nirvana
It Takes Two--Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock
Go Let It Out--Oasis
Don't Know Why--Norah Jones
Milk (Ode to Billy)--Anthrax
Bring The Noise--Anthrax and Public Enemy
Forgiven--Alanis Morissette
Kill You--Eminem
Welcome to the Fold--Filter
Butterflies--Floetry
Now You're Gone (More Than I Can Feel)--Floetry
This Is a Call--Foo Fighters
Lift Me Up--Howard Jones
B-Boy Stance--K-os
King for a Day--Jamiroquai
Are You Gonna Be My Girl--Jet
Situation--Yazoo
Let's Go!--Wang Chung
I'm 'A Be Alright--Thicke
Birdhouse in Your Soul--They Might Be Giants
Istanbul (Not Constantinople)--They Might Be Giants
Drunk Asshole--The Urge
Steven's Last Night in Town--Ben Folds Five
Army--Ben Folds Five
Wonderful--Adam Ant
Magdalena--A Perfect Circle
Somethin' Hot--The Afghan Whigs
Love and Happiness--Al Green
59 songs, 4 hours.
I've been meaning to put it up for a while now, but forgot. I should run a radio station. Enjoy!
7.16.2005
Detox
The last month of my life has been absolutely crazy, to say the least...in fact, the craziness started exactly one month ago today, when Tim and Doug arrived in Philadelphia.
Since then, I have consumed more alcohol than I probably have over the past 2 or 3 years, eaten enough food to feed a village in Ethiopia and drank enough soda to kill a colony of diabetics. Not to mention, spending more cash than planned and not exercising as regularly as I should.
Play time is now over.
Unfortunately, I did not get a walk in yesterday, because it was too hot by the time I got going...and I had to work last night. But I did pretty well food-wise, consuming 1500-1700 calories, and not drinking any soda or alcohol. I'll try to get a walk in tomorrow morning, and will eat sensibly again tomorrow.
Don't misinterpret things...I am NOT an alcoholic. I knew that I would be drinking more once I got home (because of increased social opportunities), but I've been drinking too much lately. I'm 29, not 18...my body doesn't handle alcohol like it used to. And food and alcohol can get expensive. I'm not even going to try and figure out how much I've spent on them in the past month.
But now I've got my Big Picture glasses on...I've got some awesome plans for my future--both short-term and long-term, but I can't fulfill them without money. And I'm doing fine financially, but I want to be doing even better. Therefore, I need to buckle down a bit...quite a bit, actually.
So, if I seem a bit crankier than normal over the next couple of days, pay me no mind, alright? :)
Since then, I have consumed more alcohol than I probably have over the past 2 or 3 years, eaten enough food to feed a village in Ethiopia and drank enough soda to kill a colony of diabetics. Not to mention, spending more cash than planned and not exercising as regularly as I should.
Play time is now over.
Unfortunately, I did not get a walk in yesterday, because it was too hot by the time I got going...and I had to work last night. But I did pretty well food-wise, consuming 1500-1700 calories, and not drinking any soda or alcohol. I'll try to get a walk in tomorrow morning, and will eat sensibly again tomorrow.
Don't misinterpret things...I am NOT an alcoholic. I knew that I would be drinking more once I got home (because of increased social opportunities), but I've been drinking too much lately. I'm 29, not 18...my body doesn't handle alcohol like it used to. And food and alcohol can get expensive. I'm not even going to try and figure out how much I've spent on them in the past month.
But now I've got my Big Picture glasses on...I've got some awesome plans for my future--both short-term and long-term, but I can't fulfill them without money. And I'm doing fine financially, but I want to be doing even better. Therefore, I need to buckle down a bit...quite a bit, actually.
So, if I seem a bit crankier than normal over the next couple of days, pay me no mind, alright? :)
7.15.2005
Yep, I've been drinking again (part 2)
April told me about this place called the Tin Can shortly after I moved back to town. It's a relatively new bar and restaurant in an up-and-coming part of the South Side. Their "schtick" is that they primarily sell beer by the can: From Old Milwaukee (which is $1 a can) up to Guinness and Grolsch (the 5L mini-keg is $35). They also sell some bottled beers, a couple of microbrews on tap and 40s of OE 800 and Miller High Life. April, Tim and I went down there Tuesday night; and Tim, Lauren (Tim's gf) and I went there again last night. After Tim and I started off with a can of Stag, we each went for a 40 of 8-Ball.
It's the tiger, baby!
I used to drink 40s of Bud on a regular, so drinking the 40 of 8-Ball brought back some memories:
What better way to bond with your sibling than through beer?
Tim shows how its done:
Poor Lauren...she had to two-fist it:
And in the end, a good time was had by all.
It's the tiger, baby!
I used to drink 40s of Bud on a regular, so drinking the 40 of 8-Ball brought back some memories:
What better way to bond with your sibling than through beer?
Tim shows how its done:
Poor Lauren...she had to two-fist it:
And in the end, a good time was had by all.
7.14.2005
A first time for everything (the new DL)
In my almost 14 years of driving, I've had 9 licenses in 4 different states. And they've all had one thing in common besides my name--I never smile on them.
Well, I decided to break the streak yesterday. Not sure why...perhaps a certain woman influenced me this year. :)
I wound up getting the distracted by someone that was yelling as my photo was being taken, but at least I attempted to smile. :)
Well, I decided to break the streak yesterday. Not sure why...perhaps a certain woman influenced me this year. :)
I wound up getting the distracted by someone that was yelling as my photo was being taken, but at least I attempted to smile. :)
7.13.2005
Whoops?
From MSNBC: Citing grave concerns that Missouri executed an innocent man, a coalition that includes a congressman, high-profile lawyers and even the victim’s family pointed to evidence Tuesday that they said could clear Larry Griffin’s name.
Prosecutors have decided to reopen the case of Griffin, who was convicted in 1981 in the murder of Quintin Moss, a 19-year-old drug dealer who was shot to death. Griffin maintained his innocence to the end, but was put to death in 1995.
Now, many people, including some members of Moss’ family, believe him.
This from the state that is apparently the biggest time waster.
Prosecutors have decided to reopen the case of Griffin, who was convicted in 1981 in the murder of Quintin Moss, a 19-year-old drug dealer who was shot to death. Griffin maintained his innocence to the end, but was put to death in 1995.
Now, many people, including some members of Moss’ family, believe him.
This from the state that is apparently the biggest time waster.
7.12.2005
Hmmm...I wonder...
Rhoda called me this afternoon to chat. Since I haven't heard from her in over a week, I actually wasn't too irritated by the call.
So we were talking and what not, and I happened to mention that I decided to work this coming Saturday since April would be out of town until Monday. And it sounded like she was about to ask me about the nature of my relationship with April...so I immediately moved the conversation in another direction.
April's name came up in a few conversations that Rho and I had in June in Philadelphia, and has come up a few times since our moves. I don't know if Rho has a clue about April and I...no disrespect meant to Rho, but she's not the most perceptive person out there. I suspect now that she has an inkling about it, but that's about it.
It's weird...April is awesome, and I have no problem announcing to the world such a thing, nor do I have a problem telling anyone that she's my girlfriend--except my ex-girlfriend. Like I've said in another thread, it's really none of Rho's business and I don't want to "rub it in." But if we remain friends and continue to talk, she's gonna eventually find out.
And you know what? That's fine. If the question does come up, I'll answer it honestly. There is no way in fucking hell that I'm going to hide April...she's way too special to do such a thing. But of course, I'll be tactful and gentle if/when the question arises.
So we were talking and what not, and I happened to mention that I decided to work this coming Saturday since April would be out of town until Monday. And it sounded like she was about to ask me about the nature of my relationship with April...so I immediately moved the conversation in another direction.
April's name came up in a few conversations that Rho and I had in June in Philadelphia, and has come up a few times since our moves. I don't know if Rho has a clue about April and I...no disrespect meant to Rho, but she's not the most perceptive person out there. I suspect now that she has an inkling about it, but that's about it.
It's weird...April is awesome, and I have no problem announcing to the world such a thing, nor do I have a problem telling anyone that she's my girlfriend--except my ex-girlfriend. Like I've said in another thread, it's really none of Rho's business and I don't want to "rub it in." But if we remain friends and continue to talk, she's gonna eventually find out.
And you know what? That's fine. If the question does come up, I'll answer it honestly. There is no way in fucking hell that I'm going to hide April...she's way too special to do such a thing. But of course, I'll be tactful and gentle if/when the question arises.
7.11.2005
Srebrenica
10 years ago today, the massacre at Srebrenica, Bosnia began. 8000 Bosnian men and boys were killed when Serbs attacked the town that was supposed to be a UN safe haven.
It's of particular significance here in St. Louis, as over 40,000 Bosnians have settled here since the end of the civil war there in 1995. The heart of the community is along Gravois Ave. in the Bevo neighborhood, where they essentially saved a commercial strip and neighborhood that was headed for hell.
On one hand, it still amazes me that people can get so crazy to do things like this. And on the other hand, this is just another example of what happens when folks have too much pride in their heritage. Hopefully, Radovan Karadzic and Gen. Ratko Mladic will eventually be brought to justice to answer for such a heinous event.
When will we as a world decide that we've had enough of shit like this?
Links:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8540736/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4670379.stm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8513400/
It's of particular significance here in St. Louis, as over 40,000 Bosnians have settled here since the end of the civil war there in 1995. The heart of the community is along Gravois Ave. in the Bevo neighborhood, where they essentially saved a commercial strip and neighborhood that was headed for hell.
On one hand, it still amazes me that people can get so crazy to do things like this. And on the other hand, this is just another example of what happens when folks have too much pride in their heritage. Hopefully, Radovan Karadzic and Gen. Ratko Mladic will eventually be brought to justice to answer for such a heinous event.
When will we as a world decide that we've had enough of shit like this?
Links:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8540736/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4670379.stm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8513400/
7.10.2005
Merrily we hum along...
Cielo (my computer) is finally fully hooked up, in place in my room and on the cable modem.
My parents' computer is now in the dining room, and is also on the cable modem. I installed a wireless card in it and bought a wireless router this afternoon.
I should be able to get the Forks photos up tomorrow, plus some photos I took in Philly the weekend that I moved.
Now we're cooking with gas!
My parents' computer is now in the dining room, and is also on the cable modem. I installed a wireless card in it and bought a wireless router this afternoon.
I should be able to get the Forks photos up tomorrow, plus some photos I took in Philly the weekend that I moved.
Now we're cooking with gas!
7.09.2005
I wish my parents would have done this for me
From NBC10, Philadelphia:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Landon and Anette Pharris are pleading guilty -- to hiring a stripper for their son's 16th birthday party.
The Nashville couple was sentenced Thursday to two years probation and ordered to take parenting classes. They were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Mom said they wanted to do something special for their son. She said they even had grandpa there. The stripper danced for two hours. Then, the party-goers passed the hat and paid the stripper an extra $150 to get completely naked.
A drug store photo developer dropped a dime on the strip party after seeing the snapshots taken there.
I think the photo developer needs his/her ass whipped.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Landon and Anette Pharris are pleading guilty -- to hiring a stripper for their son's 16th birthday party.
The Nashville couple was sentenced Thursday to two years probation and ordered to take parenting classes. They were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Mom said they wanted to do something special for their son. She said they even had grandpa there. The stripper danced for two hours. Then, the party-goers passed the hat and paid the stripper an extra $150 to get completely naked.
A drug store photo developer dropped a dime on the strip party after seeing the snapshots taken there.
I think the photo developer needs his/her ass whipped.
I don't normally kiss and tell, but...
7.08.2005
It had to end sometime...
I knew it was only a matter of time before shit hit the fan at home.
My parents use AOHell dialup for their internet service. I checked into DSL before I moved home, but unfortunately, it's not available in our area (which was surprising). I explained the benefits of having high-speed internet here at home, and my parents agreed to let me have cable internet service.
Charter is the cable company in the City of St. Louis, and they are awful. Their cable service is pathetic...my parents switched to dish 3 years ago. But since they're the only ones that we can get high-speed service from, I held my nose and called them.
A contractor came yesterday and did the install...and he did a horrible job. He tells me that he needs to drill a hole in the wall in my room. That's understandable b/c this room has never had cable, and hence there was no cable outlet in here. I thought he would be putting the outlet in and running the wire down to the basement (the old cable wires are just under my room).
But no...he drilled a hole straight through to the outside and ran the wire in that way. Then he basically bolted the wire up the side of the house to the overhead cable wires.
My stepfather was none too happy about this...the house was just resided in September, and this shit looked pretty ghetto. But it seemed that he would be alright with it. Then my mom got home...and it all went to hell from there...
She saw the wires in the backyard and lost it. She came in and yelled at me for a bit, then she yelled at the contractor for a bit, then she and my stepdad decided to yell at me together, then they decided to yell at the contractor some more...and then my mom called Charter and ripped them a new asshole.
I took the brunt of their anger...I haven't seen my mom that mad in a while. I had no clue that the contractor was going to do what he did, and I was as surprised as they were. And I could certainly understand their anger and frustration. But since it was my idea to get the cable internet, guess whose was at fault here? I love my mom to death, but when she gets mad, she can say some pretty mean things, and gets rather exaggerative.
And that's exactly what happened last night. I felt bad enough as it was, and she pretty much just rubbed it in. So, I left at 6:30 and didn't come home until after 11...they're usually in bed between 10:30 and 11. I work tonight, so I won't have to see my mom until tomorrow morning...maybe later.
Needless to say, we won't be keeping the cable internet service. My mom filed a claim with Charter tonight, so hopefully something good will come out of that. But I want to make sure that section of the house is fixed ASAP, so it looks like I'll be paying for that instead of getting my new iBook. *shrugs* I'll get it one of these days...and maybe Charter will reimburse us for the repairs. But the house has to be fixed...I'll be damned if my mom is going to try and dangle that over my head for long.
I think it'll be in everyone's best interest for me to be in my own place again by the end of the year. Once that happens, I think things will be cool with my parents again. I love them to death, but I just can't have too much interaction with them. Whenever I'm around them too much, shit goes crazy. *shrugs*
All this will pass...eventually. :)
My parents use AOHell dialup for their internet service. I checked into DSL before I moved home, but unfortunately, it's not available in our area (which was surprising). I explained the benefits of having high-speed internet here at home, and my parents agreed to let me have cable internet service.
Charter is the cable company in the City of St. Louis, and they are awful. Their cable service is pathetic...my parents switched to dish 3 years ago. But since they're the only ones that we can get high-speed service from, I held my nose and called them.
A contractor came yesterday and did the install...and he did a horrible job. He tells me that he needs to drill a hole in the wall in my room. That's understandable b/c this room has never had cable, and hence there was no cable outlet in here. I thought he would be putting the outlet in and running the wire down to the basement (the old cable wires are just under my room).
But no...he drilled a hole straight through to the outside and ran the wire in that way. Then he basically bolted the wire up the side of the house to the overhead cable wires.
My stepfather was none too happy about this...the house was just resided in September, and this shit looked pretty ghetto. But it seemed that he would be alright with it. Then my mom got home...and it all went to hell from there...
She saw the wires in the backyard and lost it. She came in and yelled at me for a bit, then she yelled at the contractor for a bit, then she and my stepdad decided to yell at me together, then they decided to yell at the contractor some more...and then my mom called Charter and ripped them a new asshole.
I took the brunt of their anger...I haven't seen my mom that mad in a while. I had no clue that the contractor was going to do what he did, and I was as surprised as they were. And I could certainly understand their anger and frustration. But since it was my idea to get the cable internet, guess whose was at fault here? I love my mom to death, but when she gets mad, she can say some pretty mean things, and gets rather exaggerative.
And that's exactly what happened last night. I felt bad enough as it was, and she pretty much just rubbed it in. So, I left at 6:30 and didn't come home until after 11...they're usually in bed between 10:30 and 11. I work tonight, so I won't have to see my mom until tomorrow morning...maybe later.
Needless to say, we won't be keeping the cable internet service. My mom filed a claim with Charter tonight, so hopefully something good will come out of that. But I want to make sure that section of the house is fixed ASAP, so it looks like I'll be paying for that instead of getting my new iBook. *shrugs* I'll get it one of these days...and maybe Charter will reimburse us for the repairs. But the house has to be fixed...I'll be damned if my mom is going to try and dangle that over my head for long.
I think it'll be in everyone's best interest for me to be in my own place again by the end of the year. Once that happens, I think things will be cool with my parents again. I love them to death, but I just can't have too much interaction with them. Whenever I'm around them too much, shit goes crazy. *shrugs*
All this will pass...eventually. :)
7.07.2005
Stay strong, London
From MSNBC: At least 40 people were killed in the explosions that ripped through three London subway trains and a bus on Thursday, according to a U.S. law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because British officials have yet to make public the death toll.
More from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4659093.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4659933.stm
It is important that those engaged in terrorism realise that our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism on the world.
--UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
Go find the motherfuckers that did this...and whatever you do, don't knee-jerk like we did on 9/11.
More from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4659093.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4659933.stm
It is important that those engaged in terrorism realise that our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism on the world.
--UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
Go find the motherfuckers that did this...and whatever you do, don't knee-jerk like we did on 9/11.
7.06.2005
Apparently, my mom is at it again
7.05.2005
Hair today, gone tomorrow
I actually did this on June 25th, after I got home from Forks.
Before:
After:
Having blonde hair was fun...it served me well. But it was time to go.
Maybe I'll go with fire engine red next...
Before:
After:
Having blonde hair was fun...it served me well. But it was time to go.
Maybe I'll go with fire engine red next...
7.04.2005
I love my mom...
...but she comes out of her face with some of the craziest shit sometimes. And you all wonder why I am the way I am...
This thread will be dedicated to insightful, witty and just plain crazy comments from my dear mother.
And we'll start with the following:
I for one am glad that she's white.
--Saturday, referring to April. My previous two girlfriends were Latina and African-American, and covered a span of 7 years. I wouldn't say that my mom is a racist...she's just one of those folks that doesn't think it's a good idea to mix things up.
This thread will be dedicated to insightful, witty and just plain crazy comments from my dear mother.
And we'll start with the following:
I for one am glad that she's white.
--Saturday, referring to April. My previous two girlfriends were Latina and African-American, and covered a span of 7 years. I wouldn't say that my mom is a racist...she's just one of those folks that doesn't think it's a good idea to mix things up.
The last 9 days
Alright, bitches, it's time to write a long Manifesto...
The last 9 days may have been the craziest--and best--of my 29 and change years of life. And this is coming from someone who has already seen more than his fair share of crazy and good days.
It all started last Saturday the 25th with Plastic Forks 24. The crowd seemed smaller than last year's, and a bit different. But a good time was still had by all. SteveDallas, BrianR, Rich Levy and of course, Wolf showed up from the Bosque/Cellar. The most notable--and disappointing--absence was that of Bruce. Bruce is a cool guy, and I was really hoping to see him before I left town. There's always next year...*shrugs*
While at Forks, I started thinking...I had already pushed my move date up twice, from the July 9th to the 2nd to the 30th of June. But I just wanted to get home...I had done all I wanted to in Philly, and it was just time for me to go. So, I checked with my mom to make sure that everything at home was ready, and then decided that I would leave Philadelphia on Sunday the 26th.
I got home on Saturday night around 11 or so and went into total action mode--I threw out what furniture remained, and began packing up what I wasn't going to use on Sunday. I stopped around 2am, and resumed at 8am Sunday morning. Other than taking a 2-hour break to have dinner with my long-time friend Meg and an hour-long jaunt down to [url=http://www.mialou.com]MiaLou[/url], I worked all day packing and cleaning. And at 8:07 pm EDT Sunday night, I left my apartment and Philadelphia.
It was probably not a good idea to set out so late on Sunday...originally, I had planned to be out of Philly by 4 or 5. So, I estimated that I would get to St. Louis around 9:30 Monday morning, if I drove straight through…which was the plan.
As I drove across Pennsylvania, it became clear that I was not going to be able to make it driving straight through. Coffee and Red Bull just weren’t helping. Once I crossed the border into Indiana, I stopped for the night…that was 4:30 AM CDT Monday.
At 9:45 AM, I was back on the road again, and arrived in St. Louis around 2:45 PM. Total driving time was 13.5 hours...shattered the old record by an hour.
After some unpacking and resting, April came over. And everything went to hell from there. :)
As I’ve mentioned before, April and I have been friends for almost 7 years…we worked together at a bank for about 6 or 7 months. When she moved on to a position at another location, we kept in touch. And we continued to keep in touch when I moved to DC, then Philadelphia. Somewhere along the line, I developed a crush on her, but never acted on it, as I was happy and in love with Rhoda.
A couple of weeks or so after Rhoda and I split and I had decided to move home, April and the crush popped into my head. But at the time, April and I hadn’t spoken in 2 years (though we kept in touch, we weren’t very good at it), so for all I knew, she was married with kids and the whole 9 yards. We wound up having dinner while I was home in April, and fortunately, none of the above had happened.
So, I decided to finally tell her about the crush…but it wasn’t going to be until I moved home in July. Then I had an opportunity to come home in May, so I was going to tell her then. Unfortunately, her schedule was rather hectic during that time, so it went unsaid. She finally found out about it in an e-mail I sent in early June. We started trading e-mails back and forth over the next month and things started blossoming. By the time Forks came, I just wanted to get home and see what was going to happen with us. So I left Philadelphia earlier than planned.
It's all so bizarre still...I mean, I would have never thought in a million years that I'd be with April. But I am, and we're happy...for now. ;-) She's smart, funny, beautiful, etc. etc. She's awesome, and I'm a very lucky man.
And this is definitely a South Side romance. When I came home last week, she received the following gifts from me:
--A sea shell from my last trip to the Jersey Shore
--Flowers from Walter Knoll Florist in St. Louis
--A 6-pack of Yuengling beer
--A necklace from MiaLou in Philadelphia
On Friday, she got me a case of Schlafly Beer, which is a local microbrew.
I'll tell ya...she's finer than the car out on my front lawn. :)
Then there's the new job: delivering pizzas for a local chain...they have a store near my house. I started Friday, and will be working days...it's not going to be my regular job, but it's good for now. I worked Friday night and pulled in $124.
The store I work at covers a good chunk of the South Side, including all the neighborhoods I lived in growing up. As I drove to and from my 30 deliveries on Friday night, two things struck me...not necessarily related:
--Wow, a lot of blacks have moved into South St. Louis. Prior to the mid-90s, the South Side was predominantly white, while the North Side was predominantly black.
--Wow, a lot of neighborhoods that were still relatively nice 6 years ago look like shit now.
Case in point: I had to deliver a pizza to a block that my aunt lived on for most of the 1980s...and it was still pretty decent in the 90s. Wow...what a fucking toilet it is now...I was kinda scared. What a shame. Plus, the bitch that ordered the pizza stiffed me.
This week, I begin looking for a "real" job. But I'll still deliver pizzas a couple of nights a week once I get said job. It's easy money.
So, there you have it, and there you are. If it isn't obvious, things are going rather well back home thus far...and hopefully, they'll stay that way. :)
The last 9 days may have been the craziest--and best--of my 29 and change years of life. And this is coming from someone who has already seen more than his fair share of crazy and good days.
It all started last Saturday the 25th with Plastic Forks 24. The crowd seemed smaller than last year's, and a bit different. But a good time was still had by all. SteveDallas, BrianR, Rich Levy and of course, Wolf showed up from the Bosque/Cellar. The most notable--and disappointing--absence was that of Bruce. Bruce is a cool guy, and I was really hoping to see him before I left town. There's always next year...*shrugs*
While at Forks, I started thinking...I had already pushed my move date up twice, from the July 9th to the 2nd to the 30th of June. But I just wanted to get home...I had done all I wanted to in Philly, and it was just time for me to go. So, I checked with my mom to make sure that everything at home was ready, and then decided that I would leave Philadelphia on Sunday the 26th.
I got home on Saturday night around 11 or so and went into total action mode--I threw out what furniture remained, and began packing up what I wasn't going to use on Sunday. I stopped around 2am, and resumed at 8am Sunday morning. Other than taking a 2-hour break to have dinner with my long-time friend Meg and an hour-long jaunt down to [url=http://www.mialou.com]MiaLou[/url], I worked all day packing and cleaning. And at 8:07 pm EDT Sunday night, I left my apartment and Philadelphia.
It was probably not a good idea to set out so late on Sunday...originally, I had planned to be out of Philly by 4 or 5. So, I estimated that I would get to St. Louis around 9:30 Monday morning, if I drove straight through…which was the plan.
As I drove across Pennsylvania, it became clear that I was not going to be able to make it driving straight through. Coffee and Red Bull just weren’t helping. Once I crossed the border into Indiana, I stopped for the night…that was 4:30 AM CDT Monday.
At 9:45 AM, I was back on the road again, and arrived in St. Louis around 2:45 PM. Total driving time was 13.5 hours...shattered the old record by an hour.
After some unpacking and resting, April came over. And everything went to hell from there. :)
As I’ve mentioned before, April and I have been friends for almost 7 years…we worked together at a bank for about 6 or 7 months. When she moved on to a position at another location, we kept in touch. And we continued to keep in touch when I moved to DC, then Philadelphia. Somewhere along the line, I developed a crush on her, but never acted on it, as I was happy and in love with Rhoda.
A couple of weeks or so after Rhoda and I split and I had decided to move home, April and the crush popped into my head. But at the time, April and I hadn’t spoken in 2 years (though we kept in touch, we weren’t very good at it), so for all I knew, she was married with kids and the whole 9 yards. We wound up having dinner while I was home in April, and fortunately, none of the above had happened.
So, I decided to finally tell her about the crush…but it wasn’t going to be until I moved home in July. Then I had an opportunity to come home in May, so I was going to tell her then. Unfortunately, her schedule was rather hectic during that time, so it went unsaid. She finally found out about it in an e-mail I sent in early June. We started trading e-mails back and forth over the next month and things started blossoming. By the time Forks came, I just wanted to get home and see what was going to happen with us. So I left Philadelphia earlier than planned.
It's all so bizarre still...I mean, I would have never thought in a million years that I'd be with April. But I am, and we're happy...for now. ;-) She's smart, funny, beautiful, etc. etc. She's awesome, and I'm a very lucky man.
And this is definitely a South Side romance. When I came home last week, she received the following gifts from me:
--A sea shell from my last trip to the Jersey Shore
--Flowers from Walter Knoll Florist in St. Louis
--A 6-pack of Yuengling beer
--A necklace from MiaLou in Philadelphia
On Friday, she got me a case of Schlafly Beer, which is a local microbrew.
I'll tell ya...she's finer than the car out on my front lawn. :)
Then there's the new job: delivering pizzas for a local chain...they have a store near my house. I started Friday, and will be working days...it's not going to be my regular job, but it's good for now. I worked Friday night and pulled in $124.
The store I work at covers a good chunk of the South Side, including all the neighborhoods I lived in growing up. As I drove to and from my 30 deliveries on Friday night, two things struck me...not necessarily related:
--Wow, a lot of blacks have moved into South St. Louis. Prior to the mid-90s, the South Side was predominantly white, while the North Side was predominantly black.
--Wow, a lot of neighborhoods that were still relatively nice 6 years ago look like shit now.
Case in point: I had to deliver a pizza to a block that my aunt lived on for most of the 1980s...and it was still pretty decent in the 90s. Wow...what a fucking toilet it is now...I was kinda scared. What a shame. Plus, the bitch that ordered the pizza stiffed me.
This week, I begin looking for a "real" job. But I'll still deliver pizzas a couple of nights a week once I get said job. It's easy money.
So, there you have it, and there you are. If it isn't obvious, things are going rather well back home thus far...and hopefully, they'll stay that way. :)
7.03.2005
No longer available
I am happy to announce that April and I are now officially a couple.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to continue to remain drunk on bliss for a while...
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to continue to remain drunk on bliss for a while...
7.02.2005
RIP Luther Vandross
I was saddened to learn of Luther Vandross's passing when I got home from work this morning. You may not have liked his music, but you can't deny that the brother could sing. It's a shame that he got his greatest accolades after suffering a stroke 2 years ago.
Rest in peace...
Rest in peace...
7.01.2005
Perhaps Jack in the Box should...
