The Bosque

...besides hanging out with April and I:

http://www.john-ross.net/

...grocery store.

Schnucks is the biggest grocery chain here in town. Here in my area, there are 2 nearby: one just up the street, and one about 2 miles from here. I usually go to the one that's further away because it's open 24 hours and the one closer to my house is a bit run-down and ghetto.

Not anymore.

The new Schnucks at Loughborough Commons opened Tuesday. Schnucks is apparently using a new template for its stores that makes them highly modern yet neighborhood-centric. They opened a new one near my old day job last fall, and it is beautiful.

And this new one is indeed beautiful. I went up there Tuesday night and meandered around for a bit--I got there about 15 minutes before they closed, so I couldn't meander too much. I was like a kid in a candy store...stupid grin and all.

I told you all before...I love grocery shopping. I'll have to go back up there today.

Today was my last day at my day job. It was supposed to be Friday, but I kept running out of work, and my boss and I agreed that today would be it.

The song on the radio when I left work seemed rather appropriate..."Ready to Go" by Republica.

Ya know, it was just a relationship that ran its course. It worked for a while, but was never ideal...and now was the right time to end it.

The future is wide open...and is primarily controlled by me. It's mine to lose...or win.

I don't play to lose...

It's time I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm going to need two pair of shoes
When I get through walkin' to you
When I get back to New Orleans

I've got my suitcase in my hand
Now, ain't that a shame
I'm leavin' here today
Yes, I'm goin' back home to stay
Yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans

You used to be my honey
Till you spent all my money
No use for you to cry
I'll see you bye and bye
Cause I'm walkin' to New Orleans

I've got no time for talkin'
I've got to keep on walkin'
New Orleans is my home
That's the reason why I'm goin'
Yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans

I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans

Written by Antoine Domino, Dave Bartholomew and Robert Guidry

As was reported today, Pluto is no longer considered a planet.

And in other news, I farted several times today.

This is exactly the kind of night I needed at the pizza shop.

It sucked. Probably one of the worst nights I've ever had. The cooks gave me the wrong food for one order. Another customer didn't update her address, so I went to the old house and learned that they didn't live there anymore. Their new address was 10 minutes north of the old one. Crazy customers, bad neighborhoods, etc. etc.

But that's okay. I needed it. I needed to know that I could handle shit like that again. And I think I can. It beats sitting at a desk all day and dealing with that bullshit. Granted, I get to deal with some new bullshit, but I think this is easier.

Yesterday was just awful at work. Programs took forever to run. So many modifications needed to be done to this one particular file. Shit didn't make sense. Nucking futs.

And then today...180-degree difference. Almost everything clicked. I'm almost done with all the work I can do between now and 9/1...I could be done as early as Friday morning. Maybe if I finish everything early, they'll let me go sooner.

That'd be nice...get a week off, fully paid. Of course, they'll probably find something for me to do...

As April opens the next chapter of her life, my current one is coming to a close.

I decided that I had enough of my day job...my last day there is next Friday, September 1st.

I've been bored for months. And when I was given additional responsibilities earlier this summer, I drew the ire of the person that lost the responsibilities. Like it's my fault that they suck and I'm bored and my boss thought it would be a good idea.

Of course, I'm still bored...

Why drive 30 miles each way for what I'm making now, when I can deliver pizzas in the neighborhood, make as much money and have more free time? The only real drawback is that I'll be paying for an independent insurance policy, which will be about $80 a month more than I pay now. And no paid holidays. But the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

I got burnt out delivering before...and I'm worried that I'll get burnt out again. But I dunno...I've enjoyed delivering in recent months. I don't sweat going to bad neighborhoods, and I don't sweat it when I get stiffed. I can do homework when things are slow, and I have an iPod with a month's worth of music on it. And Tim and I are looking for a car that will be used strictly for deliveries.

The current plan is to stay out of the "regular" job market until next spring, though I'll still browse the job ads occasionally. I figure I have a better chance with the job market once I have that Masters degree.

We'll see...it was time for a shake up though. I start driving again in 2 days...and I'm ready. And I'm gonna have fun.

From Reuters/Yahoo!: An Indian businessman born with two penises wants one of them removed surgically as he wants to marry and lead a normal sexual life, a newspaper report said Saturday.

The 24-year-old man from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh admitted himself to a New Delhi hospital this week with an extremely rare medical condition called penile duplication or diphallus, the Times of India said.

From Reuters/Yahoo!: Early audiences lured to "Snakes on a Plane" by its sensational title and Internet hype said the film lived up to their expectations for an over-the-top thriller.

"It was just so ridiculous it was a good movie," said Colin Cowes, 15, from Minnesota, after seeing a morning screening in New York on Friday. "I went and saw it because I saw an ad for it on the Internet. Definitely the title got me in because it just sounds so random and stupid."

When I first saw a trailer for it a few weeks ago, I thought the movie seemed ludicrous. But now I feel strangely attracted to the movie.

The 'rents will be back tomorrow from their vacation, so this is my last night of peace. It's been nice...makes me want my own place again. But a house, not an apartment. I'm done with those.

Of course, the next time I have this kind of peace will probably be when April and I buy our house...I'm getting impatient, damnit!

Now if you'll excuse me, April and I have some cuddling to do...

First, the NSA's wiretapping program was ruled unconstitutional today. A short time later, a judge ruled that the tobacco industry lied to the public for years.

I'm not surprised with either ruling. The White House and conservative pundits will tell you that the wiretapping program has helped keep us safe. I disagree...I think some of the security measures have helped, but overall, I think we've been lucky.

And big tobacco...lying? No! Stop playing! When was the first surgeon general warning on cigarettes? 1964? Having said that, I don't think big tobacco should have to pay for any smoking-related illnesses for people that started smoking after that first warning. Back then, you could still kinda trust the Feds.

I'm sure some will complain that the judges have overstepped their boundaries. These will probably be the same people that have generally blindly supported the Bush administration and Congress since 9/11. But I think that a line has to drawn sometimes. And in some cases, the line is as clear as the nose on my face.

April is officially off the unemployment rolls as of this morning. She will be working for one of the children's hospitals here in St. Louis on wellness prevention programs. I think...April can explain it better. But anyway...April and I both have jobs now. Whoohoo!

Now I just need a better job...one thing at a time...

August 15, 1981, a Saturday. City Hall here in St. Louis. The officiator was a Black Baptist minister. My stepsisters and I kept arguing, and my mom had to keep correcting us. Next thing you know, I officially had a stepdad.

I talked to my mom today...it sounds like the family is having a good time in Maine, so I assume that her and my stepdad had a nice anniversary.

Happy anniversary, guys!

I feel a bit weird right now. I'm sitting here in the living room of my parents' house just after midnight on Sunday/Monday morning. I'm by myself, except for Luckie, my parents' dog.

I haven't been alone like this since the day I left Philadelphia. My last night alone consisted of me pulling into a Super 8 Motel in Richmond, IN at 5am on a Monday morning to catch a few hours of sleep before finishing my journey.

I have no problem being by myself. I spent a lot of time by myself during the later years of my relationship with Rhoda and in the 3-month period between our breakup and my move back home. It's nice...peaceful, quiet, uninterrupted.

But I'd rather have company...the company of April in particular. She was here for the weekend, but had to head back home tonight. It's always nice to spend the night together. Makes me want to get married tomorrow.

Of course, that would not be very practical at this point. And so, I must remain patient. We've already been together for a year...I can wait a little longer.

Blecch!

Yesterday, I stopped at the QT near my work to pick up some water for the rest of the day. As I came out of the store, I slipped on the wet pavement...it had been raining for the last hour or so. Both feet went airborne, and I landed on my left side, between my ass and my hip. I quickly got back up and got in my car to go back to work.

I was soaking wet, and my head started to hurt. By 3:30, my back and left side were aching. I decided to finish the day at work, skip class and go to the urgent care center near my house. I didn't think I broke anything, but I was concerned that I might have hit my head and suffered a concussion.

I went to urgent care, and the doctor gave me a clean bill of health...thank God. I spent the rest of the night relaxing.

I hurt a bit today...mostly my back. I'll see how I feel early next week and go from there.

My parents, Tim and Lauren left this morning for vacation. They'll be staying with my parents' friends in Kittery, ME (just across the river from Portsmouth, NH) and visiting relatives in Boston for the next week.

Which leaves me here at the Homestead with Luckie (my parents' dog) and April. I took today and Monday off work. Right now, I'm sitting on the front porch typing this Manifesto while Luckie is on the lawn sunning herself. I have a whole house to myself and four cars at my disposal.

Life's good...for now, anyway.

Nothing, nothing, nothing but the one thing

Someone said my words are out of balance
Nothing to say, you've got nothing to say
Dying words I bury everyday
Nothing to say, I've got nothing to say
Nothing but the one thing

You've got nothing, nothing to say
Nothing but the one thing

Big bad word spell it with four letters
Nothing to say, you've got nothing to say
Oh my God, your words are out of balance
Nothing to say, you've got nothing to say
Nothing but the one thing
Nothing, nothing

You've got nothing, nothing to say
Nothing but the one thing

Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing

Written by Chris Cornell

I was originally going to write about last night's elections, but I'm not gonna read real hard into them right now. I will say this though: Good riddance to Lieberman and McKinney. It's time for change.

From Reuters/Yahoo! (full story follows): A Brazilian man died Tuesday when he tried to open what police believe was a rocket-propelled grenade with a sledgehammer in a mechanical workshop on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.

Another man who was in the workshop at the time of the explosion was rushed to a hospital with severe burns, a police officer told Reuters. The workshop was destroyed and several cars parked outside caught fire.

Police found several unexploded army issue rocket-propelled grenades in the workshop. They believe the ammunition had been brought there by scavengers wanting to sell them as scrap metal, but they also are investigating a possible link to Rio's heavily armed drug gangs who often raid military bases.

Look, I realize that I have a fucked up name. I know it can be hard to spell.

But this is ridiculous:

We're all familiar with concept albums, right? If not, check out this article from Wikipedia.

I think I have a new take on the idea: I live in an apartment building, and my neighbors write songs about me from their perspectives or dealings with me. Through the songs, you'll not only learn about me but the neighbors as well. It might sound self-righteous or arrogant, but that's not how I intend it.

What do you think?

We have time for racism
We have time for criticism
Held bondage by our ism's
When will there be a time to love

We make time to debate religion
Passing bills and building prisons
For building fortunes and passing judgements
When will there be a time to love

At this point in history we have a choice to make
To either walk a path of love
Or be crippled by our hate

We have time to cause pollution
We have time to cause confusion
All wrapped up in our own illusions
When will there be a time to love

We make time to conquer nations
Time for oil exploration
Hatred, violence and terrorism
When will there be a time to love

At this moment in time
We have a choice to make
Father God is watching
While we cause mother earth so much pain
It's such a shame

Not enough money for
The young, the old and the poor
But for war there is always more
When will there be a time to love

We make time for paying taxes
Or paying bills and buying status
But we will pay the consequences
If we don't make the time to love

Now's the time to pay attention
Yes now is the time... to love...
A time love... Love...
A time to Love
Please, please won't you tell me
When will there be a time to love...

Written by Stevie Wonder and India Arie

April told me about this site last night...http://www.mydeathspace.com. Go take a look at it.

I think it's bizarre...yet morbidly curious. Then you have the guy that runs it...he wants to respect the dead, but sells MDS merchandise. WTF?! I personally find that a bit disturbing, but...*shrugs*

Wolf's in charge today

One day we will all live in the utopian society that we were promised as children. Everyone will be happy. Everyone will be satisfied. Everyone will drive one of these.



It's so frighteningly pink that I think that even a Mary Kay Commando would feel repulsed by it.

Sycamore had a problem with my Build-A-Bear Hello Kitty because it's head was too big.

I would have a problem driving this car, because Hello Kitty stares at you from the back window. Everytime you look in the mirror, there she is, pursuing you, never getting closer, and you have to just keep running, just like in your dreams. I like the headrest bows, however. That is a cute touch.



The pinkness is carried entirely too far. Pink enamelled alloy wheels.



At least it comes with it's own license plate frame, so you don't have to go and spend an extra $40 on one.



Through the wonders of machine translation, you can learn more about this fine example of automotive technology. Sort of. Either the reporting is not that good, or the machine translation really sucks. Probably both.

The Hello Kitty model costs an extra 600,000 yen, for a total of 2,100,000 yen. I don't know how much that is in real money, but I think that the vehicle might be overpriced. It's funny looking before you give it the custom paint job.

I don't know if I would be able to drive it, unless it handled well in the snow and the A/C worked real well.

Grocery shopping late at night...I've done it ever since I was an undergrad in Cape Girardeau, MO. I don't know why...the serenity...the behind the scenes you tend to see...less assholes to deal with...I dunno.

Plus...I enjoy grocery shopping. I don't know why. I enjoy walking the aisles and seeing what's there, though I never buy or spend a lot.

I really need to get out to Trader Joe's though...haven't been there in over a month. Schnucks is nice and all, but TJ's is the fucking shiznit!

...puppy!

From MSNBC: China slaughtered 50,000 dogs in a government-ordered crackdown after three people died of rabies, sparking unusually pointed criticism in state media Tuesday and an outcry from animal rights activists.

Health experts said the brutal policy pointed to deep weaknesses in the health care infrastructure in China, where only 3 percent of dogs are vaccinated against rabies and more than 2,000 people die of the disease each year.

Wow...this sounds downright barbaric...and funny. God, I'm a sick fucker.