10.31.2006
(Everyday Is) Halloween
Well i live with snakes and lizards
And other things that go bump in the night
Cos to me everyday is halloween
I have given up hiding and started to fight
I have started to fight
Well any time, any place, anywhere that i go
All the people seem to stop and stare
They say 'why are you dressed like it's halloween?
You look so absurd, you look so obscene'
O, why can't i live a life for me?
Why should i take the abuse that's served?
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same, it's the same in the whole wide world
Well i let their teeny minds think
That they're dealing with someone who is over the brink
And i dress this way just to keep them at bay
Cos halloween is everyday
It's everyday
O, why can't i live a life for me?
Why should i take the abuse that's served?
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same, it's the same in the whole wide world
O, why can't i live a life for me?
Why should i take the abuse that's served?
Why can't they see they're just like me
I'm not the one that's so absurd
Why hide it?
Why fight it?
Hurt feelings
Best to stop feeling hurt
From denials, reprisals
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide world
written by Al Jourgensen
And other things that go bump in the night
Cos to me everyday is halloween
I have given up hiding and started to fight
I have started to fight
Well any time, any place, anywhere that i go
All the people seem to stop and stare
They say 'why are you dressed like it's halloween?
You look so absurd, you look so obscene'
O, why can't i live a life for me?
Why should i take the abuse that's served?
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same, it's the same in the whole wide world
Well i let their teeny minds think
That they're dealing with someone who is over the brink
And i dress this way just to keep them at bay
Cos halloween is everyday
It's everyday
O, why can't i live a life for me?
Why should i take the abuse that's served?
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same, it's the same in the whole wide world
O, why can't i live a life for me?
Why should i take the abuse that's served?
Why can't they see they're just like me
I'm not the one that's so absurd
Why hide it?
Why fight it?
Hurt feelings
Best to stop feeling hurt
From denials, reprisals
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide world
written by Al Jourgensen
10.30.2006
We're not only #1 in baseball
From MSNBC: Just days after the St. Louis Cardinals won the top honor in Major League Baseball, their hometown jumped to first place on a list no one wants to lead: the most dangerous cities in the United States.
This Midwestern city has long been in the upper tiers of the annual ranking of the nation’s safest and most dangerous cities, compiled by Morgan Quitno Press. Violent crime surged nearly 20 percent there this year, when the rate of such crimes rose much faster in the Midwest than in the rest of nation, according to FBI figures released in June.
Sadly, I'm not surprised. We've had a rather violent year...it reminds me of 1992, when the City set a record for murders. St. Louis is definitely on the rise, but the rough areas seem to be getting rougher. I think I know what can help fix these areas, but it would take a lot of money, a little time and a lot of love. Unfortunately, I don't see many folks willing to invest any of the three right now. We tend to do things verrrrrrrrrrrrrry sloooooooooowly here.
This Midwestern city has long been in the upper tiers of the annual ranking of the nation’s safest and most dangerous cities, compiled by Morgan Quitno Press. Violent crime surged nearly 20 percent there this year, when the rate of such crimes rose much faster in the Midwest than in the rest of nation, according to FBI figures released in June.
Sadly, I'm not surprised. We've had a rather violent year...it reminds me of 1992, when the City set a record for murders. St. Louis is definitely on the rise, but the rough areas seem to be getting rougher. I think I know what can help fix these areas, but it would take a lot of money, a little time and a lot of love. Unfortunately, I don't see many folks willing to invest any of the three right now. We tend to do things verrrrrrrrrrrrrry sloooooooooowly here.
A perfect day
A bright and sunny Sunday
mid-70s
500,000 people
A World Championship Trophy
Yep...perfect.
mid-70s
500,000 people
A World Championship Trophy
Yep...perfect.
10.29.2006
Extended birthday celebration
Yesterday should have been a great day in Sycamoreland.
In a perfect world, Saturday October 28, 2006 would have been April's 32nd birthday. Well, it was her birthday yesterday...but she's basically been bedridden since Thursday with an apparent virus.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is outrageous. First Pretty Lady Day in Sycamoreland is a very big deal, and we will not take kindly to people and things ruining celebrations. It's like stealing my Dr Pepper...you just don't fucking do it.
Desperate acts call for desperate measures. And so, I am authorizing April's birthday celebration to be extended until a time of our mutual choosing. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor a nasty virus will stop me from making this a good birthday for April.
The extension is so ordered...
In a perfect world, Saturday October 28, 2006 would have been April's 32nd birthday. Well, it was her birthday yesterday...but she's basically been bedridden since Thursday with an apparent virus.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is outrageous. First Pretty Lady Day in Sycamoreland is a very big deal, and we will not take kindly to people and things ruining celebrations. It's like stealing my Dr Pepper...you just don't fucking do it.
Desperate acts call for desperate measures. And so, I am authorizing April's birthday celebration to be extended until a time of our mutual choosing. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor a nasty virus will stop me from making this a good birthday for April.
The extension is so ordered...
10.28.2006
Paint the town red
I thought I'd have to hear the end of the game. It was the top of the 9th, and I had just made a delivery to my high school alma mater...I busted my ass to get back to work to see the end of the game. When I got back to the shop, I ran faster than I have in years to see Adam Wainwright face Brandon Inge.
And when Wainwright struck out Inge, it reminded me of Bruce Sutter striking out Gorman Thomas 24 years ago, giving the Cards the World Series over Milwaukee.
In 1982, I had just turned 7 and Tim was only 2 weeks old. I didn't know much about sports at that time...I started learning the following year. I remember watching the victory parade on TV, not knowing who the fuck those ballplayers were...but it was an exciting time in St. Louis.
For a Friday night, the streets were eerily quiet. We were fairly steady all day, but business dropped off after 8 or so. Our dining room was dead too. Shortly after the win, deliveries picked up a bit...I made some really good money ater 10:30.
Other than Downtown, St. Louis was relatively quiet after the game, save for some folks shooting off fireworks...and guns. We don't riot when our sports teams win big. :)
The Cards' flagship radio station was still going strong with coverage as of 2:30am...the game ended at 10:30.
The Tigers were a great team that just didn't have it this year. If they can get those pitchers in shape, they should be a good team for years to come.
The Cards actually have a pretty decent team for next year. We could use a couple of pitchers, a second baseman and a youngin to groom as Edmonds' successor. Staying healthy would help too.
But now, it's time to celebrate. One of the most prestigious sports teams brought a championship home to their city after 24 years...a city experiencing a rebirth after years of decay and apathy, and home of baseball's best fans.
As the immortal Jack Buck would say, "Go crazy, folks!"
From MSNBC:
And when Wainwright struck out Inge, it reminded me of Bruce Sutter striking out Gorman Thomas 24 years ago, giving the Cards the World Series over Milwaukee.
In 1982, I had just turned 7 and Tim was only 2 weeks old. I didn't know much about sports at that time...I started learning the following year. I remember watching the victory parade on TV, not knowing who the fuck those ballplayers were...but it was an exciting time in St. Louis.
For a Friday night, the streets were eerily quiet. We were fairly steady all day, but business dropped off after 8 or so. Our dining room was dead too. Shortly after the win, deliveries picked up a bit...I made some really good money ater 10:30.
Other than Downtown, St. Louis was relatively quiet after the game, save for some folks shooting off fireworks...and guns. We don't riot when our sports teams win big. :)
The Cards' flagship radio station was still going strong with coverage as of 2:30am...the game ended at 10:30.
The Tigers were a great team that just didn't have it this year. If they can get those pitchers in shape, they should be a good team for years to come.
The Cards actually have a pretty decent team for next year. We could use a couple of pitchers, a second baseman and a youngin to groom as Edmonds' successor. Staying healthy would help too.
But now, it's time to celebrate. One of the most prestigious sports teams brought a championship home to their city after 24 years...a city experiencing a rebirth after years of decay and apathy, and home of baseball's best fans.
As the immortal Jack Buck would say, "Go crazy, folks!"
From MSNBC:
10.27.2006
On the cusp
Less than 24 hours from now, the Cardinals could be the World Champions.
I want to get excited about it...I imagine my reaction at that last out. I've done it a few times in the past couple of days.
But I can't get too hyped...not yet. 21 years ago, the Cards went up 3-1 on KC, then got screwed out of Game 6 and lost Game 7.
I'm excited...cautious, but excited. Tomorrow night's gonna be nuts.
I want to get excited about it...I imagine my reaction at that last out. I've done it a few times in the past couple of days.
But I can't get too hyped...not yet. 21 years ago, the Cards went up 3-1 on KC, then got screwed out of Game 6 and lost Game 7.
I'm excited...cautious, but excited. Tomorrow night's gonna be nuts.
10.26.2006
Mad season
Claire McCaskill kicked a puppy in 2002!
Jim Talent ate the remains of a homeless person in 1997!
Michael J. Fox is a hell of an actor!
Baby Jesus told me that he doesn't approve of stem cell research!
I enjoy following politics, but the negative shit just grates on me. I don't think I'd dislike negative campaigning so much if it didn't seem so hateful. Perhaps we could adopt elements of Canadian campaigns: their campaigns usually only run 30 or so days, and they can only run ads for a certain amount of time. Perhaps American campaigns could only run ads for 45 or 60 days leading up to an election.
Or, we could ban television and radio ads from airing within 60 days of the election. Then candidates would have to hit the trail hard. That might be kind of fun to watch.
I'm not going to wax too hard on Rush's comments about Michael J. Fox. It was typical Rush schtick, and no one should be surprised by the comments or his justification of them. Give the guy credit...he picks on everyone.
Rush, Hannity, Franken, Beck, etc. are entertainers, just like baseball players or movie stars.
While the polls of Dems taking back both houses of Congress bring a smile to my face, I'm cautiously optimistic. The chances of the Dems doing things better than the GOP are pretty slim. But can they really do any worse? It's not like they'll be able to force universal health care or easily pull out of Iraq. The GOP have proven that they cannot run the country effectively at this point...time to turn the keys over to the Dems.
And like a dummy, I still haven't registered to vote in Missouri. My votes probably won't effect outcomes here anyway, but still...I'm an ass.
Jim Talent ate the remains of a homeless person in 1997!
Michael J. Fox is a hell of an actor!
Baby Jesus told me that he doesn't approve of stem cell research!
I enjoy following politics, but the negative shit just grates on me. I don't think I'd dislike negative campaigning so much if it didn't seem so hateful. Perhaps we could adopt elements of Canadian campaigns: their campaigns usually only run 30 or so days, and they can only run ads for a certain amount of time. Perhaps American campaigns could only run ads for 45 or 60 days leading up to an election.
Or, we could ban television and radio ads from airing within 60 days of the election. Then candidates would have to hit the trail hard. That might be kind of fun to watch.
I'm not going to wax too hard on Rush's comments about Michael J. Fox. It was typical Rush schtick, and no one should be surprised by the comments or his justification of them. Give the guy credit...he picks on everyone.
Rush, Hannity, Franken, Beck, etc. are entertainers, just like baseball players or movie stars.
While the polls of Dems taking back both houses of Congress bring a smile to my face, I'm cautiously optimistic. The chances of the Dems doing things better than the GOP are pretty slim. But can they really do any worse? It's not like they'll be able to force universal health care or easily pull out of Iraq. The GOP have proven that they cannot run the country effectively at this point...time to turn the keys over to the Dems.
And like a dummy, I still haven't registered to vote in Missouri. My votes probably won't effect outcomes here anyway, but still...I'm an ass.
10.22.2006
I didn't get the Hello Kitty scrub top...
...but I did get a Hello Kitty surgical hat!
And it was specially made by May. She's an idiot savant on the sewing machine. I squealed with delight when I got it. It rocks!
And then there was the hideous scrub top I bought...it was only $15 clearance...it rocks too!
Did I mention we came in 3rd place at Trivia Night? $100...$10 for each person. I'll take it...that's gas for one of the cars.
And it was specially made by May. She's an idiot savant on the sewing machine. I squealed with delight when I got it. It rocks!
And then there was the hideous scrub top I bought...it was only $15 clearance...it rocks too!
Did I mention we came in 3rd place at Trivia Night? $100...$10 for each person. I'll take it...that's gas for one of the cars.
10.21.2006
It's only round one...
...but we'll take it.
The Cardinals handed the Tigers their asses to them in a 7-2 beating at Comerica Park tonight. But of course, the Cards are bound to lose a game in this series by 5-10 runs...might as well be tomorrow night.
But I think the Cardinals--and Cardinal Nation--would be more than happy with a split coming into Tuesday's homecoming. Too bad I can't go to the rally at the Stadium Monday night--got a presentation to work on for class this week. I'll be there in spirit though.
It's weird...this town is wired, but rather chilled right now. We're excited as fuck that we're in the World Series...but the NLCS was such a stress-inducer. And the Redbirds were so bad going down the stretch, we're just happy to be in Detroit. And if they don't win it all, that's fine.
But I think they can...and if they do, this town will lose its mind like never before.
The Cardinals handed the Tigers their asses to them in a 7-2 beating at Comerica Park tonight. But of course, the Cards are bound to lose a game in this series by 5-10 runs...might as well be tomorrow night.
But I think the Cardinals--and Cardinal Nation--would be more than happy with a split coming into Tuesday's homecoming. Too bad I can't go to the rally at the Stadium Monday night--got a presentation to work on for class this week. I'll be there in spirit though.
It's weird...this town is wired, but rather chilled right now. We're excited as fuck that we're in the World Series...but the NLCS was such a stress-inducer. And the Redbirds were so bad going down the stretch, we're just happy to be in Detroit. And if they don't win it all, that's fine.
But I think they can...and if they do, this town will lose its mind like never before.
10.19.2006
Amazement and ecstasy
I don't know how the fuck they did it.
They almost made the 1964 Phillies forgivable. They barely won their division.
They handled the Padres...that was easy. The Mets were tough, though...the best team in the NL this year.
Apparently, that was not the case.
GO CARDS! ON TO DETROIT!
From tonight's online St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
They almost made the 1964 Phillies forgivable. They barely won their division.
They handled the Padres...that was easy. The Mets were tough, though...the best team in the NL this year.
Apparently, that was not the case.
GO CARDS! ON TO DETROIT!
From tonight's online St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
10.17.2006
Too weird to be a dream
After the monsoons let up last night, I headed out for an evening walk...it was around 11pm. As I was walking along Germania St. (a main drag on the south end of town) just past Field Ave., I saw this guy walking towards me...he had an angry stance, and was holding a pizza bag. I couldn't tell whether there was pizza in the bag or not, but I smelled pizza.
A few minutes later, I heard heavy footsteps behind me. I turned around, and there he was again. By this time, I had probably walked the equivalent of a block or two. He walked past me and kept going, but then disappeared the next time I looked up. A moment or two later, I heard a car start up, then saw a Chevy Blazer-looking vehicle leave the curb about a half-block ahead of me.
That was fucking weird...I don't know if he was making a delivery or what. If he was, he walked the equivalent of 4 blocks to get to the house--from Sharp Ave. to Field. And I wasn't drinking last night. And it was rainy, but I could still see pretty well.
A few minutes later, I heard heavy footsteps behind me. I turned around, and there he was again. By this time, I had probably walked the equivalent of a block or two. He walked past me and kept going, but then disappeared the next time I looked up. A moment or two later, I heard a car start up, then saw a Chevy Blazer-looking vehicle leave the curb about a half-block ahead of me.
That was fucking weird...I don't know if he was making a delivery or what. If he was, he walked the equivalent of 4 blocks to get to the house--from Sharp Ave. to Field. And I wasn't drinking last night. And it was rainy, but I could still see pretty well.
10.16.2006
Really? THAT's a side effect?
I was reading the article on Kaopectate on Wikipedia a few minutes ago, when I noticed the side effects associated with the medicine:
Severe
Vomiting
Stomach pains
Unvoluntary movemements of the hands and lower arms
Vision imparement
*rofl*
"I'm sorry I bitchslapped you earlier...I was on a Kaopectate high..."
Severe
Vomiting
Stomach pains
Unvoluntary movemements of the hands and lower arms
Vision imparement
*rofl*
"I'm sorry I bitchslapped you earlier...I was on a Kaopectate high..."
10.15.2006
How you know it's October in St. Louis
--Fall festivals are in full swing
--It can be 90 degrees one day and 30 the next
--The leaves are falling off the trees
--The Blues are back on the ice at the Kiel
--The Cardinals are still playing at Busch
Ahhhh...I love October...and it's not just because Sycamore Day and (Future) Mrs. Sycamore Day are in October, either.
--It can be 90 degrees one day and 30 the next
--The leaves are falling off the trees
--The Blues are back on the ice at the Kiel
--The Cardinals are still playing at Busch
Ahhhh...I love October...and it's not just because Sycamore Day and (Future) Mrs. Sycamore Day are in October, either.
10.14.2006
It's a miracle!
The lowest gas price I've seen in well over a year...maybe 2 years:
10.13.2006
Disappointment
As I mentioned the other day, I purchased a Hello Kitty scrub top for a trivia night next weekend. This morning, I received news that Cherokee (the manufacturer) no longer makes the top in the size I need. I normally wear a 3X, but when I tried one on at a scrub store, it was too tight, so I ordered a 5X. The biggest size they make now is 3X.
Fuck...I might try a couple more stores in town. Otherwise, I'll buy some plain ol' scrubs.
Stupid me...stupid company...stupid stupid stoopid...
Fuck...I might try a couple more stores in town. Otherwise, I'll buy some plain ol' scrubs.
Stupid me...stupid company...stupid stupid stoopid...
10.12.2006
31
God,
Thank you for letting me live to see another year. And thank you for all the blessings you've brought to my life, particularly in the past 2 years. Especially April...that was a pretty neat gift. Now, if you could show me the way to drop some pounds and make some more money, that'd be great.
Amen.
Thank you for letting me live to see another year. And thank you for all the blessings you've brought to my life, particularly in the past 2 years. Especially April...that was a pretty neat gift. Now, if you could show me the way to drop some pounds and make some more money, that'd be great.
Amen.
10.11.2006
If you're gonna dress up, go all out
So, there is a trivia night at May's high school (which is also April's alma mater) that we attend yearly. We bring food and alcohol and have a great time...last year we came in 7th place, which apparently was our highest placing ever.
There's a twist to this, though...someone came up with the bright idea for us to dress up in themes. And since the trivia night is around Halloween, it makes sense. Last year, we dressed up in Hawaiian garb. This year, we're doctors.
So I purchased some scrubs yesterday...and you all know what I had to get, right?
Here's my top:
I saw a woman come into the shop with a Hello Kitty scrub top last week (different than this one), and I just knew that I had to get one.
I should get it tomorrow or Friday. If I get it tomorrow, I'm totally wearing it to class tomorrow night. My classmates already think I'm nuts anyway. Of course, I am, but they don't need to know that.
There's a twist to this, though...someone came up with the bright idea for us to dress up in themes. And since the trivia night is around Halloween, it makes sense. Last year, we dressed up in Hawaiian garb. This year, we're doctors.
So I purchased some scrubs yesterday...and you all know what I had to get, right?
Here's my top:
I saw a woman come into the shop with a Hello Kitty scrub top last week (different than this one), and I just knew that I had to get one.
I should get it tomorrow or Friday. If I get it tomorrow, I'm totally wearing it to class tomorrow night. My classmates already think I'm nuts anyway. Of course, I am, but they don't need to know that.
10.10.2006
(link to today's Manifesto)
10.05.2006
You deserve an ass whuppin' if:
--You order $80 worth of food
--You live 8 blocks from a grocery store, and could make food for your household for less than half the amount you spent
--You don't give a tip
I don't get too pressed with small deliveries and no tip. Yeah, it sucks, but I try to give folks the benefit of the doubt. But an $80 order with no tip?
Yeah...fuck you, bitch!
--You live 8 blocks from a grocery store, and could make food for your household for less than half the amount you spent
--You don't give a tip
I don't get too pressed with small deliveries and no tip. Yeah, it sucks, but I try to give folks the benefit of the doubt. But an $80 order with no tip?
Yeah...fuck you, bitch!
10.03.2006
Sycamore, professional photographer
As of this past Saturday, I am a professional photographer...sorta: I got paid to take pictures.
One of April's friends (who is also a coworker) is working on some sort of safety program for the hospital. She was trying to find pictures of car wrecks online, but they would have not been good enough to make high-quality blow ups (20x30 or 16x20). Knowing what size would be good for blow ups, I offered to take photos with my digital camera. She agreed.
I would have done it for free, but given how April's department apparently loves to spend money, I half-jokingly asked if I could get paid for it. Her friend replied, "Send an invoice."
I took the photos Saturday morning: I went to a couple of salvage yards and also snapped a couple of curbside memorials and a cemetary. It only took a couple of hours and I had fun doing it. Here are some of the photos (on a reduced scale):
And my $50 check is forthcoming. :)
One of April's friends (who is also a coworker) is working on some sort of safety program for the hospital. She was trying to find pictures of car wrecks online, but they would have not been good enough to make high-quality blow ups (20x30 or 16x20). Knowing what size would be good for blow ups, I offered to take photos with my digital camera. She agreed.
I would have done it for free, but given how April's department apparently loves to spend money, I half-jokingly asked if I could get paid for it. Her friend replied, "Send an invoice."
I took the photos Saturday morning: I went to a couple of salvage yards and also snapped a couple of curbside memorials and a cemetary. It only took a couple of hours and I had fun doing it. Here are some of the photos (on a reduced scale):
And my $50 check is forthcoming. :)
