Excelling at the Mundane

Deja Vu...sort of

2011-05-24T09:19:00.001-04:00

Last night I was remembering and reliving things that never happened.

In past years, when I've been unemployed and/or had nothing interesting in my life for months at a time, my mind wandered as I slept often during the day and rarely at night. At some point my imagination created alternate universes where I actually had something to do, some immediate reason to exist. It wasn't an intentional act, but during some parts of some days I would forget which was reality.

This morning I woke up and had to remember again.

If I had written this earlier I would have remembered all the fascinating details, but they're gone from me now. What a disappointing ending to this post!

Sucker Punch: A Short Review

2011-03-26T10:30:00.000-04:00

Saw this tonight, and I finally understand what the title meant. It's in the "interesting rather than outright good" category, where I would say you should watch it if you can but you'll have to keep an open mind to A) understand wtf is going on (it explains it at the beginning, but you have little chance of realizing it) and B) enjoy it because you're so busy trying to figure out wtf is going on. If you go in and want the movie to prove itself to you, you're going to be sorely disappointed.

To get in to the story a little bit, it insinuates that the story/setting could be anything, it's just a coating over the main arch of the movie, and that it is designed to solely turn men on.

As part of the storyline, it's presented that as long as something's awesome, it doesn't quite matter if it's raw or doesn't really totally fit a theme, men will still love it and be completely enthralled in it. You're not sure if that's an encouragement to let go or an indictment for doing so.

I've said from the first time I saw a trailer that I didn't care what the movie was about, and didn't really expect it to be great, but that I wanted to see it because the action scenes looked crazy. It was odd for the movie to not only know that, but to make it such a vital thought for the entire plot.

You're left wondering how much of the actual story was real, but realizing it doesn't really matter. The intent wasn't to make a totally cohesive world or story, it was to present a message (whatever the problem, whatever the situation, you have all the tools to fix it inside you, how much are you willing to sacrifice?) in the most enticing wrapper possible.

Thoughts of an amateur chef

2011-02-03T20:18:00.001-05:00

I'm standing here in my kitchen, residing over my stove as chicken and vegetables crackle and water approaches boiling. The chicken consists of five thick thighs (just how I like them) that I took from freezer to fridge the other day, and though they weren't completely thawed, I need to make lunch for tomorrow so here we are.

The safe and easy play would be to just stick them in the oven with the frozen vegetables for 45 minutes or so and be done with it, but I can already see the crisp skin and juices that tell me why I'm presiding over this like a hawk.

I'm sensing the vegetables need more seasoning.

I like making up the recipe as I go along. I still haven't decided if I'm going to add any tomato paste, or if I'll season the paste if I do? And which pan will I dump the pasta in to for seasoning? Will I pour the vegetables on to the chicken? How will it all do without my beloved portabello mushrooms?

Water's boiling, add the pasta, try a lower heat this time.

I can and do make mistakes, but I'm the only that knows. I can listen to suggestions and ideas, combine or discard them, just do whatever with the same basic inputs every time.

I don't really like cooking, but I really like cooking. Ever since a friend showed me how easy it was to make the kind of italian dishes I love, I've been messing around in here, making my concoctions as Ro would put it.

It lets me enjoy tiny bouts of major success, like a video game or Excel for my taste buds.

Drain the pasta. Pour it onto the vegetables. Pour that all onto the chicken. Heat was too high, the edges are too crisp already. I'll so it better next time.

My friend laughs every time I thank her for getting me in to cooking like this and not just on a George Foreman grill. Every meal I make reminds me of her, every thing that I did right that could have been wrong, everything I did wrong that could have been right. More of the former than the latter.

Maybe one day I'll get to cook for her.

Just trying out the new Blogger app

2011-02-03T17:00:00.001-05:00

So Google just released a Blogger app for Android...will this be my excuse to write more stuff on here? We'll see.

I've been neglecting Blogger!

2010-12-22T18:42:00.002-05:00

I've been using Facebook and Twitter for all of my social commentary and excessive pictures of Hooters girls. I don't have anything profound to say at the moment, but here are some pictures!

Dunbar Willow Plate

2010-10-06T17:06:00.001-04:00

Dunbar Willow

Live music at the Tazza Mia grand opening

2010-10-06T08:20:00.001-04:00

Hippy infestation

2010-09-09T12:07:00.001-04:00

Learning salsa in downtown Cincinnati

2010-08-12T19:56:00.001-04:00

Learning salsa in downtown Cincinnati

New Hooters Mascot

2010-08-09T20:39:00.001-04:00

Apparently someone fed this kitty, and now it won't leave. Might be named Zacharia.

Convenient card holder

Karla found a new place to put her swipe card

Convenient card holder

Karla found a convenient place to put her swipe card

At Training Camp

2010-08-04T19:18:00.001-04:00

Jungle Jim's

2010-08-01T22:25:00.001-04:00

The "wild life" at the entrance

Random racing theme

2010-08-01T22:19:00.001-04:00

Doesn't show up anywhere else in the store, but the whole place is really disjointed

Lots of tomatoes

2010-08-01T22:14:00.001-04:00

But no tomato paste, that was in a different aisle. Employee agreed it didn't make much sense.

El cheapo wine

$6 a bottle, I'm guessing this isn't the kind they have wine tasting festivals for

Uh, ok?

It talked, swung and sang. And was annoying.

The map

I jokingly asked for a map, and the greeter gave me one

Just inside the doors

So now I have an easier way to post to Blogger...

2010-07-31T15:32:00.001-04:00

I've barely posted to this account recently, mostly because it's a lot easier for me to have short, quick thoughts and post them to Twitter/Facebook without much concern about readability. I used to always have ideas about what I'd want to post about while at work, about how great and deep of a post I could make. I'd promise myself that I'd actually make the post this time, that as soon as I got home I would get my thoughts together and write something really worth reading.

And then by the time I got home, caught up on emails and Google Reader, checked the forums, all that good stuff, the passion and drive were just gone. What seemed important to get out and succinct hours ago now seemed silly and impossible to really put into words by someone like myself with higher literary aspirations than skill.

Twitter and Facebook were just so informal. I could just send a one or two sentence text message and be done. Spelling, grammar and even subject were held to such low standards that there was nearly no barrier to entry. It's being able to say a funny line rather than give a funny speech.

So I took the easy way out, just like it seems millions have so far, and will continue to.

But with Pixelpipe, Blogger posting is not only simpler, it's done with the same program on my phone as all the other updates. Maybe, just maybe, it'll lead to more posting on here from me. But then, who is even bothering to still read this thing? The two people that put it in their Google Reader subscriptions?

Oh well, we'll see what comes of this, maybe it'll be where I feel out about the Bengals and phones, but I'll probably simultaneously post to Facebook as well...I just remembered this will sync to my Facebook notes automatically, so probably don't need to do that.

We shall see. In the words of the newest Cincinnati Bengal, get your popcorn ready!

Just testing out Pixelpipe, simultaneous upload to multiple accounts with one post.

2010-07-31T15:00:00.001-04:00

The box for my phone, a Samsung Captivate.

Windows Phone 7 Series - How It Should Be Done

2010-02-26T21:25:00.000-05:00

Windows Mobile 7 = Windows Phone 7 Series = Being Announced Now! - gtxf.net

That's the discussion thread at the forum I frequent, but I figured I'd write out a post just to get my thoughts on the subject, and how companies are handling recent developments, out there.

First up, a refresher course. You probably don't need it, but why take the risk?

The internet, or more accurately, the electronically connected world, has seen a major change/revolution/whatever in the last year, with the explosion of choice. There are more and more sites, more and more services, a seemingly infinite number of sites to find something to do or tell and show everyone what you did. They all have their pros and cons, and many people are on several them and know people on even more. Keeping track of all the games, updates and media across all your different accounts can be a hassle without the right tools.

For me, that tool is Digsby. It connects to nearly a dozen instant messaging services and social networking sites, and can access any email that's setup for POP3 or IMAP. Instead of having a program or page open for each of them, it's one program with one uniform UI. Everything pops up in the same corner, with the same basic graphics (which you get to choose), differentiated just enough to identify who and what it's coming from. Memory and processor resources are preserved because it's all done using one engine, one set of graphics, one set of audio files, etc.

So what in the world does that have to do with the mobile landscape?

Companies know we all want to get to the same information from our phones, but they can't agree on how to do it. Apple has their OS locked down, and waits for others to write apps to access the services. Google's Android and Palm's WebOS have limited integration, blending your contact information from not only email addresses but also Facebook. All three have some level of sharing/synchronizing between 3rd party calendars and emails. Microsoft, with their recently announced Window Phone 7 Series OS, has taken that integration to the next step.

In Windows Phone 7 Series, integration is shown to be possible in (deep breath) contacts, calendars, image galleries, status updates and videos. So far, it's only been shown with Windows Live and Facebook, but it's early days yet. Microsoft has said that their APIs for "Tiles" (widgets on the home page) and "Hubs" (kind of like folders or libraries with integrated applications for handling the files within) will be open to developers, meaning that anyone can write their service into the built-in ecosystem.

Ok, I'll admit, that's probably a little too geek-speak for the average person or even the average geek, so I'll give a couple quick examples of how I think (hope?) it will work.

When I take a cool new picture, I have 4 or 5 different sites that I'd ideally post them to: Twitpic (and through it, Twitter), Facebook, MySpace, Picasa and Flickr. Why so many? WHY NOT?!?! In Windows Phone 7 Series, you take the picture, give it a caption if you want, select all the sites you want to upload it to and you're done! No multiple logins, no multiple upload processes.

Not bad, right? Of course, you could do something similar by just having the appropriate picture upload email addresses in your contact list. But the real party trick Microsoft's new OS has is in example 2.

I have hundreds of pictures on these various sites, and so do all my friends. If I wanted to see what the recent uploads from all of my friends are on current smartphones and even my computer, it would take some combination of internet pages and dedicated applications to check all of them (even Digsby doesn't get them all). With Windows 7 Phone Series, it just needs to be told how to talk to each site once. Then you open up the Pictures Hub and go to Recent, and the phone will display galleries from ALL the sites in ONE PLACE!

It's just one of those things you don't really think about until someone does it right. I don't care about Flickr or Picasa or MySpace or Facebook, I care about the content on it, and Windows Phone 7 Series streamlines your access to that content. Developers tell the OS how to talk to the services, you save your login info, and the entire phone is populated with the content you want to see. No need to go to site hopping or app hopping.

I am SUPER excited about this, if you can't already tell. There are other questions about how more traditional things (multitasking, sharing information between programs aka copy-paste) will be handled, but the focus on content vs content provider is, in my opinion, a game changer that the other companies will HAVE to make a part of their OSs. I think it's one of those things where, after using it, every person will clamor for it.

Perhaps I spoke too soon...

2010-01-11T22:05:00.003-05:00

The Lenovo Lephone (it's destined for China first, and apparently "le" means love in Chinese, hence the weird name) has some nice UI customizations on top of Android, and that cool dock, so that most people can enjoy their touch only interface but I can get my clamshell QWERTY on. Wish it had a Tegra chipset instead of Snapdragon, but either way it's a cool piece of kit.

Is the Motorola Backflip my next phone?

2010-01-10T21:27:00.003-05:00

The Motorola Backflip, officially introduced at CES this week, has a QWERTY keyboard, can be set so the screen stands up (it even switches to an alarm clock mode!) and a has a sweet unified address book/inbox setup that reminds me of Digsby (hopefully it does unified IM too, I need to look in to that more...).

Is it the all-singing, all-dancing uber-phone that I crave? No, but it'll probably be pretty cheap and a good holdover until that device actually exists.

Holiday Shots from the WX1

2009-12-31T20:39:00.002-05:00

I got a new camera for Christmas (thanks Mom and Dad!), a Sony WX1, and have taken several pictures with it since then. Here's a taste!

From Christmas 2009

From New Years Eve 2009 - Twilight Testing

One more: Google Wave

2009-12-08T10:10:00.003-05:00

Google Wave seems pretty awesome so far.

Wait, no. The possibilities presented by the Google Wave Beta, expanded to effectively replace email as the formal form of electronic communication, seems pretty awesome so far.

Google is handing out more and more invites to distribute, as well, I just got 17 more to pass out.

Don't know what Google Wave is or how it works? It's like a combination of IM, email and social websites, designed for better collaboration and sharing of information.

Oh, and it lets you stop following an email chain, er, Wave. So no more getting your inbox filled with a bunch of mindless reply-alls saying "stop hitting reply-all!"

And it can be used in fun ways, too (NSFW sound):

While I'm in a posting mood...

2009-12-08T09:53:00.002-05:00

Where the hell are the Nvidia Tegra-based cellphones?! Are they basically just being skipped and the Tegra 2, with its multi-core main processor, will be the first to hit the market in smartphones? Who knows, no one is talking!

*Justice League of America announcer voice* MEANWHILE...

Sony has shown their version of an Android phone, the XPERIA X10. The Snapdragon chipset it uses is (AFAIK) no Tegra in the flexibility and battery life, but it's no slouch either, and Sony has made some slick changes to the OS.

Engadget's first XPERIA X10 hands-on

A second look, after some OS polishing

It's been a while!

2009-12-08T09:04:00.002-05:00

Yeah yeah, haven't really been updating this much. Blogs are just so...early 2009!

Kidding.

Anywho, for an update on where I am: remaining upbeat while I continue a job search that has gone on far too long. There has been some positive movement recently, though, so fingers are crossed. Oh, and a buddy of mine is going to move in with me this weekend so we can both stop bleeding money for a while.

And now on to the actual reason I wanted to make this post: new Italian products that are awesome!!!

Ducati 1198R Corse Edition - Maybe the most beautiful motorcycle I've ever seen, I'd buy one and just put it in the house as a piece of art

Ferrari 458 Italia - I'd actually drive this one

And this is the Italian style house I'd like to build to put those things, and my future family, in

Sound Familiar? Every guy has heard it, every woman has said it

2009-07-31T13:41:00.000-04:00

From The Onion

But If We Started Dating It Would Ruin Our Friendship Where I Ask You To Do Things And You Do Them

I really like you. I do. You're so nice, and sweet, and you listen to all my problems and respond with the appropriate compliments. But, well, I don't really see a relationship in our future. It would be terrible if we let sex destroy this great friendship we have where I get everything I want and you get nothing you want. Don't you think?

I knew you would understand. You always do.

We're so perfect as friends, you know? I can tell you anything, and you know you can always come to me anytime you need to hear me bitch about work or how ugly I feel. You wouldn't want to ruin a friendship like that just so you could be my boyfriend, and have me look at you with desire and longing in my eyes, if only once—would you? Of course not. Well, if we started dating, it would only complicate this wonderful setup I've got going here.

It's just…you're like my best friend, and I would hate for something you desperately want to change that. I mean, sure, we could go on some dates, maybe mess around a little and finally validate the six years you've spent languishing in this platonic nightmare, but then what? How could we ever go back to the way we were, where I take advantage of your clear attraction to me so I can have someone at my beck and call? That part of our friendship means so much to me.

No. We are just destined to be really, really good friends who only hang out when I don't have a boyfriend, but still need male attention to boost my fragile and all-consuming ego.

Anything can happen once you bring romance in. Think about how awful my last relationship was at the end, remember? The guy I'd call you crying about at 3 a.m. because he wouldn't answer my texts? The guy I met at the birthday party you threw me? I had insanely passionate sex with him for four months and now we don't even talk anymore. God, I would die if something like that happened to us.

Plus, ick, can you even imagine getting naked in front of each other? I've known you so long, you're more like a brother that I've drunkenly made out with twice and never mentioned again. It'd be way too weird. And if we did, then whenever you'd come shopping with me, or go to one of my performances or charity events, or take me for ice cream when I've had a bad day at work, you'd be looking at me like, "I've seen her breasts." God, I can't think of anything more awkward that that.

Oh, before I forget, my mom says hi.

Anyway, you would totally hate me as your girlfriend. I'd be all needy and dramatic and slowly growing to love you. If I was your girlfriend, I would never be able to tell you all about the other asshole guys I date and pretend I don't see how much it crushes you. Let's never lose that. That's what makes us us.

Don't worry. You're so funny and smart and amazing, any girl but me would be lucky to date you. You'll find someone, I know it. And when you do, I'll be right by your side to suddenly become all flirty and affectionate with you in front of her, until she grows jealous and won't believe it when you say we're just friends. But when she dumps you, that's just what we'll be.

Best friends. Friends forever.

Driving on Empty

2009-07-26T16:03:00.000-04:00

I'm on my way to have inner with the family, driving on I-75 for what feels like the millionth time. I feel like something's missing, like something's wrong about the drive, but I don't know what.

It's not like it would be much different in any other car, unless it was something radical, or a convertible.

Maybe it's where I'm driving? Just going to The Cheesecake Fatory to celebrate my brother's birthday, which is special but not life changing for anyone.

Could it just be that I'm going by myself? Just another life event that I have no one to share with?

Or maybe I'm just hungry. Hard to say.

Crazy Morning of Dreams

2009-06-17T09:30:00.000-04:00

I fell asleep early last night, and then woke up around 3:30 am. Instead of going right back to sleep, I decided to watch a couple DVRed shows (The Bob & Tom Show and an episode of NCIS), watched a little ESPN, and then tried to fall back asleep.

And then the fun began!

In my first dream I met up with a pretty girl at a lake, where we got on a weird little jet ski type thing that had one seat and basically a place for another person in the back to stand and hold on. I could also steer from back there just from shifting my weight, it was pretty damn fun. Anyway, she steers us towards the back of docked boat, specifically towards a little ramp on the back right. She rides it up into the body of the boat and down the hallway. I realize the boat is much larger than what I could see from the outside. In fact, it connected to a tunnel that led to an underground room.

Her mother was inside the room waiting for us, introducing herself and saying she had been looking forward to meeting me. I think her father walked in started talking to me and the "camera" pulled out to show that the room was just just part of a HUGE underwater facility, kind of like the underground ones in the Resident Evil movies, and one of the "rooms" was actually a big monster. That didn't make any sense, but I knew it was a dream, so oh well.

When the "camera" went back in my head, the parents were gone and the girl and I were getting intimate. I look to my right and there sitting next to us is Mia, looking totally disinterested. I ask her to join, she ignores me. I say "come on, I know this is a dream, you can't turn me down in my dream!" and still nothing.

I woke up out of frustration.

Well, I was only half awake, I went right back to sleep and into another dream, and then another, and another. I had four or five different ones, most of which have faded away by now (aside from the fact that they kept getting weirder and weirder), but not the last one.

I was in some facility surrounded by a bunch of friends I grew up with. I don't know what kind it was, but it wasn't underwater or anything, I could see that it was raining outside. At the beginning of the dream, one of my friends, that was kind of a troublemaker when he was growing up, was wearing a white suit like from Miami Vice, getting questioned by a short security guard about holding drugs because he had a couple of packages he was going to ship out. At that point, my reaction was to think he's still getting himself in trouble. I can't remember what happened for the next 5 or 10 minutes, but we went back to the same area and the security guard went from questioning him to searching him, while a video or something was playing saying that drugs were no longer illegal. This time I was irate, yelling that my friend has been assumed guilty since elementary school as the security guard quietly finished his search and walked away. Moments later he re-appeared with an automatic handgun and open fired on the room. I ran but took some rounds in the chest and fell down.

That's when I woke up and decided not to go back to sleep.

So this morning started with Mia shooting me down in a secret underwater research facility, and ended with getting shot.

Testing Out Justin.TV

2009-06-03T15:01:00.001-04:00

Watch live video from kchrpm on Justin.tv

2:17 am...

2009-03-09T02:17:00.002-04:00

And I'm still awake, waiting for inspiration. From something or someone, I don't know what or who. To do something, I don't know what. I just feel like if I stay awake a little bit longer, something will happen to inspire me to do something that makes my life better. It never happens, but I'm still up past midnight every night for the same reason, it seems.

Twenty Five Things

2009-01-31T14:15:00.002-05:00

RULES: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs (+) on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1) My first memory is of the first word I read aloud: Goodyear. It was on a tire store on Salem Road in Trotwood that no longer exists. PS I was very excited to get high-end Goodyear tires on my current car

2) I'm TERRIBLE with money.

3) I've never drank alcohol, and have no desire to.

4) I have lots of friends, but only one I might really consider close right now.

5) I've only hung out with my best friend in person about 10 calendar days in the 7 or 8 years I've known her.

6) I'm a 27 year old virgin, and not really that embarrassed by it until people decide to make a big deal out of it.

7) I almost died when I was first born, but have not had a major illness or injury since.

8) I didn't graduate from college, and probably won't go back to finish.

9) I love Corvettes, and have made many decisions in my life based on buying one "in the next couple of years." As you may have guessed, that hasn't happened yet.

10) I didn't really care about the Bengals until 2001, but I feel that being a fan during the 2002 2-14 season is enough to overlook any "fair weather fan" accusations.

11) I am unable to truly accept the size of the divide between the relationship between best friends and that of boyfriend/girlfriend.

12) I am a techgeek that wants to be bleeding edge with everything.

13) I miss late 90s CART racing.

14) I'm on 5 or 6 dating sites at least.

15) I don't dance because all I ever want to do while dancing is act like a fool in 5 second spurts.

16) I love long, thick dark hair on women.

17) I greatly prefer cars with manual transmissions.

18) I really like Italian food, cars, motorcycles and women (just started a DVRd Everyday Italian, 2 out of 4 in HD!)

19) I've had three friends who, sometime after meeting them, became strippers.

20) I used to play trombone. I'm sure I could pick it up right now and play something, but I never do.

21) I've gone through periods of watching ESPN, G4, NFL Network and HGTV almost exclusively.

22) I get far too much enjoyment out of making complex Excel spreadsheets.

23) I love playing racing games, especially when they have Corvettes that you can put body kits and custom paint jobs on.

24) I have incredibly weak will power.

25) I sometimes have what I think are mini-panic attacks about my own mortality and the inevitability of death.

What can I say, I'm a lucky guy

2009-01-29T15:40:00.000-05:00

Got this letter today at work, informing me that I've won a one-hour, all-you-can-eat wing party for 20 people at the Hooters in Dayton. Who wants to come?

Will I Really Know?

2009-01-28T20:24:00.004-05:00

The common conception/saying/delusion is that, when you meet the right person, you'll know. Something will click. and you'll just know that they're a special person that you can be happy with.

But what happens when you get false clicks? Not just once, more like 3 or 4 times over the last 10 years. The women have ended up being really good friends, but it never clicked for them, and the farther along I got in the friendships the less I realized that falseness of the click, and it seems like after a meteoric rise, we plateau rather quickly and then fall back down somewhat dramatically as we both realize how far apart our goals actually are (ie I have one, they have none).

I'm jealous of those eHarmony commercials. They're introduced to someone, spend hours talking to them on the phone the first few nights and it's the beginning of a beautiful thing. In my case it seems more like false hope anymore than an actual indication of future happiness.

In all reality, though, it's probably just a result of my personality and flaws. Make a good first, second and third impression, but then they find out who I really am, and it's damn sure not relationship material, but still worth a laugh now and then. I'm like a duck-billed platypus or something, interesting and intriguing the first time you see it, but with the sheen of newness and uniqueness gone, just another goofy looking whatchamacallit.

Christina has great taste in gift hats

2009-01-07T14:37:00.001-05:00

It's beautiferous, one of the stretch fit ones, and impossible to find in the Eastern Time Zone.

Too bad the head model is, uh, lacking in the "look like a model" category.

A couple American versions of Sofia Vergara

2008-12-13T13:45:00.004-05:00

Christina Hendricks brings the redhead power

Kim Kardashian and her fantastically beautiful long black hair

And if you like these ladies, you'll probably find someone else you like here! Sign up for free.

Jumps up and clicks heels

2008-11-26T08:52:00.000-05:00

Nothing like hearing good news in the morning to raise your spirits for the day!

Setting false deadlines

2008-11-15T07:26:00.000-05:00

Tickets went on sale for my company's Christmas party at the Cincinnati Museum Center. It's on December 5th, and I bought two tickets, so I've given myself less than a month to actually find someone to invite. I could pretend it's like one of those movies where the hero *has* to have a date for a wedding/reunion/barmitzvah so they go through 20 comically hilarious potentials before finding their soulmate. Unless there's a sequel, then the soulmate may have disappeared in the name of profits (if they do that with Hitch I'm going to be incredibly pissed).

But if I don't find anyone to go with, there won't be some weird yet personally important damage done, I just won't have anyone to look at old stuff with.

Don't see many of these in Ohio

2008-10-28T14:06:00.000-04:00

Right hand drive Supra, complete with body kit, large rear wing and what looked like serious hardware under the hood.

Will Power Test

2008-10-08T10:26:00.000-04:00

Went to Kroger's this morning to use the Coinstar machine and get a yogurt smoothie, then remembered I had wanted to get some Reese's Pieces for a large jar that had previously been home to Planters peanuts.

That brings us to the test.

I have 3 large bags of Reese's Pieces in the car with me, and will all day. They are calling out to me, begging to be opened and sampled. But nay, I shall not open them, not even one! Not until I get home and poor them into their temporary housing.

Wish me luck!

Astrology

2008-09-23T16:12:00.000-04:00

Normally I don't really pay any attention to astrological stuff, except when I'm bored. Today is no different. Someone yesterday guessed that I was an Aries, so I of course had to look it up. Then my sign (Capricorn). Then the sign of a random friend (Pisces).

The Aries represented many of the characteristics I try to force out of myself, Capricorn mentioned some characteristics I have and some I most certainly do not (hard working? HA!) and Pisces fit the friend in question very well.

All in all, a good way to waste 20 minutes!

Took him long enough

2008-09-12T17:27:00.001-04:00

My friend Jason is finally selling prints of his awesome photography online, take a gander.

http://asylumphoto.exposuremanager.com - Models (some artistic nudity)

http://jasonharbour.exposuremanager.com Environments and Buildings

I'm probably going to get IMG 0083 from Asylum and CRW 5609 from JH, just haven't decided on sizes.

On the ski-lift

2008-08-23T16:53:00.000-04:00

The ski-lift to the alpine ride at Seven Springs resort in Pennsylvania.

That ain't right

2008-07-28T13:05:00.000-04:00

Something about seeing a cheap motel share the same parking lot with a cheap strip club just doesn't seem kosher.

Ya know

2008-07-24T21:42:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, no matter how good your luck has been and how great your day has been, you're still too scared to really take a chance for what you want.

Happy Surprises

2008-07-23T14:34:00.001-04:00

Bikini Car Wash at Hooters

Random Thoughts

2008-07-23T13:49:00.001-04:00

- I currently have a shovel and a patch of carpet that's maybe 3.5'x2'0 in my trunk. That'd probably be odd to figure out without me there to explain.

- I keep thinking about this condo, its two car garage and putting a Z06 in said garage. What I just thought about is that the garage openings are narrower than normal (because there's one door for each side instead of one big door), and the Z06 is noticeably wider than the average car.

I'll have to do some measuring, but it's possible the main reason I want a 2 car garage won't actually fit in the one I'm getting.

- I look much less goofy when "hiding" my bottom lip.

Mid-Ohio Pics - Day 1, Round 1

2008-07-18T19:29:00.000-04:00

Evil Thoughts

2008-07-16T11:18:00.001-04:00

On the highway driving to vendors, I saw an opportunity to move far forward in a slow moving line of cars. Unfortunately this opportunity was a slowly closing opening between a very slow semi in the right lane and the front of the aforementioned slow line of cars. As soon as I saw it, I was trying to do the calculations in my head.

Was the opening large enough for my car? Easily now, but it was shrinking every moment.

Do I have enough acceleration in 5th gear to get there before it's too small? No.

In 3rd? Yes, but it might be close enough that I'd need to sharply decelerate just as I passed the lead vehicle.

I decided it wasn't worth the risk and confusion/anger it might cause amongst my fellow commuters, so I slowed down and slotted back in the nearest multi-car length gap in the line.

As soon as I did, though, a thought shot into my mind.

If I was in a Vette, I would have been in that opening without a second thought.

Downshift to 3rd, V8 roaring as the speedo jumped to triple digits and got me a merging position with plenty of room to spare so I could ease back down to cruising speed after making the pass.

I can't wait til that day comes.

Odd

2008-07-13T18:44:00.000-04:00

One fortune cookie, two identical fortunes. Sounds like my style of decision making, too, so maybe it's doubly true.

I think I need more socks...

2008-07-08T19:55:00.001-04:00

Wink wink nudge nudge...all of 2 people may get that self-indulgent reference.

Good advice

2008-06-30T14:35:00.000-04:00

Potential Couch for new place

2008-06-29T14:20:00.002-04:00

The condo sale is still in the air, but I think I know what couch I'd get in there: the 5 piece Milo home theater setup from Value City in mocha.

They only had the red at the store, it was too bright for the color scheme I'm envisioning.

I hope this Z finds a good home

2008-06-11T11:01:00.000-04:00

I stopped at Beau Townsend Nissan this morning to get the pins for my skid plate, and this 350Z Nismo was sitting out front. Beautiful metallic black paint on a sweet factory body kit, huge Brembo brakes, dark Nismo wheels and a more aggressive suspension. Better mileage than the Altima, too ;)

Not remotely possible for me, have to stay focused on the condo at hand, but seemed a good deal at $33,695. I'm gonna pass the info on to my other car buddies in hopes someone mature(ish) and maintenance-minded will get it.

LOL

2008-06-09T19:34:00.001-04:00

Probably a good thing

2008-06-09T13:55:00.001-04:00

Today I was complimented on my work by one of the outside vendors. Basically he said that I was much better than anyone else that had this position previously, which isn't the highest bar from what I've been told (turnover was measured in months without needing the thumb). I thanked him but said I don't feel like I'm doing it nearly well enough, which is true.

Normally I'd chalk that up as part of my slightly neurotic mindset, a negative quality, but I think in this case, it serves in the armed forces, waging an ongoing war against my oppressive laziness. Along with pride and fear, it's keeping me an employable member of society.

My Obsession with Bengals Cars Continues

2008-06-07T22:57:00.005-04:00

But the new Nvidia Tegra line served as a little bit of inspiration as well

Re-Testing Email Method

2008-06-01T01:58:00.000-04:00

I can't get MMSs to send consistently for some unknown reason, so I want to do a little testing with the email submittion method. So far it seems like it gives a different sized font for whatever reason. Let's see how/if it handles attached images!

One small step for one large man

2008-06-01T01:51:00.001-04:00

I joined a 5 week weight loss competition at work ($100 to the winner, I think), and got Wii Fit on Friday. If I can stick to some kind of regular workout plan I should have a shot. Thinking of getting a little cycling thing that you can do while seated, but no one seems to sell them in store and I'm always wary of stuff I can't try before I buy.

Anyway, tomorrow I'll do at least 30 minutes on an exercise bike or elliptical, and make a much needed cereal run, maybe get a bunch of yogurts or something to have foodstuffs at home.

Not quite Jared

2008-05-15T06:21:00.002-04:00

A small bakery opened up down the street from me, and twice this week I've made the ~10 minute walk down there and enjoyed their wares. It's not a long walk, and the pastries I'm sampling are far from healthy, but they are delicious and it's more walking than I've done on a weekly basis since I was in college.

Next time I'm going to try a cinnamon roll...mmmmmmmmmmmm...

I love triplets

2008-05-15T06:01:00.002-04:00

No, I don't mean three identical sisters, I mean musical triplets, where you fit 3 notes where 2 notes would normally go. Even when the whole song has that basic structure (ie it's written in 6/8 time, think Tuesday's Gone) for some reason I just love that sound. I think it's just like that they're structured and known, but just slightly off the normal. They're not different just for the sake of being different, they're different because sometimes different is right. I remember in Junior High, I had to play a piano-accompanied solo for a competition that was written in 6/8 and I really enjoyed it, wonder if that was the start of it.

I miss playing...but not enough to get into a serious group that wants to practice tons, play tough music and get gigs.

Psychadelic Freakout

2008-05-12T18:41:00.002-04:00

I saw Speed Racer today, after seeing Iron Man last week, and am completely surprised at which movie I enjoyed more.

Iron Man was great, but Speed Racer was incredible. It takes the ideas from the show and amps them up to the levels that today's CGI tech can take them, making for a dazzling spectacle that just...wow. Sure the story is simple, but the directing and art direction keeps your eyes as big as silver dollars throughout every action scene.

And it slyly weaves in comments on large corporations and the nature of racing, and what they've become. Maybe it's just because I miss the way pro racing was when I was a kid, and that I still have a soft spot in my heart for the classic Speed Racer cartoons, but I found Speed Racer much more entertaining than Iron Man.

I might actually go see it again. Who wants to go with me?

I'm supremely jealous right now

2008-05-05T11:06:00.001-04:00

The vendor I'm at right now has twin widescreen 17" LCDs for his work comp. drooooooool!

Visuals rattling around in my head

2008-04-27T17:06:00.002-04:00

So apparently Sofia Vergara is popular

2008-04-22T06:53:00.007-04:00

I was checking the hit log for this blog, and there is a major trend: people from all over the world love Sofia Vergara! Almost every single hit is someone looking at Sofia Vergara is just crazy hot so let's see if I can find a little more for you guys!

And if you like her, you'll probably find someone else you like here! Sign up for free and talk to JaceyMarie

And now to the Sofia Vergara pics!

Yesterday was a fun but flawed sports day

2008-04-20T08:42:00.003-04:00

The Suns-Spurs game was an awesome double overtime event, but the Spurs ended up winning. If Shaq can stay out of foul trouble, his low post presence will prevent the Ginobli drives that killed the Suns in the final overtime, so I don't think for a second that this series is over. And how many times is Duncan going to hit a clutch three-pointer?

This Amare slam was in the first minute or so of the game, he just split the defense and elevated.

This is what happens when you drive the line with Shaq not in foul trouble.

This is what happens when you drive the lane and Shaq has 5 fouls.

And this was just ridiculous.

(images courtesy of NBA.com)

The Dragons game was a pitcher's duel for the majority of regulation. One player, Keltavious (how awesome is that first name?) Jones hit a couple of triples, and one foul ball came flying right towards my area. I was looking down at my phone when it happened, but saw my dad in the seat in front of me flinch. I looked up just long enough to spot the ball and see it curving down the line towards us. I got down as well, and the ball hit the empty seats right behind me and ricocheted down the row.

"Why didn't you even attempt to catch it?" you might ask. Because I'm terrible at catching, especially baseballs. I had to quit little league after T-ball because a) I couldn't hit a thrown ball and b) I couldn't catch a hit or thrown ball. My lack of confidence in my catching ability was so great that I would put my glove where I thought the ball was going and then stand to the side of it with my eyes closed because I *knew* I was wrong.

The game went to extra innings, tied at 3. My dad left after the 10th inning as it was getting colder and he was already battling a cold. I decided to stay, but was probably going to leave after the 11th. The action warmed things up, though.

There was a questionable call on a caught foul ball where the runner at third base tagged up and scored what would be the winning run for the visiting team, the Clinton Lumber Kings. The runner left as soon as the outfielder touched the ball, but the outfielder bobbled the ball. The catch wasn't made until after the runner had already left the base. After a game full of questionable calls being made against the Dragons, this was the final straw (even though some post-game discussion on the radio made it sound like the play was called correctly even though they couldn't find the exact entry in the rulebook that covered it).

The manager for the Dragons, Donnie Scott, stormed out of the dugout and started yelling at the ump, just as you've seen a million times on SportsCenter. The ump took it for a little bit, then threw him out. At that point, I yelled "Get your money's worth!" and Scott decided he would, though I suspect it had little to do with my request. He continued his tirade/tantrum, and began kicking dirt on the ump. The crowd went wild, and I finally saw what I thought I never would. He walked out to third base, picked it up, and heaved it. The crowd exploded with cheers, applause and laughter, not only for the pure spectacle but because he was able to express the frustration with the way the game had been called that we all felt.

Normally that would easily be the most fun part of a loss, but one of the inning-fillers for this game was the playing of the peanut butter jelly time clip from Family Guy...followed by a guy in a banana suit running onto the field and doing the dance in person! I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. This is why the Dragons have sold out every game since they started, even in a loss you have a great time.

Also on Saturday, Danica Patrick finally won her first IRL race, though I didn't get to see it or even hear about it until this morning. I'm glad she's got that monkey off her back, and I don't have to listen to people claim that she's terrible just because her best finish ever was second place instead of first.

Another Dragons' Game with Dad

2008-04-19T20:11:00.001-04:00

Using my old phone instead of the Advantage since I'm wearing jeans (and all my jeans were bought about 30 lbs ago).

It's always a fun night out, great little ballpark, good team, fun inning fillers.

One of the opposing batters just broke two bats on the same at bat. Isn't that batty?

Illinois Earthquake

2008-04-18T08:42:00.001-04:00

Last night there was an earthquake in southern Illinois whose affects were felt throughout the Midwest (or is it midwest?). At least one coworker in Cincinnati was emphatic in her affirmation when I asked if she had felt it, but all others so far were not awakened by it.

I personally didn't feel it, but did wake up just after the time it is reported to have happened (about 5:30 AM EST), and had been dreaming about a large rocket taking off towards an oversized, orange-glowing moon.

Trying to move on

2008-04-18T07:24:00.001-04:00

Addendum

2008-04-18T07:02:00.002-04:00

In reference to the aforementioned Hooters girl, I just realized something. At various points she talked about how she regularly takes my exit when coming home from work to visit one of the stores, what time she got off work, and that she didn't have anything to do that night but laundry. Given any other situation, I would have at least thought she was opening the "so do you wanna do something tonight" window, but for whatever reason it never even crossed my mind (though I would have immediately dismissed it anyway).

Maybe next time!

Still at work but not currently working

2008-04-17T19:43:00.001-04:00

I started this blog as mostly a place to put things I assumed my close friends would not enjoy listening to or be interested in discussing, and/or thoughts I felt would get ignored or ridiculed if I posted them at the forum I go to. It wasn't for stuff I wanted to have a discussion about, or things I thought were really worth sharing with a large audience. Basically this is full of throwaway thoughts, stuff that I should have just kept internalized.

I used to be much more...guarded, I guess, with my thoughts and emotions. I was never truly close with people, even my best friends, because I felt I would be insulted if I admitted them, and I'm terrible at taking insults. I still remember and am minorly affected by things that happened in elementary, middle and high school.

During college, I met people and had relationships with people where I started opening up, and this need to tell everything to someone emerged. This obsession with being connected, able to share with anyone at any moment when something awesome or miraculous happens.

The odd part of that, of course, is that what when something really great happened, it was just enough for it to happen. I didn't need to share it, to try and get other people involved in it so it felt more important than it really was. In fact, when something great happened, I usually kept it a close secret...until the shine had worn off and the diamond had revealed itself as a fake.

But there I go again, doing the writing equivalent of overacting.

I don't know, I just so much find myself in a loop anymore. I've gotten so used to sharing my life, that now I tell moderately embarrassing truths to almost anyone I feel even the slightest friendship with. Like a character monologuing to the audience, I give unneeded insight, and in doing so turn a shallow dumb action into a deep confirmation of my true failings.

A friend told me I should make this blog private and make a separate public one where I posted only about all the things I liked or he fun things I did. His reasoning was that anyone who saw this blog without knowing me would think I'm just a depressing, downer of a loser.

It's probably good advice. He has given me a lot of good advice, like don't use self-deprecating humor to make women laugh, and be guarded with compliments and emotions towards them. It's just advice that I will never take. I could say it'd feel like I'm not being true to myself, or that I'm too stubborn to change, or that I'm too immature to change. All are true.

It hurts the most when I watch people around me grow and change. I'm so happy for them to be becoming a better version of who they already are, and secretly jealous that I don't have the drive to do the same. We get along so well at first because we're so much alike, and then we grow apart as they better themselves and I remain stagnant.

I'm not determined to one day grow up and be mature. I'm not determined to do anything. I'm used to failure and the status quo, it's what I expect and it's what I plan for. When you're almost never driven to do anything, it's also what you normally get.

This post ended up almost nothing like what I expected it to be. I can only take solace in the fact that almost no one will see it, and even fewer people will read past the first subject change.

And why should they? These are just the ramblings of a college dropout who's more interested in reliving brief flashes of joy in his past than taking a chance on the future. And more interested in models and handheld computers than who should be the next president.

The same guy who tipped his waitress at Hooters nearly 100% of the bill because she was pretty and sat and talked with him for 20 minutes.

The same guy who squandered multiple chances at different jobs he would loved to progress into because of lapses in common sense and work ethic.

The same guy who knows all these things that are wrong with him, and has known for years, is too weak to fix them, and has accepted and almost embraced that he is weak.

Yet again

2008-04-17T14:01:00.001-04:00

Multiple small decisions made today that combine to make me feel really dumb. I'll just sit here and stew in my dumbness as I work.

Makes watching The Office that much funnier and more depressing at the same time. Like the moments where Jim realizes he is slowly becoming Michael.

Wrong Decisions

2008-04-03T22:19:00.001-04:00

I have a habit of making decisions that I know are wrong, but seeing them through to completion anyway. You know the episode of Seinfeld where George decides to do the opposite of what he would normally do at all times? I'm stuck in some sort of qeird quantum loop of that kind of decision making. If I know it will go great, that actually means it will blow up in my face. Not just be mediocre, but blow up.

But if I'm sure nothing good will come of it, then some crazy combo of coincidences will happen and it will go better than I could have imagined.

At least that's what it seems like in my head, and that's why I go forward with choices that make no sense and freeze up when presented with an obviously positive possibility.

The characters on Seinfeld play it up for jokes. I can't make it stop and I feel like I'm going to cry sometimes.

Typical

2008-04-01T13:36:00.001-04:00

Last week had I potentially very fun/positive events for me. One was neutered then cancelled, the second ended up in disaster and the third was cancelled. Stupid me, getting excited again, that sure put me back in my place!

Odd conversation for the day

2008-03-28T09:36:00.001-04:00

Mid-40s female coworker trying to convince me of the benefits of one-night stands, despite my insistence that I'm far more interested in a relationship than sex. And no, she doesn't mean with her.

Part of me wonders if this is the same explanation she gave herself to let her deal with her current situation.

Whenever I'm sure I want a new Camaro

2008-03-19T10:36:00.001-04:00

I see a C6 Corvette and become weak. I will just have to wait and see where the MSRP lands and how much I get taken with the family's retired GM employee discount.

And I expect a back to back test drive to be in order with a used C6.

That will be a good day.

Project Gotham Racing 4

2008-03-15T19:33:00.000-04:00

I almost bought it just for the Camaro Vert Concept...almost...instead I just rented it paid to download the car pack with the Camaro! Such a beautiful car...

Too good to be true

2008-03-14T13:52:00.001-04:00

No way this car is actually going to sell for $30k without some kind of horrible secret the ad isn't mentioning. No way. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=240631951

One fun part of human interaction

2008-03-14T13:25:00.001-04:00

is wondering if the perfectly plausible and reasonable explanation you get for something is plausible and reasonable because its true or because the person telling you is an excellent bullshitter. Whenever there's a delay on a tool build with work, I have to play that little game, and it sometimes comes up in my personal life, and I find myself being an anti-cynic and accepting whatever I'm told, with only a twinge of "that would make a great lie."

I guess I should thank CENA

2008-03-02T23:29:00.002-05:00

My experience there influenced me to go to the grocery store and just pick up some peppers and such of my own. Now I just defrost and throw em on the Foreman with the meat. Is it gourmet? Not at all, but better than what I was doing before and better than icey veggies on expensive meat.

It's funny how some things work out just how you want them to

2008-02-21T19:11:00.003-05:00

But most things don't. Turns out even a big beautiful smile isn't the window to the future it portrays itself as, and a job that is seemingly getting better and better can switch over to a PITA you put up with solely for the paycheck in just the matter of a few emails.

I'm not overly depressed about either of these things, I've already realized that alot of times bad things happen just so that the door to something good can be opened, just sometimes I wish the good I was aiming and trying for was the good I got, instead of just feeling like a pawn along for the ride.

CENA - Brazilian Steakhouse =

2008-02-16T14:04:00.001-05:00

Potentially awesome place ruined for me by chilled peppers. Might as well get it from the grocery store.

Oh my oh my

2008-02-16T08:30:00.003-05:00

Normally I'd be all over the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 that was revealed at the Mobile World Congress:

But then I saw this:

Oh my oh my oh my. Mega graphical capability, plus 10 hours of 720p video playback on one battery charge? *faints*

Evening Roundup

2008-02-14T00:11:00.002-05:00

Today...well, yesterday now I guess, had some interesting ups and downs. They were basically all just stuff that might mean something later, but the best thing (getting an awesome smile out of a beautiful woman) was immediate and forward looking at the same time, and will hopefully be the one that has the most effect going forward.

The kick-ass mobile phone chipset that was announced today is nice to look forward to as well ;)

NVIDIA APX 2500

Weezer - Say It Ain't Stuck In My Head

2008-02-13T21:16:00.001-05:00

Oh Yeah.
All Right.

Somebody's Heiney is crowning my icebox.
Somebody's cold one is giving me chills.
Guess I'll just close my eyes.

Oh yeah.
All right.
Feels good.
Inside.

Flip on the Tele... Wrestle with Jimmy.
Somethin' is bubblin' behind my back.
The bottle is ready to go.

Say it ain't so a-woah-a-woah.
Your drug is a heartbreaker.
Say it ain't so a-woah-a-woah.
My love is a life-taker.

I can't confront you, I never could do...
That which might hurt you.
Try and be cool, when I say:
This way is-a-waterslide-away-from-me-to-chase-her-fuller-everyday! Hey!
So be cool.

Say it ain't so a-woah-a-woah.
Your drug is a heartbreaker.
Say it ain't so a-woah-a-woah.
My love is a life-taker!

Dear daddy, I write you in spite of fears of silence.
You cleaned up, found Jesus, Things are good also I hear.
This bottle of Stevens awakens ancient feelings...
Like father, Step-Father...
This song is drowning in the blood! Yeah Yeah-Yeah Yeah-Yeah!

Say it ain't so a-woah-a-woah.
You drug is a heartbreaker.
Say it ain't so a-woah-a-woah.
My love is a life-taker.

Alanis might know

2008-02-05T10:50:00.001-05:00

Is it ironic for someone that gives neck and shoulder rubs to (attractive and female) coworkers to have a sore neck and shoulders and no one (attractive and female) to return the favor?

I just had the coolest thought

2008-01-27T03:27:00.000-05:00

One day I'll meet someone and we'll fall in love, and on weekend mornings we'll wake up and make waffles together. That will be awesome.

More pics from the game

2008-01-25T23:36:00.001-05:00

Cavs-Suns Pregame

2008-01-25T19:08:00.001-05:00

I shouldn't have done it...

2008-01-24T11:16:00.001-05:00

But I did! I couldn't resist, I haven't seen one of these in person in a decade or so probably.

I came, I saw, I sat in, I loved

2008-01-19T15:42:00.001-05:00

It was just too red for the camera to capture, but rest assured, it was sa-weet in person!

Wonderful

2008-01-13T23:32:00.001-05:00

Have you ever known you'd get over something, but had no idea when, so you just kept asking yourself over and over again all day if you should just pretend you were over it not in the hopes that you'd just convince yourself that you were without the obvious fact that you're not being present to all the involved parties?

Have you ever wondered if that's what people think you're doing all the time, that you're not actually over anything?

Have you ever gone to a store looking for one thing, then found something even better for half the price that you didn't even know existed, and can't prove exists other than the fact that you bought it?

Have you ever wondered if it would really be so bad to go through life as a virgin forever if it didn't also involve never being in a truly complete, wonderful, lifelong relationship?

I wonder if I'll be able to get an affordable loan on a nice house that also rolls in my other debts.

I wonder if I'll be a fool for what I may try to do tomorrow after work, or I'll be a fool for not trying.

I wonder if I'm just a fool period.

I wonder if I wonder too much.

Do you?

Sofia Vergara is just crazy hot

2008-01-13T22:40:00.002-05:00

And if you like her, you'll probably find someone else you like here! Sign up for free.

Sarah Silverman is crazy hot...well, crazy and hot

2008-01-13T22:29:00.000-05:00

The drive in

2008-01-08T08:54:00.001-05:00

Just felt like taking some pictures of the drive in. Was slowed by traffic, two accident scenes with police on sight and a train, but only got a shot of the train, sorry.

Happy Belated Birthday To Me!

2008-01-07T15:51:00.001-05:00

Happy Belated Birthday To Me! My birthday was ok, if not predominantly uneventful other than a conversation with a couple young brunettes, but today is leaning to the sucky side. My stomach hasn't been happy day, so I'm just sitting her bubbling and rumbling while I get more tasks thrown on me that I don't have the access or training to do, and some are due tomorrow morning! Yay!

I'm looking forward to my birthday dinner tonight pushing me over the edge and the rest of the night curled up on the floor trying not to ache/splurt all over.

"The Advantage"

2008-01-04T02:51:00.001-05:00

I mentioned it in my last post, but didn't expand on it. CompUSA had all their cellphones on sale for 30% off because of their liquidation efforts, so I picked this up, an HTC Advantage X7501.

Watching Matrix Revolutions right now instead of sleeping for some reason, and I'm wondering what year it actually took place in.

Posting from the Advantage

2007-12-31T17:00:00.001-05:00

Just got a new, compatible SIM card from Best Buy and I'm good to go!

Still like a teenager

2007-12-28T21:36:00.001-05:00

I'm at an upscale restaurant/lounge with low lights, live music and little black dresses, and it just makes me think opportunities lost and playing Rock Band...

Wish I knew how to approach one of the occupants of those dresses.

Not mature just yet

2007-12-26T09:39:00.001-05:00

"I think I'll be a good dad someday...as long as I don't have to change diapers."

"Well that's not fair, why shouldn't you have to change diapers?"

"Cause there's poo in em!"

I'm gonna be a star

2007-12-25T07:53:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T06:22:00.001-05:00

Wright Flyer Replica in Dayton Airport

2007-12-24T23:37:00.001-05:00

Excelling at the Mundane

Deja Vu...sort of

Sucker Punch: A Short Review

Thoughts of an amateur chef

Just trying out the new Blogger app

I've been neglecting Blogger!

Dunbar Willow Plate

Dunbar Willow

Live music at the Tazza Mia grand opening

Hippy infestation

Learning salsa in downtown Cincinnati

New Hooters Mascot

Convenient card holder

Convenient card holder

At Training Camp

Jungle Jim's

Random racing theme

Lots of tomatoes

El cheapo wine

Uh, ok?

The map

Just inside the doors

So now I have an easier way to post to Blogger...

Just testing out Pixelpipe, simultaneous upload to multiple accounts with one post.

Windows Phone 7 Series - How It Should Be Done

Perhaps I spoke too soon...

Is the Motorola Backflip my next phone?

Holiday Shots from the WX1

One more: Google Wave

While I'm in a posting mood...

It's been a while!

Sound Familiar? Every guy has heard it, every woman has said it

Driving on Empty

Crazy Morning of Dreams

Testing Out Justin.TV

2:17 am...

Twenty Five Things

What can I say, I'm a lucky guy

Will I Really Know?

Christina has great taste in gift hats

A couple American versions of Sofia Vergara

*Jumps up and clicks heels*

Setting false deadlines

Don't see many of these in Ohio

Will Power Test

Astrology

Took him long enough

On the ski-lift

That ain't right

Ya know

Happy Surprises

Random Thoughts

Mid-Ohio Pics - Day 1, Round 1

Evil Thoughts

Odd

I think I need more socks...

Good advice

Potential Couch for new place

I hope this Z finds a good home

LOL

Probably a good thing

My Obsession with Bengals Cars Continues

Re-Testing Email Method

One small step for one large man

Not quite Jared

I love triplets

Psychadelic Freakout

I'm supremely jealous right now

Visuals rattling around in my head

So apparently Sofia Vergara is popular

Yesterday was a fun but flawed sports day

Another Dragons' Game with Dad

Illinois Earthquake

Trying to move on

Addendum

Still at work but not currently working

Yet again

Wrong Decisions

Typical

Odd conversation for the day

Jumps up and clicks heels