Crap

I've been online taking some basic math tests, and I'm finding that I've forgotten most of my algebra skills. There was a question that if Hank could paint a house in 6 hours and Sally could paint one in 4, how long would it take if they both painted the house? I don't remember that crap! I'm no painter of houses. Hell, the way I see it, so long as it gets done who gives a damn how long it takes? And are we factoring in smoke breaks and lunch breaks? Do Hank and Sally know each other? Would they ever have the opportunity to meet up to paint this one house that is so similar to all the others that they paint? Would Hank and Sally get along together and would anything flourish between the two? Hell, Hank could develop an inferiority complex because he can't paint a house as fast as Sally prompting him to work even slower than he already does. They don't take these factors into consideration, do they? I guess that's why I'm a comp-lit major and not a mathematician. Oh well. Better brush up. And even if my math skills are gone, at least I can take comfort in the knowledge that I'll never be a mandana wearing choadwank preying on the innocence, vulnerability and gullibility of others.

Work Schedule

Tuesday-Sunday: 4-9. Money.

Music for 11/29/08

I think it's going to be a Charlie Parr day today. I know I'm breaking my rule of no more than 3 videos a day, but I wanted to play a quadrology of songs by Mr. Parr. The song titles go King Earl, Cheap Wine, Asa Jones' Blues, Public Record Rag. Here's a brief summation of what the story is in the songs: Asa Jones gets framed by Frank the liquor store owner for King Earls death. Frank then gets robbed and shot by the character in public record rag. The songs are actually spread out over 3 albums. Charlie also recently released a new album entitled Roustabout. Here's a description of that from his website:

Roustabout is Charlie's seventh full-length CD release. It's a field recording in true monophonic sound recorded over a month's time in a variety of locations including living rooms, garages, barroom basements, and empty storefronts.

Enjoy.


King Earl


Cheap Wine


Asa Jones' Blues


Public Record Rag

Unproductive Today

Don't expect much. My choice becomes clearer each day, but I won't get any solidity until Tuesday. Blast. And even that will only give me the information I need to decide what route to take. Then I need to talk to my adviser(s) to make sure I'm graduating on time and if I can petition my classes. If not. Well, I guess we'll see what happens.

Music for 11/28/08

Broken West

Auctioneer

Birdmonster

Only One

Ferraby Lionheart

A Crack in Time

NOTABLE MENTIONS:

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You

Evidence

Evidence that striving to be a d'bag can kill you.

Thanks HCwDB.

Also

I'm either about to do something really stupid, something necessary or I'll somehow be dissuaded. Perhaps a combination. I'll let you all know in a few days if this decision is one of the above mentioned and which it is. Until then, here's my dog Frank:Frank's great. They say that dogs are man's best friend. It's true. Whenever I go home the first person I want to say "hi" to is my dog. Always reliable, always friendly, always loving, never makes me feel bad. But she's just pining for a good scratching. And food. An easy woman to please, I guess. And yes, my dog's name is Frank and it's a girl. It's not short for anything and it's a stupid story, so just deal with it.

Photos From Thanksgiving

I know that I'm opposed to folks taking photos of themselves, but the difference(s) between me and everyone else is (are) that 1) I know how to work a camera, 2) I'm not in front of a mirror and 3) I have a tripod. Anyways, I figured I couldn't let Thanksgiving pass by without a photo of me looking like a con man from the early 20th century, so I decided to take a few photos to highlight how cool I look(ed). If I could dress like this every day I would. It's far better than jeans and a t-shirt, but the shoes could be more comfortable. Enjoy.

Music for 11/27/08

Dammit Scott! You've introduced an infinite greatness to my life! With these guys and others you've gotten me into I realize how crappy most of the music I listen to is and how awful pretty much everything else is (though I knew about the latter long ago). AGH! FUCK! Why did I scroll down! This really upsets me. Scott, perusing some of the comments on an Elvis Costello video for "Chelsea" I discovered that one of those no-talent hacks from the Jonas Brothers cites "Chelsea" as his favorite song. Those fuck-mooks don't deserve the brilliance of Elvis Costello and couldn't hold a candle to his song-writing ability or talent with an instrument. At least the songs below and everything else Mr. Costello, Mr. Lowe and those of their variety will be legendary for centuries and even millenia to come whereas those Disney-marketed tools will quickly fade from the universe and hopefully go careening off a cliff in one of their tour buses. It just irks me that such shards of crap think they're emulating Godliness. It's like Sarah Silverman saying she's inspired by Woody Allen. Fuck off you royal tart! Ugh. Anyways, enjoy the music.

Nick Lowe

I Read A Lot

Nick Lowe/Rockpile

Cruel to be Kind

Elvis Costello

Chelsea

NOTABLE MENTIONS:

Nick Lowe - Heart

Yep

Three hours until I get out of Seaport and make my not so long or arduous trek home. Here's some Nick Lowe:

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

UPDATE:

One hour left until my journey northward!

Um...

Seriously?

Thanks Heckler Spray (Link on the left).

BLAST!

I made it here to turn my paper in and now I'm stuck staying here for the rest of the hour! Dirty little S.O.B. Oh well, at least I have my computer. After this I'll have to split to work and do all of that crap. 1-9, my friends, 1-9. When I make it back into town I'll get to hang out with Sam and help him out with his packet of justice. Yaw, yaw, yaw. I imagine I'll end up just rambling for the next hour or so.. Incoherent sentences and thoughts. Scott, I owe you three slices of ham, 8 cups of coffee, two slices of bread and a chicken sandwich. Something in the fridge smells, but I can't figure out what it is. Hiss. I hate to brag, but I'll be looking rather sharp tomorrow. I imagine photos will be taken from Thanksgiving dinner. DAMMIT! I forgot my camera. Oh well, I have time to go back to the apartment before work. Ugh, the commie's talking again. I hope my truck will get me back home today. I'm a little under a half a tank of gas. I know it takes me a little over a quarter tank, so I should be fine. I just don't want to have to fill up. Blargh! Gha! I had three mugs of coffee, but my brain is still all cloudy and foggy and dead. I got decent sleep. 3-9. What on Earth could it be? I wonder if my brain would still be cloudy and foggy in space. Maybe the lack of gravity would allow me to be a super smarty. I know I'd be a little taller in space due to that lack of gravity. Why does Putman keep talking? He's so boring! 30 minutes left. Jeez, I really don't ever talk about anything on this thing, do I? Jiminy Christmas! I have another paper due on Monday. I'll hopefully get to reading the material before Sunday, but I know I probably won't. 8 pages. Sigh. Well, I can pick up the play when I go to grab my camera. Y'know, I really don't like taking photos of people at these family events. Nobody wants their photo taken and everyone (mom) says "oh, take photos of everyone." I dont' mind taking photos of bands, and I like getting photos of people in their natural elements, but the problem with that is you have to catch people off guard, and when you're the only one running around with a gigantic camera in a small location, what the hell am I supposed to do? The other bad thing about photography is when you do take photos of something "interesting" you end up having tons of photos of the same thing and upon review, it's really not that interesting. 20 minutes. I mean, how many photos can you take of a fire? or a bird? or a flower? I remember one day I took about 300 photos of a trolley problem, when I was done, what did I have? Nothing. Crap, there's a hole in my sock. I knew there was one and despite the fact that I had plenty of other socks without holes I chose to be lazy and just wear the ones I had chosen. Yeah. Nothing to talk about. I guess it happens to all of us. We're talking about the Cuban Missile Crisis right now. If I remember correctly, that was my "nick name" for a short period of time. You can't really call it a nick name if it's longer than my actual name. I don't get this whole "Andy's Cuban, so let's just call him Castro" thing. What I don't understand is why people would call me Che. Che was Argentinian, not Cuban. He just helped Castro with the Cuban revolution. I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but Che is actually part of my family history. I know that I have my grievances towards the commies, but I can't really hate Che. He had the heart to help the people and genuinely wanted to do good. The man wasn't a revolutionary to begin with, he was a doctor. Y'know, I really hate those Che shirts. I also hate those Bob Marley shirts and those Beatles shirts. People just buy these things without any actual knowledge of the person/people themselves. A true communist wouldn't buy a Che shirt, they'd make their own, or they wouldn't have any money to make or buy one. Only stoners buy Marley shirts because they're idiots who believe the only thing he stood for was smoking a lot of marijuana. 10 minutes. People say that I should give the general populous a chance and that you can't judge everyone because everyone's different, but honestly, yes you can. You can't honestly believe that everyone in the world has something to say or that they're interesting. People criticize me for "hating everything." While I don't hate everything or everyone, I don't mind having a general dislike for most of the people on this planet. And I don't find anything wrong with that. I'll certainly give people a chance if they decide to give me one, but I'm not going to go out of my way to make nice with everyone when I can tell that I really won't give a damn. Gotta Go.

UPDATE:

Ok, back on this rant and I'm at work now. See, if you're about to be harsh or critical about my statement just now, you don't really have the right. We all do it. I don't know one person who makes the effort to talk to everyone or make nice with every single skid mark they meet. People make judgements based on appearances all the time. Sure, you might say "Andy, you're wrong, there was this one person I thought was a complete jerk/idiot, but once I talked to him/her they were actually super nice." Bullshit. We try to convince ourselves that there are people out there who can validate our own lives by looking for some hope that the general populous aren't a selfish lot who seek only personal gain. If we can discover those without ulterior motives, then perhaps it helps us to strive to better ourselves. I'm not saying these people don't exist, but I do believe that they are few and far between. So, what does that make me? I can't say exactly. Some of you may say "Andy, you're too hard on yourself" but I don't know about that. Am I out for my own selfish purposes? I would say yes. I want my quality of life to improve, I'm out to make myself happy and strive for more than mediocrity, but I'm also willing to better the lives of those around me if it means that validation. I'm as much a victim of the search for validation as the next person. But if we aid others in their quests, does that necessarily state that we ourselves are "good" people? If the only reason for helping others is to make us feel good about ourselves, is it still sound to consider oneself virtuous or morally correct? But who out there can truly judge "goodness," "morality" or "virtue?" If you say that I'm wrong in my rant here, take a look at yourself and think, "why am I doing what I'm doing? Is it for myself or for the betterment of others?" And if you can without a doubt tell me that you are a selfless individual seeking only the happiness of others, then let me know. I'd like to meet you.

Wow, I didn't plan on writing all that or making it remotely serious. I guess it's been a while since I wrote one of those. Oh well, too late.

Just Finished

I still need to insert my citations, but the paper itself is done. I'm also proud that I got to rip on Jane Fonda a little. Here's a quote from my paper: "Take that, Hanoi Jane!" Yep. It's promising to be a good one. Anyways, sleep for now. Finishing touches in the morning.

Words of Wisdom

A cornered fox is more dangerous than a jackal.

Music for 11/26/08

Elvis Costello

Red Shoes <-- Link to live version from '78

Ferraby Lionheart

Small Planet

Phoenix

Consolation Prizes

NOTABLE MENTIONS:

We Are Scientists - Worth the Wait

Yikes!

I've got my 12 sources, now I just need to skim them and deliver 6 pages of fiery justice! And when I say fiery justice I mean a steaming pile of crap. I work until 9, so I'll likely read/skim my sources here and write the damned thing when I get home. Meaning I'll be finished by 1 or 2 because of procrastination. Oh, Scott, I met a friend for lunch today on campus and while we were walking we ran into that pud-faced faux-intellectual that sits at Rob's table in Frampton's class (the one who made the comment about the whole myspace thing being "one of those things"). Complete tool (not that I actually needed an encounter with him to be able to say that with certainty). He tried to get me to sign up for a "free press" paper he was trying to start and kept complaining about the "oppressive" system of SDSU and wanted this thing to be a critique on the prints at SDSU like the Aztec and the Koala and the professors who won't allow liberties in writing. He was saying that the Koala was producing negative stereotypes and blah, blah, blah (I just said it wasn't funny, which it isn't). He made statements about people in "the arts" reading and reviewing his soon-to-be crap "publication." He seemed offended when I said no, which made me smile. That's my bit. Back to work.

UPDATE:

If I get off of my ass fast enough upon returning home, this paper should go rather quickly. But I won't. So it'll be a long night.

UPDATE 2:

Dammit, dammit, dammit! Right when I'm about to hunker down and get on this damned paper the anxiety hits and I can't think of a damned thing to say. I want a smoke to calm my nerves, but it's raining outside. Fuck, shit, balls. Screw it, I'm going outside. Marionette will keep me dry. At least I can always rely on my truck. Oh, Marionette, if only you were a real person. Actually, probably best you weren't. Sigh. 10:20 right now. Ok, death-stick time.

UPDATE 3:

Ok. It's almost midnight. I had my 20 minute smoke break and I just got out of the shower. I'm two pages into this paper and it's going faster than I'd anticipated. I guess that's what happens when you actually have "research" done. I'm guessing I'll have this done by 2am. This will be the only thing I have to do today, so I can sleep in a bit, turn in the paper, get to work and go home. Sigh. It's going to be a long day. It's coming down out there. I need a sandwich.

Music For 11/25/08

Sea Wolf

Middle Distance Runner

Norman Greenbaum

Spirit in the Sky
A note on the Norman Greenbaum one: For some reason whenever I hear this song I imagine a scene in an action movie where the hero steps into a room full of villains wearing his suit and shades, smoking his cigarette and proceeds to dispatch of them all with several slow motion shots and slaughtering fun. One day, if I ever become a star in action movies, it'll happen.

The Beach Boys

Help Me Rhonda

Notable Mentions:

Elvis Costello & the Attractions - Living in Paradise

Compare to This

And this

And this

And this

Yep. Better than Con Air.

More Con Air

Explanation for Con Air's Greatness

Anyone In San Diego

Is there anyone still down here who wants to hang out with me tonight so that I don't just play Mega Man 9 all night or drink by myself? Also, Scott, Jim (Gam) installed a new sink for us. No more leaking, works great so far. Ok. That's all I've got.

UPDATE:

Nevermind, all taken care of.

Music For 11/24/08

So, as I've gone a bit video crazy as of late, I've decided (and Sam agrees) that the video section will be held to three videos a day, but not including the "Notable Videos" section. I figure I'll try to keep only 3 on that one as well, but who knows. Today's post will have an original and a cover song. Look down a few lines to see what those are. I'll also find another one to post for #3. Or maybe not.

Stealers Wheel

Stuck in the Middle with You

The Motts (WMMF side project)

Stuck in the Middle with You

Birdmonster

Born to be Your Man (the sound quality isn't the best on this one, but I really like the intro and wonder why they chose to leave it off the final recording of the song)

Notable Mentions:

Elvis Costello & the Attractions - Little Triggers

Sigh

Just finished. It's crap. I know it is. I don't care, so long as I get a C. Hell, I'll even settle for points. I get to rewrite my first one. But dammit, I can't seem to focus on these papers anymore. I just pump out incoherent crap (sorry for the visual). I don't even have any citations. I mean, all I was using was Plato's Republic, but I didn't cite what parts of it my "arguments" came from. Ugh. Alright, I'm going to sleep.

Sorry Folks

No Poetry Sunday again this week. Next week might be skipped as well. It's getting down to the end of the wire and you all know how I love to procrastinate my papers. And unfortunately those papers are usually due on Mondays, leaving Sunday my day of cramming in as many pages as I can into whatever paper is due the next day. You can at least count on a steady flow of music and short posts like this one. Which may make you wonder, "he can write these annoying little things but can't post PS?" I'll tell you why that is: Believe it or not, it takes a bit of effort to dumb yourself down to the point of hipster loserness with the whole "Andy's going to write poetry resembling the crap that hipsters believe have artistic merit" thing. Actually, it's not that hard. So I guess if I finish tonight's paper at a reasonable hour I might have one for you all, but no promises. And if any of you want to help me out on this paper to see if I have cohesive sentences that'd be great. I don't really like going over my own work because I know it's crap and I'm usually ok with whatever I get, but I guess I sort of need to try on this paper. Eh, no big deal. Anyways, I'll talk to you all soon. Hopefully. Unless I'm crushed by a bookshelf. Oh, and before I go, we sort of have a pet. Not really a pet, but an animal that roams around the alley that we see quite a bit and (at least I) decided to take on as a mascot. Reggie. He's a skunk. I'll try to get a photo of Reggie one of these nights. Reggie's a friendly skunk. And he's too cool for school.

Damn The Cuteness!

How can you not say "aw?"

On How I Was Inebriated By 11am Or Why My Day Is Starting at 2pm

I awoke this morning at 7:30 in order to prepare myself for the filming of a video. The video happens to be for the group project that I mentioned earlier during the week. In this video we had to act out a scene from Thomas Dekkar's Shoemaker's Holiday, delivering lines and all of that nonsense. If you've gathered anything from this blog, you probably know what Scott can come up with and needless to say, we're taking liberties with this video. I can't (won't) say much, but I can say that a time machine is involved. This still doesn't explain why I had the drink in me before 11am. Or maybe it does. Either way, the reason I was is simply that the character I was portraying had his particular vices. He didn't actually have these vices, I just chose to put those vices in the video and ended up smoking and drinking on and off camera. I'm not necessarily proud of being intoxicated that early in the morning, and I don't believe I'll be doing it again. Although I do hope that my professor is concerned. Seeing as I have a paper due tomorrow, I decided I shouldn't be drunk while writing it and felt I should sleep off the alcohol prior to starting the paper. 11:30 am, I returned to my sleeping attire. Cut to now, I've added two videos to the music section and am getting ready to read the essay prompt and write that damned paper (only 4 pages, no big deal). I'll be sure to keep you all updated on the progress of this group project. It will be done by the 3rd (or is it the 5th?) and ready for presentation. If you check back to that link up above, that is where the video will eventually be posted. Also, it would appear as though Scott is heading home for the holidays after he works today, meaning I'll be here all by my lonesome. I head home on Wednesday night after work and return to San Diego Friday morning to work once again. The semester's almost over. I can't wait. Presumably one semester left after this one. I just need to get off of my ass and petition some classes. Lousy Comparative Literature 220 being the same as 210, but needing 210 which is offered every other year and I didn't take it because I already had 18 units of essay-writing madness. BLAST!

Music for 11/23/08

Elvis Costello

Green Shirt

Violent Femmes

Gone Daddy Gone

Violent Femmes

Kiss Off

Matthew Sweet

Sick of Myself

Patrick Park

Something Pretty <--Regarding this video, it sucks. But the song I really like. I found out about him through WMMF a few years back when I saw them at the Troubadour, he was one of the openers. I also discovered Sea Wolf at that show, too. And Feraby Lionheart. Good show, all in all.

Another Thing About Work

I think it's great. As I mentioned earlier during the week, there happens to be a "No Internet" sign in the store along with loads of other stuff that we're supposed to or not supposed to do. I seem to have some sort of exemption to these rules. Maybe that's because I do all of the work around here. That's not true. I do a lot of work around here and I know my stuff. I hate to gloat, but my customer service skills are excellent (unless I don't like you or you give me a hard time, then I'll make your time slow and painful). Either way, for some odd reason they let me get away with a lot of mischief here. Not to say that I abuse that privilege. The only powers I'd abuse are super powers. But...y'know...I don't get to have those...yet (maybe if they made the super-soldier serum that made Captain America, I'd be first in line for that goodness). Maybe the reason they let me get away with things like placing my head on celebrities' bodies is because they need me. Or because they don't like firing people. Or because for some reason they value my workmanship. I don't know. Maybe I'll find out one day.

What With Work and All

I've been looking at my ticketmaster/goldenvoice emails to see who's going to be playing in SD/LA and I'm seeing some good things. This is a bad thing as I recall when I was working I spent most of my money on concerts. Blast. So far the planned events are English Beat and the Oingo Boingo tribute band Dead Man's Party. I also saw a listing for Andrew Bird playing with Loney, Dear at El Rey in February. That's a possibility. Ah, to be 21. Now I can actually go and see these shows I've wanted to get into for quite some time. The fact that I'm earning an income again means that I'll be spending quite a bit. I calculated my first paycheck and $450 (before taxes) will be coming my way the 1st of December. If I can manage to spend as little of that as possible and live off of peanut butter and honey sandwiches for a while I'll have my .38 by mid-December. This is exciting news. Meaning I'll have finals, finish them, then shoot things. Lots of things. Preferably with a collared shirt, tie, sunglasses and cigarette. I think I'll buy myself a shoulder holster for it. Yiii.

Andy's Thanksgiving Work Schedule

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 4-9
Wednesday: 1-9
Thursday: Off
Friday: 4-9
Saturday: 4-9
Sunday: 10-4

Sorry, Sam. I guess I'll be missing another desert excursion of firearm greatness. Although I will try to switch my schedule on Saturday to go and see English Beat at the Belly Up. If you'd like to see the fun I'll be getting into that night (assuming the schedule switch goes according to plan) then look at today's music selection. Ah, to have work hours again...

Hot Cheetos

7 seconds.

On The Crock Pot Post

I haven't forgotten about it, I just haven't had the time to put it down or formulate it in coherent sentences. It's still coming, you all just need to think of it like the slow cooker itself, it's coming. Although I'm sure most of you had forgotten that I'd even written anything about a crock pot. Anyways. Work today, 4-9. Reading to do and papers to start. I'll post when I can, so somewhere from the 4-9 time frame. Posting at work really helps to pass the time. And of course, updates to the music section throughout the day.

Music Videos For 11/22/08

Warren Zevon

Lawyers, Guns and Money

Jordan Zevon

This Girl

English Beat

Save it for Later

The Clash

Train in Vain

Other Notables:

Weezer - El Scorcho
Johnny Cash - It Comes and Goes

Ah, Home From Work

First thing? Bourbon. A smoke may follow and/or accompany. It's going to be a rough weekend with papers, presentation work and reading. I know I'll put it all off until Sunday, but I keep telling myself there's a chance I get started tomorrow. Time to take my sleeping medicine. And when I say sleeping medicine I mean staying up until roughly midnight with the drink in me. If you need anything then call or text. Word to your collective mothers.

On What Could Have Been One Of The Coolest Things Ever

If you're anything like me (hopefully not too much like me) then you've contemplated the early 20th Century and its inventions and all of the things that made their world better than ours (Imperialism, healthy cigarettes, acceptable chauvinism, WWII, three-piece suits all year long, hard-boiled detectives, etc.). One of my favorite things to come out of that time period is the topic of today's musings. Zeppelins. No, not the band that takes themselves far too seriously, but Airships. Granted, my fascination with these inflated inventions was fostered a bit by hours of Final Fantasy 7, but there would be no "Highwind" if these "blimps" (which I find to be a derogatory term towards zeppelins) had never left the ground (shut up, Wright Brothers). But the zeppelin was the slow moving form of transportation that those crazy Germans loved so much. In fact, in the historically accurate movie The Rocketeer we see one with the Nazi swastika flying over Washington D.C. Why wasn't there more popularity towards the zeppelin? I imagine part of it has to do with those very Germans using them as a weapon. Possibly because the hull is easily penetrable, but mainly I think it was the "Hindenberg". There's speculation as to how the fire was started, but once it sparked that baby went down (up, if you're referring to the flames) faster than President Garfield's time in office (too soon?). Yes, the "Hindenberg" ruined zeppelin travel for the rest of us. Think about it, if Zeppelins had become popular during their time technology would have eventually run its course and produced personal zeppelins, affordable for all incomes, commuter zeppelins for long distance travel, cruise airships, casino airships (the only time I'd ever want to go on a cruise or gamble). Traffic would be cut in half as people would take to the skies rather than those blasted motorways. Transatlantic travel could be done without the aid of sails or waves and parking would be absolutely absurd! They could be made to float, deflate, be made more compact for easy storage and eventually the hulls and skins would be made near impenetrable. Airships would have their own racing leagues and wouldn't be restricted to flashing Goodyear adverts above football stadiums. But what would intrigue me the most would be the opportunity for piracy. Air piracy. The skies wouldn't be safe! It would be a new frontier for outlaws, lawmen, imperialists and those looking for adventure. Think of all the jobs that would be offered. It can still happen, if only those fat cats would realize the money to made in zeppelin manufacturing and R&D. I guess I'm once again far too hopeful for one of my wild dreams to come true, meaning the next piracy/new frontier traveling opportunity I'll have is if the government either A) speeds up their space program or B) speeds up their cryogenic (they froze Han Solo in carbonite, dammit! <-- 1:20-1:22, HAHA!) freezing process to put me in hibernation until these things are realized. Until next time, friends. And remember: Updates throughout the day on the music post.

Music Videos For 11/21/08

We Are Scientists

I've Been Hit

WMMF

Self-Destruct

Other Notable Songs:

The Who - Getting in Tune
Weezer - In the Garage
The Mountain Goats - Source Decay
Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone

Lately I've been reminiscing on my youth and remembering lots of bands that I used to listen to and songs that made me feel good and that I could relate to. Many of those songs still hold true to this day, which is why I've been posting lots of bands and music that aren't Birdmonster or WMMF (though I'm clearly still posting them as well). I only hope that those of you who feel like you don't have the time to look at all these take the time to check them out. Or not. Seeing as they only have sentimental value to me I guess there's really no need for you to check them out, but whatever. If you do, you do. If not, no loss. The links are usually to ones that have embedding disabled or are simply a photo and the entire song playing with one image the entire time. I grew up with the Who as my dad was (is) a huge fan and Weezer is great for their nerdy rise to fame. While I detest their album Make Believe, they've certainly put out some great songs and their latest is worth listening to. Anyways, that's enough for now. Check back for updates to today's music selection. Or don't.

On Some Excitement This Fine Morning

As I was brushing my teeth and getting ready for class I received a knock on my door that I thought was my landlord stopping by to fix our kitchen sink. By the second knock I'd thrown my shirt on and made it to the door only to see four Federal Marshalls standing with dark sunglasses and bad facial hair. They began asking me questions about my name, my roommate, how long I had lived in the apartment, what race my roommate Scott Benson was (they asked if he was Vietnamese). After being thoroughly disheartened that we were not the person they were looking for, nor did/do we know who this person is/was, they left to question our neighbors and landlord. I only wish I knew what this woman they were looking for had done. Federal Marshalls at my door, in my apartment. Scott and I have a feeling that our neighbor below us is somehow involved in drugs and possibly the smuggling and sale of drugs. Every night at 10pm she leaves for roughly 15 minutes. She has nothing when she leaves and nothing when she returns. We have no idea what she does. We have theories of drugs, snack/fast food rendezvous, the feeding of a friend's pet, the visiting of an elderly relative, but none of it makes sense. Nothing except drugs. The one who rents the apartment below us is a trucker that goes from SD to LA and back every day. I think he's got his hand in the smuggling business and maybe she's making her safe sale every night at 10. But it doesn't explain how she can leave and return with nothing on her. Or maybe I just haven't noticed anything on her. When the Marshalls showed up at my door, a part of me hoped that it was to crack down on their theoretical smuggling ring. I imagined a foot pursuit and an eventual gunning down of some drug dealers/smugglers, but obviously none of this happened. Maybe that day will come, but for now I can only hope and dream.

Music Videos For 11/20/08

What Made Milwaukee Famous

Hellodrama

Birdmonster

Skeleton Suit

Chisel (Ted Leo's band before the Pharmacists)

Out For Kicks

Birdmonster

New Country

Social Distortion

Don't Take Me For Granted

Other notable videos

Social Distortion - Bad Luck
Johnny Cash - Born to Lose

I Should Be Reading

Or studying, or working on some group projects and papers, but instead I still have the glazed over feeling as though nothing wants to get in or out of my brain. I can't figure it out. I had my coffee today, which I haven't had in about a week and I'm still feeling this way. Maybe I over slept? I don't know. But what I do know is that I have no sense of time anymore. I'm trying to keep up with my work, but I don't know how well I'm doing at that. Clearly not too well if I'm writing on this instead of writing my papers. Anyways, I guess I'll get to my reading and papers. Maybe if I finish early I can sit around doing nothing for a while. Because that's what I do with my free time. Absolutely nothing.

New Country

I know I've posted this, but it's too damned good. Also, seeing as how I often post several videos in a day and it takes up a new post each time, I think I may just have a "videos of the day" section where I'll post the videos that I happen to listen to each day and add additional ones if I feel like it. Maybe that will start tomorrow. Maybe not. I only ate a Peanut Butter and Honey sandwich today along with some stale toast, so I'm starving and have no food in me and am starting to get dizzy. I'm chewing gum to trick my stomach, but I don't know how long that will last. I guess I'll be having fast food again. A little less than an hour until work's over. Jeez, I need food.

Work (and Not Working)

As it is a slow night at work and I've roughly 45 minutes until my break, I figured I would attempt to grace you all with some sort of post about work and the fact that I can post at work. I know that eventually I will be complaining about my situation, but before I get to that point in my life again I guess I should point out some of the good things about returning to Seaport that are not solely monetary (although that is a big part). For one, the crazies and the drifters. Down here in San Diego we have a wide variety of nut jobs who seem to find their way to my place of work. Example: Yesterday during my last fifteen minutes of work I happened to notice a scraggly fellow wander in front of the store where he then noticed our camera and television facing all of the outsiders. The same camera that is facing the outsiders giving them a glimpse of their (not so) beautiful selves. This man must have either been insane or on drugs, possibly both, as for my last 15 minutes he stood amazed at his own appearance on the TV. He observed how cool he was taking a drag from his cigarette and exhaling all of that nicotine-y goodness. This he did for quite some time and even tried walking toward and away from the camera to see if perhaps he could avoid its unblinking gaze. He was still at it when I left for home. I wonder if he remembers anything. Aside from the interesting people who frequent Seaport, there are also the new employees. While I miss all of the folks I used to work with, it would appear as though we have a batch of friendly faces. Not to mention the fact that the no good, lazy communist who chooses to show up late every day will not return after tomorrow. He is moving to New Mexico. For a year. I will not be here once May rolls around. While there are still some people who have not left, the fresh faces are youthful and roughly my age, so perhaps I might actually make friends. Not that I need to. One more thing about this place that sort of makes me smile is the respectful and grateful customer. In fact, earlier today a group of Asian gentlemen said to me "you're the man!" for simply charging their batteries and telling them to return if they needed them recharged while on their stay here in San Diego. This was made even more humorous due to the thick accents produced by said Asian gentlemen. No, my life may not be exciting and I may not be an interesting character, but the little things in my day help me to deal with the mediocrity produced by yours truly. I'm buying cigars. Oh, and Sara, here's the link to the post I was telling you about earlier today.

Cheap Wine

By What Made Milwaukee Famous

Posted on the other blog. Good song. In my opinion anyways.

Also: Scott introduced me to Heckler Spray. It's now on the toolbar to the left.

KCRW

32:22

On My Not So Triumphant Return to Seaport

Everything is as I expected it to be. Nobody shows up, even on Cruise Ship days (Tuesdays). I'm fairly certain that Omar is up to illegal activities. My welcome back was nonexistent and my holding cell is even more cramped than before. I avoided the "No Internet" sign on our printer and periodically checked my email and thought about posting something lengthy at work, but then remembered that Omar is "always watching" and thought better of it, though I did visit HCwDB and my regular blogging sites. I forewent my lunch meal and replaced it with a 30 minute smoke break. For some reason we no longer have the option of taking a 10 minute break during a 6 hour day and must take a 30. I'm still questioning the legality of that. I gave a couple from Texas (who both work in law enforcement) three free photo CDs and charged them for only two others. One thing that has changed over there is the lowering of memory card prices. I was astonished to see them marked as fairly reasonable. The photos that I took of myself just before quitting earlier during the year are still around, just not the ones where I taped my head over celebrities' bodies. I'm going to take a nap. I need to read and get ready for a quiz tomorrow. I'll be on a 12 hour day from 9am to 9pm, school to work, so I imagine nothing exciting will happen.

Remembering Saturday

As I was talking to Michael and John of What Made Milwaukee Famous they told me a story about how at a recent festival they were asked by the Black Keys if they could borrow Jeremy's (the drummer) drums for their show. Naturally, they accepted. Little did they know that Patrick Carney (drummer of tBK) thoroughly thrashes his drums when he plays and thus left Jeremy's sagging and useless. They spoke of their plight, searching desperately to find a replacement kit at 8a.m. as they were scheduled to do a live video for a website early next morning which led to the eventual discovered their trusty music shop. Long story short and a roundabout way of saying it, the Black Keys are great. The members of What Made Milwaukee Famous are champs and I can't help but post a video for each.
What Made Milwaukee Famous

Selling Yourself Short (with some heavy Evil Dead influence).

The Black Keys

The Lengths

It's Almost Time

Sigh

Well, I didn't finish my paper until now and I'm still not quite caught up with everything. Unfortunately, the things I need to be caught up with are all due tomorrow (today). I don't know if I'll make much of an effort to do them, but if I do then it's going to be a long day. I really just hope I can have some fun today. I hope I can sleep tonight. I'll likely sleep two hours, wake for one, sleep another two, etc. That's been the pattern lately. Oh well, I'm getting dizzy and unable to focus on the screen right now. I imagine I'll print this thing and head on off to bed. Until later.

Brad Neely

Shit matters.

What Made Milwaukee Famous

Sultan


Curtains!


The Jeopardy of Contentment

Really cool guys.

Safe and Sounding Off in San Diego

Hey everyone, I just got in to San Diego and while the fire back home is doing its damage, I have faith that it won't reach my folks in their neck of the woods. If anything does happen I'll be sure to let you all know. And Mike, I know that your family was evacuated, so I can only hope that everything is alright with them. Send them my best and if you or they need anything then let me know and I'm certain my parents will open their home to them and would be willing to help out in any way possible. I don't know if I'll get to Poetry Sunday today as I've got quite a bit of work to do for tomorrow and I am not in the mood to write it, but if it shows up then I've finished what I need to and am on track and caught up with my work. You are all still more than welcome to contribute your own "poems" on this overly hot Sunday. I should stop writing right now as it is cutting in to my work, reading and general activities, but I will say this: I received my schedule for work and it looks like Wednesday and Friday I will have 12 hour days starting at 9 in the morning for class and work from 4-9 pm. It feels good to no longer be a "no good, lazy bum." And with birthday money as a springboard with an income again, the goal of purchasing a .38 is close at hand. A great home protection weapon despite the fact that I really have nothing to protect at home. Ok, I'll talk to you all soon. Oh, and thanks to my mom for giving me a bottle of wine for my birthday along with a $50 gift card to BevMo. You know me too well, but probably shouldn't be supporting my developing drinking habit. Ok. Sorry, this has gone on for far too long. I'll let you all know when I have finished with everything by posting something new, but I may (will) post some videos throughout the day(s).

SIDE NOTE:

Sam, if you really want to get me a birthday present then you should just buy me some .38 ammo so that I'll have a stock to play with once I've purchased my soon-to-be-named revolver. Hopefully I'll have the money by Thanksgiving. You'll have yourself a sale and I'll have myself a good time. Excitement! I need to start looking for shooting ranges down here in San Diego to frequent during my off time.

Saturday

First things first: To the two of you well-wishers hoping that I wasn't coming aflame or charred to a crisp, everything in the Hills is fine so far. There are fires near the home town, but not (yet) in the home town, despite what the news may or may not be saying. I know that they're saying that parts of the canyon are (or may be) on fire, but it has not reached us on the Pomona/Chino border. I would have responded to your texts, but my phone had died and I was out with my parents at the Detroit Bar seeing What Made Milwaukee Famous for my 21st birthday. I actually chatted with John Houston Farmer and Michael Kingcaid (the bassist and lead singer/guitarist) for quite some time and had a fairly decent evening. I went with my folks and played pool with my dad. I'd have texted you all back, but just as I was getting back to you all my phone decided to go the way of the dinosaur and become extinct until the scientists of Jurassic Park cloned and revived it (in other words, I'm charging my battery as I'm typing this). I just got home a few minutes ago and the worst that has happened is my beloved dog has been frightened of the wind and the smoke. I do feel somewhat bad because prior to this fire I had thought that I wouldn't mind if this God forsaken town burned to the ground. I would actually never wish any ill-will towards the place my parents reside. If they'd moved, however, things would be different and I probably wouldn't give a damn. Although the images hearken back to last year when the fires were in the San Diego area, only I'm certain that I won't get a week off of school this time around to shoot NERF guns at my roommates. One thing that I got to do this evening was have a cigarette with my dad. I was inebriated and got to talk to him frankly and honestly about a few different things. It was nice and I'm sure he appreciated our few minutes together before WMMF took the stage. From tonight's show I was able to get a free white LP of the band's latest album along with 3 t-shirts and a free CD of a band the lead guitarist, Jason Davis, used to play for. The LP and the CD were compliments of Michael Kingcaid and the photographer for "Shot by a Fan" who I'll be in contact with now. The shirts, on the other hand, cost me. No problem though as I'm more than willing to support one of my favorite bands. I'll be heading on back to San Diego later today after I've woken up and my mom and I have gone to the Men's Warehouse to purchase me a three-piece suit. There is one thing that I'd like to share that happened shortly after my previous post. On my way to Sam's house I noticed from Marionette's window a ball of fire falling from the sky. It wasn't a shooting star or a flare because it shot down at such a rapid speed, so I can only assume that it was a satellite falling from orbit. It left such a magnificent trail of orange and yellow and I only hoped that it would be a UFO, but knew (and know) that the likelihood of that happening is slim to none. I'm certain that it can be representative of some things, but then again, anything can be taken as an analogy these days. I don't know, but the falling satellite struck me in some way or another that I can't quite explain. Maybe one day I will be able to, but for now (since I'm still slightly inebriated) I do not know what to make of it. I also saw my aunt, grandma and grandpa today. What with all of the family tragedies occurring lately it was nice to see people recovering and in good spirits. I know there is still lots of work to be done and much care to be put into bringing everyone back to full steam. Anyways, there's much to talk about, but I'm tired an need sleep, so I'll post more soon. I hope everyone is well and I will talk to you all soon.

SIDE NOTE:

I was also given two set lists by the band. One I gave to my parents and the other I kept for myself. The one I kept contains Michael Kingcaid's blood drippings as from start to finish his finger was bleeding profusely. When they make it big, that'll be worth something. Maybe someone will offer me tons of money so that they can clone him with the DNA on the paper. I won't sell, of course (that's a lie, I probably would). Needless to say, those guys are slicker than grease.

Home

I'm home for the weekend. And while I don't have much to say for now because I'm tired and haven't quite developed a coherent thought since my midterm (which I'll be getting 17% extra credit on), I can't help but be reminded of the things that make me hate television. While my return home is to spend time with my family, I've thus far been subjected to nothing but awful televisual programming and hours on the couch going through endless commercials during Close Encounters and dealing once again with the underdeveloped mind of Bill Maher. To add to that frustration, Mr. Maher has on his panel tonight none other than the headache inducing Ashton Kutcher and for his opening segment via satellite had invited none other than one of the biggest disgraces to Americans everywhere (but so revered by a large population), Sean "Diddy" Combs who thanked the American people for "throwing aside race" during this election and later said that everything was going to be ok because we have a black president in office. Really, "Diddy," that's throwing aside race? I was on the phone with my brother yesterday as he was wishing me a happy birthday (and unfortunately he continued to talk) and he suggested that I go out to a bar while I was home. I assured him that going to a bar in our hometown would be far too depressing. Why? For one, seeing all of the lowlifes left in town from high school would be like unleashing rabid wolverines in my pants and saying that everything would be alright. I'm certain I would consume copious amounts of alcohol until I could no longer hear what they were saying or feel anything. In short, alcohol and my hometown are not a good mixture when out in public. Jason then suggested I venture the way of Brea for a drink. Great idea! Now only if I had friends to do that with. While I am nearly positive that I will enjoy dive bars in my neighborhood and have the ability to frequent them alone, I don't necessarily feel like driving 20 minutes to be anti-social at an upbeat location. Thanks for knowing your own brother, jackass. I can't help but think that I need to leave the Hills behind and to make my triumphant return years later after I've become a derelict and lost my way (or become oddly successful). One thing I will say, and I'd like to let this thought mature for some time (or at least until I am safe and sound in San Diego again), but during my drive home and my subsequent arrival at the house of the better part of my youth, I couldn't help but think of one thing: Crock Pot. It's odd, this device of food preparation has captured my attention for hours now and the thoughts I am able to conjure are "Crock Pot" and its functioning, mechanics and ultimate food preparation. And while I entice you all with that word, let it stew in your minds for a few days and allow yourselves to take into consideration the wonders of the Crock Pot, for my next lengthy piece will be on this slow-cooking contraption. Expect light posting over the next few days as tomorrow I'll be quite busy and Sunday I must catch up on homework and write a short paper, and of course Mondays are my long days wherein I get back to my apartment and vegetate for hours until bed time. Then again, I do that on most other days, too. Oh good, I see the clock is reaching the 21st hour. That means that Bill Maher will no longer be on the television and I will soon be on my way to the ever-reliable Sam's house to play video games and celebrate my quarter (third, half, only time will tell) life. Side note: my favorite number is 82 for some reason. Perhaps that will be the age that I die. We Cubans have longevity. Some other time, friends.

Sam

Best of luck with your interview tomorrow. Make me proud (not that you haven't done that already). And may my birthday luck transfer to you as yours did for me. Then again, with my luck lately maybe you don't want it. Well, it's up to you. Take it or leave it. Either way I'll be rooting for you.

Joy

From this. Thanks Andrew.

Thank You, Scott

Without your aid I never would have explored the depths of greatness that is Elvis Costello.

Sigh

I had a quiz today that I wasn't prepared for. I thought it was going to be next week. I'm fairly certain I failed it. I still have my History midterm at 2pm today. I threw up. I've been dizzy. I haven't had a non-alcoholic evacuation of my stomach for a long time. There's a general anxiety. I feel like I might lose it again. It's not sickness. I think it's the anxiety, the spinning, the moments when I feel like passing out. On a positive note, the one professor that I really enjoy has agreed to get a drink with me for my birthday. We won't get to do this until Monday, but it'll be nice to talk to such an interesting mind over a drink or two. I almost forgot where my History 110 class was today. I walked into the room roughly 15 minutes ago and had to verify that I was in the class with the same d'bags. I have a paper due in this class the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I want to turn it in early so that I can just ditch class. I'm glad to be working again soon. Tuesday is my first day. It'll be good to have something to complain about again. It'll be good to have an income again. I hate this guy's smug goatee. I'm looking forward to Omar's antics again. I also look forward to wanting to quit again. It's just a shame that the people that I like have already left Seaport. I'll have to deal with the commie complaining about all of the white tourists. He's always late. Another bonus of work? I'll have money to spend on my revolver. That means trips to the shooting range, trips to the desert with Sam and family, some practice for my future career. Jeez. This class is going faster than usual. My last class seemed as though it was only ten minutes long. Fifteen minutes left. If a nuke were to explode in the atmosphere we'd be blasted back into the stone age. Why doesn't this happen? Why hasn't this happened? If a nation wanted to completely disarm the U.S., all they'd have to do is exactly that. Why can't things be like the Road Warrior? Or Fallout?How cool would that be? Or something like Macross (Robotech here in the states). I liked Robotech. I still do. It's kind of cheesy and corny, but the thought of a race of giant aliens (that were probably just humans before being shrunk) coming to retrieve their super-dimensional fortress that crashed on our planet and trying to eradicate us while we use their own technology to kick the crap out of them (despite the fact that most of the Earth is destroyed) is really neat. Jets that turned into robots, romance in the time of devastation, general heroics. Roy Fokker was cool. Rick Hunter. Max. I read the books when I was in Jr. High. If there's one series of cheap novels that I really liked, it was those. I bought the DVD of the first two seasons. The cartoon I thought wasn't as good as the books, even though the show came first. Gotta go.

Can't Sleep

I've got the caffeine effect in me despite the fact that I've had no caffeine. That restless sleep. The tossing and turning, the feeling that your insides are going to jump out of your skin, the thought that your chest might explode at any minute. I hate this. Especially because the feeling hasn't gone away even after I've lifted myself from bed. I keep thinking it's still Monday. I just want this week to be over already. I want to sleep. Sigh. At least there's always Birdmonster.

Some Songs

Just revisiting some songs that I haven't listened to in a while

Billy Bragg - The Milkman of Human Kindness

What Made Milwaukee Famous - Around the Gills -->Alternate video

Billy Bragg - A New England

Ah Yes

I've got my old job back. Something to occupy my time. An income to spend on copious amounts of alcohol. And I'm actually doing surprisingly well for all that's come my way today. I'm actually calm and fairly happy. My problem is I can never seem to think of the right words to say when I'm in the heat of things, but after reflection and my general sense of overreacting at the onset of what my mind likes to look at as impending doom, I'm composed, calm, and feel as though I even acted idiotically. Anyways, it's time for me to go out and buy some alcohol then do some reading and studying for tomorrow's (and Friday's) midterm. Word to your collective mothers.

NOTE:

It's not like any of you know what's going on, and don't ask because I'd really not like to hear everyone's opinions on the subject. The one of you that does understand what I'm talking about, thank you. I'll hopefully talk to you soon.

Today's Nap

I knew I shouldn't have taken a nap at 6:30 today. While I'm fairly certain that I won't have too much difficulty falling asleep by 1 or 2 in the morning, the fact that I'll be alert for a good part of that means that I'll be left to do nothing for quite some time. I know that I haven't written anything much of substance lately. I'd like to, but there are some things that I can't really talk about and some things that I'd rather not talk about. I'm trying to think of something that has been on my mind, but there's really only been one thing on my mind (no, not Mega Man or the remake of The Last Dragon) and that one thing I can't write about. Not yet at least. All I can talk about now are the trivial things. I can rummage through those niusances for some sort of significance, but I don't necessarily know what I can get out of them. I can tell you that I've got a two-day midterm on Wednesday and Friday. I can tell you that I'm excited for birthday festivities. I'll get to see my family, but then again...I'll have to see my family. Don't get my wrong, I enjoy seeing my family. I love my family. Most of them, anyways. I can tell you that the temperature is dropping (finally). I don't believe our apartment has a heater. I'm ok with that. But it means that I have a cold bed. I have difficulties sleeping for an entire night. I always wake in fits, whether it be from the cold, from unfavorable dreams, from preoccupation or any number of other reasons. I enjoy climates that provide an opportunity to warm oneself. I just wish that I had help in the warming process. I may have the hair of a small woodland creature, but that doesn't mean that my body remains at a favorable temperature at all times. I suppose there is one thing that you can draw some significance and maybe some sort of deep(i)er meaning from, or you can just say "what?" I was on the train recently and as the engine was choo-chooing into the Van Nuys (I think it was Van Nuys, it could have been Glendale) station I looked out of my window to see a graveyard. I hadn't noticed it the last time I'd passed by, but this time around I saw every little detail. To get to the point, I saw in one corner of the graveyard an empty wheelchair. I searched for the inhabitant of said chair of wheels and it was not long before I found them. They were lying atop a grave. Face down. In the nude. You may say that I may have been mistaken and my eyes doth play tricks on me, but no. That bum was clear as day and that crack as dark as night. I naturally cocked my head to a 45 degree angle in a quizzical manner. I didn't (and don't) know if I should take this as some sort of profound sign from God or simply the local wheelchair ridden, basket-case attempting to couple with the ground where the deceased wish to rest. I'm inclined to choose the latter. Anyways, I think this has gone on long enough. I can't form a coherent thought at the moment and I'll hopefully have something better for you all in the near future. No promises.

And This

Thanks for this, Andrew.

Poetry Sunday

Remember, you're all more than welcome to join in on this thing. On another note, I had to edit this with the underscore in there because blogger won't allow for multiple spaces or tabs, etc.

The Thing Is, Though

He didn't have
To Shine
His Light
In my face

Did he
at least
Drink?
Just one?

On the couch
In the closet
It matters not
Where he relieves himself

His Comrade
In agreement
Well,
I thought it was funny

Flashing Lights

Flashing lights
___________________Shine
________Don't shine
_________________________Brightness
_______________Blinding
___Deer
_____________________Car
_________________________Headlights?
_______Crash
___New chemistry
__________Forming new equations
____________________In the flashing lights
______________________________Experimenting
______Illuminated
__________________Pants
_____________________g____o______n____________e ...




boobies

Frightening

____________________ Do not
_________ Feed
__________________________ The Beast
_____________________________________ For you
_________________ are not
_________________________________________ a cock-eyed
_________ creature
____________________ And I
____ Am not
______________________________ A
_______________________________ S
________________________________ a
_________________________________ d
__________________________________ S
_________________________________ n
________________________________ o
_______________________________ w
________________________________ m
_________________________________ a
__________________________________ n
____________________________ Thanksgiving
________________ Will be
________________________________________ miserable
______________________ Without
_________ My
___________ D
____________ o
_____________ r
______________ i
_______________ t
________________ o
_________________ Flavored
________________ L
_______________ o
______________ l
_____________ l
______________ i
_______________ p
________________ o
_______________ p

My Life Nears Completion

Because of this. Thanks for the heads up, Judith.

Hey Folks

What Made Milwaukee Famous has a free EP out from their acoustic "Sugarhill Sessions". You can download it here. Five songs, fifteen minutes of fun. Enjoy


NOTE:

The download is only available until the 17th, so get it now before it goes away or you have to pay.

Top 5

Top 5 most influential (revolutionary) video games of my childhood and early teens.

This comes around because Sam has his whole top 10 thing he's doing now and thought I should partake in this one as well.

5) River City Ransom - This game for the NES console proved that you could be a greaser, have your girlfriend kidnapped while in high school by a rival gang (so that they could take over the town), kick the crap out of everyone and go back to school without repercussions as an honor student.

4) Super Mario Bros. 3 - The first game that I owned for the NES console, this game provided hours of entertainment and a link to the video game world that would help to shape the rest of my life. I still play this and have yet to beat the damned thing. Once you get to that 8th world you're kind of screwed. I'm nothing like this guy who can beat it in 11 minutes.

3) Metal Gear Solid - Tactical Espionage Action! This game features the rugged Solid Snake who happens to be a composite of Michael Beihn(sp?), Mel Gibson, Kurt Russel and probably Teddy Roosevelt. This was the first game that I owned rated "M" (for mature) and provided hours upon hours of gameplay (and replay) with a story that makes you want to jump up and cheer and inspired lines such as "INFINITE AMMO, BABY!" I'm still waiting for the movie. Soon friends, soon.

2) Mega Man - As Scott says, this game introduced a generation of kids to swear words. This was one of the first video games (the third <-- the guy in the video there really sucks - and fourth ones) I ever owned and was one of the few that I was fairly horrible at, but still enjoyed getting the cream kicked out of me by eight different robot bosses. As you all know, I bought the 15th anniversary collectors edition and every few months go through the original 6 and then get thoroughly tired and annoyed with the 7th and 8th. I'm still waiting for that movie, too...but I don't think it's even been talked about.

1) Final Fantasy VII - Was there any doubt? The first RPG I ever played, the first game that shaped my early teens and not to mention possibly the coolest character ever to grace any console. The coolest villain, and a supporting cast that ranged from an angry, smoking pilot, a Mr. T knockoff, to a cat riding a gigantic doll. They did make a movie about this one which happened to be a sequel to the game. I'm still waiting for a remake of the game with enhanced graphics, voice acting, me as the main character.

Dear Andrew

I’ll understand when I’m older. Happy Birthday!

I Posted These on the Old Blog

FF7

MGS

Poetry Sunday

Remember that you're all welcome to join in on the fun of PS.

Elemental

Earth
Wind
Fire
Water

Captain Planet?
NO!
Our Planet
Disaster

Drainage
Going down
Journey
Where the Heart is

I, Candy

Bathroom mirror
Check out
These totally ripped
Abs

Six Feet
Just short
Bernie's voice
Applicable

One can see
Like mountain peaks
The tops
Of Muffins

Lvl 99

It is time
The Ruby
The Emerald
Defeat or Victory

Knights of the Round
Mimic
Knights of the Round
Mimic

The Gold
With Blackness
And Greatness
Seas and Mountains

Update

Hey everyone. I know I haven't posted much as of late, but there's been quite a bit going on in the world of Andy and some of it can't be posted, some of it has yet to be. I'll have some Poetry Sunday for you all today and in the near future I should have a new "Top 5" segment. I've got the list ready, but just need to get around to filling it out and coming up with suitable explanations as to why I've chosen my top 5. I've yet another busy week ahead of me as well as one with some greatness ahead. For one, voting will take place in two days time. I'll also be heading out of town once again come Thursday, so expect a light amount of posting while I'm away. Anyways, I promise to have something more than just a brief update or a one-line post in the near future, but I sort of need something to write about other than my excitement of being 21 soon and my general grievances with my History 110 professor. But in all honesty, things have been really good lately and I haven't had anything to complain about. I've got to go. I still need to shave, shower, make breakfast (brunch?) and read.