Be My Baby

I'd heard this cover of the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" on a Cialis commercial and I swore the voice was that of Mike Viola, but I couldn't find the commercial online, nor could I find out who did the cover until earlier today. Thank you, Facebook, for bringing me this full-length wonder. Check it out here:
http://apps.facebook.com/ilike/artist/Mike+Viola/track/Be+My+Baby?ad=bizprof_songs

Also, you'll notice a new site to check out on the left there. fmylife.com Enjoy that.

Teaching Abroad

I recently finished my resume (don't know how to get the accents in there) to teach English abroad. While my original intention was to head to South America, particularly Argentina, I made some revisions to my plan. Given the difficulty of finding a job in South America, along with their reversal of seasons, prompting summer break in January and February, meaning no work until March (earliest) and their requirement of a face-to-face interview, I decided against that route. The amount of money I would save would be minimal and there would be no guarantee of housing or even a job upon my arrival to the South American countries.

It is because of these challenges that I have opted for a different route. I just received an email stating that my resume will be sent out tonight and have been informed by TTI (TESOL Training International) that by the end of next week I should have acquired a position in South Korea. I can only hope this is true as I've already overstayed my comfortable time-frame at home. After the acquisition of a job, I have been informed that it will be about a month before I can leave. The process for obtaining a visa and making sure all of my paperwork is in order will take time, but not too much of it.

I don't know if I will be home for Christmas and/or New Year's Day, but whenever it is I leave, I will be gone for a whole year. It is because of this that I am writing. Before I leave I would like to spend as much time as humanly possible with friends and family. I don't expect anyone to fly out to see me, so I know that I will be a stranger in a strange land and will have no friends to turn to (except for whomever is on XBOX Live) right away and, given my anti-social nature, don't know how easy a time I'll have making them. If you have the time in the next month to spend with the guy who'd give you the shirt off his back or even just have half an hour to spend on the phone for those of you living outside of driving distance, I'd be much obliged.

I do understand that with the internet and all these fancy gizmos that make communication easier these days it won't be any trouble to keep in contact with all of you, but an email or comment on whatever social-networking site simply don't compete with a personalized letter (pen and paper, envelopes, stamps) or the sound of the human voice. If you'd like to receive letters from Korea, I will gladly send them and leave you an address where to reach me as well. I know it's a lot to ask, but I would greatly appreciate all the support I can get and hope that every once in awhile I can receive something from my best friends and family to show that I haven't been forgotten in a foreign land.

While I know that this trip/adventure will certainly be a tremendous growing experience for me, there's nothing more comforting than knowing there are people back home who will eagerly await my return and greatly miss my absence. What can I say? I like knowing people give a damn and show it. Would I do anything less? Whatever the case, I'm excited to leave and get to earning some money while experiencing a different culture. Even if I don't understand a damn word they're saying. I know I haven't yet gotten a contract, but if you're interested in having letters and gifts mailed to you while I'm away, click on my profile photo on the left there (the yellow drawing of me) and you'll see a link to my email address where you can leave your information. I'll update you all with information about my future contract and departure date and any possible going-away party that I may hold, but for now this is all I've got. Until next time. And don't forget to check out the birthday podcast.

Birthday Cast

It's already up. As soon as I finish some work over here I'll have some information to give. Stay tuned.

Birthday Bragg

At least now there's a bit more truth to this song when I sing it to myself. Now I just need a time machine so that I can actually be the one to go back and claim authorship.

Sara & Andy Lead the Drinkcast

New episode is up. Git on over dare!

No Children

In case you wanted to hear the song in the middle of the set of the Mountain Goats in-studio:

What's That?

Turrtle relieves himself of hosting duties for a day?! That's right, Sara and I get to figure things out as far as hosting goes without guidance from the master himself. How do we do? You'll just have to find out later this week! Until then, here's a preview:



Link on the left. You'll also notice a new link for you all: People of Wal-Mart.

Mountain Goats on MPR

New Drinkcast Up

The Drinkcast gang meets at 6am for the Cove's "Sunday, Bloody Mary Sunday." Banners and posters are now advertising our show inside the Cove! Go check it out, you know where the link is at. ON THE LEFT!

Now I've got to get back to watching Hall & Oates & Keyboard Cat.

A Fix of Pete Townshend/the Who

That Time of Year

Time for...Haunted House!

Watch & Listen!

Come on down! Watch and listen as I make a fool of myself while eating 18 tacos! Link to ETS on the left! Show your support with a listenin' and a commentin'!

Hello all,

First off, I'll be starting a class tonight. That class will get me certified to teach English to people abroad. We're not talking literature, etc. We're talking about the language. The program has been running for 8 years and only 3 of the over 4,500 applicants have been denied a job, so unless I'm a drunken mess, I'm pretty sure I have a job after this shindig. The company I'm going through will send out my resume to the countries of my choosing and find me a job. Pretty simple, right? I'll update you all on that madness. The class goes until Sunday night. Five days, certification and an almost guaranteed job? Not bad, I'd say!

Secondly, The drinkcast is taking off! We've got a special episode airing next week where Turrtle interviews Gregory "mother effing" Carlos, bartender of the Cove which gladly accepts us crazy people each week, and I take the Del Taco Challenge. I get a nickname for the show and Sara and Turrtle get really drunk. Keep tuning in and help the ETS crew gain some recognition! Spread the word. Use the link on the left, copy and post it on all of those social-networking sites you frequent.

Anyway. That's all.

Does Andy Take the Del Taco Challenge?

Yes. But you won't find out the outcome until next week. Here's a teaser to get you all excited (and/or disgusted) for such a momentous occasion.

UPDATE:
I've been informed that the episode mentioned above will air 10/15/09. That's today!

Drink Cast: Episode 3

Preview for tomorrow's episode (which also happens to be Sam's birthday):

Your link, as always, on the left.

DrinkCast 2

Hey everyone,

Episode two of DrinkCast is up. This episode features a discussion on the greatness that is Del Taco, how Sara and I (and Turrtle) met as well as some other neatness. Like my chest hair. Tune in, leave a comment, enjoy (or don't).

Promo

Here's the latest promo for DrinkCast on ETS. Enjoy that beef.

Things You Should Be Buying Today

Birdmonster - Blood Memory (B-sides for $5! Only available on itunes)
Sea Wolf - White Water, White Bloom (in stores and online)
Craig Ferguson - American on Purpose (it's a book; in case any of you out there can still read)

Enter the Shell (dot com)

Well everyone, if you've tuned in lately, you'll know that I recently recorded a "drinkcast" with some friends of mine for www.entertheshell.com. And, by their good graces, I was asked back not only a second time, but to be a co-host for all drinkcasts from here on out. Tonight (the 19th) we recorded a second show for all of you listeners out there that will air in two weeks time. But don't just listen because I'm on there; listen because it's quality programming that you can hear at any time during the day. There should be a promo up soon for "talk like a pirate day" as well as the new episode of "drinkcast". Your link is on the left.

Out Now

http://www.entertheshell.com/podcast/

Tuesday

Here's a preview.

Heads Up!

Earlier this evening I went to the Cove with some friends of mine and participated in a recording of Enter the Shell's first ever "drink-cast." So in a couple of weeks you can look for yours truly and a few other (blogging) friends of mine on a podcast. If you're not a fan of Enter the Shell, or haven't checked it out yet, then head on over to their website where you can download content and listen to shows about music and life (because we all know that music drives life, but life happens even when music isn't around). Have fun and I'll let you know when you can hear my (not so) beautiful voice on digital airwaves. There's also a link on the left.

More for Your Listening Pleasure

Joe Jackson

Happy Loving Couples

Depeche Mode

Just Can't Get Enough

Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys , with Jessica Lea Mayfield on backing vocals)

When the Night Comes

The Best/Worst Part About Living at Home

The alcohol. My folks aren't really drinkers, so over the years they've acquired various bottles of booze and wine from friends/co-workers of theirs who feel it necessary to add to the collection every time there's a party at our place. This means that I don't have to pay for the hard stuff since the only other person that drinks is my dad, and he'll only have beer (though my mom's been known to use some in various recipes). This also means that I drink alone. Like right now. Sure, listening to records with a good drink is great, but you can really get lonely. Or run into walls/fall down the stairs. I'm going to get back to my G&T.

Things I Don't Like

Tecate Light commercials. I can't tell you how irritated I get by them, so I'll just post this 30 seconds of agony that tells everyone how Mexico changed the system in the U.S. Oh yeah, they really shook things up. The first commercial they put out about changing the way things worked made some sense in that they actually had things that could be associated with Chicano culture. It was irritating, sure, but it made sense. The second one they released just makes you want to slap someone. Here, we'll do a play by play on "bold changes"

1) A hero who follows his own rules? The man wears a mask. So what? Yeah, Mexican wrestling is more into that stuff, but televised wrestling is staged, and it's an American show that dictates who wins and peddles cheap excitement to a drooling audience. It's not Mexican because he chose to be the symbol of hope to Mexican wrestlers in th eU.S.
2) Changing language by "letting everyone get the message"? You're saying that you're letting everyone know that your yappy little dog might bite your ankles? Or the message that the dog you have is irritating? Yeah, we already knew that when it kept us up til 3am barking at shadows. How is a sign that says "perro malo" letting everyone get the message of something that was boldly changed by Mexicans? A "beware of dog" sign does the same thing. If there's a picture of a vicious looking dog on a gate, I think you've got the message. And if you've got a "perro malo" sign with a little rat-dog behind it, then it's not intimidating. The message you're sending is you're trying to be ironic by having a sign that says "bad dog" in spanish with some irritating dumpster-fuck to piss on your feet and then shiver the rest of the day because of the fear it has of everything that surrounds it.
3) Changing fashion by making it your own, huh? Y'know, the Mexicans already had their own unique fashion. And by putting a "clever" label on your shirt that makes fun of a high-class brand doesn't mean it's a uniquely Mexican/Mexican-American thing. Hell, capitalist companies market Che shirts. Does that mean they've changed communism and made it their own? Hell no! It means they made money off a bunch of saps with misplaced ideals. Just because you make Versace "Versanchez" doesn't give you a pass at a "bold change." And by having a guy with the perpetual stubble and the carefully preened "just got out of bed" look who appears to be no more Mexican than you or I, doesn't really sell the ticket.
4) The announcer doesn't even sound hispanic! He sounds like a white guy trying too damned hard to be the regular deep-voiced commercial announcer, but with a crappy accent. It sounds like my purposely gringoed accent when I pronounce Spanish words.
C'mon, what's even worse is that the people putting out the commercial know how stupid it is. Are those ads really going to make more Chicanos drink a shitty, new light beer? Nope. The same people are still going to drink it. People who want to get drunk off of cheap beer. But I can tell you that I'll never pick up a case of that crap, and I'm thinking that even regular Tecate has lost my occasional support. Jeez. Friggin' ad monsters. Had to go and rile me up.

Ben Affleck's a Dick

Craig Ferguson

Craig Ferguson has become my favorite late night T.V. host. I'm not sure if it's because the man is funny, and, given the time-slot, is given leeway to be more absurd, or because by the time he comes on, I'm usually buzzed, but he's taken the spot in my heart of late night. Conan used to hold that spot, but ever since he moved to the Tonight Show, he's been forced to "mellow out". Don't get me wrong, he's still worth watching and retains his charm, but being in the hour that calls for some moderation, he's been stifled a bit. Seriously, changing "the year 2000" to "the year 3000" is absurd! That's just one example of he shift that's taken place in Late Night (Nite). Whatever the case is, here's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Wishes

I wish I were a billionaire (even a millionaire would work) so that I could be like Bruce Wayne and fight crime. Seriously, if I had billions of dollars and didn't actually have to work a day in my life, I'd want to take up crime-fighting as a hobby. How bad ass is Batman? The man makes hardened criminals shit their pants and beg for their mommies! It's just a shame I don't have any way to make that kind of cash. Sadness.

Andy? Working?

Que es esto? So, being the lazy bum that I am, rather than going out and looking for a job, I took the first one that came to me. I have to say, it's not a bad gig...I think. Honestly, I don't exactly know what I'll be doing, but I'll be making money, I'll get to sleep in and it's in a field not deemed "customer service". My Ma hooked me up with a deal at her school working some after school program. This means that maybe I should make myself look like a respectable member of society. And you know what that means? I'm going out looking for ties, collared shirts and slacks. The downside is I'll have to drive out to L.A. five days a week. Sure, it's not exactly what I wanted to be doing with my life, but if I wasn't willing to go out there and find out what it is I want to do, I'll take what I can get. And this way I can't stay at home complaining that I don't have friends around to hang out with during the day. I just need to keep it up until May or June at the latest. Or until I have enough money to safely pay rent for a few months in a different city/state. Whatever. I guess I'm getting back in the swing of things here with writing or whatnot. It's still not good, but hey, it's something to do while waiting for Conan to come on.

Ted Leo

I requested this song at tonight's (8/28/09) show at the echo and had it played. It proceeded like so:

Andy (shouting): 2nd Ave, 11am!
Ted (to the audience): It's a suggestion.
Ted (inaudible talk with the band)
Ted (to the audience): Sure, why not?
Andy: WOO!

Faces were then rocked off.

SWEET JESUS!

http://www.aetv.com/news/?id=391368

Must watch.

More Songs Stuck in My Head

Elvis Costello

Everyday I Write the Book

Hall & Oates (Andrew, thanks for this one)

You Make My Dreams Come True (I thought the cat was better than the regular video. Again, thanks Andrew.)

Thin Lizzy

Romeo and the Lonely Girl

Things About Andy

1) I've had a few beers.
2) I love my dog, Frank. She's 12 years old and going strong. She recently had surgery to remove a tumor from her left eyelid. After she returned home from the vet, she was having difficulty standing up due to the pain killers/anesthetic she was given. I laughed as her left paw kept sliding out from underneath her.
3) For about a month and a half I've noticed Frank's food has been eaten by a stray cat. This cat is spotted black and white with a nub for a tail.
4) Tonight, this cat was quite bold in trying to sneak into our house while I was on the couch watching Conan (O'Brien, not the Barbarian, though I was watching "the Destroyer" on G4 yesterday).
5) While deathly allergic to cats, I can't help but want to take this cat in and keep it safe from harm. Maybe it's the alcohol, maybe it's the compassionate, animal-lover in me (save for farm animals meant to be eaten. Chain 'em up, keep 'em in cages, so long as you keep 'em tasting delicious).
6) Boredom and the feeling of loser-ness has set in. I hate my hometown and need to get out before I go insane.
7) My Cross-Country team's alumni race is coming up on Thursday. I will be there to feast on free food.
8) Where are my pants?
9) Jack Bauer is my hero.
10) That is all. Good night.

Not Really A Return

I've had a few songs stuck in my head over these past few weeks. Thought I'd share 'em.

J Geils Band - Freeze Frame

Thin Lizzy

Jailbreak

Rush

Tom Sawyer

Commercial

I saw this commercial for the first time a couple days ago and I couldn't stop laughing. So here I am to share it with you all.

Mantracker

Mantracker rules! I friggin' love this show. If you're too lazy to watch the clip below, here's the premise: Two people are left alone in the wilderness and have to reach a destination 25 miles away in 36 hours. Easy, right? Wrong! A professional tracker is hot on their tails, often with a guide equally as capable that's familiar with the terrain. Needless to say, Mantracker is a bad ass. Most of the time it's city-slickers and punk-ass jerks who think they're the shit and they always get caught. Sam, I think you'll like this episode as it's two trained police officers trying to outsmart Mantracker. Ch-ch-ch-check it:

Andy Like

http://mindfullymusing.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/mfa-baker.jpg

Oh yeah, Texas was good. Here's a photo:

More Updates

As I'm sure you can all tell, I haven't been updating as frequently as I did while in school. Part of it has to do with the fact that it's summer and I'm finding things to do with my time, part of it is that I feel I really don't have much to write about (not that I ever wrote about anything important anyway). Chances are I won't have much to say for a good while. Not to say I haven't been keeping busy. I've had my share of dull and uneventful moments since graduation. Plenty of them. But mostly I've been doing lots of hiking/backpacking/camping, some traveling, and getting important things squared away so that I can start earning an income that isn't $9/hour behind a counter. Just so that all of you I haven't seen or spoken to in some time can get caught up, I'll give you a few things I've been up to, which I probably won't write in-length about later (unless I one day write an autobiography). Here they are:

I've summited two of Southern California's three highest mountains and plan on tackling the third (and I think the smallest) before summer's up.

I've gone camping in the Southern Sierras both by myself and with a friend. One trip consisted of a 12 mile round trip hike to an old resort in the middle of a valley. Built in the 1870's as a saw mill, it was later converted into a getaway hot springs for celebrities in the 1940's and closed in the late 1970's.

I made the front page of the Chino Hills Champion (again) on accident by simply being in the background of a photo. Here it is:





Yep. That's me, alright. The one with the wide-eyes and confused look. You're probably wondering what I'm doing there. Two words. Beer.

On another note, I both took (as you all know) my C-BEST exam and just today I received my official results. I passed with flying colors. And by flying colors, I mean good enough. I guess that means I should go and start applying for substitute jobs.

Shortly after that picture was taken I made my way up to the Bay Area with an old high school friend, her boyfriend and her boyfriend's ladyfriend. To be honest, I just needed a ride up because my truck probably wouldn't have made it there and back. As soon as we made it up there I reunited with Scott (rather, he picked me up and saved me from hippies). We had cigars and drinks to wash away Berkeley's stench and made our way to Sonoma to catch Birdmonster play at a winery (of all places). If you're a regular reader then you know who they are and probably know what they look like from all the music of theirs I post on this site. Anyways, I sold their merch for them, got a song dedicated to me (the closing song, which I requested), got plenty of pictures of them rocking out and even one of me with 'em. Again, if you're a regular, you should recognize them all as the four people on the left of that photo up top with me right at the end there. In case you've forgotten:


Come Wednesday I'll be heading to Texas. Haven't been there since I was about five and I was sheriff of Dallas. But those damned airport security guards stripped me of my justice dispensing plastic guns as I left. I was a sad sheriff that day.

The 16th, 18th & 19th of this month I'll be taking a riding class with Sam. I've already got my permit to ride and once I finish this class it'll waive the license exam and just give me what I want already. So by the end of July I plan to have a motorcycle.

Aside from that, I can't say much has gone on. At least nothing else I'd really like to comment on. Yes, Michael Jackson died. Yes, I wish it were a huge marketing scheme for him to go on a Thriller comeback tour. Yes, I'm tired of hearing about it all. And to you who tried to fool me into thinking Jeff Goldblum died too, I give you a hearty fist shaking. I guess that's about it for now. Talk to you soon.

YES!

Take THAT, Midgar Zolom! I just got your "Beta," so you Beta watch out!

What the Fuck is this Shit?!

I'm all for Stan Bush re-doing "The Touch" for the new Transformers movie, but honestly? What's this Linkin Park-esque bull shit? It sounds God awful! What the hell is with that rap? Give me the original with the lazers shooting out of the guitar and the totally awesome fist pumping sound!

I Really Want This Shirt

Updates

Going to Texas from the 7th to the 11th. Doing some hiking/backpacking/camping from now until then. Taking a riding class on the 16th. Applying for subs positions as soon as I get my results on the 29th.

Just for you:

C-BEST

My advice to those of you with college degrees living in the state of California:

Take the C-BEST. It essentially gauges whether or not you're capable of reading. You don't need to have a degree to take the test, but you can't use it without one. The exam allows those with degrees to apply for substitute positions as well as teaching credential programs. I understand that the need for teachers at this moment in time is low (unless you're math or science-oriented) and many are being laid off and those who have already lost their jobs are the ones filling the subbing positions, but the test itself, for only four hours of your time and a small chunk of change (less than $100 if you register on time), opens up opportunities for employment later on down the line. And believe you me, that is by far the easiest test I have ever taken.

As stated earlier, it's whether or not you can read. The math section seldom dives into the field of algebra and only one basic question on elementary geometry (perimeter). It's comprised of a 50 question reading, 50 question writing and 2 writing prompts no more than 2 small pages of text each. They won't allow for any more writing. As my father said, it basically tests if you're smart enough to be around little kids. Hell, if you're dumb enough to fail the thing you don't even have to worry about it, you can take it as many times as you want!

If anyone out there is interested in taking the test or just want to look into it, here's the link. As soon as I get my results (19 days from now) I plan on applying to a few districts. In running into a former teacher of mine I found that schools that you attended previously would want you as a substitute simply for knowing the teachers there and being trustworthy (unless you weren't the trustworthy type). It may not be glamorous or stable, but I'm hoping it'll be something to help me save a little somethin' somethin' to get moseyin'.

Until later.

Top 5

Top 5 reasons you should still read/check up on this site:

5) Now I've got a proper learnin'
4) I'll be doing and have done some traveling
3) You're not doing anything else with your time
2) Now with vitamin C (not scientifically proven)
1) I'm not dead

Yep

I'll See You Soon

Gradjayshun!

I should be on campus at 3ish for graduation. Starts at 4 and 6, then dinner at 8:30 with the folks. I've been waiting for this day. To quote one of the greatest movies ever: "I would have waited an eternity for this." Except...y'know...I wouldn't have. I should have some photos up right after I get back home.

From My Aunt in Texas

Dear Andy, Congratulations!!!! You did it! Freedom!!! I wish I could be there with the family to share in this awesome day in your life! I will be with you in spirit though....all day long ('cause I don't know at what time of the day is graduation!) Both Vic and I are very proud of you and know that you will do great things. I often think about the long talk that we had the night I stayed over at your mom's. It was a great conversation. I learned so much about you! That evening I also felt sad because I realized that I had missed out on seeing you and J grow up because I've lived so far away. Yes, I remember funny episodes of you all's trip to Texas such as the airport incident -cowboy boots, hat and guns; the "It's not easy being cheesy" repeated over and over by the so patient Vic; how scared you were when I turned on the bubbles in the jacuzzi, etc.; how no one couldn't get you out of the video arcade inside the Hypermart - what a hissy fit you threw over there boy! Those are all great memories, but I wish we could have others as well. What an exciting future awaits you. I bet that you feel the freedom oozing out of your pores by now. As you take off on your trip, I just want to ask you (without sounding totally geriatric) Please be careful. I know that you must forge your own view of the world and set your own perspective. I know that this trip will be a soul-searching opportunity. You will learn a lot about you. As you search for meaning and purpose, remember that there are so many different ways by which we can set off to find them (meaning and purpose). Like for instance, I totally see you traveling the world with a bunch of young people like yourself learning about other cultures; helping to build schools and houses for children and families that have never been out of their own village (in these cases I don't see you drinking the water!) I also see you teaching people, helping them learn how to help themselves... Anyway, I could be totally off by miles, but those are some of the images that came to me after our long chat that night. I'm not sure when you are living for your trip but I think I remember you saying that you were taking off right after graduation. I'm sending you something in the mail for when you get back. So, be cautious, have fun, learn alot, and remember to keep in touch. Know that I love you and that I'm proud of you. A big, big hug from Vic, too. Love, Majulia ;o)

Because It's True

CELEBRATE!

The Requisite Alice Cooper

Next In Line

Sam, if this is anything like Shadow of the Colossus, I may just crap my pants.


At 10:30 the first of my last two finals begins.

In Less Than 18 Hours

In less than 18 hours I'll be done. DONE! Oh, how glorious a feeling it is. Seventeen years of frustration will be gone. Never to be seen or heard from again. Until Friday, of course. But that's just the official celebration of the leaving of this crap. Sweet Jesus, this is a feeling words can't describe. DONE! HAHA! Two finals left. From 10:30 to 3:00 (latest) I'll be in class. For the last time. Oh, how good it feels. I just have to BS two more written finals. TWO MORE! I have cigars to laugh victoriously with. DONE! DONE! DONE! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

!

Good God, could this be happening? I don't want to wait 30 hours to find out! Wait for the lightning flashes. It's a number 5. A NUMBER 5!

Two Finals Done

Three more to go along with a three page paper. Just gotta take the online quizzes for Geology now and I'll be set for tomorrow's final. Now let's get back to these quizzes. Victory will be mine. Insert evil laugh here.

10 Pager Down

Five finals and a three page paper are all that's left. Forget C's, D's get degrees, baby! Time for pizza.

The Spot

I now have The Spot. No, that's not a disease. If anyone wants to be on the email/text list for this thing then email me your address and/or your phone number and service provider.

I also have a flask and a new knife (thank you Sam). A good knife.

Finals are coming up. Expect frustrated writings. Then relieved and happy writings. Because I will be done. Forever.

A Few Things Here

1) I wouldn't be putting Captain Planet up here if it weren't for a good reason. That reason is Jeff Goldblum. He plays Verminous Skumm (the villain in the red hood)
2) How does telling a small town a lie about how AIDs is spread lead to ruling the world?
3) "I don't care how I got it, IT STINKS!"

Regarding Yesterday's Hike

At the 2.5 mile mark on the way back to the parking lot I noticed my left Achilles begin to ache. I thought perhaps it might be the new boots, but alas the pain has continued on in my trusty pair of shoes. It has made shifting gears and walking irritable. I have only one thing to say about this. "That's booty, son!"

Notes for 561 Final

Tournier, Duras, Camus

Y'know...I'll just look up the Cliff's notes on these things. Probably easier than listening to the human sleeping pill.

More Hiking 'n' Stuff

On my way back from home today I stopped by my dad's friend, Larry's place. Unfortunately my dad couldn't join us today, but we went out to San Jacinto and put in an 11 mile hike in about 5 hours. While we were on the trail we met up with a bunch of "Thru-Hikers." Thru-Hikers are people backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail which goes from the U.S./Mexico border to about nine miles into Canada. The whole trek is roughly 2,650 miles. The prime time to leave was two weeks ago and most of the folks we spoke with were at that marker. One of the guys had recently mailed back his tent as he felt he didn't need it until Kennedy Meadows. That same guy has the same backpack I do. I was (am) envious. Here these people were out doing something that very few attempt and even less complete. While I'm uncertain as to how many of the folks we saw today will be in Canada about 4 months from now, I do wish them all the best of luck.

Larry and I ended up getting beer and sandwiches at the Winchester Inn afterward and I made it back to SD by 10pm. Getting to and from Hemet takes a lot longer than it should.

On a side note: Happy birthday, Marina.

Music For 5/7/09

In celebration of the momentous day that is today, here's a little somethin' for you all

I Really Want A Cigarette

It's been almost 3 months since my last smoke. The last time (and first time) I smoked since I quit on December 15th was exactly 2 months afterward on February 15th. No, it wasn't due to being alone on Valentine's Day, it was because I was absolutely frustrated with people annoying me at work. Since that day I haven't had a puff, a drag, anything despite the fact that I've wanted to for quite some time. And as I said, I told you that I'd let you all know if I did in fact break my vow. But now, at 2am as I'm about to sleep with "What's Shakin' on the Hill" in my ears (on repeat) and a particular knowledge of the past, present and future (and not to mention a few beers), I can't help but want to light up and have a pack. I know there are less than 3 weeks left of school, but it seems as though the world chose to hit me hard. Come the 21st I'll be free of all the difficulties of school forever.

Visiting home every weekend brings back the tension and the anxiety of dealing with a town that disgusts me. I've spent lots of time with my family. My ma has asked me how a person so young could develop so much hatred for the world. I don't know if it's necessarily a hatred for the world, simply for the town that carelessly brought me up and taught me that nothing was sacred, that disappointment was around every corner and that being "too nice" means being subject to misery and pain that no one can fathom.

If society dictates what's right and wrong, what's moral and immoral, then society has said that Andy Suarez does not belong amongst its ranks. When your entire life you've been left behind for genericism and told that having an opinion differing from the populous is blasphemy, that respecting people and being a reliable individual is seen as taboo and "desperate" you tend to lose hope in yourself. When having been claimed to be a "fundamentally decent" person or for being the person to help a friend stand up after having fallen down only to be pulled into the mud by that very same person happens on a continual basis, there's not much the "fundamentally decent" want to do. Simply put, the one "too nice" or the good person who frequently gets told that he is good or nice is avoided, neglected, put down, rejected, etc., they cease being the person everyone says they are and they become bitter, uncaring, depressed, hate-filled and empty.

I guess my problem is that I cared too much for a world that never bothered to give a damn about a kid trying to maintain some sort of dignity, pride, or decency toward the rest. For me the end of college isn't finding a job, starting a life in which I settle down, decide a career, it's the beginning of a search. What I'll find, I'm uncertain, but whatever it is that's out there has to be better than the false hopes and dreams that I've acquired and imagined over the years. But I wonder if even these thoughts that what comes next will provide a life fulfillment or accomplishment.

And yet I can't help but think that perhaps one day everyone will come to their senses. People once believed in a geocentric universe, but there were those that defied this notion. They went against popular belief and though they were persecuted, they were right. While it was scientifically proven later that the Earth indeed revolved around the sun, there's no possible way to prove to anyone that I'm worth listening to or worth fighting for. It seems as though I've been forced into exile. To everyone I'm wrong. Even when I'm right, my peers say I'm but a crackpot, living in times of old with standards no one adheres to.

Now the respectable gentleman who outwardly gives a damn is overshadowed by a trend and the least common denominator. My kind are going extinct and the world could care less. And here I remain, fighting for standards and a way of life that has been deemed obsolete. What's left? What is there to fight for if all say that you're not even worth holding on to?

I'm not perfect. I'm far from it. I'm just a guy who tries to help those in need. But what happens when I'm in need and no one wants to help? When you're too selfish to even consider the pain and suffering of others, what happens to those who fought for you? They get removed. Swept under rugs to be hidden and out of sight so as not to remind those of the shame they've brought upon themselves; for having forgotten the values of old. But what's swept under the rug doesn't go away. You know it's there and it haunts you. Remember that.

I know that as always my writings are ill-conceived, poorly written and idiotic, but if it struck a chord with any of you, then I guess it was worth it. when my ma asks me the aforementioned question, I never know what to answer. I know that my words on this website are often whiny, moronic and worthless, but I started this for a reason, and that reason was to relieve stress. Whether anyone reads this or not, I don't care. I will say this, though: I'll be buying a new journal soon. My two previous ones will be burned as a way of moving away from the past. No point in looking backward. Until next time.

Hiking

Went hiking with my dad and his friend yesterday. We and climbed about 5 miles (10 miles out and back) of San Gorgonio. We weren't able to summit due to the hard hard-pack snow, but I honestly don't think we would have made it in one day. My dad has foot problems and was struggling just to make it to the camp site we stopped at. Though part of the trouble was at one point we lost the trail and rather than using switchbacks and a dirt road to come around one of the lower peaks, we ended up trailblazing through snow up an unstable mountain. Until we found the trail on the other side. The beginning of the trail was 1.2 miles up hill at about a 20% grade with 100 feet worth of ascension every 10th of a mile. Getting the hardest part of the trail out of the way first was better than having to tackle that monster at the end. Though it being an out-and-back trip, the wear and tear of the trail with the addition of the steep hill pounding away at our knees at the very end left us all sore and drained. I carried about half the weight of what I'd be carrying with a week's worth of supplies, including 5 liters of water and ample amounts of gear (I had everything except food and clothing packed). I'm not in shape and quickly fell out of it when school started up at the end of January. I've got a few weeks to re-condition myself. I know the trail was grueling yesterday, but completing only 10 miles in 8 hours isn't really making good time. I know the break for lunch was about an hour, as were the multiple stops to wait for my dad, but I can't imagine I would have done much more than 18 miles on my own only going one way. I suppose the terrain, elevation gain and loss would dictate how much I could do. I remember back in January I completed 10 miles in 4 hours, but the gain and loss wasn't great and the grade wasn't severe when I did climb. Either way, my dad's friend Larry has given me his trekking rods as a graduation gift. They're actually really helpful and saved me from tripping and injuring myself plenty of times yesterday. They're designed to ease some of the stress of a pack's weight and provide stability. I hadn't really considered using them, but after being fatigued and being as clumsy on your feet as I am, they're more useful than you might think. The fact that they're lightweight is a huge plus as well. I'll have some time before school ends to get a few more hikes in.

Music for 4/30/09

Has She Got a Friend?

Hurrm

Nearing the end here. A check list has been set up. I have most all of the things I need. I'm getting antsy to get out. Only a few more belongings to move back. I don't know where I'm going to keep everything. I've another bed that will be occupying space. Perhaps it'll go in the "rec room." My last day of work is today. Head down. Let's power through this.

Six String Samurai

Should be coming in the mail soon.

Music For 4/26/09

Weezer

The Greatest Man That Ever Lived

2012? I Have to Wait That Long?

This better be worth it.

Computer Problems

Last night I was writing a paper on Common Sense. What should have only taken one hour at most took me three. It had nothing to do with "writer's block" or anything like that. It had to do with a computer on the Fritz. A couple nights ago my trusty laptop of four years decided to start freezing up every few seconds. I'd be typing or watching a video and it would cease any action. And rather than catching up with my keystrokes after each freeze, it would be selective of them. That's pretty annoying when you're on a roll with some sentences/paragraphs and you find that half of the sentence you'd just typed got cut off and jumbled. Slowly but surely I finished the paper without completely forgetting what I was writing. For about two hours I struggled to figure out what was wrong with my computer as every time I'd go to print the computer would shut itself off. Finally around 1 am after several attempts to restart the PC, I discovered that at an angle my computer ran perfectly fine. So after finally being able to print the damned thing I ran a virus scan and stacked some CDs to let the thing run all night. Come 8:30 am, the thing was and is running just dandy. What's wrong with this thing? I don't know, but I only hope that this baby will just get me through May. Stay strong, my pet.

Music For 4/20/08

I didn't realize the date until I started typing the title. I'm sure most of Southern California is stoned right now. And I'm sure I'm going to hear about everyone's adventures with marijuana tomorrow. This has no influence over the choice of music. I just felt like giving you guys some Cheap Trick and noticed the day.

Finished

Well I got it all worked out. My ma wanted me to add some songs, but she didn't nay-say anything I threw in there, though I questioned my own judgment on a couple songs. Here's a list:

1) Clap Your Hands! - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
2) That's How You Know - From the Enchanted soundtrack (Ma's entry)
3) She Called Up - Crowded House
4) You Can't Stop the Beat - From the Hairspray soundtrack (Ma's entry)
5) Walking to Do - Ted Leo/Pharmacists
6) Sweet Lady - What Made Milwaukee Famous
7) Heart - Rockpile
8) The Square Root of Two - The Two Man Gentlemen Band
9) Short Skirt/Long Jacket - Cake (Ma's entry)
10) What's Shakin' on the Hill - Nick Lowe (one of my questionable ones)
11) 1922 - Charlie Parr (one of my questionable ones)
12) Backwards with Time - The Avett Brothers
13) We're Going to be Friends - The White Stripes (Ma's entry)
14) Dry Bed - Billy Bragg
15) I've Just Got to Tell You - Dr. Dog

It turned from a 30 minute to a 45 minute CD with Ma's additions, but I guess she's just going to skip around to the ones she wants to play. Maybe I shoulda snuck in the Violent Femmes's "Add it Up". That sure would've gotten the kids and parents all in a ruckus. Well. Until next time.

Fashion Show

My ma has asked me to put together a half-hour set of songs to play at her elementary school's fashion show. Here we have "innocent" kids modeling what is deemed appropriate attire for the campus. And here I am. With itunes. Trying to find kid-appropriate music to fill in 30 minutes of tykes trotting down a makeshift runway. It's harder than it seems. I'm trying to exclude all songs that mention the words "beer (drinking and the like)," "cigarettes (smoking and the like)," swearing, or anything else that might be construed as influencing younglings to do anything they legally shouldn't be doing. It's harder than it seems. It also has to have some sort of bouncey, poppy sound or a White Stripes's "We're going to be friends" sound to it. I guess the only thing my ma has been given to work with by her co-workers is Michael Jackson. That and she seems to like Cake's "Short skirt, long jacket" but as she used it last year she needs new material. I thought about using Rockpile's "Teacher, teacher" (what with the "school" theme) but thought parents watching/listening might get the wrong impression. Again with the school theme, The Two Man Gentleman Band's "Prime numbers" I thought could work...but quickly thought again. Though their song "the square root of two" might work. Not only is it sweet, it's educational (it's mathemagical)! I'm gonna get back to this here thing. Let you all know how it goes.

Two Weeks

Put in my two week notice today. It felt good. I know I've done this several times in the past, but I won't be going back this time. I promise. I've begun moving my belongings back home, and while I don't really look forward to living with my folks again as my actions will be under constant scrutiny and there will be more opportunity for me to run into the brother, I am looking forward to free, hearty meals, my faithful and trusty dog, and...well...that's about it.

My Baby

I know it's been a long time coming, but I finally got the photos ready to be posted. I'm still at my limit on flickr, so I'll just post a few on this here thing. If you couldn't guess (or if I hadn't already told you) my purchase before spring break that I retrieved on March 31st was my very 1st firearm. I bought a Remington 870 Express and two days later Sam and I decided to take 'er for a test run. I love my gun. She has no name as of yet, but she sure is fun to use and almost as fun to clean. The feeling I got when going to pick it up was indescribable. It was interrupted by some mook who wasn't buying anything and dicking around with his son who decided that there was enough chit-chat between the two of 'em when I made my way to ask the kind staff member of Bass Pro to collect my gun for me. Oo, so you had the #3 ticket while you weren't doing anything when I walked up with all of my essentials ready to purchase. You didn't buy anything anyways. Anyways, that niusance was made up for when we went through 125+ shells in 2 1/2 hours. Here're some photos:

A photo of my hind-quarters (and what a photo!)

Sirena with Sam's 10/22

Sam with my baby

Sam and Sirena reloading

As Sam said, this looks like a movie poster. Almost

I Promise

I'll have photos up soon from the 2nd desert trip. Sorry it's taken so long. I accidentally left my camera at home and couldn't upload them, and now that I have it with me I still haven't had time to get it done. Probably not for a couple days. Probably tomorrow I'll get it done and have them posted by Thursday.

Music For 4/10/09

Smooth, Andy

Now you're gonna go and screw everything up that you worked so hard for. I need to disappear. For a long time.

Hello

I'm sorry I've been neglecting my duties here. Not that I really have any duties here. I've been...busy...doing...stuff.... I promise I'll have something for you people soon. For you. And you. And you. Maybe not you, but you! You with the Orangutan!

Music For 4/2/09

When I saw the notice of Birdmonster covering Bruce Springsteen (Sara, I know you're probably more annoyed with the Boss than anyone what with the class you had, etc.) I neglected it for awhile. Today I just checked the cover and the page that it was on, there were a few other folks I like who happened to be doing this fancy stuff. So here are three covers of the Boss (who should change his name, cuz I'm the Boss).

Birdmonster

The Promised Land

The Avett Brothers

Glory Days

Ted Leo
(For some reason this one's not embeddable, so I'll just leave the link to the page and you can all just check it out if you want. Not that I'm advocating more time than you should ever have to spend brushing up on Bruce Springsteen)
Dancin' in the Dark

Victory!

I will have photos up soon...of greatness. And I must say: I enjoy being away from the computer. Activities are "teh shiz."

?

"You will have a close encounter of a surprising kind." What the hell kind of fortune is that? I'd much prefer a close encounter of the dull, unsurprising, normal kind. Now I've gotta look out for something that might both surprise me and come close to me. Lousy Chinese and their witchcraft (brujeria).

Tomorrow

Greatness. Be prepared.

Sam Asked, I'm Delivering

Wondering where I'd gone, Sam asked why I haven't been writing. Saying I've nothing to write about, I've just been presented with a nuisance to raise some noise about. Skaters and their fisheyes.

Ever watch a skate video? You haven't? Well that's probably a good thing seeing as they're ALL THE SAME! Consisting of quick cuts of one trick after another set to music that's always so God-awful that it most always causes one's ears to bleed, the skate video is so simply done and predictable that you have to wonder if there's not just stock footage somewhere and somehow all the skaters putting home videos together arrange them all in the same sequence. Sort of like rats in a maze all finding the same route to the cheese due to their sense of smell. The major thing for skaters is the fisheye lens.

The fisheye lens is a double-edged sword. While you get some great shots that add a nice effect to a typical photo, overuse causes you to look like you rely too heavily on it for "creativity." The problem is that skaters suck the creativity out of the fisheye. I've sold some. All have been to skaters wanting to use them for their skate videos. The reaction is always the same "aw, that'd be so sick!" They're also the most annoying customers as they seem to make the most fuss (and also the least grateful towards services rendered). The fisheye in a skate video is always used in conjunction with a slow-motion shot. There need to be a minimum of five of these in a one minute video in order for a skate-videographer's piece to be considered "bomb," but I hear the committee is thinking about upping the ante to seven/minute.

Reason I bring this is up is about half an hour ago I had some doofus and his sister coming in barking orders about a fisheye right when I'd gotten back from my break and wanted me to magically pull out the right step-up ring for their video camera when they didn't even know the diameter they needed for it and expected me to have all the necessary equipment for them. Even after telling them that we didn't carry all the parts they needed, they insisted I look for them right after I'd just gone through every single ring size we had and showed them we didn't have one that fit the lens they wanted to buy. Thankfully their dad came in shortly thereafter and told them not to buy it, otherwise I'd still be stuck with those mooks in the store having me dig through all the shit we don't have and refusing to listen to the guy who actually knows what he's doing. To counteract future inconveniences I've just taken the fisheye off the shelf. Take THAT you stupid kids!

Music For 3/24/09

You've got your troubles, I've got mine, but everybody feels better when it's banjo time!

The Two Man Gentlemen Band

The Big Strong Man and Drip Dryin'

Music For 3/22/09

Nick Lowe

From Now On

Brinsley Schwarz

Surrender to the Rhythm

Sick

Not in the "oh, man, that's sick!" sense. I never say that. Would never say that. Not saying you can't say it. Just saying I don't. Anyways. I'm just regular sick (OF YOUR FACE! - OH! Sorry). Maybe it's all the traveling, lack of healthy eating, 11-12 hour days of school and work (or both combined), rage induced by the juggler at SPV. April 1st. A day that will live in infamy. Maybe the 31st. Haven't decided yet. Delirious. "Working." Ugh. Need vitamins. Juice. Hissssssss.

Music For 3/19/09

Neutral Milk Hotel

Two-Headed Boy

Beulah

Popular Mechanics for Lovers

Idiots

Why would you order just one each of the popular model cameras? Why? We're just going to have to order more in a week. But it'll take you three just to put the order in. Then you'll wonder why we haven't put an order in for more. The reason I picked the cameras you just ordered was because they're very easily sold. They're reliable, light-weight, have viewfinders and they come in colors that people besides you like. You say that people don't like the blue model because only two were sold when four of the silver were sold? WELL THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ONLY ORDERED TWO BLUE ONES AND YOU ORDERED FOUR SILVER! Sigh. No wonder this store isn't holding its own. I need to get out of here. Fast. Two months.

Thanks Abe

This looks brilliant.

Tomorrow + 11 Days From

Tomorrow is a day that will go down in the history of me. When they write my biography an entire chapter will be dedicated to this event and the day that follows 11 days afterward. After the event I will elaborate. For now I will sit in class dreaming of the greatness to come.

Music For 3/18/09

A Hawk and a Hacksaw with The Hun Hangar Ensemble

Serbian Cocek

Light Posting

Today and tomorrow. I've got several online quizzes to take by tomorrow. And a midterm tomorrow.

UPDATE:

4 of 8 online quizzes complete.

7:00 pm

There & Back Ag-Wait, Wrong Story

I was planning on writing something longer than what you're about to read, but after making it back to SD I began feeling awful sick-like, so I'm not going to try to hard at work or at writing anything right now since I just want to sit back and drink juice.

I left SD this weekend to make a trip out to Utah for my old high school buddy's wedding reception (we couldn't get into the actual wedding due to religious stuff). Andrew and I left around 11am on Saturday and got to our campsite (camping was $25 with an online reservation, hotels were $60+) around 5:30pm mountain time (so 4:30 our time). That included a stop for lunch.

The reception was scheduled to start at 7pm. We showed up about 5 minutes early to see my former government teacher outside on his cell (he happens to be the uncle of the groom). We flagged him down and entered with him. We saw a line formed leading to the bride and groom along with their folks. We stood in that line awaiting our turn to shake the hands of all of the above. For the 1 hour 40 minutes we were there, that's all there was. We ended up spending our entire time with aforementioned Government teacher and his family. We helped each other from awkwardness by being almost the only other people we knew there. Apparently 1200 were invited. I don't know how many actually showed up, but it was ridiculous.

We got back to our campsite and after chewing the fat for a couple hours we slept and awoke around 7am mountain time. That's about it, really. Nothing too exciting. We didn't get to talk to our old friend much since he was shaking hands for a couple hours (we don't know how long it actually went on), but were glad we went since we're pretty sure he appreciated the gesture. Fun trip all-in-all though.

As mentioned earlier, I got back to SD and immediately started feeling ill (not in the 80's/90's street term, either). Maybe that has something to do with just wanting to get the hell out of here already. Or maybe it's just exhaustion and over exertion. Either way, I've gotta read more Toni Morrison crap for an in-class writing assignment tomorrow. Her writing makes me want to vomit uncontrollably. In rage. On kittens. And migrant workers. Oh yeah, and I need to dedicate the music for today to Andrew and his 90's music shenanigans. Hell, I'll just combine it with this post.

Natalie Imbruglia

Torn

This one isn't 90's, but we were talking about the song on the drive, so here it is.

Elvis Costello

ELVIS COSTELLO / RADIO, RADIO
Uploaded by Sunnychopper82

Radio, Radio (the performance that got him banned from SNL)

Stuff

Writing soon.

Music For 3/13/09

Billy Bragg

The Saturday Boy

Before I Go

Here's the first of 5 segments of a documentary on Super Volcanoes from National Geographic. You'll be able to find the links to the other segments the usual way. If you can find the NOVA documentary I think that one's better. Either way, enjoy that shiz.

Out of Town

Out of town this weekend. Updates upon my return sometime Sunday.

I Should Have Been a Geologist

Four years gone by and the most interesting class I've taken so far has been Natural Disasters (in progress). It's incredible to know all the different ways that nature can kill absolutely everyone. Did you know that gamma rays projected from a star that became a super nova millions of years ago, if close enough to our solar system, could dramatically change the planet'sclimate and atmosphere enough to wipe us all out? Sort of gives you a new perspective. Volcanology? Oh yeah, baby. There are several different types of volcanoes. There are some like the volcanoes in Hawaii where there's lava flow that don't really cause any danger to people so long as you're not standing inside of it. But there are some volcanoes classified as Super Volcanoes that can wipe out most of humanity by changing the world's climate and polluting the atmosphere. You ready for this?

Super Volcanoes are volcanoes huge in area where under the Earth's crust huge caverns the size of the area of the volcano fill with magma. After years upon years of build-up, often hundreds of thousands of years, the earth above egins to crumble, pieces of land fall into the magma displacing the already suffocated and trapped magma. Combined with the trapping of gases and the volatility of the volcano, the magma then makes its way to the surface quite violently, erupting for days to weeks. Why would this be bad? Because the eruptions aren't the usual magma that you'd see in a Hawaiian volcano, what you'd see is ash and sulfuric acid being ejected into the atmosphere. When you think of ash, you're probably thinking of wood burning, things heavy in carbon monoxide, but volcano ash is actually quite different. Because of the gases trapped and the eruption combined, the ash is actually a type of glass due to the minerals in the magma shot into the air being super-cooled. What happens with that ash is it gets into the atmosphere along with the sulphuric acid. If the ash gets into your respiratory system then it's like little jagged pieces of glass cutting up your insides. Not only is the scarring and cutting of your insides what can kill you, but the glass, upon entering the body and cutting of the respiratory system, it acts as a cementing agent and seals up your lungs and trachea, suffocating the person who inhales the particles and forcing them to die a horribly painful death. The sulfuric acid that enters the atmosphere also causes harm to the human/animal respiratory system while killing off plant-life. You can see how this could be a problem.

In/around Indonesia near Sumatra there's a place called Lake Toba. Lake Toba is 60 miles long. Those 60 miles are all a Super Volcano. 75,000 years ago Toba erupted. With conclusive evidence of human population, and studies done one aquatic life and other information gathered by scientists, the eruption of the Toba volcano obliterated most of the human population, bringing the entire Earth's population to roughly 10,000 people worldwide. What happened when Toba blew its top, it blanketed most of the globe in sulfuric acid, killing plant and animal life everywhere. This sulfuric acid remained in the atmosphere for roughly 10,000 years. Because the Earth was ina cooling phase, aided by the sulfuric acid and ash in the atmosphere the sun was successfully blocked, causing the temperature of the Earth to drop significantly, but because of the reflective properties of the sulfuric acid, it would appear as though the sky were never brighter. The world essentially plunged into another ice age. The Earth's surface became more reflective, causing the sun's rays to bouce off of the earth more than usual, the temperature continued to cool, taking us further and further into a life that could barely survive. For 10,000 years the oceans were 10 degrees cooler than they normally are and have been for years. Somehow a temperature change in climatte warming came about at the end of that 10,000 years bringing the world back to a state of recovery.

Pretty freakin' trippy, right? Well, we don't have to worry about Toba for about another 300,000 years as that particular Super Volcano's cycle is every 400,000 years. There are a handful of other Super Volcanoes around the world (4-6), two of which are located in North America. One in Long Valley and one in Yellowstone. The one in Yellowstone (which is about half the area of the park itself) runs on a cycle of roughly 600,000 years. When was the last time it blew? About 640,000 years ago! Estimates of what the volcano's damage might produce would be a radius that would obliterate most of North America, almost reaching the East Coast. If something like Toba would occur in this day and age, what would we do? How would the world change? Clearly the climate would change, but what with modern innovations, would agriculture still be able to thrive in man-made contraptions like green-houses? How much of the world's population would die out? What about animal life? How many would go extinct? It's really intriguing. A part of me wants to be around to see it all happen. All I know is I'm buying me a gas mask to prevent the ash from getting into my lungs. Thinking about it, would the world turn into an example of what happens in Cormac McCarthy's book The Road? If you haven't read it, I recommend picking up a copy. It's a real quick read. I know a movie's coming out on it soon with Vigo Mortensen.

Well, I figure I've freaked you all out enough. Time to "study" for my midterm.

You're All Going to Hate Me

Since Tuesdays and Thursdays I bring my laptop to school with me and I leave straight from school to work, I've decided to relieve myself of boredom by bringing movies along with me. There are two questions you're probably asking yourself: 1) You're clearly on your computer at work all the time, why not just watch one on the work computer? and 2) Why didn't you do this earlier? 1) The disc drive on the work PC doesn't work and won't open. 2) My boss doesn't like it when I'm on my computer when customers are around. Way I see it, there aren't any customers anyways, so if any do come in I can just pause the movie, help the customer then get back to where I was at. There. Problem solved. I effectively cut my boredom and work-load by loafing even more and I'm still getting paid $9/hour to do it. And by work-load I mean the burden placed on my sanity while sitting around with no one to talk to and nothing to do. Time to get back to the show. Today's picture: Singin' in the Rain.

T/Th

The Tuesday/Thursday routine of purchasing a coffee and bagel before my 11 am class has taken a turn for the worst. That turn? I've tried the jalapeno and cheese bagel. I already have enough trouble with my intake of jalapeno burgers from Carl's, Jr. Now I'm just ruining my intestines even more. My health can't possibly be good. I imagine I'll have clogged arteries by age 25. But bagels are healthy, right? Having irregular eating patterns where I can go without eating for long stretches to then consume ample amounts of food at one time or having the only meals of the day be peanut butter straight from the jar and junk food can't be good for me. T/Th doesn't allow for much in the way of eating right. I'm gone for 12 hours without an opportunity to cook for myself. By the time I'm home I don't even feel like putting forth the effort to cook something. Now working 11 hour dayys when I'm not in class makes it even more difficult and tiring to actually try to eat healthy. I haven't gone to the grocery store in quite some time as somehow my folks are replenishing my left-over supply by the time I finish with the previous stock. I'm really just rambling now, not even looking at the screen, just trying to kill time during class.
WWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeee!

Music For 3/9/09

Echo & the Bunnymen

Killing Moon (figured I'd post one you might recognize)

Save THIS, Daylight!

That title should have me shaking my fist at the sun. I'm not sure how to take this changing of time. I don't know if it feels like forever since I've been at work because of the light or because I've been here nine hours (eight if you subtract the hour lunch break) and want to bash my head into a wall. While I was wrong as to the sales (the sun came out) at the beginning of the day, we had 24 sales from 10-4. Since 4 we've only had 3 sales. So my predictions as to the nothingness of the night were correct as usual, but I guess I didn't think the sun would come out and ruin everything.

Big Decisions

What am I gonna have for lunch? The SD Burger Co. is my typical eatery, but I've had one too many burgers lately. I have several options, but nothing really seems worth my dough. I've narrowed it to two (2) slices of cheese pizza for $3, a hot dog and fries for $3.70 or a bean and cheese burrito with a soda for $3. I know the burrito won't be good. I don't like the pizza place guys and the hot dog and fries aren't really that filling. Oh well, I guess I can have another burger. Yet another hour long break. I imagine I'll nap in my truck again. Sigh. I need to get out of here.

Slow Day

No, not Snow Day. Slow day. Because it's a Monday at SPV. And I'm working for 11 hours the 2nd day in a row. It's also raining a bit. I'll be lucky to get seven customers the entire day. Five is plausible, but even that might not happen. I'll have to get a count at the end of the day. I've made one sale so far, but this place is dead. I'm glad I brought my homework.

Reasons Seaport Sucks

Reason #73:

This guy:

Marugan the Mystic, normally part of some freak show somewhere, but made family-friendly for the SPV atmosphere, which just makes it even worse than it already is.

Shocking

More proof I'm an idiot (in case you needed any):

I just opened a disposable camera for a customer and found that the camera itself had been broken a bit enough to expose the film. In wanting to see what the insides of a disposable camera look like, I pried the plastic shell off exposing the film and circuitry along with the battery, flash, etc. I charged the flash to see what that would be like. Me, stupid as I am handsome, decided to leave my fingers on the metallic parts of the circuits. I've since shocked myself four times. Something tells me that it won't stop there. I'll see how many times I can shock myself out of sheer idiocy before I finally just throw the damned thing away. Expect a tally.

UPDATE:

The battery's out! Why am I still being electrocuted? Disposable: 5 Andy: 0

UPDATE II:

I think that the camera has run out of juice to jolt me with. Take THAT! It may have shocked me 6 times and given me a surprising and blinding flash that I wasn't expecting, but I think I won the war in the end. After all, it's got nothing left. Go Andy.

Watchmen

It was alright. Read the (comic) book. So much better.

I Need Sleep

I rolled into San Diego this morning around 3:30. I guess you'd like to hear about the night. Maybe you don't. But if so, then keep reading.

The drive to LA from home proved to be easy enough, but when it came to parking at LA Live!, the shit hit the fan. Not too badly, but I ended up circling around for about 20 or 30 minutes trying to find a parking location that wouldn't ensure the theft of my vehicle or its contents and one that would accept a credit card. That's my fault for not withdrawing any cash prior to leaving home. Anyways, after some slightly faulty directions from a parking attendant, I was finally directed to a lot that would accept card. Problem being I had to park valet. I hate valet. Especially since Marionette is a bit touchy and the emergency brake handle was broken off. And why pay someone else for something I could do myself? But again, I wasn't really in any position to decline since it was my only option. There went $25 ($28 with the guilt tip, despite the fact that they ruined my E-brake even more after I alerted them to the fragility of the cord).

While waiting for the ever-so-lovely Marina to arrive, I checked out this new-fangled "LA Live!" thing that the venue was located in. It was pretty much a mall of restaurants (most of which were under construction) with a trendy bowling alley (that we didn't go to since the line was too long) and two music venues (both owned by Nokia) right across from Staples Center. Not really worth the $25 parking, but a neat place.

Around 7:30 we met for dinner at a snazzy restaurant called "the Farm" where our waitress didn't introduce herself to us, barely paid attention to us and gave us what seemed to be menacing glares and exasperated eye-rolls in our direction while being friendly and attentive to the diners next to us. Two floors above us awaited Tom Jones.

Roundabout 8:45 we ascended two escalators to meet with greatness. The first course of action was to have our picture taken with their fancy picture machine (a cell phone). If you ever go to Nokia Club, look up the Tom Jones show for March 6th, 2009 and you'll find a photo of the two of us on some jumbo screen. Kinda creepy to see my face on a giant screen, but still fun. Next came two beers (which were outrageously expensive), then came Tom (Tommy!). The man's in his 60's and still going strong. Women all over the place were launching their underpants at the guy! His powers of seduction were so strong that a woman behind us even fainted! He's quite the entertainer, that one. Screeches of "I love you, Tom!" were heard throughout the night. We even initiated in the "Tom Jones High Five," which is just a regular high five but with "Tom Jones High Five" said aloud when doing so.

After the show we went in search of a bar that seemed like a neat place to go, but with all metered parking taken and people around the area still charging outrageous prices for parking in shady areas, we opted to grab some coffee and dessert at Mel's Diner, a 24 hour diner with a 50's/60's motif. So for a good while after the show Marina and I sat talking with apple pie, chocolate cake and a few cups of coffee.

At 1:30 we decided to go our separate ways and said our "see you soon"s. As we drove off I couldn't help but feel an all too familiar burning sensation in my chest. I knew it wasn't the coffee. That just goes straight to my bladder and I'd just used the restroom. The next two hours were spent ruminating on this sensation and trying to keep myself awake until arriving home in San Diego. A "made it home safe" text and five hours of sleep later, I'm here at work writing all this to you. So if you ask how it was, I'll tell you that the night was one of a kind and I had the right person to share it with. And now I just want to get back home to take a nice, long nap.