Marauding bands of rubber

I'm finding that keeping a weblog is becoming boring. Mainly, this is a result of me myself being personally boring. I have no anecdotes to relay, no comical characters to belittle, and quite often nothing interesting to say at all.

Drop the debt! (The US's and the global.)

Was that interesting? Let's hope so.

Nutrition

Today for lunch I ate 3 pieces of re-baked LJS catfish, 1 piece of re-baked LJS regular fish, and a whole can of Bush's Homestyle Beans.

This should have been me...

This is amazing. To think, this could have been me, just two weekenda ago... I can't believe I missed out on such a glorious opportunity.

Also, please welcome Rob Rennich to the board over there on the left. He's taken his first steps into a much larger world.

PS: as might be expected, the words formed from the names in the links have nothing to do with whom they are conjoined and do not represent them in any intentional way.

Mouthing Off

I was going to say that Napoleon Dynamite was one of my top five favorite movies of all time. Seriously. That was when I believed that it was a small, indie film that was made by folks who actually lived a similar life and were making a movie to comemorate the truths of being a nerd/dork/dweeb. I had friends like that. I was like that.

See, I missed the first few minutes of the movie. Like when it rolls across that it's an MTV movie, which a friend told me later.

Now I am very confused because I want to believe that it is still pure and good, but I have an itch in my mind telling me that it is corrupt corporate-pop-fluff being directly targeted at me by The Man himself. Whereas before I believed it was an honestly quirky movie, thereby allowing me to forgive and appreciate its faults, I now have a gnawing suspicion that its Wes Anderson-ness is a deliberate marketing ploy.

What am I to do? Someone help me. Inform me. Brooke, if anyone knows the truth, you do. Do I pummel or do I embrace?

I know, I know, "Stop worrying."
"Just let it go."
"It's only a movie."
I'm a nerd--it doesn't work that way.

There's always the hope that The Man funded the movie, but kept its grubbers off of it. I've heard that sometimes that almost rarely happens on infrequent occasions.

PS (and a total aside): Why is The Man still masculine? Shouldn't there be some kind of PC lawsuit or something to change it to The Woman every other reference? Or to some androgenous term, like The Person?

Sing a new song

I propose a new verse to an old, old song:

Where have all the good jobs gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the good jobs gone?
Gone to China, every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?

This is in memory of all the good jobs our fathers, uncles, and friends (and moms and aunts) have lost over the past 4 years. Why in the blue bloody blazes are there so many middle-aged men getting laid off? Feel free to post a story as a comment. Here are three quick ones.

My dad was laid off when his company was bought out three years ago. He and my mom moved to TN as a result, so now my whole family live 8 hours away.
There's a college educated 50 year old man at the shelter currently who has beenlaid off from several jobs recently, as each one of the small companies he does engineering for has closed it's doors.
Nevermind, I'll let Kevin tell his own story.

Dreaming in FPS

For the past several nights, I have been dreaming in SW miniatures. This happens every now and again, usually when I play too much of a brand new computer game. Once, I had dreams in Final Fantasy format. These are otherwise normal dreams, except that everyone in them is a plastic miniature, or perhaps has an action bar or dialogue box above their head. Yeah, that was the weirdest--when no one talked audibly because it was all in Final Fantasy dialogue boxes. It's bad because it happens even when I'm just half awake, like when I get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, but I can't stop thinking about people as SW minis. This too shall pass...in about 2 more days.

I have also been dreaming in Coheed and Cambria. I borrowed their black (2nd?) album from Ben, and have been listening to it far too much, it would seem. I don't think I've ever dreamt about an album before. Not about it's content, just the songs running through my head. I barely can understand 50 words on the whole disk. It's good, but I've switched back to Nick Drake, for safety reasons.

Bradley Shadrix is being job trained this week. It's good to have a compatriot again.

I will be purchasing more minis from my cousin soon. That means I'll have what I'd consider a "complete" set: enough for me to supply a friend or two with enough pieces for us to play a game, without them having to supply their own.

SW Minis

Nerds, unite! My cousin, the amazing comic shop owner/operator, sent me the starter and a booster for the SW (Star Wars, for you non-nerds) miniatures game that came out not too long ago. I've never played one of these games before, though I've always been impressed with the design of the pieces. I've never had the money (and therefore the interest) necessary to buy a big enough army to win. And it feels fundamentally wrong that the richest kids win these things because they can afford the most and better pieces. Anyway, Kevin and I played last night, and it is fun. The game design torques me off because it is (surprise!) designed to make you buy the booster packs (at ridiculous prices for little, rigid, plastic-molded people). However, the game play is fun enough that it's worth it. I'll be putting in an order for more booster packs soon...as will Kevin. My reasoning is that if I have enough pieces to create variety in gameplay, I really don't need to have all 60 of them. After losing handily last night, I've determined that I do need Boba Fett, or at least a Wampa.

Darth Vader, Dark Jedi, kicked my ass all over the Death Star.

To Seth--
You are astute. ("What's a 'stute'?") I ran CC in HS. My PR was 17 min something. I think on the short end of 17. (That was 9 freaking years ago.) I was one of those cursed late-bloomers, doomed to saying things like, "If only I'd had one more year, I would have kicked ass...and been at the physical maturity and competitiveness of my peers." Alas, we Filipiaks have small (but ninja-like) genes.

Holy Mexicans

Today we had an extended staff meeting because we had four Mexican men from the United Methodist Church's Mexican conferences visit with us. They are in Ohio for the next several days for a larger meeting/conference and were sent to visit with us as part of their itinerary. Good Works isn't UMC affiliated, but we certainly do work with lots of UMC affiliated churches, in addition to all the other churches and community groups. It was cool to have these guys visit for a few hours. We had a spontaneous prayer time, where first they prayed for each of us (in Spanish), then we prayed for them. It was a good time, and greatly appreciated. I'm always surprised how random people can know what kind of prayer I need at that moment. It always amazes me how encouraging, inspiring, and poignant things like that can be. I guess that's the skeptic in me. This sort of thing happens regularly around here, and I will miss it when I am gone.

I smell something burning. Must be almost dinner time...

A new personal record!!!

So, Sarah and I ran in that race on Saturday, and, even though I haven't ran a race since just after high school, I still managed to beat out a new PR--16 min, 47 sec!!! Sarah was dragging her feet, but still came in around 22 minutes. Pretty good, for a first timer.

Oh yeah, I forgot: I'm lying. We didn't run. In the event that you didn't know, we got tons of rain, rain, rain on Friday. That washed the race out. On top of that, Sarah hasn't been getting enough sleep because of the pup. The deal was that I was only running if she was soooooo...no race. I'm surprised they didn't cancel it. Then again maybe they did, since we weren't there to find out.

My cousin sent me the new Star Wars miniatures game. Wow, does it seem cool. Yes, nerdy. But also strategic and fun. And fraking addicting. I am beginning to understand the attraction of "Gotta catch 'em all!--Pokemon" They're just stupid plastic figures that don't even move, but I still find myself wanting to assemble a (costly) death squad of storm troopers with a "Sith Lord" Vader as their commander. Some of them look really cool, some look stupid. Oh well.

In other news, frustrations abound in band-land, as schedules fail to cooperate. I don't know how the rock and roll is going to shape up. I'm feeling a tad deflated because this dang town just can't cough up the committment that I'd hoped (in vain) for. No offense to the gents, by any means--we'll still rock. It will just take longer, and might not be super caliber. Luckily, we're all genius master musicians.

Neptune Comics

This is the website of the comic shop that my cousin recently opened in Waukesha, WI. My cousin is rad, and has been a comic nerd for ages. He was like an older brother to me growing up...except I didn't see him all that often. I have vivid memories of rummaging through his large collection of Star Wars figures and comic books as a kid. I'm sure he wanted to kill me, because most of the time he wasn't home when I found them...under his bed or tucked in a box in the closet. Mind you, I was about 8, and he was 14 or so. Anyway, check out his shop and business. He's a mild-mannered pharmaceutical salesman by day, and he takes over running the comic shop (from his wife) at night. Sounds like a great, non-creepy place.

The headache

Today I woke up with my headacher precursor--a litle green dot in the middle of my field of vision, similar to what happens when you look at the sun. Then, it spreads to my peripheral vision. That's the time to take pills, pills, pills, before it starts hurting. Today, I was able to stave it off for awhile, but when I laid down for about an hour or so, it came back. Right before I was supposed to be at work. Usually, resting is the only thing that kills it, but I guess today I rested just long enough for the pills to wear off but not long enough for my body to reset. So, here I sit at work, with my vision screwy. Thankfully, the pain has subsided, mostly. Do you have any idea what this is? It happens about 2-3 times a year for me, and almost always the same, except they usually happen at night. I've been told migranes and I've been told sinus headaches. I don't know much about either.

Do Over

I'm a bit more lucid now. And sentimental.

I like living. I like life. I like being with people, and having those privileged moments of deep honesty. I like when the facade comes off, when we drop our plastic defenses and admit who we are. I like when people really, really want to be who they are, nerd-style, and learn how to stop caring what others think. In appropriate, non-attention getting ways. I like finding those blessed few people who let you be who you wish you were, if you weren't too afraid you'd be called a nerd. In some sick way, I like not knowing what's coming next in life. I like that God is too big for me to know completely, but simple enough for me to walk and talk with every day. I like that He wants me to walk and talk with Him every day, and that He lets me swear sometimes. I like dignity, honor, compassion, faithfulness, honesty, courage--deep things that don't come out often, but make us who we are...or who we should be.

What three words describe the core of who you are? Good words, not bad ones. They can be the words that you hope describe your core. I hope mine are integrity, truth, courage. I think.

Ever wonder why people can't just be who they want to be? Or why some people wear who they think they are like a t-shirt slogan, even if they're the only ones who believe it? I don't have much tolerance for that, unless they're trapped by lack of confidence into feeling foolish. Culture and scared people do that sometimes, to each other.

Ramblin on the open plains...

Nothing to say, but something should be said. Too much to say, so it all gets jumbled.

I am very tired. Coffee is making it worse.

I am tired of the Vote War. So many people so angrily, vigorously, and adamantly dedicated to the idea that the US, and maybe the rest of the known world, will go to Hell in a Handbasket (does anyone know where that is, exactly?) if we don't elect their candidate. One will tank the economy. ("Sure getting laid off was tough, but now I have my new job without benefits at the new Wal-Mart, and use foodstamps to help soften my budget.") The other will tank our moral fiber. (Are you getting enough moral fiber in your diet?) Why can't we have a multi-party system? Other real countries have them, and they seem to get along fine even with occasional fascist or communist candidates. When you have 20 parties, who cares if some are more or less wacky? It makes me sad that we only have two, and that both of them are wacky. It also makes me sad that Ralph Nader is wacky. He has such good ideas...mostly. If only he could pass as clinically sane...

Ack. I have nothing intelligent to say.

I have been reading the first issues of X-Men ever. They are hokey, but great.

I'm voting Kerry/Edwards. Wacky or not, at least Kim Jong-Il won't be able to sell a nuke to Osama...if he hasn't already. And maybe we'll stop huffing gasoline. And maybe we'll get our jobs back. And maybe...

Pupdate (get it?)

Even busier today that Thursday. But at least the 'net is working again.

One pup left. The natural born one. She seems to be doing much better. She always has been the strongest. Still has another week before it's "out of the woods," but things seem to be improving. It has been nice to have the pup in the house, and stress levels (Sarah's, Ellen's, mine) are marginally decreasing.

So many thoughts and feelings. So little time. C'est la vie, mais non?

May we all RIP

My apologies, all, for not posting more regularly lately. Things have been very, very busy both at work and at home.

Here at work, I'm supposed to be doing the work of two people. We hired somebody, but he doesn't start for another week. All this wouldn't be a problem if the house was less full. I'm finding I don't have enough time to squeeze in all the meetings with residents I'm supposed to be having. But, I am hanging on, and have had some of my best days at work in a long time, for reasons that are unclear to me.

At home, one of our dogs had puppies on Sunday night. It has been horrible and tragic. Seven pups were stillborn, one born naturally, and three born Caesarian. Two of the C-sectioned pups have died in the past two days. Sarah has much of herself (and Ellen does too) wrapped in these pups, and it has been very hard on her/them/us. Lots of no sleep and worry for everyone.

From last post, I actually both baked lemon bars and played Axis & Allies by myself. And I'll probably get to do the same this weekend, since I'm on call again and we still have an elderly man here for whom we'll (I'll) need to keep the shelter open all day. There aren't enough volunteers to cover all the shifts. Anyone care to join me? (I do plan on inviting other residents to play this time, since there are guys who are interested, but didn't know I was going to be here.

Trading Spaces

You may have noticed a few changes here at Squidzaus. No, none of them are for the better, really. And yes, I made them all myself. See, here I sit, at work, on Saturday. There's only one fellow here, and he's sleeping right now. Not me--a fellow other than myself. I haven't quite sunk to that. Although I have sunk to discovering where the colors are in my template. I then set out to discover what colors I might change the original colors. I don't know how to get shades of colors, but I like the glorious 256 look anyway. I'll change it back, I think, when I get the time again. Which, coincidentally, just might be tomorrow afternoon, since I'm keeping the shelter open again then, which means I, on-call staff, get to be here.

Or maybe I'll find some other, newer ways to irreparably make this difficult to read.

I was toying with the ideas of baking lemon bars or playing Axis & Allies Europe by myself. (I brought it to play with people I thought were going to be here.) I still have 2.5 hours to kill. Suggestions?

Stubborn as a Yankee jackass in January

Well, if no one else is going to post anymore, then neither am I. Eight can play at this game.

On a 'bout-time note: has anyone else noticed "Critters" poking it's too-tiny head into the corners of the Athens Insider?

Barph snoggle zous.

Damn, I wish I had something funny to say. I feel like all I ever do is drag the little weblog ring into seriousness. I really don't mean to. I guess I'm only funny if I can make a face or sing a song.

How about some band news? We had our first "practice" this past Wednesday. Interpretation: Greg brought over his drums and hit them while I ran through the songs and Kevin, not having his cello, hummed some celloish bits. This is going to be good, I can just feel it. And to top it all off, superstar guitarist from The Substitutes, Aaron Schlagbaum, is going to be playing with us too. I think we're finally an outfit. I don't really plan on being any good for at least three months (if we can practice regularly those three months), cuz it's going to take time to get used to each other and to develop unified vision.

Oh, what's this? No Critters on Sarah's site for a week? No, that would actually be in absentia for an entire month. What's the point in being a genius if you don't share it with the rest of the world? Harumph.

A moment of silence for the dearly departed at ye old Good Works: Craig, Dave, Kathryn, Kelly, Liz, Geoff. R.I.P., and may God have mercy on your souls. Ye shall be missed.

Oh my dreams are never quite as it seems...

I love dreams like this one right here. I wish I had dreams like that every night. And I'll agree that it sucks when you don't get to use the guns in your dreams. Man, that happens to me all the time--waking up just when the story is getting really good. Last night/this morning I was trying to park a shot-up car into a parking space while people were after me. I don't know why the space was so important, more important than life. Maybe it's some residual fear since the students are starting back next week and that means this town will be overrun again. Back to 20 minutes of trolling uptown for parking.

BTW, Monsterbear is Chris Cantoni.

[This posting was sponsored by Tredegar Industries & the letter 4]