Random Access

Friday – 11 May 2007
End. Of. The. Week.

Last night, post-work, was good.  And quiet.  CSI: Spaghetti.  And a lot of not much else… although, I did go out for a late night mocha.  I found it rather amusing that, by the time I got back home, I was about ready to hit the rack… and did… and didn’t have any issues falling asleep.

And, on top of all that: I was up before the alarm went off this morning.  Go figure.

So far, the day’s been good.  I’m still stuck as to what’s hanging up this problem system.  But, I’ll either fix it… or drop kick it.  Into Utah Lake.

And, tonight: Clitorati.

Stray Toasters

• I have made a horrible – yet terribly amusing – discovery:  The Crüxshadows’ Earthfall is just slightly more uptempo than Prince’s When Doves Cry… but with a little tweaking, they blend in a decent way.  I have been driving around listening to Earthfall and singing Doves over it.  And laughing a lot.
• That led me to another discovery: Pacemaker, a WinAmp plugin that lets you modify the tempo, pitch and speed of an mp3… on the fly.
• For the record: When Doves Cry has to be sped up 3% to work.  It’s still not perfect… but it’s not bad.
• showed me a link to a site called Jewcy.
• Damn Pepperdge Farm for making their Pretzel Goldfish so damned tasty!
• Steampunky assemblage clock
• You know who you are…
  
• Derek watched American History X last night.  His training is proceeding nicely.
• HOWTO make a Carbonite Han Solo chocolate bar
• 
• Next time someone tells you to “Shove a cork in it,” show them this.
• Who can turn the stove on with her smile?
  Who can take a bubblebath
  And suddenly fill it with crocodiles?
  ‘Cause it’s you, Dot, and you should know it
  Put nitro on a bridge go ahead and blow it
  Mud is all around, I guess it’s Spring
  Name another crooner, other than Bing
  Don’t throw your hat up in the air
  Cause what might land is a Frigidaire!
  Dot!
• I found a link to this The Horrible Pirates webcomic… and the last panel reminded me of this.

Namaste.

Thursday – 10 May 2007
It’s only a three-day work week… and I am phenomenally (do DO do-do-do) glad about that.  In retrospect, I think that I should have just taken the entire week off.  Oh, well.

Last night, I shopped for groceries.  Because: a) I needed them and b) I like to eat.  Two birds.  One stone.  I was a bit disappointed to find that the store I went to did not have any beef or chicken stir-fry strips (and I didn’t feel like taking the extra effort to cut steaks/chicken breasts into the appropriate size and shape).  So, I cooked another batch of spaghetti and sauce.  Liz came over and we watched Aliens.  Hudson cracked me up… as usual.

So far, today has been good.  I slept in… because I needed it, apparently.  Stopped in the north office before trekking to the south one.  Gym.  And now… food.  (And a quick post.)

Stray Toasters

• I saw this article on boingboing… and it reminded me of this.
• pointed out this article: Armless driver eludes police chase
• I completely spaced this off the other day when I talked about Spider-Man 3: There’s a new trailer for Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer
  
• Speaking of the FF movies, Tim Story – the movies’ director – has said that he’d like to do a sequel with the Black Panther in it… with Djimon Hounsou as T’Challa
• , this one’s for you…
  
• One of the Daves at work sent me a link to this video.  Cute… and pretty damned funny.
• And Eric sent this Emo Philips audio clip.

Back to it.

Namaste.

I was just working on a system and dropped something.

Nothing really major, just a case screw.
Insignificant, really.

But, when I dropped it, in my head I heard the swearing sound that Q-Bert made when he got squished.

It made me laugh and feel just a little sad at the same time.

I’m back behind the Zion Curtain.
And for my next amazing feat…
< /consciousness>

Tuesday – 08 May 2007
Aside from today being travel day, it’s got another ever-so-slightly more important meaning: It’s my stepmother, Sib3 and Max’ birthday.  I called the family unit – talked with both – and left a message with Max’ parents.  So, all bases covered.
I didn’t manage to catch my old teachers, but I did run a few errands, so the morning hasn’t been a complete wash.

We’re leaving for the airport in a little bit and then I’ll be chasing the sun.  I’ve had a great time and wish I didn’t have to leave so soon.  It was good to see family and friends and get a chance to hang out with them.

Stray Toasters

• I’m not sure why, but I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On was running through my head this morning.  While I like the Robert Palmer version, it was still missing something from the Cherrelle version from the mid 80s: A breakdancing King Kong.  I think that’s what Peter Jackson was missing from his version of King Kong, too – Kong gettin’ it on the good foot.
• Alter Ego: Portraits of players and their avatars
• Generally speaking, I don’t drink soda… unless it’s part of a mixed drink.  For Cheerwine, however, I am willing to make an exception.  This and – if I could find it – Birch Beer, from a soda company back in Maryland.
• Microwave popcorn is the new asbestos

Hello, I must be going.

Namaste.

Monday – 07 May 2007
Lazy day.

Imagine that… a lazy day… on a vacation.  Who would have thought such a thing possible?!  But here it was.  I slept in.  I stayed around the house for a while.  Mom decided that she needed a new printer, so I made a trip to the not-so-local (but-full-of-fun-things) Best Buy.  One printer, one cable (and one copy of Snakes & Arrows) later, I was on the way back home.

It was also a nominally productive day.  I…

• …installed the printer and hardware
• …replaced a tail light in Mom’s car
• …went to the grocery store
• …visited an aunt whom I hadn’t gotten to see over the weekend
• …still…need to do…. laundry.

Four out of five ain’t bad.  And I did get to see tonight’s episode of 24.
Tomorrow, I get to chase the sun.  Tomorrow evening, that is.  Tomorrow morning, I want to try and catch up a couple of my old teachers.

Stray Toasters

• As if I needed something else to covet: Elektra
• Two States Restrict Used CD Sales
  Why does it not surprise me that Utah is one of the two states?
• Mario: Game Over
• Desert Island Discs: Can one game last a lifetime?
• 
• Interesting new gadget: LaptopTablet
• I had my hands on Butterscotch Krimpets today… but I didn’t buy them.  I may have to make a run at them tomorrow before I head to the airport.
• Weather.cx
• 
• 
• The 52 Cover Gallery

Namaste.

That’s right: Bojangle’s.

• Cajun Filet Biscuit
• Seasoned Fries

Zaz!

I was just chatting with about Spider-Man 3. We are basically of the same opinion of the movie – it was “good,” but not “WOW!” That’s cool. It was good enough to stay off the Cool World – Long Kiss Goodnight Scale. And it was still better than a number of comic book-related big screen properties… including, but not limited to X-Men: The Last Stand.

We also agree about the middle section of the movie – the part that Applegeeks’ Hawk referred to as the “Emo Spidey” section in the latest edition of Applegeeks Lite (see my last post). When talking with , I was reminded that I had come up with my own name for it while watching the scene:

“Spider-day Night Fever”

If/when you see the movie, you’ll know what I’m talking about. See if you agree/disagree whether or not that appellation fits.

Sunday – 06 May 2007
Today has been good.

Long, but good. Last night, post-graduation party, some of us wound up in the rents’ room for a conversation that evolved/degenerated into the typical socio-economic discussions that seem to arise when members of my family and extended family get together. It lasted into the wee hours.

This morning started with two trips to the airport and a trip to Kris’ place. From there it was back up 85/40 to the homestead. I relaxed for a bit before heading out to meet , Thomas and Don for dinner at Outback. Prime rib. Cheese Fries. Beer! Don and I went to see Spider-Man 3.

It was good. And fun. It wasn’t Amazing, Sensational or Spectacular, but it was a nice way to pass a couple of hours with a friend. It will make a nice addition to the comics-to-film collection. After the movie, I took Don home and hung out with his family for a bit. While there, I was informed that “…cats are nocturnal.” By Thomas. Which caught me ever-so-slightly off-guard. I wasn’t expecting to hear that… let alone from the resident 5-year-old. But, then I considered the gene donors and things made a little more sense. A little.

Stray Toasters

• I have 12 Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
• This short, Swing, played before Spider-Man 3.  It’s by Esteban Azuela… and it’s cute.  Watch it.
• Don has a monkey.
  A Rikti monkey.
  For a pet.
  (*mutter*  You magnificent bastard!)
  He got it for being in Paragon City for three years.
• I have read the last three installments of 52. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.
• – Online Communites Map
• By way of boingboing.net – Iraq: Kurdish girl stoned to death, mob films it on cameraphones
• : Aitch N I C. Mastermind. Thugs. Dark.
• By way of slashdot: Utah Anti-Kids-Spam Registry “a Flop”
• The front door may slam
  But the back door it rings…
• America’s Favorite Cites 2007, from Travel + Leisure
• Not that I needed it, but has given me another reason to love her.

Namaste.

Things that help make for a great Sunday morning:

• Having your cousin find your “missing” Disneyland jacket.
• Getting back from the airport in time to say “Goodbye” to family you haven’t seen in years… many, many years.
• Coffee.
• Conversations with (by way of ):

[09:33] shadorunr: Would you relay a message to Mr. zeeke?
[09:33] shadorunr: I am.  😀
[09:33] paize: I certainly could!
[09:33] paize: He’s actually sitting next to me if you’d like to chat with him.
[09:33] shadorunr: Indians: 2    O’s: 8
[09:33] shadorunr: That’s all.
[09:33] shadorunr: I don’t think he’ll have much to say to me after that.  😀
[09:34] paize: zeeke says ‘Blow me’

Priceless.

…there’s a new lawyer in the family.

Kris graduated from North Carolina Central University School of Law today.

04 May 2007
Greetings from the Right Coast.

Red eye flights… not necessarily my favorite way to travel, but they do serve the purpose. Because, God knows, airlines don’t serve much else.  A cup – maybe a can – of a soft drink or juice, if you’re lucky. Food? Forget it.  Unless you want to pay for it. Um… yeah. No, thanks.

But, Jessica Hagy at Indexed made a good observation…

…and I have to agree.  Especially at  McCarran International Airport (LAS). Sweet traveling monkey-squeezin’ Jesus!  Let’s see… we had:

• First there were the “Gotta get my last fix” monkeys, playing slots at the gate. Keep feedin’ them machines!!! Keep the quarters coming!!! Yeah.  Them.
• Then, there was the young lady who decided that rather than sit next to anyone, she would just… pull out a mini-blanket, throw her duffel bag on the floor and just… stretch out.  And she did. With the quickness.
• But, the best people were the ones who couldn’t stop staring at the lying-down girl. It was like it was some oddity/novelty. And I do mean full-on stare.  Mouths open. Eyes wide. You would have thought that they were codfish.

Those were the prime examples. The rest of the people were fairly run-of-the-mill. But, they were still fun to watch.

The flights were uneventful.  I read from SLC to Vegas.  I slept most of the way from Vegas to Charlotte. And dozed from Charlotte to Raleigh – short flight. When I got to Raleigh, I went to the baggage carousel to get my bag. I watched it go around.  And around.  And around. And no bag.

 *braincramp*

  The first thing that I thought of was the Christmas baggage debacle.  That did not fill my head with happy thoughts.  I walked into the Baggage Service Office to see if someone could figure out what happened to it… and there was my bag.  Apparently, there was a direct flight LAS – RDU flight that left a little before my flight did.  My bag – being smarter than my ticketing service, apparently – took the non-stop flight.  *sigh*
And, so, in the words of Queen: “Now I’m here…”  And, it sounds like the day is going to be… busy.  Oh, boy.

Stray Toasters

• I didn’t even eat any of my snacks on the flight.  Oh, well… that means more for later!
• Gallery of 1970s Kirby covers
• I’ve put decent dents in Specter of the Past and Pattern Recognition
• I think that Don and I are going to try and catch Spider-Man 3 in Sunday.
  
• Celebrating Alice Day with the finest Wonderland edition I’ve seen
• has been on something of a cat picture kick of late.  And it’s been funny cat pics, including this one:
  
• sent me a link to this flickr page.  First picture made me laugh.
• How to Open Things
• : It’s not “anal bleaching,” but I figured that you’d appreciate this.

And it looks like we’re about to start doing stuff.  Which means a lot of running around. Wahoo.  Yippeeki-yay.

Namaste.

GameBoy: Check.
iPod: Check.
Sketchbook: Check.
Reading material: Check.

Snacks: Check.
Bags: Check.

Ticket: Check.

Yep… I’m a vapor trail.  I’ll talk at you from the Right Coast.

Up out!

Thursday – 03 May 2007
Down to the hours now.

Someone asked if it’s hard being at work, knowing that I’m going to be on the Right Coast tomorrow morning.  Nope.  It’s not.  “SSDD,” as my father would say.  Just another day in Paradise… this is the Land of Zion, after all.

Yesterday ended quietly.  Me, sitting at home… avoiding packing through modern technology.  That’s right, boys and girls: City of Heroes.  More importantly, Issue 9: Breakthrough went live yesterday.  There are now crafting skills and auction houses in Paragon City and the Rogue Isles.  So, the Hand of Nefer-Tem went to the University to learn about making new toys.  I still need to take Corvus Nox and Indi through the course, but that will wait until next week.

After leaving Paragon City, I decided to distract myself with a little poker.  That was a joke.  My game was off.  Way off.  Far enough off to be measured in astronomical units.  It wasn’t pretty.  Fortunately, the Fates decided to stop using me as their whipping boy and show me a little favor.  Things turned around.  Quickly.  I decided to stop while I was ahead.

Then, I packed.  Zaz!

I also wound up at The Clone’s V.I. last night.  This time, she was there.  It took her a moment to recognize/remember who I was – you could almost see the disk access light blinking.

Stray Toasters

• I had I Don’t Need Anything But You, from Annie, running through my head a little while ago.  I don’t know why.
• News about Jon Favreau’s upcoming Iron Man movie here and first look at the official site here.
• Redirect your animal instincts with a French letter
• From boingboing.net – Petition to restore habeas corpus
• 
• Design a Counterstrike mod, get expelled from school
• So, maybe he wasn’t quite as tarnished as we were led to believe: A look at the upcoming Booster Gold series from Wizard.
• Cover art from 52: Week Fifty-Two… which makes a nice bookend piece with the art from 52: Week One
• For , and – Faces of Guitar Heroes

Namaste.

There was no way that I could not post…
I couldn’t not…
I had to…

Oh, Hell… just click: LOLTrek.