Kbloggityboogaloo

Slowly but Sho'ly

2008-07-14T14:56:00.002-05:00

So for those of you who haven't heard, I was in a bike accident a coupla weeks ago that resulted in a pretty severe shoulder injury. My initial reaction was "ow." The next day, I was questioning whether I would be able to do any of my jobs, much less play drums for the Bears again.

Well, things are gradually getting better. I have full mobility back, though still pretty restricted on lifting things in certain ways. I ice down my shoulder at least once a day to relieve some of the aches and pains of everyday functioning and take some Advil to help even more. Yesterday was my first drumline rehearsal since the accident, and things went pretty well. Despite not practicing for two weeks, I was able to play everything (with some discomfort) until the end of the rehearsal, when a certain part that we kept repeating put my arm in its most uncomfortable position for a long time and I eventually had to 'tap out.'

Still progress is being made and I will hopefully be fully recovered within a month or two.

-K

What a Change

2008-05-27T05:09:00.002-05:00

Wow today started out gorgeous and warm, topping out at 84 degrees, then around 10:30 or 11, BAM! 45 and windy. Seriously, it was almost instantaneous.

Out of curiosity, I checked out WGN's weather blog. Its pretty good.

Off to sleep....

-K

Poor Kitty

2008-04-16T14:50:00.002-05:00

On Monday, a COUGAR!!!!!! was shot in Roscoe Village. This is about half a mile from where I sit right now, and half a block(!)from the Jimmy Johns I used to work at. It would've be nice if they could've tranq'd it instead, but hey, this is Chicago, and Roscoe Village has a notoriously large quantity of strollers being pushed through it everyday. In other news, a few blocks away (on the same day) a bank was robbed, which is even funnier since it is pretty much kitty corner (no pun intended) from the local police station and courthouse.

That guy got away, but the cute little 122lb kitty-cat was gunned down in an alley.

-K

What a Dick

2008-04-15T12:31:00.002-05:00

John McCain is a Dick.

So is Barack Obama.

-K

The Speech

2008-03-21T05:59:00.003-05:00

OK, its been awhile since I've posted, but this is something that needs to be spread.
Being a Chicago resident (for 5 years now??? wow...) and decidedly not republican, I fully support Barack Obama for President. This speech may be 40 minutes long, but it is worth every minute. While I hold my own political beliefs and don't belong to any party, this guy is the best candidate we've had for president in decades. No other candidate I have ever seen in my experience of politics is able to not only hold values close to my own but to express them rhetorically in a clear, honest, and inspirational way. He doesn't talk down to people like Bush does, and he is a bonafide Leader. I may not agree with him on everything, but this speech sealed the deal on who I'm voting for.

And, Since I'm expected to be considered a dupe, here's some good ole propaganda for ya:

And some more:

and yet more.....

That last one wasn't real. Just checking to see if you were paying attention.

ok, I'm done now....

-K

There is No Spoon....BORK BORK BORK!!!!!

2006-09-26T17:26:00.000-05:00

jibba-jabba

2006-06-21T02:32:00.000-05:00

nothing much going on... well, in terms of massive excitement. I'm working, surfin the internets, working out, eating a little healthier, and looking for more jobs. I'm behind on alot of bills, but I'm trying to catch up. My once-stellar credit rating is gone, unfortunately, but I wasn't looking to buy a house or car anyway. Nothing's on TV now, so I'm not watching as much.... I saw Nacho Libre yesterday....not that great. I also rented Chicken Little. It was pretty bad until halfway through, where it got really crazy and was quite funny. But still a little too sappy. Well, I have a bachelor party (for Schmuck) and other crazy shit to plan right now, so that's it.

Wha?

2006-06-09T18:48:00.000-05:00

Yeah, um.....Forget everything I wrote in that last blog post.

Lots has changed recently, so much so that I'm not even going to bother trying to detail it out.

happier now, though!

Ich bin ein Expert

2006-04-03T20:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm sorry for all of you who are continuing to check this blog and not seeing anything, but I just don't have the consistent internet connection I used to have. So, just to set your beautiful little minds at ease, I AM FINE. I have been working full time at a local Whole Foods for over a month now, and am on the verge of escaping a huge financial brouhaha. Heh, funny word. So anyway things are going quite well aside from the money thing and I should be back to normal in a coupla months. I've also been dating a wonderful girl in about the same amount of time as the job, and that is obviously going well too.

Yvo's wedding was quite definitely the best I've been to so far, and France was great. Something about short ceremonies, good people, and lots of wine makes me like weddings. The travel was alittle stressful, but me and mom survived with only a small amount of the usual family travel 'incidents.' It seems to be proportional to the number of us on any one trip at any given time.

Oh, and I somehow didn't realize that Cointreau is 80 proof.... til the next morning. Fun.

So I will hopefully update alittle more often for all of you who are dying to know what the hell's up with me but are too lazy to call me.

K out.

Alive!

2006-02-28T00:27:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's true. I'm still alive. Part of the reason for the delay of updates on my life is lack of internet connection, but things have been hectic the last few months. First, I no longer work at the German bar. Bullshit reason for getting fired, but I accepted it. I didn't tell anyone (family) because I didn't want to discuss it with anyone over the holidays. All is OK now. I now work at a local Whole Foods, which has decent pay, good benefits, and is staffed by people like me: unsure of direction or is an artist of any sort. Things are looking up and I think this will work out for the best. Also, my personal life (i.e. girls) is getting better and I am having to make some serious choices as to where I'm going, and I feel confident making those choices.

I am thrilled that I can go to Yvo's wedding, even though I'm risking alot to go. It's DEFINITELY worth it.

Ummmm....... GO BEARSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Playoffs

2006-01-09T15:10:00.000-06:00

We had our drawing this weekend, and unfortunately, I won't be playing this Sunday's Bears vs. Panthers game. What you all need to do (in addition to rooting for the Bears to win) is hope that Seattle loses to the Redskins on Saturday. This will give the Bears home field advantage for the NFC Championship game, the winner of which goes to the Super Bowl.

Long story short: Go Bears, Go Redskins.

Just Hilarious

2006-01-07T19:58:00.000-06:00

From Sadly, No!

UPDATE: Looks like someone didn't like that image. Oh well. The link still works if you bwant to see the Guerilla Kitty in context.

UPDATE 2: Ack, they seem to have changed servers and are having problems. The link is dead, but the main page is still up, just without the archives, etc....

Quick Update

2006-01-05T15:28:00.000-06:00

I've been offline for about a week, so here's a bit of an update for all y'all:

I am Moved! Got my old place cleaned up and emptied out easily, and I am now settling into the new place. So far, it looks like my roommates and I will get along excellently. We're not completely setup yet, but should be all set by the end of the month.
The bunny survived. I managed to keep the bunny alive and well for the week I was caring for it. Brandon got a new bigger cage for it as a surprise Christmas present for his girlfriend, and was planning to have it all set by the time she got back from the east coast, but she walked in while me and Brandon were sewing the final pieces of carpet onto the 'level' pieces and ramps.

The Bears are in the Playoffs! Winning the NFC North and earning a bye week is awesome. That means we will have at least one more game to play at Soldier Field. I'm not sure if I will be playing yet (Players are being randomly selected this weekend) but it will be great anyway. If the Bears make it to the Super Bowl(!), there's a chance, however slight, that we will get to go too.

That's about it for now, but I'll have more for ya soon.

Moving...

2005-12-23T06:03:00.000-06:00

So, here's the deal.... Elin, the Swedish girl living in the basement that was previously occupied by Brandon and Donnie, is going back to Sweden today. Katrina, sister of the (awesome) landlord and, from what I can tell, a 'rich retard', is moving into the basement that Elin previously occupied. Unfortunately, she is also going on a gala vacation for two weeks starting tomorrow night. So what we have to do is move HER stuff while she's gone, then move Donnie's stuff into her room, then move my stuff over there (which is about a block away.) During this process, I am also "bunny-sitting" Brandon's girlfriends' bunny while he visits her family on the east coast and she does some performances for the Hubbard Street Dance Company. Then I have to make sure my apartment is perfectly clean and immediately occuable[sic] before I turn in the keys. Plus I'm not sure I can make my first month's rent, considering the lack of business from my main job and the Holidays fucking everything up. Crazy times, but I will prevail.

Phantom Regiment has an interesting theme.......

2005-12-03T16:13:00.000-06:00

The 2006 show might be worth seeing this coming summer.

Art Blog

2005-11-28T18:43:00.000-06:00

Via Political Animal, the Smithsonian American Art Museum has started a blog called Eye-Level.

Looks interesting....

Bears Photo

2005-11-17T23:06:00.000-06:00

From the 49ers game.

Notice the new mustache.

And I have no idea what I'm doing with my hands, I think maybe I'm twirling a stick between exercises. It might be a picture of me just being awful. And no, I am not pregnant. Its the drum harness.

#3 is Bears great, Bronko Nagurski. That's right, Bronko with a K. And he was a badass MF. I physically threaten anyone who tries to take this jersey before me. Luckily, they know I'm not much of a physical threat but let me take it anyway.

Hello! My name is " Your Government is Corrupt."

2005-11-17T03:29:00.000-06:00

I am adding Americablog to my list of blogs you should read (because you should) because of the great scoops they've been getting and because they ask very good questions..... ones you don't get to ask on talk radio.....

Movies of the Week

2005-11-08T23:26:00.000-06:00

Yes, Multiple.

I'm trying to make this a weekly feature here, so please rent whatever I recommend because, well, because I'm smarter than you :)

#1: The Devil's Rejects: For those of you who like a good horror movie and like gore (non-Vidal), and nudity (don't we all?), this is a great movie. Rob Zombie (of White Zombie fame) directs, acts and produces, and the end result is a beautifully shot and deeply disturbing film. The disturbing part is that you feel sorry for the mass-murderers in the end. FYI: This is a sequel to The House of 1000 Corpses, Which I hear is also good.

#2: The Life and Death of Peter Sellers: An HBO original movie, Geoffrey Rush plays a PERFECT Peter Sellers while the film itself is creatively made and thoroughly enjoyable. Good Makeup. Good Acting. Good FX. Good Pacing. HBO is one of the best film-makers in the biz, and this is one of the movies that proves it. He does an excellent Dr. Strangelove, not to mention Pink Panther. Oh, and Peter Sellers. Aaaaand everyone else.....Just watch it already.

Go. Rent. Enjoy.

And tell me what ya thunk.

Deerhoof

2005-11-07T04:27:00.000-06:00

Holy Shit. I've been listening to random stuff from this band since I saw them at the ATP Festival in Long Beach a coupla years ago.

Their new stuff is Frickin' Awesome. Not all of you will like it, but those of you who like punk and jazz and all-around weird stuff will LOVE this band....Like me :)

Luckily, you can't see these guys on MTV.

Acting!

2005-10-28T21:10:00.000-05:00

I may do a little acting tomorrow for a short film that a Columbia student is making.

Hollywood here I come!

or not....

SOX WIN!

2005-10-26T23:06:00.000-05:00

The Chicago White Sox just won the World Series for the first time in 88 years.

I've just opened my window to the 40degree weather just to listen to the fireworks.

Fuck Texas. All they ever gave us was Vietnam (LBJ) and Iraq (GWB) anyway.

Wait til next year, though....The Cubs'll get it.

And Happy Birthday Karin!!!!! Now your birthday actually means something! :)

Big Surprise

2005-10-19T21:19:00.000-05:00

food and beer are interchangeable....

You are Animal.
You are completely nuts, but fun to be around.

SPECIAL TALENTS:
Drums, Women, Food.
HOBBIES:
Drums, Women, Food.

FAVORITE EXPRESSIONS:
"Louder!", "Food now!" and
"Want Woman!"

LAST BOOK EATEN:
"The Musicians' Guide to Drums, Women &
Food"

NEVER LEAVES HOME WITHOUT:
An appetite.

What Muppet are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Getting back into the swing of things.....

2005-10-13T03:07:00.000-05:00

Tonight was one of those nights that I've been waiting for; to get back to what I really like.

One of the patrons at the bar I usually hang out at, a guy I typically just took for granted as a regular drunk, turns out to be a pianist. And a good one at that. And he is the head of a small organization that seeks to bring New music out.

My kinda stuff.

So when I was at the bar last night, I asked Brandon if there was anything interesting going on in the near future, and he tells me about this show he's performing in. Basically, it consisted of silent films with live music accompaniment. All films were made by Chicagoans and all music was written and performed by Chicagoans (I even knew of few of the people!) All run by this patron, Seth. Excellent, excellent stuff.

The reason I found this to be good beyond pure enjoyment of the program is that it kinda sets my mind back into the set of seeking and creating new and innovative interpretations of sound and sight. I refound the niche that I lost when I left Champaign. Now I just gotta keep it.....

YEEEEEAAAARGH!!!!!!!

2005-10-08T02:41:00.000-05:00

Well, this post isn't as exciting as the Dean Scream in the title, but I'll let you all in on what's going on......Nuffin.

I am working, but business has been slow. I gave my name and info to Small Bar, which I had originally applied at, again. And now that I have "experience," I can at least tell tham I can pour a beer, the rest will come later. So soon I may have two jobs. Which is GREAT. Knock on wood.

Bears Drum Corps is going well, but it is really difficult for me to make it to rehearsals, since I often work on the days they are held.....also they are typically held DURING Bears road games, so I would rather be watching the game than playing drums (not at home games, of course.) I've written some music, but I'm not sure if it will be played, so hopefully it is good enough.

The apartment situation is coming to a head in the next coupla months. I am hoping for sooner rather than later since it would cut my rent in half and enable me to start repaying my debts. Again, knock on wood.

In other news, I went to LensCrafters and, despite how terribly I treat my eyes, they are healthy-ish, with my left eye only dropping a full point and a half in clarity. I still don't know whether I am legally blind yet, but at least I know I don't have glaucoma.

That's all.

Vielle Orleans

2005-09-05T21:00:00.000-05:00

Not sure if my translation is correct, but Fuck....N'Orleans is gone.

One week later, after the disaster that was the third most predicted disaster to hit the U.S. actually hit, the worst natural disaster in our nation's history, even after the "President" visited the disaster site, people are dying.

I am pissed.

I am REALLY FUCKING PISSED!!!

Consider this.

And this.

And this.

Then listen to this. (Really, listen to the whole thing. The host is left speechless at the end.)

I belatedly gave my information to the Chicago area Red Cross on Friday, offering to physicallyhelp in any way I can with the time I have. I want to offer more, but I can't. I'm already borrowing money to keep myself alive. I want to drop my job and head to NO, in whatever capacity, to help, but I just can't. Luckily, that's because the Chicago Red Cross has been inundated with similar requests. Respect those who are willing to sacrifice their own livelihoods to help. Shame to those who are unwilling to, despite their responsibility to do so.

While the situation gets the appearance of coming under control now - 1 week later - the facts are that the federal government fucked this up both in preparation and aftermath, and continue to fuck it up.

for example, read this.

Thanks to the Daily Kos Diarists who've collected this info, and all other s that I've linked to.

To those reading: follow the links. Follow the links in the links. Get more info, and try to get involved.

-K

One Year

2005-08-31T13:03:00.000-05:00

Well, I have now been in Chicago for one full year, having arrived in town one year ago yesterday. At this point in time when I was in LA, I was starting to get a little buyer's remorse, but not yet ready to fly the coop.

After a year in Chicago, I can definitely say that I'm not going anywhere. This town's great! I finally know where things are, I know alot more people, and even though I loathe my apartment, this feels alot more like a home than anywhere I've lived in a long time. Plus, the only natural disasters I have to worry about are extreme heat and extreme cold. No quakes, no hurcs.

I'm also glad I got to go to New Orleans when I did a few years ago, though I wish I could have seen more. Now its reduced to a festering chemical gumbo. Luckily, the one person that I knew that was living there moved to Indy a few years ago. Though I'm willing to bet that this disaster may hit Bridget harder than any of us.

Off to Work I Go

2005-08-19T14:08:00.000-05:00

First day....yay.

"Shit Happens"

2005-08-12T22:26:00.000-05:00

Long a motto of mine, mostly because of the proclivity of fecal matter to occur in my presence, this was just uttered on NBC news, live, in response to a question posed to Rex Grossman, the Last Hope of the Chicago Bears.

Why did he say it? Because in just the second PRE-season game, he broke his ankle. Less than a year from tearing the ACL in his knee and missing the season. Now he's going to miss another season. Oddly enough, the last injury was also in a dome; maybe we should refuse to play in domes....

argh.

on the plus side, I have a job. not enough to support me, but a "foot in the door," so to speak. start next week. Again, keep your eyes crossed.

Overdue Update

2005-08-11T13:37:00.000-05:00

Hi all, sorry to take so long to update this blog. Not much has really happened recently, so here's a few quick tidbits of what HAS happened:

- No job yet, but I got a good lead on a German bar. It looks like it may work out so keep your eyes crossed.

- Drumline is going well, our first performance was a bag, but it'll work itself out. It will definitely be a fun NFL season.

- Mom&Dad are probably on a plane right now, and they lent me Mom's car. "Don't get any tickets!" they said. Right after they get out of the car and into the terminal, a cop walks up and gives me a ticket for expired registration/plates. sigh.

- gonna do some recording tonight, and we'll be getting our first paid recording session with someone who wants to record voice for a flash animation assignment for their class. We may have to start a small business soon. I have a couple of tracks that you can listen to, so email me and I'll email out the mp3's. Be wary, they are completely uncensored hip-hop tracks. You have been warned.

- My apartment lease is up at the end of the month, and I currently do not have the capital to move anywhere else. The roommate deal is taking much longer than expected, so I'm not sure what to do. Moving in with Mom&Dad is a possibility, but one that I have no intention of doing, especially since I advised Yvonne against it many, many times. I will soon see about going month-to-month or possibly 6-month on this current one, but I'm not sure how I'll come up with next month's rent until I get a job. I'm sort of in a circular firing line with myself.

that's all for now.

F'n Tests!!!

2005-07-06T22:34:00.000-05:00

Don't you hate when you're taking an open book test, and they ask a question whose answer is not in the book?

Well, I think I found it anyway (these internets things are kewl!), so I'll be sending in my bartending exam for grading tomorrow. Plus I want to take another course (with real people) to solidify my mad skillz.

Unrelatedly, I've started practicing my drumming again. Wow, do I suck. But now less than I did yesterday.

Semi-Job

2005-06-19T03:51:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: For all those concerned about the missing instructor: He's fine. There was just some miscommunication. He showed up later in the week right around the time when his message reappeared in the proper person's inbox.

Yay. I have a job... for the next two weeks, that is. I'm teaching at one of the best high schools in the state when it comes to percussion, and getting a good rate o' pay to do it.

How it happened is that I know the guy who runs the program, and one of the instructors who was supposed to be there kinda disappeared. Granted, he apparently got married only a coupla weeks ago, but even though he was very hyped to teach, he hasn't shown up and hasn't returned anyone's calls. So, as a backup, I'll be in the suburbs for the next two weeks, staying at Schmuck's.

This is actually a good development, as it will give me money and reduce the amount I'll have to borrow to cover my rent and bills, while at the same time, I'll be able to finish up my bartending exam and get that ball rolling.

Though I doubted it, this drumming ability is essentially saving my ass here.

Good stuff. And please, leave comments on any post you feel deserves one. I'm all for a discussion on anything I post on.

Piece.

Sweet & Lowdown

2005-06-17T02:05:00.000-05:00

Everyone must rent one of my favorite movies: Sweet & Lowdown.

Starring: an incredibly excellent Sean Penn.

Horrible and beautiful at the same time, this is probably the BEST Woody Allen-Related film.

Rent and enjoy.....

Tsunami'd

2005-06-15T09:37:00.000-05:00

RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh wait, don't.

Added: Daily Howler

2005-06-15T09:26:00.000-05:00

I've added the Daily Howler to my political links. I should have had it there in the first place, but for some reason or other neglected to.

It's a very snarky look at various media inconsistencies and outright bullshit. I've been reading it for a couple of years, and while I don't necessarily agree with all his conclusions, much of his writing does tend to make me produce "mordant chuckles" as he puts it. Definitely check it out, and I highly recommend looking at his archives regarding the 'lies' of Al Gore (i.e. he said that he invented the internet.)

OK, back to Normal

2005-06-11T11:57:00.000-05:00

I managed to get myself back to a normal sleep schedule.... Let's see how long it lasts....

UPDATE: not long. did some recording work late last night and woke up at 8:30pm today.....say lah veee.

Big Bird: R.I.P.

2005-06-10T10:28:00.000-05:00

According to the Washington Post via Daily Kos diary:

A House subcommittee voted yesterday to sharply reduce the federal government's financial support for public broadcasting, including eliminating taxpayer funds that help underwrite such popular children's educational programs as "Sesame Street," "Reading Rainbow," "Arthur" and "Postcards From Buster."

In addition, the subcommittee acted to eliminate within two years all federal money for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting -- which passes federal funds to public broadcasters -- starting with a 25 percent reduction in CPB's budget for next year, from $400 million to $300 million.

This is all in coordination with the administration's efforts to stack the CPB with republican inquisitors so as to remove PBS's perceived liberal bias.

I like PBS. I don't like pledge drives. Taking the slippery-slope path, it looks like PBS will have to do pledge drives all the time or start putting in more commercials than they already do just to stay on the air.

I don't watch Sesame Street anymore, but I bet alot of kids still do, and this kind of thing is ridiculous. Couldn't we just buy one less stealth bomber?

Random Things

2005-06-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Just some random stuff for you to check out...

Kingdom of Loathing: This is an addictively Silly (yes, it deserves a capital S) web-based role-playing game. It has the basic RPG format, like Hit Points and magic, but with insane details. The character classes range from Disco Bandit to Seal Clubber, and you can work on skills such as cocktail-crafting and meatsmithing (this is making items out of the game's currency: meat.) Everything is drawn in stick-figure format, which adds to the silliness. Some of the notable monsters I've encountered so far are Briefcase Bats (a briefcase with bat wings) and Cans of Asparagus. Tons of pop culture and obscure references everywhere. Also, the game is turn-based, and you only get a certain amount of turns per day, so you can't waste all of your time on it!

The Darth Side: Someone who watched the Star Wars movies way too many times came up with this hilarious blog. Its Darth Vader's day-to-day musings on his pursuit of the Rebel Alliance. Funny stuff, especially the parts where he complains about his leg.

Thats all for now. My sleeping schedule is still a little, um, strange. Right now I am trying to stay awake long enough to watch the first Cubs vs. Red Sox game since the 1918 World Series. The only problem is that I've been up since 5pm yesterday, so I'll be knocking on the door of 24hours awake.

Gotta go, The Price is Right is coming on......

on the Dark Side of the Earth

2005-06-07T05:45:00.000-05:00

The sun's coming up now, and soon I'll be going to bed. But I just want to let you all know that the past few days have been very productive in terms of the music/recording thing that was initially the big draw for me to return to Chicago

As I noted before, we finally got the equipment and software working, and as of today we've recorded 4 new songs, all while taking baby steps in learning how to use all that stuff.

Previously, we (Me, Donnie & Brandon) were separately playing around with the software, trying to figure out how they work and what we can do with them.

Today (if you count 1am as today) we all got together and pooled our findings.

Shit! In just a few hours, we figured out more than in the last few months!

Also, I made a track yesterday while showing John (the talent) what I know of how the software works. He liked it enough that he wrote a song for it overnight, and got it recorded today. Good Good stuff.

Its all going to get alot better.

p.s. no job yet. and no time for your silly questions about it!

Yah Yah.

2005-05-21T02:29:00.000-05:00

So I'm at Schmuck's now. good stuff, I introduced him to IFilm, and I think I created an addict. I showed him the Viral Video section, which, if you don't know, is on a balance of funny, nostalgiac, and horribly disgusting at the same time. One minute, you're watching goats fainting by genetic design, the next you're seeing William Shatner doing either Rocketman or Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds or even a cute cat being decapitated (that means its head gets cut off!......)

At least there's an outlet where reality can be displayed.

So, in in a few hours, I will be teaching high-school kids how to play the drums. Fun. hopefully I won't treat them too badly, but typically, I'm a softie.

No sympathy for the Devil.

Buy the ticket; Take the ride. (-HST)

Shpadoinkle

2005-05-20T13:51:00.000-05:00

OK, not much has been going on here. I've pretty much turned into a hermit while job searching, so I haven't been going out or seeing anything interesting lately, though I will be going to see Star Wars III later today. After that, maybe heading out to the burbs for the weekend.

I signed up for a shady bartending deal, but hopefully it'll work out well. Lots of bars are hiring right now, so this looks like something I can get my foot in the door with. Its basically a bartending school without the school. I get the materials and train myself, which is easy enough, then once I pass the test they do the placement stuff. Hopefully I can find something that won't require a car, but who knows. Chipapitabley, as they say.

That's it. Try not to lose your Shpadoinkle.

Pigg Pharmin'

2005-05-14T01:24:00.000-05:00

FINALLY! The recording gig is getting back on its feet.

After months of troubleshooting and excuses and equipment changes and blah to the blah to the blah, Pigg Pharm (our "studio's" name) is ready to go.

We finally got working software at the studio, and the extra bonus is that I also got a copy of that software and I can use my OWN computer to make beats and music at my own leisure. I still have to figure out how to use the software, but I already have a good start after only a coupla hours.

Where this will all lead, I don't know. Britta's own ability to make her art work for her is inspiring enough to let me think that maybe I can live off the profits (provided I get a girl to support most of my way....without those crazy children thingies.) Sorry B, cheap shot. Moo. Moo moo. One good thing about being in Chicago is that there is a good music community, and we have some good links into that community. Another good thing is that I and my colleagues tend to be perfectionists, and won't put out a product unless its good. Yet another good thing is that I know how to deal with perfectionists and make them put out a product in decent time.

Overall this Friday the Thirteenth was a good one

p.s. go see Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy if you haven't already. It be gooooooood.

Call me Stupid

2005-05-14T01:18:00.000-05:00

Apologies for the light posting. No job, but unavoidable setbacks (zits, colds, etc...) are to blame. Thus I am just avoiding all of you and jobs equally.

Anyways, in relation to the title of this post, I just realized the TV Batman theme is based in Rimsky-Korsakoff's Flight of the Bumblebees.

Yeah, sometimes I'm slow.

Amityville

2005-04-26T23:19:00.000-05:00

Saw The Amityville Horror tonight.

Decent cinematography. But I thought the Guy Who Looked Like Jason Lee's character went from OK to psycho too quick. I haven't seen the original in a long time, so I can't make any decent comparison, but I'm sure the special FX are better than the original. And the priest got wigged out by a few flies! Wimp! I honestly saw no reason to bring this movie back from the seventies, but it was at least tolerable...

SPOILER: The dog is the only character that dies.

FYI

2005-04-21T22:37:00.000-05:00

Just so you know, I've been watching a great show on DVD called "The Shield."

Its a dirty-cop drama, and its simply excellent. I have no choice but to recommend it, even over 24, as one of the best shows on TV right now.

So those of you who have cable, its on FX, and I believe they have just released the third season on DVD.

Well worth checking out.

Updates......

2005-04-20T19:06:00.000-05:00

First off, I have added some of the political Blogs that I read often. I highly recommend you check them out.

Also, after talking to the other K, I think I should point out that when I have supplied a link, please click on it to either see funny things or read something in its proper context. Think of them as instant footnotes.

Alot of these blogs I link to use links liberally, so they just state their opinions and let you look at the source to see for yourself.

Same goes for my links. And I promise that I won't link to anything dangerous or bad for your computer, its all safe.

Later!

Home....Tired.....

2005-04-14T06:28:00.000-05:00

Bleh.

The Return

2005-04-13T18:32:00.000-05:00

All done here and I will be on my way back to Chicago later this evening. Unfortunately, I will miss Yvo on her way to Frahnce at OHare by about 12 hours, but I guess it'll be a fair trade.

I had a great time here, mainly because I didn't do ANYTHING. It was nice. Right now I'm in a coffee shop waiting for the other K to pick me up and take me to Sea-Tac Airport.

Here's a summary of what I did:
Wednesday: Arrived, went to sleep.
Thursday: watched TV, surfed internet, drank coffee, wandered around neighborhood looking for a park and eventually finding it after walking up 3 sets of stairs (we were both, unsurprisingly, exhausted by the second set).
Friday: watched TV, surfed internet, drank coffee, went to a bar and played scrabble.
Saturday: watched TV, surfed internet, drank coffee
Sunday: Drank coffee, Got the tourist tour, went to the Space Needle, took the monorail to downtown, got some new shoes, came home and watched TV (mainly Adult Swim on Cartoon Network)
Monday: watched TV, surfed internet
Tuesday: watched TV, surfed internet
Wednesday: watched TV, surfed internet, did laundry, drinking coffee, waiting for K to pick me up.

Overall, a wonderfully relaxing time.

K's new boyfriend gets 2 enthusiastic thumbs up, for those who were wondering.
His cat Chico Suave is very fun and cuddly. Also, it turns out that K is an excellent cook, making some very, very good meals.

OK, gotta go.

Ack

2005-04-08T17:10:00.000-05:00

I was going to post my review of Sin City yesterday, but my battery died before I could save it.
It sucked anyway. I haven't done any critical writing in more than 2 years, so y'all will have to bear with me for a while til I start to make sense.

OK, the Short Short version:

Sin City = Good noir cinema. Not for kids, or even young adults for that matter. Mickey Rourke's character is kool.

Made It

2005-04-07T05:08:00.000-05:00

I am now in Seattle and all went well. For the first time, all my flights were early, and I almost missed my connecting flight in Vegas while having my $7 Whopper meal.

The other K almost got lost, but we made it back to her place OK.

It's nice here. Of course, I have only been her for one hour, but whatever.

I need to get fired more often to be able to take these spur of the moment trips.

Whee!

Outta Here!

2005-04-06T04:13:00.000-05:00

OK, I've made the bold decision to go visit my sister in Seattle, whom I have not seen for a year.

So I will be leaving tonight (its 4 am right now...who says being unemployed isn't fun?) and I will be in the Great Wet State for a full week. Much better than if I had just used vacation days.

Hopefully while I'm there I'll have time to post a review of "Sin City," which I saw last Friday while in Papal mourning.

Ol' Karol would've liked it!

or not.

I'll also try to get some silly things like taxes and old rebates taken care of.

Seeya!

The Awesomeness of Today

2005-03-29T12:00:00.000-06:00

Well, its only noon here, and its already been a wonderful day!
70 degrees
Bright sunshine
Good coffee
and, I get the rest of the day off!

Why? Well, I have apparently been "downsized."

Ok, not downsized like that.

Closer to this, but still (despite what you may think) thats not apropos.

Back when they said they were going to crack down on people taking too long of lunches, I thought it was good since I always did what I needed to do in my hour, while others were going out and getting tans, THEN getting food and taking longer than their hour. I usually had to wait for them to come back before I could go, so I spent many days getting needlessly hungrier.

But they made it a sweeping policy that included lateness as well, my particular vice, which carried heavier penalties than calling in sick all the time.

I didn't call in sick much. 2 days following being mugged and having an eye swollen shut, and 1 day because I was going to be late, and figured I might as well call in sick instead of get fired.

As with most of my life, I was always bad on timing, but great on attendance. And since the lateness isn't from drunkenness, stress, or anything other than my internal clock is fucked up, I made sure that I worked hard and honestly.

No matter, they figured the job done by me and the other guy could be done by one person, and since I was the newest one and I came in late alot, the choice was obvious.

Or maybe it was because I was the only regular employee who didn't date boys....I don't know.

So now to move forward in the job market. Or, as Yogurt put it:

"Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money."

Pizza Puffs

2005-03-24T03:23:00.000-06:00

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

Open Thread

2005-03-22T20:42:00.000-06:00

Yap away, little yappers.

Say what you want, link to a good site, make an ass out of yourself, I dont care.

Second First Post

2005-03-21T21:55:00.000-06:00

This is my first post-first-post post. I really need to get a handle on the lingo out here in the blogosphere.

So, let me start you off easy. Some the stuff I am looking forward to:

There's a movie coming out that looks extra good called "Sin City"

Check it out here. The music sounds good too.

There's a DVD release of another extra good movie here. (Warning: South Park-level content)

I'll be adding links to my favorite general sites on the sidebar as time goes on, but these should get ya started in the right direction.

Good! Great! Grand! Wonderful!

2005-03-21T21:10:00.000-06:00

This is my first post on what will hopefully become a daily read for some people.
I've been reading blogs for almost two years, and, oddly enough, my mom beat me to creating one.

Basically what I'm looking for in this is a place to stick my opinion in your face, and maybe rearrange said face in the process. I encourage comments of all other opinions, but I reserve the right to call you an asshole for no reason other than I think its funny.

I will tell you what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, and what to read.

And, if you don't like it, as a wise man named "Dick" Cheney said: "Fuck Yourself."

update: removed one link that was requested by the link-ee.