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Thursday, March 30, 2006

Country Roads, Take Me Home

So this weekend I am venturing back to the thriving metropolis of Georgetown, Texas.

As many of you may not know, the Bay Area is experiencing an unusually wet year. We have already received about 27 inches of rain, and the yearly average is only 22 in. Typically by this time of year the rain is long gone and the sun is bright and (somewhat) warm. But it is still cold and rainy, and absolutely miserable. Of course, this is good news for my yard, which I recently re-sodded, but bad news for my sanity which requires warmth and sunshine.



So I am looking forward to my weekend in Texas which should be bright, sunny, and in the 80's. Ah, sweet delicious heat! Of course, on my past visits home I have found that I lost my weather tolerance and quite quickly melt under the withering sun and humidity.

We'll just have to wait and see how I hold up. But there is a softball game on Saturday, and if its too hot, I can just hang out in the dug out.

Good Weekend to you all! I will leave you with this slightly modified John Denver song:

"Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long
[Georgetown, Texas] [hilly] momma
Take me home, country roads
All my mem'ries, gather 'round her...
..I hear her voice, in the mornin' hours she calls to me
The radio reminds me of my home far a-way
And drivin' down the road I get a feelin'
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday
Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long"


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Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Eclipse-tastic

So for those of you unaware tomorrow the Earth will experience the first total eclipse in years. Eclipses of long past were often associated with portentous events, typically of the bad kind.

eclipse as seen from MIR


So in honor of this week's total solar eclipse, I will remind you all of some of the many unfortunate events caused by them.

"The Watcher in the Woods"
This was a movie from 1980. Its about a family who moves into a mansion, but can't get Bette Davis to leave because her daughter mysteriously disappeared many years before while playing "blind man's bluff" with some evil friends during a total eclipse. This movie suffered under many script revisions and bad technical affects and never achieved the acclaim the original book deserved. (this is what happens when Disney tries to make a horror film) I faintly remember this movie from when I was little, and have always had fond recollections of it. This was probably the first instance of me enjoying really really bad movies! Be sure to rent it this weekend.


Blindness
Eclipses are often thought to cause blindness in those who stare directly at it, because the coronal flare from the sun is still bright enough to burn your retina.... ...but no more so than staring at the sun in general will.
Though for any who actually saw "The Watcher in the Woods" blindness may be seen as a relief from Bette Davis' freaky, freaky eyes! Unfortunately this won't help you with the next subject which is

"Total Eclipse of the Heart!"
If you want the full lyrics to this stirring ballad, you can check them out here. Say what you will about me (and I know you will) but I've always enjoyed this song... ...or maybe I enjoy harassing others by singing this song, but it all amounts to the same thing for me. Bonnie Tyler has produced a plethora of songs over the years, but this is the only one I can think of. So I will leave you with a snippet of the vastly annoying lyrics of this song:

And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ev-a
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart

If you would like to learn more about the actual eclipse, there's an good article here.

Unfortunately for us in America, the eclipse will be seen only in South America, Africa and Eastern Europe... ...much like Bonnie Tyler's recent concerts! [ZING]


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Monday, March 27, 2006

It IS Springtime...

Maybe because its been an issue in the past with others, or maybe because I know he can be almost as difficult as I am, but it means so much more to me when my girlfriend says she loves my dog than when she says she loves me.

He does try and make out with her on occasion, and she tells me he spoons better than I do, but I'm not worried, we come as a pair. (and he still barks at her when she makes fun of me, so it's good to know he always has my back)

So all you out there dating people with dogs, remember, hating their dog is like hating their children... its just not done.

The rapscallion in question...

Speaking of dogs, my friend Tucker (Tommy T, if you're nasty) and his girlfriend Betsy came to visit this weekend and they brought their little bundle of joy with them.

Pollard (named after the Guided by Voices, whiskey swilling, 8 hour long concert having, drunken rambling, Pollard) is a few months old and a joy to behold. He is a mix of a dachsund, Boston terrier, and Pomeranian, but he looks a lot like a Jack Russell. He had a lot of fun with us on our tour of Napa/Sonoma, but was very disappointed he didn't get to try the wines. He's just a little guy, but he has a lot of spirit.

They are now off to tour Hwy 1 on their way back to Oregon, but my tour of Sigma's is not over yet, I will be in Austin next weekend for our annual meet and greet at the house, so I hope to see as many of you as possible there!


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Friday, March 24, 2006

If...

...I have to hear the phrase "living document" one more time, I am going to have to punch someone in armpit. (it really hurts getting hit there, you should try on a friend, loved one, or little brother)

Other things from the office amuse me from time to time...

Often while overhearing parts of a conversation, things can be funny. There is a lady who sits near me that I often overhear and these are a couple of the good ones:

"Oh no, don't go down me!"

"I'm sure we've all had our share of boners in the past."

It is so hard not to laugh when I hear things like this.

Then my girlfriend e-mail's me this:

"I just put a baby in a well and found a meatball sub...."

(extra points for who can tell me what she is talking about)

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Thursday, March 23, 2006

Fine, fine, I'm it!

Ok, to start off, I hate these surveys, hate them more than I hate George Lucas for ruining Star Wars.... ... but I love my girlfriend and when she looks me with those puppy eyes... ...those enraged, glowing, rabid puppy eyes, I just can't say no to her! (no, I really can't, I tried)

So here is the now infamous (that's better than famous) tag four meme...

FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD:
*Chili's (waiter)- I worked at the Chili's in Georgetown for a total of about 4 weeks. It was the most miserable experience of my life, and not just because people in Georgetown don't know how to tip, I quit this job because I went tubing one day for 8 hours and got the worst sunburn ever, my entire tummy was bright red, and I couldn't wear a shirt. I called in sick to work, and they told me to put some Noxema on it and come in... I showed up two weeks later to get my last check

*Dell Computers (inbound phone sales)- I can't say a lot about this job (no really can't, they won't let me) but lets leave it at long hours, lots of stress, not the best choice for my first job out of college. I quit on my birthday, and I still haven't seen a gift to top that

*Fine Arts Proctor - I sat in the lobby of the Fine Arts building at college and tired to get surly hippie art students to sign in. I also made sure no one stole the Grand Piano's.

*Library Periodicals - Another college job I had, working in the SU Library, putting alarm strips in the back of magazines (and co-worker's back packs) and getting to look at all the restricted materials they kept in back (like European tabloids with boobies in them)

FOUR MOVIES I CAN WATCH OVER AND OVER:
For me, this is most movies, but if I had to pick four...
*Star Wars Trilogy - so good all three only count as one (if you have to ask which three, I hate you)
*Resident Evil 1 & 2 - I just love these movies
*Pirates of the Caribbean - I must have watched this like 20 times the first week I had it
*Cowboy Bebop - Well, some anime had to make the list, and even though this was an episodal series, it is one long story line, so I just consider it a huge movie (oh yeah, there's also a movie, that too)

FOUR PLACES I'VE LIVED:
Don't have four, you get three
*Conroe, TX
*Georgetown, TX
*Walnut Creek, CA (or just the Bay Area)

FOUR T.V. SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH:
*LOST - If you are not LOST, then you really are...
*Scrubs
*Futurama - Thank you Tivo for recommending this
*The Simpson's - I've seen them all 500 times and still come back for more

FOUR PLACES I'VE BEEN ON VACATION:
In cooperation with the California Board of Tourism (and cheers to what I can only assume will become a very lucrative partnership) I've listed all my favorite places I've been in California

*San Diego - Spring Break '05 WHOOOOOO
*Mendocino County
*Napa County -sure it's in my own backyard, but what's better than a vacation in your own back yard!
*Yosemite - Sorry, picture not available, but the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life, thanks Glaciers!

FOUR FAVORITE DISHES:
I'm not really a big fan of food, so lets see if I can make all four
*Beef Stroganof - the way mom used to make it
*Enchiladas - I would kill for a Enchilada Tejanas from El Charrito in George town! Cheese enchiladas with a red carne sauce on top.... ...seriously, do you want someone dead?
*Everything my girlfriend cooks for me - ok, I was just trying to score points on that one
*Chicken Enchiladas - One of my ex-girlfriends used to make the best Chicken Enchiladas from an old secret family recipe. They were great, and if there was one great regret in my life, it was being stupid and uncaring enough to not get the recipe while I had the chance. Recently while strolling through the Betty Crocker Cook Book (you know, the one with the red and white cross-hatching on the cover) I found the exact recipe for those Chicken Enchiladas and was even able to make them better than I had before... ...so take that "secret family recipe"!

FOUR WEBSITES I VISIT DAILY:
*Dooce and Blurbomat -they're married, they are one website now!
*marginal thoughts - scoring points, scoring points
*What will Pocketboy (who's a girl) do today - that's right, you made the list!
*Jay Is Games - can't go five minutes without me games

FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE:
*Playing Fable on my new X-box - I'm only about 5 years behind now
*On a beach... anywhere warm
*Japanese Tea Gardens - I'm sure there are many, but I'm talking about the one in Golden Gate park
*Did I mention playing X-box - cuz right now I'm excited as a five year old on Christmas and all I want to do is play the "box"

FOUR OTHERS I WOULD LIKE TO TAG:
*Beau - Take that busy college student
*Jay - Get off your bum and post
*Clever WoT -take that busy law school student I barely know
*Chesty LaRue -you know who you are, and if not, I've linked to your blog for clarification
*Fuzzball -ok, so I chose five, I've never been one to follow the rules!

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Friday, March 17, 2006

It's about damn time!

So, much to my chagrin, it has been about 2 weeks now, since I've updated my adoring fans on the absolutely wonderfulness of my life... ...and for that, I am humbly sorry.

So many things have been going on that I barely know where to start.

My friend Charles and his brother came out from Texas recently to visit Cali. I always enjoy when visitors come, because I get to go out and do all the touristy stuff. We walked over half of the city, taking the trolley, climbing up to Coit Tower, and generally doing touristy type things. A good time was had by all.

Immediately following that, danielle and I went with some friends up to Mendocino county for some camping. It was absolutely incredible. I've never been along the coast out here before, and I was blown away! The cliffs, the seemingly endless ocean, the rain and fog. It was just great.


I'm a fan of pointing at things

I was constantly reminded of The Goonies, and kept looking for the giant rock that would lead me to the treasure of One-eyed Willie. (oh, hee hee, I just got that)

It's such an interesting dichotomy as you drive along the coast, one minute, it will be rocky coastline, the next you are deep within the redwoods.

We did a lot of wine tasting on the way up, and experienced all four seasons at the same time as we drove through the mountains. First it was sunny and nice, then it was raining, then it was snowing, then it was snowing while sunny, all within about 30 minutes and 10 miles. But, despite the weather, we managed to make a good start on our first wine cellar, with six nice bottles of wine.

Oh, and did I mention the driftwood. In Texas there is rarely any driftwood on the beach, but here it was everywhere. I've never seen smoother rounder wood chunks that I did out here. If I had been a hippie living on the coast in the sixties, I totally would have been a driftwood sculptor. For more pictures of the trip, click here.

Things have now settled back into their normal routine of TiVo and quiet nights at home, and that is just fine by me!

On a sad note, at the building I work at, we have a large reflecting pond out front. Every year we have a couple of ducks that come and stay for a few weeks, as they have for the past few. Its a green headed mallard and his mate. I assume they were blown off course a few years ago, and enjoyed the stop off so much, they have made it a part of their regular migration.

I like to think that they used it as a time to get away from the rest of the flock to reflect on their relationship and get back to what it was that attracted them to each other in the first place (probably his shiny green head and her tail feathers). Kind of like their little oasis away from it all.

Not our ducks, but very similar

Today though, it appears that they have moved on along their northernly route, soon to reach their destination and lay a fat batch of eggs. I wish them luck, but they will be missed.

As other grown professionals walked into the building this morning, they all cast a forlorn look at the pool, wondering where the ducks have gone to, and when they'll be back.

To end on a happy note, today is Danielle's and I one-year anniversary. Hopefully we will get a chance to get away from it all, just like the ducks!

Don't we just make you wanna vomit!

Happy St. Patrick's day!


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Thursday, March 02, 2006

Can you feel the Blog tonite?

Ok, so that title really sucked. (but I don't care)

Recently I stumbled across a fellow blogger who happens to be in law school. His post that day I found amusingly amusing and I have continued to read him, and for good reason.

He posted a very interesting analysis of bloggers and blogs here.

I'm always hearing a lot of flack about the uselessness of blogs and bloggers, and I feel that he refutes it rather well.

Blogs are increasingly having a role in the way we communicate with each other. Gone are the days of a mass e-mail to all your friends and family with a life update, gone are the days of catching people up on the minutiae of your life.

Gone are the days of calling your parents, as they can simply check your site for any major life updates. (like my marriage to Rachel Ray ...just kidding mom and dad)

There are people now who are able to live a quite comfortable life by simply posting about their gastrointestinal disorders and hairy husbands (*cough* dooce *cough*).

Blogs are now a major part of our culture, and all you old fogey's out there just need to get used.

Sorry Mr. "Real" Journalist, we are coming for you, we are coming for you job, and we are coming over for dinner, so call the wife and tell her to make something nice!

"Change is easy; improvement is far more difficult." - Dr. Ferdinand Porsche

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Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Happy Birthday to Me!

So today is the first day of March, and that always gets me excited.

Not only because March heralds in the Spring, but because almost 28 years ago it heralded the entry of me into this world.

That's right, Tim's getting old! As of Friday, I will have completed another journey around the sun, my 28th to be exact.

I'd like to say that there are a lot of lessons I've learned, or have a lot of wise things to say, but I don't feel any different than that goofy 18 year-old who headed off to college almost ten years ago now! I still laugh at fart jokes, still have problems keeping my room clean, still think to much of myself, and still eat Ramen for dinner (though, admitedly, not as often).

Also, as an update, I have already purchased the faucet light, and it is indeed the engineering marvel I expected (not to mention the bane of my girlfriend's existence). I'll try and post some pictures sometime soon.

I hope your March is grand, and for those fellow Pisces out there, Happy Birthday to you!


So what if it is a year off..


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