I meant to write yesterday but when I got online I started to talk with too many people and I just wasn't able to post. I think from now I won't sign onto IM until after I have done my posts! Anyway, it seems people have been enjoying the sketches so maybe I will put a few more up. It is funny how the more I look at them, the more I start to pick at them. This line should be tighter, this is out of proportion, etc etc. Ah well, I am never satisfied!
I went to the gym this morning as is my usual ritual. Today was abs/cardio. For those of you who don't know I am an aspiring triathlete and I am using the winter months to build a good base and slim down. I usually lift Monday, Wednesday, Friday and I run on those mornings. Then on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday I bike. I only just recently changed my schedule a bit to include an abs workout on bike days instead of on lift days. This was done in an attempt to save myself some time! Well today I did an ab workout, that was kind of random, although it was still challenging. My lower abs and obliques are my biggest "problem areas". I pretty much hold all my weight there. So after finishing my abs I jumped on the bike to do my hill routine. I ride for about 35 minutes with varying degrees on intensity depending on the climb that I am doing. However, today I was only on the bike for 12 minutes before I said the hell with it. I don't know why but lately I have been really tired. I haven't been sleeping well and as a result I am getting up later and it is throwing off my whole schedule! So I am hoping this is the only day this week that will be the case. Basically, no more excuses! Alexis called me fat the other day so now I have a firecracker up my ass to lose my last 15 pounds! What I have been meaning to do though is take an "after" picture of me. I took a picture when I first moved home, when I had gained a shitload of weight. Now it has been a year and I would like to see the difference. Maybe I will even post them...
On a more positive note, I love itunes. Now I don't have a Mac (yet!) but I downloaded it for windows. Besides it being a really easy program to manage your music files, as well as a great player and all of that, the radio stations are great. I have been listening non-stop to Beatlesarama and all Beatles radio station listed under the classic rock heading. They play all sorts of music related to the Beatles. Unheard recordings, the usual hits, even modern music that has a certain Beatles feel. It is really quite sharp! I high recommend it.
FINDING NEVERLAND ****
Also, this past Sunday I saw the movie Finding Neverland with Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. I am a bit of a movie person but I because the theaters are so expensive I am really choosey in what I see. I normally would have waited for this on DVD or something. I am glad I didn't! It was great. For those of you who don't know it is the story of James Michael Barry, the playwright who created Peter Pan. Now I am not sure how historically accurate the picture is but it was just awesome. Johnny Depp is really an amazing actor. His scotch accent was so effortless and believable. The movie was very funny at points but one of the great parts of it were the imagination sequences. Very surreal and very magical. I highly recommend going to see this, it was just a great film. It also reminds us of the importance of imagination and fantasy in life, something I often think the modern world forgets.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Saturday, November 27, 2004
That's why they call him...
The Edge! Ok so I had written a long entry on why my nickname is the Edge. I figured I better do it before I get sued by any rockstars for impersonation. However, in the world of the web nothing is truly permanent even if you hit save and alas I lost the whole damn thing. So I guess I will have to make it short.
I am called the Edge because I tend to have a sharp tongue that gets sharper the more whiskey I drink. I was given the name by a group of my friends that I met through Kevin, my hetero-lifemate. At first it was all about me getting edgey the more I drank, then they just started calling me the Edge. Now it is catching on in popularity and even my parents are starting to call me Edge. The whole reason for this re-entry of my lost entry was because a posted something on Jim Lee's blog. While I do not think for a second anyone on there thinks I am the Edge from U2, I am just doing this to cover my ass. Now, if you want to check out the message that Jim replied in response and jokingly implied that I was the Edge of U2 fan, go here.
It is a real pisser when you wrote something of greater length and in a flash it is "kaput!" well, onto something new...
I am called the Edge because I tend to have a sharp tongue that gets sharper the more whiskey I drink. I was given the name by a group of my friends that I met through Kevin, my hetero-lifemate. At first it was all about me getting edgey the more I drank, then they just started calling me the Edge. Now it is catching on in popularity and even my parents are starting to call me Edge. The whole reason for this re-entry of my lost entry was because a posted something on Jim Lee's blog. While I do not think for a second anyone on there thinks I am the Edge from U2, I am just doing this to cover my ass. Now, if you want to check out the message that Jim replied in response and jokingly implied that I was the Edge of U2 fan, go here.
It is a real pisser when you wrote something of greater length and in a flash it is "kaput!" well, onto something new...
Flash
A friend of mine from Xbox Live asked when I was going to post more of my artwork. The true be told I don't have a lot to show. However, this is one of many sketches I did when I was still working. It is based on sketch Michael Turner did of the Flash. If you haven't checked out any of Turner's work you are really missing out! His company, Aspen Studios, has started putting out their own line of comics, definitly take a look!
I know I also mentioned that I would review various things, well I have got two rocking Xbox games that I think I should plug.
HALO 2 *****
The long awaited sequel to one of the greatest games ever has finally been released. It has been about almost a month and Bungie really did a great job on it. The graphics are amazing the story line is much more involved and lends insight into why the Covenant attacked. The game play is still very smooth and easy to learn, throwing you into the action really fast. There are a few things I would have liked changed but they in no way effect the game. I think it would be cool if the Master Chief could carry more than two weapons. There are often times in the game when you have to choose between two items when it would be better if you could carry them both. The dual-wielding weapons are a great new feature and when you get into LIVE play you will soon realize carrying one weapon is not going to cut it. Halo 2 really takes advantage of life capabilities. Just looking at all the different game options you can do will insure maximum playability. I haven't beaten the game yet, but I know when I do I will start right back at the beginning and have a go at one of the harder settings.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 *****
If you are like me and like the tactical shooters you are going to love this new release from Ubisoft/Redstorm. The Ghost are back, except it is a new team in a new war zone. North Korea to be exact. It is very eerie how the game's plot could easily come out of todays headlines! Many new improvements have been made since Island Thunder. The most noticable is the over the shoulder third person view. I gotta be honest I love this view way more than first person. It allows you to see how well you are covered by objects and really gives you a better overall view of the action. Another great new feature is the ability to carry more gear. Rather than just a primary and secondary weapon the Ghosts are able to carry much more. That being said one of my biggest complaints is that I wish their was a higher degree of weapon customization. We are talking about an elite special forces group, I think it would be fitting for the game to allow you not only to big a weapon, but also the type of sight you want, silenced/unsilenced..etc etc. Perhaps even carry a sniper rifle as well as an assault rifle. But these are tiny issues that can be fought over when they put out a sequel in the coming months. Take note though, after playing Halo 2 and jumping into GR2 it really messes with your play tempo. GR2 is not a game you can just blow through. It is damn hard and takes as much brainpower as firepower.
Overall two great sequels out for the Holiday season. I highly suggest both although, GR2 is not really for kids. Either way, give them a try and if you have a minute, tell me what you think!
See you on live!
The Edge
I know I also mentioned that I would review various things, well I have got two rocking Xbox games that I think I should plug.
HALO 2 *****
The long awaited sequel to one of the greatest games ever has finally been released. It has been about almost a month and Bungie really did a great job on it. The graphics are amazing the story line is much more involved and lends insight into why the Covenant attacked. The game play is still very smooth and easy to learn, throwing you into the action really fast. There are a few things I would have liked changed but they in no way effect the game. I think it would be cool if the Master Chief could carry more than two weapons. There are often times in the game when you have to choose between two items when it would be better if you could carry them both. The dual-wielding weapons are a great new feature and when you get into LIVE play you will soon realize carrying one weapon is not going to cut it. Halo 2 really takes advantage of life capabilities. Just looking at all the different game options you can do will insure maximum playability. I haven't beaten the game yet, but I know when I do I will start right back at the beginning and have a go at one of the harder settings.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 *****
If you are like me and like the tactical shooters you are going to love this new release from Ubisoft/Redstorm. The Ghost are back, except it is a new team in a new war zone. North Korea to be exact. It is very eerie how the game's plot could easily come out of todays headlines! Many new improvements have been made since Island Thunder. The most noticable is the over the shoulder third person view. I gotta be honest I love this view way more than first person. It allows you to see how well you are covered by objects and really gives you a better overall view of the action. Another great new feature is the ability to carry more gear. Rather than just a primary and secondary weapon the Ghosts are able to carry much more. That being said one of my biggest complaints is that I wish their was a higher degree of weapon customization. We are talking about an elite special forces group, I think it would be fitting for the game to allow you not only to big a weapon, but also the type of sight you want, silenced/unsilenced..etc etc. Perhaps even carry a sniper rifle as well as an assault rifle. But these are tiny issues that can be fought over when they put out a sequel in the coming months. Take note though, after playing Halo 2 and jumping into GR2 it really messes with your play tempo. GR2 is not a game you can just blow through. It is damn hard and takes as much brainpower as firepower.
Overall two great sequels out for the Holiday season. I highly suggest both although, GR2 is not really for kids. Either way, give them a try and if you have a minute, tell me what you think!
See you on live!
The Edge
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Not to piss on a holiday or anything but I notice that everything Thanksgiving seems to be the same for me or at least follows the same schedule. This year was a little different because my uncle (Dad's brother) and his daughters were not here. My family has gone through quite a reorganization the last few years that has left certain holidays with a smaller turnout. Not that I had a big family to begin with but we are definitly atom-sized compared to the "nuclear family".
Anyway it always goes down like this: around 1-2 pm everyone who is coming shows up. The empty hugs and kisses abound and the starting drinks get poured. Everyone files into the family room and bullshits. The bullshitting has in years past been more like cold war verbal sparing. A lot of posturing and very subtle attacks on members of the family. I usually try to avoid talking to anyone and just sit there with a stupid smile on my face. It is easier to get through this subterfuge of family life if you act like Rain Man and then slip away when no one is looking. Oh, did I mention Thanksgiving is always at my house! Which means, my escape is limited to literally hiding in the house. Back to the schedule.
After the opening bullshitting, at some point usual 2-3pm the food is ready and it seems like it takes and eternity to actually get it on the table. In years past we have had to have two tables, not because we are large numbers, but rather because we are large people in small rooms. If the meal is in one room, we say "Grace" which is fine until it keeps going and going. "let us not forget our dearly departed great great aunt edna on the O'Neill side of the family who used to collect stuffed squirrels and had a heavy hand with the bourbon..." You get my point. Then it is time to get food. Now if the entire family is there, meaning my uncle's family (Dad's side) and my aunt and uncle (Mom's sister) then it means the cold war goes hot and you have to fight for food. There is no order of passing things around the table, it is a very unorganized guerilla attack on the various dishes (which never change from year to year). Now I was brought up with table manners. Generally I don't use them unless circumstances insist it. You know, family dinners, out with girls, etc etc. Why I am possessed to use my manners at Thanksgiving is a mental handicap I do not understand, because what ends up happing is while two people are attacking the stuffing and three are hitting the turkey, I sit there and in a rather mousey voice ask "Can you please pass the peas?" To which my requests go unanswered until I finally get so frustrated I start barking at people and then everyone looks at me like I am the one with the problem.
Next on the itinerary comes the post dinner gossiping and debating on how our various lives could be better. What we all fail to realize is that they would be better if you just shut the hell up and actually do what you say. Eventually dessert and coffee make its way around and we get the usual I can't eat that it will make me fat or I am too full for that. BULLSHIT! You aren't gonna tell me that inside the stomach you can't make room! I saw how much food you put away to being with! If you were really concerned about your weight you would sit there and eat cellery. So instead of trying to make yourself not feel guilty about what a gluttonous fuck you are, shut up and eat the cheesecake!
After all is said and done, we have two groups of people. Those that seem to wonder off and pass out somewhere only to drool on themselves and those that keep drinking and fight over which football game to watch. Me, I generally disappear and go play xbox or whatever video game system I have at the time and do my best to blow everything up on screen.
Eventually people realize that there is no more food and no more beer and then run outta here like the place is on fire. "It's been fun but I gotta go..." Fill in the blank with excuse.
Once everyone leaves the house becomes so quiet. It is really amazing just how silent it is on Thanksgiving night. I don't think it is just my house that is like that either but it is truly surreal.
That is the yearly Thanksgiving schedule and you would think someone would have gotten sick of these yearly rituals. Come on! Let's change the beat! But no it is always the same anticlimatic mundane day that is has been since I was 5.
It it isn't abundantly clear, I hate Thanksgiving. I have hated it for as long as I can remember. I don't know why, maybe it is because I have a sense of people invading my house without my OK. Don't really know why? I am sure if I got to the bottom of it, it would be really childish. On top of it all my grandfather has been dead now since 2001. I was really close with him and I don't think I have ever let him go. Towards the end it was hard to talk, just because I was a 20 something punk and he was 83 year old Chief Petty Officer. But I loved him a lot and he was one of those people that you could just watch and he would do something so slight and it would either amaze me or crack me up! Maybe we didn't need to talk as much the older we got, maybe we knew what the other was thinking. I hated seeing him in the nursing home, my grandfather was meant to be on a ship or in a car travelling, seeing the world, and sharing stories with people over a pint. I think the only trip I ever took with him was when I was 7 or 8 and the entire family went to Disney World. I remember going to this one location in the park, not really sure where, but you could rent these mini speed boats. Of course, I was too small to be allowed on one by myself (happened to me all the time!) so Grampa got on it with me and as we pulled away and got about 100 yards out, he let me drive. I think he lost whatever hair he had left but he pretty much let me run that thing into the ground. Everything we did together was a lesson and I am ashamed to say I usually forgot most of them. However, and I can't say this is true for sure, but I am willing to bet that day in the boat he was probably teaching me the difference between "port" and "starboard" and all sorts of other nautical terms. He was a good man, the best kind of man, and I miss him.
Funny how this holiday makes me bitch but in the end I remember that I have something to be thankful for. Regardless of how you feel about the holiday and your family and whatever traditions you may hold...it just wouldn't be the same I guess. I know I am thankful for having the best grandfather the world has ever seen. Not even sure why I started to write this entry, definitly didn't think it would go the way it did. Sometimes I guess even the most cynical of us can surprise ourselves every now and again. I don't really know what else to write, I kind of hit a quiet place...so I think I am gonna take the cue...
Good night
The Edge
Anyway it always goes down like this: around 1-2 pm everyone who is coming shows up. The empty hugs and kisses abound and the starting drinks get poured. Everyone files into the family room and bullshits. The bullshitting has in years past been more like cold war verbal sparing. A lot of posturing and very subtle attacks on members of the family. I usually try to avoid talking to anyone and just sit there with a stupid smile on my face. It is easier to get through this subterfuge of family life if you act like Rain Man and then slip away when no one is looking. Oh, did I mention Thanksgiving is always at my house! Which means, my escape is limited to literally hiding in the house. Back to the schedule.
After the opening bullshitting, at some point usual 2-3pm the food is ready and it seems like it takes and eternity to actually get it on the table. In years past we have had to have two tables, not because we are large numbers, but rather because we are large people in small rooms. If the meal is in one room, we say "Grace" which is fine until it keeps going and going. "let us not forget our dearly departed great great aunt edna on the O'Neill side of the family who used to collect stuffed squirrels and had a heavy hand with the bourbon..." You get my point. Then it is time to get food. Now if the entire family is there, meaning my uncle's family (Dad's side) and my aunt and uncle (Mom's sister) then it means the cold war goes hot and you have to fight for food. There is no order of passing things around the table, it is a very unorganized guerilla attack on the various dishes (which never change from year to year). Now I was brought up with table manners. Generally I don't use them unless circumstances insist it. You know, family dinners, out with girls, etc etc. Why I am possessed to use my manners at Thanksgiving is a mental handicap I do not understand, because what ends up happing is while two people are attacking the stuffing and three are hitting the turkey, I sit there and in a rather mousey voice ask "Can you please pass the peas?" To which my requests go unanswered until I finally get so frustrated I start barking at people and then everyone looks at me like I am the one with the problem.
Next on the itinerary comes the post dinner gossiping and debating on how our various lives could be better. What we all fail to realize is that they would be better if you just shut the hell up and actually do what you say. Eventually dessert and coffee make its way around and we get the usual I can't eat that it will make me fat or I am too full for that. BULLSHIT! You aren't gonna tell me that inside the stomach you can't make room! I saw how much food you put away to being with! If you were really concerned about your weight you would sit there and eat cellery. So instead of trying to make yourself not feel guilty about what a gluttonous fuck you are, shut up and eat the cheesecake!
After all is said and done, we have two groups of people. Those that seem to wonder off and pass out somewhere only to drool on themselves and those that keep drinking and fight over which football game to watch. Me, I generally disappear and go play xbox or whatever video game system I have at the time and do my best to blow everything up on screen.
Eventually people realize that there is no more food and no more beer and then run outta here like the place is on fire. "It's been fun but I gotta go..." Fill in the blank with excuse.
Once everyone leaves the house becomes so quiet. It is really amazing just how silent it is on Thanksgiving night. I don't think it is just my house that is like that either but it is truly surreal.
That is the yearly Thanksgiving schedule and you would think someone would have gotten sick of these yearly rituals. Come on! Let's change the beat! But no it is always the same anticlimatic mundane day that is has been since I was 5.
It it isn't abundantly clear, I hate Thanksgiving. I have hated it for as long as I can remember. I don't know why, maybe it is because I have a sense of people invading my house without my OK. Don't really know why? I am sure if I got to the bottom of it, it would be really childish. On top of it all my grandfather has been dead now since 2001. I was really close with him and I don't think I have ever let him go. Towards the end it was hard to talk, just because I was a 20 something punk and he was 83 year old Chief Petty Officer. But I loved him a lot and he was one of those people that you could just watch and he would do something so slight and it would either amaze me or crack me up! Maybe we didn't need to talk as much the older we got, maybe we knew what the other was thinking. I hated seeing him in the nursing home, my grandfather was meant to be on a ship or in a car travelling, seeing the world, and sharing stories with people over a pint. I think the only trip I ever took with him was when I was 7 or 8 and the entire family went to Disney World. I remember going to this one location in the park, not really sure where, but you could rent these mini speed boats. Of course, I was too small to be allowed on one by myself (happened to me all the time!) so Grampa got on it with me and as we pulled away and got about 100 yards out, he let me drive. I think he lost whatever hair he had left but he pretty much let me run that thing into the ground. Everything we did together was a lesson and I am ashamed to say I usually forgot most of them. However, and I can't say this is true for sure, but I am willing to bet that day in the boat he was probably teaching me the difference between "port" and "starboard" and all sorts of other nautical terms. He was a good man, the best kind of man, and I miss him.
Funny how this holiday makes me bitch but in the end I remember that I have something to be thankful for. Regardless of how you feel about the holiday and your family and whatever traditions you may hold...it just wouldn't be the same I guess. I know I am thankful for having the best grandfather the world has ever seen. Not even sure why I started to write this entry, definitly didn't think it would go the way it did. Sometimes I guess even the most cynical of us can surprise ourselves every now and again. I don't really know what else to write, I kind of hit a quiet place...so I think I am gonna take the cue...
Good night
The Edge
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Zealot
Well as I told you guys before I now have the ability to post pictures. Some of those visual will actually be some of my drawings. For those of you unaware I am a huge comic fan and have often aspired to get work in the business (IN ANY CAPACITY!).
This is actually a piece I did a long time ago. I don't think I was even in high school yet, if I was I was a freshman. This like all my work was based on a drawing by another artist. This is actually based off a splash page (I think) that was in Wild CATS #1 by Jim Lee. I can't remember the year it came out, I want to say 1991 but I think that is too early. Anyway, as I said before he is a big inspiration of mine and I love this character. I call this my "Mona Lisa" because a lot of hard work and devotion went into doing this (I was very young at the time) and it is the only color piece I have ever done. It is also unfinished. The boomerang thing in the back is supposed to be red! Anyway, I love this drawing and I thought I would share. I hope to someday top this...
The Edge
This is actually a piece I did a long time ago. I don't think I was even in high school yet, if I was I was a freshman. This like all my work was based on a drawing by another artist. This is actually based off a splash page (I think) that was in Wild CATS #1 by Jim Lee. I can't remember the year it came out, I want to say 1991 but I think that is too early. Anyway, as I said before he is a big inspiration of mine and I love this character. I call this my "Mona Lisa" because a lot of hard work and devotion went into doing this (I was very young at the time) and it is the only color piece I have ever done. It is also unfinished. The boomerang thing in the back is supposed to be red! Anyway, I love this drawing and I thought I would share. I hope to someday top this...
The Edge
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Coming together...Girls, Apples, pictures
I think I am getting better at the whole blog thing. I am at least now remembering that I have to write in it even though I don't necessarily get to!
So, my blog is coming along nicely. Taking a hint from Jim Lee's blog, I am now able to put up pictures on mine using Flickr.com. Be on the look out for all sorts of visual goodies! You never know what may pop up!
Moving on, let me go over the title. Girls, Apples, and pictures...well I think I covered the picture part, let's move onto girls.
I was chatting with a certain someone online last night and I realized that I had a great story to tell and for whatever reasons never put it down. This lovely young lady reminded me of this and so without further interuption, let me introduce my new friend Kim.
About two weeks ago I headed up to Massachusetts with Kevin (my hetero- lifemate) for a mutal friend's wedding. This was in a very rural area os Massachusetts that I sometimes forget exists. It often bothers me that when people think of the North East, everything is developed...well not this place. The wedding was in Hudson, MA. Way out in God's Country, but none the less a very cute New England town. Kevin actually worked up there during his highschool years. He performed community service, as many of us Catholics are forced to do, at a home for "pregnant crack-whores." Those are Kev's words not mine, but just so you don't think he is a total ass, Kevin is very active in his church and often volunteers his time. Whether it be teaching CCD or spending his time at hospitals working with severely retarded children. God help him, I sure as hell couldn't do it. Anyway, here we are driving around Hudson and Kevin says he wants to show me something. So we drive by the facility (which is really just an old house) for the pregnant crackwhores and he takes me to this petting zoo/general store. "Why the hell are you taking me here?" ask's I. "Because it is a cool store and your dear sweet mother would love it if you ever decided to take her here, you ungreatful bastard," say's Kevin.
So in I go and I have to admit that they had all sorts of great looking food and stuff. I am always down for homemade, all natural, don't give a shit as long as it tastes good food. However, attached is your typical New England nick knack shop, complete with little wooden houses, stuffed animals that you can pose, antique looking dolls, etc etc. A whole bunch of crafts that are really only good for kindling. So we walk around for a bit, then head back outside. Now I am in no way a sheltered child. I have travelled all across Europe, been to some of the shittiest ghettos in RI and DC, have been to every state on the Eastern Seaboard and I am pretty well educated. That being said I have never seen a live chicken.
Kev and I are walking around the "petting zoo" and we come to chicken coup #1. Now I have never seen a live chicken but I was pretty sure they weren't as big as these fowl dinosaurs. Freaking huge! Their legs weren't the skinny little twigs I had always pictured but were thick, muscular talon. I am standing there in awe of these beasts that I have so regularly dined on for many of my 26 years. As I am looking, I call to Kev, with blatant disregard for the children standing around me "Hey check out the size of these fucking chickens!" Kevin wobbles on over (he really has a very distinct walk!). He looks at the birds..."Dude, those are Roosters"
I can truly count on my hand how many times I have felt that stupid and embaressed in my life. So as I nonchalantly try to step away from the coup, I see Kevin wandering down some stairs to the horses. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have ridden a horse. I have only done it once and I will be in no good mood if I ever have to do it again. It is truly an epic story of my monumental bad luck. Regardless, with endless curiosity I decided to follow my good friend down the steps to a mother and her kids petty a young horse no more than two feet from a sign that clearly says "Please do not pet horses, they bite." Perhaps she thought she had more than one it was ok if one of her kids got maimed, I don't know. Kevin, on the other hand, I know can read and so I would not feel bad if the horse removed one of his digits. It would at least cause me to laugh hysterically as I try to bandage the stump. Well anyway, the horse was good and received the attention quite well, unlike the majority of actors in Hollywood.
I did noticed however that this horse was stranded on one side of its pen dud to a monstrous puddle, of unknown depth, that stretched widely across the yard. On the far side were what I can only assume to be the horse's relatives, all huddled in a corner. Apparently the horse was really a black sheep. Yes my humor is that dry.
We eventually leave the farm and head to the church. There is where things start to get interesting. Kevin and I arrive and seem to be the only ones there. We are pretty sure we have the right church and after about 20 minutes people start showing up. This will be the second non-Catholic wedding I have attended out of the 20 I have gone to in the last two years. I always get very excited to see how other religions do it. I hope to make it to a Jewish and a Muslim wedding someday. So we walk into this very nice Methodist Church, it was made in the "tudor" style of architecture of which I am a fan. So we sit down and wait for the show to begin. Mind you, Kev and I have not seen a soul we recognize and I am starting to think we may be at the wrong wedding except the program is telling us otherwise. While sitting I notice a young lady sitting on the other side of the aisle a row or two up. A young asian woman short dark hair and a rather attractive face. In my usual declaration of hoplessness I say to myself "Just forget it, you are a wedding. You need to behave and you know she is probably her with someone."
With that the wedding begins, I was very excited to see all the members of the "Brotherhood" except Marc, who I don't believe was invited. It had been a while since we all got together and the reality of our meetings becoming more and more associated with things like weddings, childbirths and funerals rather than the usual hanging out on a Friday night started to make me feel a little bit too old.
The wedding was short and sweet and yet I still managed to fall asleep. For that I am sorry Joy and Jim, however, I did see you exchange vows and say "I do". After the nuptuals we were headed for the Holiday Inn in some other one-horse town in Massachusetts. Now, I was really impressed with this hotel. I did not have high expectations upon arriving but upon entering I was in awe. You see, the outside of the building at night makes the hotel look deceivingly small and the first thing that popped into my head was "where the hell is the reception going to be?" Walking in, I realize right away I was wrong. After passing the front desk there was a wall of class doors. On the otherside of which was a huge, gorgeous atrium that was really quite neat! The pool was hidden in there among real trees, two gazeboes, and several stone pathways that made you feel like you were at a tropical resort of sorts.
So eventually they let everyone into the atrium, I had snuck in earlier. It was the cocktail hour along with cheese and crackers. I hate to say I don't usually eat cheese cubes but they had these pepperjack cheese cubes that really made your hair stand up. DAMN GOOD! So as I am sitting along this wall bench thingy, I noticed the cute Asian girl was sitting at the far end. So, now I have had a drink at this point on an empty stomach. It doesn't take me too long to forget myself and start strategizing how I am gonna talk to this girl. So naturally, Kevin is double fisting drinks already and being the social butterfly is mingling with people that he will never see again but somehow he quickly gets to know. As me and the rest of the wallflowers are chatting and making jokes, Kevin comes up and starts chatting and makes some rather funny comment. The cute Asian girl hears him and starts laughing...THERE"S MY OPENING! GO GO GO...only she talks to me first, "Are you on the bride or grooms side?" That my fellow readers is how I met the lovely Kim.
Now right away we start chatting and she has a great smile. But just as the conversation gets going, they announce the guests to their tables. So instead of just taking off, I decide to find out what table she is at, walk her there, and tell her to save me a dance. A DANCE! WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY WAS I THINKING!? I don't dance, unless I am completely shitfaced. I wasn't planning on getting that way either. The last time I was completely shitfaced and dancing, I was with Kevin, and some girl went home with my underwear.
Regardless I sit down at my table, #3 to be exact. Just as I am sitting down, the DJ who was right behind me, or should I say her 500 watt speaker, belts out a hello that sends me jumping to the ceiling! After climbing down, I get in my seat and the good times begin to roll. It was great to see everyone and we were all having a blast. Then Lisa, Melisa and Nancy come over. They are also friends of ours but they were all bridesmaids. I was sitting with their respective dates and I happen to mention Kim. Lisa immediately tells me she is with one of the groomsmen and to forget. I couldn't help but hear the heartless joy in her voice as she was telling me the news. However, I never give up and I feel I am pretty shrewd judge of these things and the boyfriend alarm was not going off when I spoke with her. So I will just assume Lisa is full of shit, has no idea what she is talking about and wants to rain on my parade.
Well after dinner I wander over to the bar, flying solo as I am want to do. I have a tendency to get solitary around alcohol. I tend to seperate myself from my friends and then go on the hunt for new "friends". Anyway as I am strutting up to the bar trying my best to give off a James Bond vibe, I see Kim. We start chatting again and this girl is cool as shit. However, we weren't chatting long till we were interrupted again by something I can't recall.
The night moves on, a few more drinks, some good laughs and the dance floor is up in a rush. So I figured what the hell, I walk up to Kim and say "Do you want to dance?" She grabs my hand and leads me to the floor. Now I have to admit, she has the softest hands I think I have ever felt. Generally girls in my experience have soft skin, for which I am eternally greatful but these things were like satin pillows. It was quite nice. Anyway we are dancing and chatting and I am doing my best not to sound like a drunk moron. Again, another bump in the road. The song is shorter than I had anticipated and rather than stand there in the waltz position we go our seperate ways. The night begins to wind down and I have to make another move.
My good friend the DJ announces that this will be the last song. I ask her to play one more slow one and she says she has to close up shop. Seeing the disappointment in my face apparently gives her the brilliant idea to play a slow song as the night's closer. This is my chance, now or never to have some uninterruppted time with Kim. I mosey over, half cocked and say Kim, will you dance the last song with me. She says "This is that last song" I say "Nope, I requested one so I can get another dance with you." HE SHOOTS HE SCORES!
Dancing to the last song was great. We got to chat some more and sober up and I was able to see that great smile. Then when it was over, I asked what her plans were. I was not going to bed anytime soon and I was still in the mood to party and the hotel bar was till open. All my friends were going down there and I asked her to join. She told me she had to play poker with her friends but if she had time she would come down.
Well, we went out seperate ways for a bit, before I called her and asked her to come down to the bar. Now, having a drink with a girl isn't really big deal on the cosmic scale of things. You would have thought I was having sex on the bar with Catherine Zeta Jones, the way my friends reacted. I felt like I was being watched by the Inquirer!
Anyway, Kim came down and we started chatting. She told me her last name and somethign didn't click. She had a spanish last name but looked Asian....immediately I realized she was Filipino. How cool is that!? She is originally from the Phillipines but somehow ended up in New Jersey. Talk about a let down! Anyway, I was able to figure out she was Filipino, which impressed her and then I started to ask her about Tagolog, the native language. "It is a combination of Spanish and Polynesian languages right?" She said yes and then asked me how I knew so much about it. I told her about my experiences in the martial arts and how I made it a point to learn about each culture those arts came from. Without missing a beat she asks me dead serious "This isn't a fetish thing, is it?" I think I almost fell out of my seat I was laughing so hard. The blunt question caught me so off guard and was so far from the truth I couldn't do anything but laugh. When I calmed down I answered honestly "No, not at all" and then conversation went on. But nothing is ever safe, Kevin comes over to tell me everyone is retiring for the evening. No sooner does he leave, then Lisa appears. "Don't stay out too late, we are going to bed soon. So please be back soon." Talk about mordifying. Like she was my mother! If that didn't deserve a slap I don't know what does. I was even more annoyed to find out later that Lisa was making assumptions that I was trying to get some ass but then so bluntly stated "well you can't bring her back here and she is sharing a room with that guy." To which, I triumphantly announced "No quite jackass. She has her own room by herself. Shut up and go to sleep!" Try and piss in my wheaties and I will cut you down everytime!
The night ended with me getting Kim's number, and walking her back to her room. I then returned to mine, although I forgot the number. My saving grace was that Lisa's voice can penetrate walls and I was able to hear Kevin and her talking. The downside was to all this was I would have much rather snuggled up with Kim for obvious reasons than listen to Kevin and Lisa fart and snore. But alas, it wasn't meant to be.
However, in the long run it was a happy ending. I met a really cool girl, who I talk to from time to time. I had a great time at Joy and Jim's wedding after having a terrible week. I ate well, drank well and slept well. Can't ask for anything more...well except to see Kim again.
The Edge
PS...I almost forgot about the Apples. I ate an Apple yesterday. You might not think that is a big deal but it is the first piece of fruit I have eatten since elementary school. In my attempt to lose weight and get healthy I took the fruit plunge. It was entirely too long of a wait!
So, my blog is coming along nicely. Taking a hint from Jim Lee's blog, I am now able to put up pictures on mine using Flickr.com. Be on the look out for all sorts of visual goodies! You never know what may pop up!
Moving on, let me go over the title. Girls, Apples, and pictures...well I think I covered the picture part, let's move onto girls.
I was chatting with a certain someone online last night and I realized that I had a great story to tell and for whatever reasons never put it down. This lovely young lady reminded me of this and so without further interuption, let me introduce my new friend Kim.
About two weeks ago I headed up to Massachusetts with Kevin (my hetero- lifemate) for a mutal friend's wedding. This was in a very rural area os Massachusetts that I sometimes forget exists. It often bothers me that when people think of the North East, everything is developed...well not this place. The wedding was in Hudson, MA. Way out in God's Country, but none the less a very cute New England town. Kevin actually worked up there during his highschool years. He performed community service, as many of us Catholics are forced to do, at a home for "pregnant crack-whores." Those are Kev's words not mine, but just so you don't think he is a total ass, Kevin is very active in his church and often volunteers his time. Whether it be teaching CCD or spending his time at hospitals working with severely retarded children. God help him, I sure as hell couldn't do it. Anyway, here we are driving around Hudson and Kevin says he wants to show me something. So we drive by the facility (which is really just an old house) for the pregnant crackwhores and he takes me to this petting zoo/general store. "Why the hell are you taking me here?" ask's I. "Because it is a cool store and your dear sweet mother would love it if you ever decided to take her here, you ungreatful bastard," say's Kevin.
So in I go and I have to admit that they had all sorts of great looking food and stuff. I am always down for homemade, all natural, don't give a shit as long as it tastes good food. However, attached is your typical New England nick knack shop, complete with little wooden houses, stuffed animals that you can pose, antique looking dolls, etc etc. A whole bunch of crafts that are really only good for kindling. So we walk around for a bit, then head back outside. Now I am in no way a sheltered child. I have travelled all across Europe, been to some of the shittiest ghettos in RI and DC, have been to every state on the Eastern Seaboard and I am pretty well educated. That being said I have never seen a live chicken.
Kev and I are walking around the "petting zoo" and we come to chicken coup #1. Now I have never seen a live chicken but I was pretty sure they weren't as big as these fowl dinosaurs. Freaking huge! Their legs weren't the skinny little twigs I had always pictured but were thick, muscular talon. I am standing there in awe of these beasts that I have so regularly dined on for many of my 26 years. As I am looking, I call to Kev, with blatant disregard for the children standing around me "Hey check out the size of these fucking chickens!" Kevin wobbles on over (he really has a very distinct walk!). He looks at the birds..."Dude, those are Roosters"
I can truly count on my hand how many times I have felt that stupid and embaressed in my life. So as I nonchalantly try to step away from the coup, I see Kevin wandering down some stairs to the horses. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have ridden a horse. I have only done it once and I will be in no good mood if I ever have to do it again. It is truly an epic story of my monumental bad luck. Regardless, with endless curiosity I decided to follow my good friend down the steps to a mother and her kids petty a young horse no more than two feet from a sign that clearly says "Please do not pet horses, they bite." Perhaps she thought she had more than one it was ok if one of her kids got maimed, I don't know. Kevin, on the other hand, I know can read and so I would not feel bad if the horse removed one of his digits. It would at least cause me to laugh hysterically as I try to bandage the stump. Well anyway, the horse was good and received the attention quite well, unlike the majority of actors in Hollywood.
I did noticed however that this horse was stranded on one side of its pen dud to a monstrous puddle, of unknown depth, that stretched widely across the yard. On the far side were what I can only assume to be the horse's relatives, all huddled in a corner. Apparently the horse was really a black sheep. Yes my humor is that dry.
We eventually leave the farm and head to the church. There is where things start to get interesting. Kevin and I arrive and seem to be the only ones there. We are pretty sure we have the right church and after about 20 minutes people start showing up. This will be the second non-Catholic wedding I have attended out of the 20 I have gone to in the last two years. I always get very excited to see how other religions do it. I hope to make it to a Jewish and a Muslim wedding someday. So we walk into this very nice Methodist Church, it was made in the "tudor" style of architecture of which I am a fan. So we sit down and wait for the show to begin. Mind you, Kev and I have not seen a soul we recognize and I am starting to think we may be at the wrong wedding except the program is telling us otherwise. While sitting I notice a young lady sitting on the other side of the aisle a row or two up. A young asian woman short dark hair and a rather attractive face. In my usual declaration of hoplessness I say to myself "Just forget it, you are a wedding. You need to behave and you know she is probably her with someone."
With that the wedding begins, I was very excited to see all the members of the "Brotherhood" except Marc, who I don't believe was invited. It had been a while since we all got together and the reality of our meetings becoming more and more associated with things like weddings, childbirths and funerals rather than the usual hanging out on a Friday night started to make me feel a little bit too old.
The wedding was short and sweet and yet I still managed to fall asleep. For that I am sorry Joy and Jim, however, I did see you exchange vows and say "I do". After the nuptuals we were headed for the Holiday Inn in some other one-horse town in Massachusetts. Now, I was really impressed with this hotel. I did not have high expectations upon arriving but upon entering I was in awe. You see, the outside of the building at night makes the hotel look deceivingly small and the first thing that popped into my head was "where the hell is the reception going to be?" Walking in, I realize right away I was wrong. After passing the front desk there was a wall of class doors. On the otherside of which was a huge, gorgeous atrium that was really quite neat! The pool was hidden in there among real trees, two gazeboes, and several stone pathways that made you feel like you were at a tropical resort of sorts.
So eventually they let everyone into the atrium, I had snuck in earlier. It was the cocktail hour along with cheese and crackers. I hate to say I don't usually eat cheese cubes but they had these pepperjack cheese cubes that really made your hair stand up. DAMN GOOD! So as I am sitting along this wall bench thingy, I noticed the cute Asian girl was sitting at the far end. So, now I have had a drink at this point on an empty stomach. It doesn't take me too long to forget myself and start strategizing how I am gonna talk to this girl. So naturally, Kevin is double fisting drinks already and being the social butterfly is mingling with people that he will never see again but somehow he quickly gets to know. As me and the rest of the wallflowers are chatting and making jokes, Kevin comes up and starts chatting and makes some rather funny comment. The cute Asian girl hears him and starts laughing...THERE"S MY OPENING! GO GO GO...only she talks to me first, "Are you on the bride or grooms side?" That my fellow readers is how I met the lovely Kim.
Now right away we start chatting and she has a great smile. But just as the conversation gets going, they announce the guests to their tables. So instead of just taking off, I decide to find out what table she is at, walk her there, and tell her to save me a dance. A DANCE! WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY WAS I THINKING!? I don't dance, unless I am completely shitfaced. I wasn't planning on getting that way either. The last time I was completely shitfaced and dancing, I was with Kevin, and some girl went home with my underwear.
Regardless I sit down at my table, #3 to be exact. Just as I am sitting down, the DJ who was right behind me, or should I say her 500 watt speaker, belts out a hello that sends me jumping to the ceiling! After climbing down, I get in my seat and the good times begin to roll. It was great to see everyone and we were all having a blast. Then Lisa, Melisa and Nancy come over. They are also friends of ours but they were all bridesmaids. I was sitting with their respective dates and I happen to mention Kim. Lisa immediately tells me she is with one of the groomsmen and to forget. I couldn't help but hear the heartless joy in her voice as she was telling me the news. However, I never give up and I feel I am pretty shrewd judge of these things and the boyfriend alarm was not going off when I spoke with her. So I will just assume Lisa is full of shit, has no idea what she is talking about and wants to rain on my parade.
Well after dinner I wander over to the bar, flying solo as I am want to do. I have a tendency to get solitary around alcohol. I tend to seperate myself from my friends and then go on the hunt for new "friends". Anyway as I am strutting up to the bar trying my best to give off a James Bond vibe, I see Kim. We start chatting again and this girl is cool as shit. However, we weren't chatting long till we were interrupted again by something I can't recall.
The night moves on, a few more drinks, some good laughs and the dance floor is up in a rush. So I figured what the hell, I walk up to Kim and say "Do you want to dance?" She grabs my hand and leads me to the floor. Now I have to admit, she has the softest hands I think I have ever felt. Generally girls in my experience have soft skin, for which I am eternally greatful but these things were like satin pillows. It was quite nice. Anyway we are dancing and chatting and I am doing my best not to sound like a drunk moron. Again, another bump in the road. The song is shorter than I had anticipated and rather than stand there in the waltz position we go our seperate ways. The night begins to wind down and I have to make another move.
My good friend the DJ announces that this will be the last song. I ask her to play one more slow one and she says she has to close up shop. Seeing the disappointment in my face apparently gives her the brilliant idea to play a slow song as the night's closer. This is my chance, now or never to have some uninterruppted time with Kim. I mosey over, half cocked and say Kim, will you dance the last song with me. She says "This is that last song" I say "Nope, I requested one so I can get another dance with you." HE SHOOTS HE SCORES!
Dancing to the last song was great. We got to chat some more and sober up and I was able to see that great smile. Then when it was over, I asked what her plans were. I was not going to bed anytime soon and I was still in the mood to party and the hotel bar was till open. All my friends were going down there and I asked her to join. She told me she had to play poker with her friends but if she had time she would come down.
Well, we went out seperate ways for a bit, before I called her and asked her to come down to the bar. Now, having a drink with a girl isn't really big deal on the cosmic scale of things. You would have thought I was having sex on the bar with Catherine Zeta Jones, the way my friends reacted. I felt like I was being watched by the Inquirer!
Anyway, Kim came down and we started chatting. She told me her last name and somethign didn't click. She had a spanish last name but looked Asian....immediately I realized she was Filipino. How cool is that!? She is originally from the Phillipines but somehow ended up in New Jersey. Talk about a let down! Anyway, I was able to figure out she was Filipino, which impressed her and then I started to ask her about Tagolog, the native language. "It is a combination of Spanish and Polynesian languages right?" She said yes and then asked me how I knew so much about it. I told her about my experiences in the martial arts and how I made it a point to learn about each culture those arts came from. Without missing a beat she asks me dead serious "This isn't a fetish thing, is it?" I think I almost fell out of my seat I was laughing so hard. The blunt question caught me so off guard and was so far from the truth I couldn't do anything but laugh. When I calmed down I answered honestly "No, not at all" and then conversation went on. But nothing is ever safe, Kevin comes over to tell me everyone is retiring for the evening. No sooner does he leave, then Lisa appears. "Don't stay out too late, we are going to bed soon. So please be back soon." Talk about mordifying. Like she was my mother! If that didn't deserve a slap I don't know what does. I was even more annoyed to find out later that Lisa was making assumptions that I was trying to get some ass but then so bluntly stated "well you can't bring her back here and she is sharing a room with that guy." To which, I triumphantly announced "No quite jackass. She has her own room by herself. Shut up and go to sleep!" Try and piss in my wheaties and I will cut you down everytime!
The night ended with me getting Kim's number, and walking her back to her room. I then returned to mine, although I forgot the number. My saving grace was that Lisa's voice can penetrate walls and I was able to hear Kevin and her talking. The downside was to all this was I would have much rather snuggled up with Kim for obvious reasons than listen to Kevin and Lisa fart and snore. But alas, it wasn't meant to be.
However, in the long run it was a happy ending. I met a really cool girl, who I talk to from time to time. I had a great time at Joy and Jim's wedding after having a terrible week. I ate well, drank well and slept well. Can't ask for anything more...well except to see Kim again.
The Edge
PS...I almost forgot about the Apples. I ate an Apple yesterday. You might not think that is a big deal but it is the first piece of fruit I have eatten since elementary school. In my attempt to lose weight and get healthy I took the fruit plunge. It was entirely too long of a wait!
Saturday, November 20, 2004
the funny thing about blogs....
So the problem I have with this whole blogging thing, besides keeping up with it, is that I have a tendency to read other peoples rather than write in mine. For example, my college roommate and good friend Jay Rob has a most excellent blog, http://black-coffee.blog-city.com/ , where he goes into everything from politics, religion, girls and sports. What is even better is that he also fills us clueless white boys in on a modern black man's perspective on things. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think what Jay writes is what every African American thinks, far from it, but it is great to get a different point of view!
Another great example of a blog that keeps me reading and not writing is Jim Lee's blog. For those of you who don't know, Jim Lee is possibly the greatest living comic book artist on the planet. He is also one of my art inspirations and heroes. The man can throw down lines...he just seemingly pulls them out of the ether and next thing you know you got a bad ass picture of Batman. Anyway Jim's blog has fellow contributors from Wildstorm studios. Richard Friend, Carlos D'anda, Ale Garza, the beautiful Sandra Hope, etc etc. If you are a fan of Wildstorm's work and you want to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the drawing board, this is a great place to check in.
So if you are wondering why I don't post more that is why! I can't stop reading other people's blogs. Maybe it is because I think they are more interesting than my own or because I am a voyeur, or maybe I just love information. Either way, there are some great sites out there and if you like to hear what people have to say but don't necessarily like to read the paper (my BA in Journalism did wonder's for me!) see if they have a blog or a website. It is great fun
A preview of what is to come...
1) A list of the top ten things I want to do before I leave Rhode Island!
2) An updated version of the blog, with pictures and links and much much more!
3) More great writings on my experience outside of my room and what that entails
4) Reviews of movies, comics, books, games, tv and more (Sequential Tart eat your heart out!)
5) general fun from the mind of me, the Edge
Another great example of a blog that keeps me reading and not writing is Jim Lee's blog. For those of you who don't know, Jim Lee is possibly the greatest living comic book artist on the planet. He is also one of my art inspirations and heroes. The man can throw down lines...he just seemingly pulls them out of the ether and next thing you know you got a bad ass picture of Batman. Anyway Jim's blog has fellow contributors from Wildstorm studios. Richard Friend, Carlos D'anda, Ale Garza, the beautiful Sandra Hope, etc etc. If you are a fan of Wildstorm's work and you want to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the drawing board, this is a great place to check in.
So if you are wondering why I don't post more that is why! I can't stop reading other people's blogs. Maybe it is because I think they are more interesting than my own or because I am a voyeur, or maybe I just love information. Either way, there are some great sites out there and if you like to hear what people have to say but don't necessarily like to read the paper (my BA in Journalism did wonder's for me!) see if they have a blog or a website. It is great fun
A preview of what is to come...
1) A list of the top ten things I want to do before I leave Rhode Island!
2) An updated version of the blog, with pictures and links and much much more!
3) More great writings on my experience outside of my room and what that entails
4) Reviews of movies, comics, books, games, tv and more (Sequential Tart eat your heart out!)
5) general fun from the mind of me, the Edge
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
long time, sanded floor, new comics
I know I know, it has been a while since I have written. Why do I act like I actually have an audience? I guess because the alternative is harder to write for and is too much like talking to myself. Anyway there is a lot going on right now and I wish I had more time to put it all down. To make a long post shorter, a recap of my week started with packing everything I own into cardboard for the movers. That was hell. Then out of the blue my father asks me to sand the floor and refinish it. Certain parts came out good, others I am doing again tommorrow. Today was new comic book day and while I didn't think anything good was coming out I got some nice surprises at the comic shop. Which reminds me I forgot to read one of them and so ends this post...
Monday, November 01, 2004
Back at work
Hello True Believers!
No, I don't feel bad that I rip off Stan Lee's opening greetings. If you mind, you can easly leave me a comment to which I will most certainly reply "PISS OFF!"
I am back at work today after my week in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. I am both excited and apprehensive about returning to school and moving to a new location. But I just remind myself that a) I have done it before and b) I have been to far worse shitholes than Savannah, GA!
Anyway, this is my last week at work. As of Friday I will no longer be an employee of World Courier Ground. This goodbye is bittersweet. This is the longest job I have ever held, I have been here just over a year (like a year and a day). For that reason I am rather proud of myself. It is an unfortunate trait of mine that I tend to get restless rather quickly and when that happens, "SO LONG SUCKERS!" is pretty much my goodbye. This is probably why I have never had a relationship longer than a year, but that is another topic that I am very sure will be covered again and again in this small corner of the Web. Yes, right, this is my longest held position in the work place. Truly something to be proud of when I think of all the nonsense I had to put up with I first got hired. The back in forth between full time and part time, the pay cuts, the pulling of benefits, the hours, I could go on and on. I did however, learn quite a lot about the logistics industry. Unfortunately I also learned that the market is getting smaller and unless your one of the big boys, keeping your head above water is a truly uphill battle. Ok, yes that was way too many metaphors in one sentence. Yes, I have a degree in Journalism, no I don't use it that often and once again THIS IS MY BLOG SO PISS OFF!
I am at work writing this which some may think as unethical, I think of it more as keeping myself busy when no one else is here. That is one thing I learned quickly at this job. Just how much I like to work by myself and in a team. There is a certain ratio that I will need to keep in check for the rest of my working life that I seemed to have found here. I also successfully reinforced my strong distaste for micromanagers. Such people should truly be severely hurt.
Getting back on track, I will sort of miss this place. My daily lunches with Justin, my verbal sparring with Jerry and Mike, my complete disregard for authority when speaking with the President, my conversation with Bill the matience man...truly these things make my day that much more enjoyable. Yet I am not really sad to see this place go, or should I say see myself walk out the door. This is not a really happy place to work in. There has been a high turnover of people in my department of four and there seems to be a lot of closet animosity towards the higher ups. Whether that is justified or not is a debate that would surely fill more pages than the 9/11 Commission. But it does take's it toll. Perhaps it is my age that keeps me from getting so attached to what I do. From the first day I walked in I told myself to maintain a healthy since of detachment, do not get too invested in what goes on. When it becomes personal, work can take a destructive turn down the spiral. I have succesfully avoided this. Mind you, I have certainly done my fair share of complaining, as is any workers right when he is on the bottom of the totem pole. But I don't feel I had the voracity or the dislike in my complaints as some of my other co-workers. This is a rather troubling thing to witness for two reasons. 1) Is it a prediciton of my future in the working world that as I age I will become more bitter? 2) Is it a reflection of my apathy or even more so an indication of a higher level of apathy than what I realized I had?
Either way, I am glad to be moving. If for no other reason than the sheer adventure of it all. However, as excited as I am, I do hope my restlessness will one day fade away and leave me with a home, a love and a purpose. As for now, it seems to early to tell
Peace
No, I don't feel bad that I rip off Stan Lee's opening greetings. If you mind, you can easly leave me a comment to which I will most certainly reply "PISS OFF!"
I am back at work today after my week in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. I am both excited and apprehensive about returning to school and moving to a new location. But I just remind myself that a) I have done it before and b) I have been to far worse shitholes than Savannah, GA!
Anyway, this is my last week at work. As of Friday I will no longer be an employee of World Courier Ground. This goodbye is bittersweet. This is the longest job I have ever held, I have been here just over a year (like a year and a day). For that reason I am rather proud of myself. It is an unfortunate trait of mine that I tend to get restless rather quickly and when that happens, "SO LONG SUCKERS!" is pretty much my goodbye. This is probably why I have never had a relationship longer than a year, but that is another topic that I am very sure will be covered again and again in this small corner of the Web. Yes, right, this is my longest held position in the work place. Truly something to be proud of when I think of all the nonsense I had to put up with I first got hired. The back in forth between full time and part time, the pay cuts, the pulling of benefits, the hours, I could go on and on. I did however, learn quite a lot about the logistics industry. Unfortunately I also learned that the market is getting smaller and unless your one of the big boys, keeping your head above water is a truly uphill battle. Ok, yes that was way too many metaphors in one sentence. Yes, I have a degree in Journalism, no I don't use it that often and once again THIS IS MY BLOG SO PISS OFF!
I am at work writing this which some may think as unethical, I think of it more as keeping myself busy when no one else is here. That is one thing I learned quickly at this job. Just how much I like to work by myself and in a team. There is a certain ratio that I will need to keep in check for the rest of my working life that I seemed to have found here. I also successfully reinforced my strong distaste for micromanagers. Such people should truly be severely hurt.
Getting back on track, I will sort of miss this place. My daily lunches with Justin, my verbal sparring with Jerry and Mike, my complete disregard for authority when speaking with the President, my conversation with Bill the matience man...truly these things make my day that much more enjoyable. Yet I am not really sad to see this place go, or should I say see myself walk out the door. This is not a really happy place to work in. There has been a high turnover of people in my department of four and there seems to be a lot of closet animosity towards the higher ups. Whether that is justified or not is a debate that would surely fill more pages than the 9/11 Commission. But it does take's it toll. Perhaps it is my age that keeps me from getting so attached to what I do. From the first day I walked in I told myself to maintain a healthy since of detachment, do not get too invested in what goes on. When it becomes personal, work can take a destructive turn down the spiral. I have succesfully avoided this. Mind you, I have certainly done my fair share of complaining, as is any workers right when he is on the bottom of the totem pole. But I don't feel I had the voracity or the dislike in my complaints as some of my other co-workers. This is a rather troubling thing to witness for two reasons. 1) Is it a prediciton of my future in the working world that as I age I will become more bitter? 2) Is it a reflection of my apathy or even more so an indication of a higher level of apathy than what I realized I had?
Either way, I am glad to be moving. If for no other reason than the sheer adventure of it all. However, as excited as I am, I do hope my restlessness will one day fade away and leave me with a home, a love and a purpose. As for now, it seems to early to tell
Peace
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