96 days to go
Part II: Fast reads and good deeds

I'm not usually one to toot my own horn, but...

toot!
Remember how I said I would read Mother Night today? Well, I did. Finished it before 12:30. Slow day at work? Oh yeah. Real good book, though. I forgot how much I liked it.

toot!
I found a guy's wallet on Ashland Avenue when I was biking to work this morning. I did some detective work, and got a hold of him. I'll be dropping off his wallet tonight.

Who knew I could read so fast and be so nice?

I didn't.

Go bowling! Get out and play!

dave

96 days to go

Ah, Mondays. There's nothing quite like looking down the barrell of a new week, is there? At least it's a short week for pretty much everyone in America, yes?

New thing- I'm becoming more patriotic. If you don't know, I've been doing some family history research for about the last year or so. Came across something really cool. Turns out my great-great-great-great-great grand uncle was a general on George Washington's staff during the Revolutionary War. Cool, yes? Something I never expected. Several of his brothers and cousins fought as well. I'll be contacting the Sons of the American Revolution shortly.

Sign me up!

Does this mean I'll be biking around Chicago with an American flag on my bike? No. Like religon and politics, keep it to yourself. No one else cares.

Enough on that. I'm just surprised by some things. It happens.

Anyways, I'm going to hit the shower. Gotta shave my head today as well. Then, off to work! Huzzah!

dave

97 days to go

I absolutely love this city on days like today. The sun's out, the temp's not too hot, and the birds are chirping away. Oh yeah, and I got 7 hours of uninterruped sleep. Tell me that's not cool as hell.

I was thinking about the saying "age ain't nothing but a number." Anyone who says that is too self-centered(perhaps stupid as well) to realize the passage of time. Maybe they're too apathetic to realize the passage of time. This may take more research.

Here's another favorite: "you're only as old as you feel." I hate this one. After all, I have mornings where I feel like I'm 75, thanks to the wonders of my friend and life-long partner, Arthur. That's Arthur Itis, my friends. Ok- I must be feeling old this morning, or I'm feeling some serious self-pity about age. I haven't decided. I'll move on now.

The woman in the bookstore yesterday asked me what my favorite Vonnegut novel is. To cut through the suspence(and perhaps ruin the office pool you've undoubtedly started), it's Slapstick.

Hi ho.

I had a dream, way, way, way back when I was about 20 where I met my soul mate. I remember it so vividly it's funny. Here's how it went:

I walk in to a used book store, and there's this woman with curly red hair, green eyes, with an athletic but slightly pudgy build(she's got a couple extra pounds on her). She's wearing a sundress. I know that she has a boyfriend and that I have a girlfriend, but we're instantly attracted to each other. We can't help it. We just know. There's a Louis XIV type loveseat in the store. We sit down, we talk, we make out. We leave the store so we can go break up with our respective significant others and begin our lives together. Then, I wake up.

Romantic no? Let's just say I'm significantly more cynical nowadays. I still walk gingerly into bookstores, though. You never know. Fate is, as we have all hopefully learned by now, cruel sometimes. Dreams on the other hand, are dangerous. You never know what you're going to get.

Ah well. I think I'm going to rewatch Punch Drunk Love. I think it was good, but I need to see it again, make sure I got it all right in my head.

That's life. Get outside and have some fun!

dave

98 days to go

I can't think of a song that has the number 98 in it. At least not right now. It's probably the weather. Maybe I'll do a new version of the Wreck of the Old 97 for tomorrow. I kinda doubt it, though.

I picked up my stuff for the L.A.T.E. Ride today. I was then almost run over by a yuppie on his cell phone while he was running a red light.

Strange how fate works. I sign up for a 25 mile ride through the streets of the city I love and I almost get killed by one of the chief idiots of Lincoln Park.

There ought to be a law.

I bought a new Vonnegut book today. Ok, it's old, but I didn't previously own it. Mother Night. I'm sure I'll read it on Monday.

Ah well. That's it for now. I was going to go out and paint the town tonight, but I already did that last night. I think I might be getting older. Nowadays, being out late makes me tired.

That's all folks!

dave

99 days to go
Part II: Thank you, Nena.

Believe it or not, I've completed my revision of Nena's 99 Red Balloons.

Here goes:

99 Days til Thirty

You and I are all grown up
But a few short months is all I’ve got
Set days free at the break of dawn
Til one by one, they were gone
Back at base in my underwear
Check the crystal, something's turned red
Turn into an older guy
99 days til thirty

99 days til thirty
Changing to an older guy
Panic bells it's red alert
There's something here from my late twenties
The age machine springs to life
Opens up one sunken eye
Focusing it on the sky
When 99 days til thirty go by

99 Decision Street
99 classmates meet
To worry, worry, super scurry
Get the beers out in a hurry
This isn’t the right stage
This is it boys, this is age
Seems I’ve wasted lots of time
As 99 days til thirty go by

99 nights without spare
Getting hard to climb the stairs
Everyone's a little older
Everyone's a Captain Kirk
With orders to get by
To pairify, and multiply
Sleeping under summer skies
99 days til thirty go by

99 days I still have
In every one a panic attack
It's almost over and I'm close to thirty
In this dust that was my twenties
If I could find a souvenir
Just to prove the youth was here
And here is an old saloon
Just to prove the youth was here
And here is a old saloon
I’ll walk in, and let it go

Geek or genius? Let history make that decision.

dave

99 days to go

This is the third time I've started a blog today.

The first time, I clicked on post, and the whole thing disappeared.

The second time, I switched to my e-mail screen, and my system froze.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, the system that is so buggy it doesn't need an introduction, Windows ME!

Hold your applause, please.

Lessee. I got pretty witty in the last blog. Ah yes, I decided that I should translate 99 days to go into German and go to a karaoke bar and sing that.

Then I got into a think about how I wanted someone to explain to me why I kept wanting to go to karaoke bars lately.

It's almost time for Jeopardy, the show that's afraid to have me on!

This is the second day in a row where I've been told, and I quote "if you want to cut out, go head, I've already paid you for the day."

Those words are so amazingly good to hear. Especially when you're off from school for another week.
Scheherazade!

I finally found a website that has the lyrics to Nena's 99 Red Ballons. Frankly, I could probably spend several hours there. This could be dangerous. So far, I've rewritten the first two verses, and I'm working on the third.

More on that later.

I'll probably need a drink before I finish it. Maybe, if I'm good, two. After all, it is Friday, dammit.

That's all I've got, as I'm nervous about this not working again. Don't worry, fair reader, I will copy the text into Word before I get too far.

dave

100 days to go

Wow. The century mark, as it were. Go figure.

I've got a strange feeling in my stomach. I'm probably just hungry. Or just too frustrated to want to deal with anything else. It happens. I'm human.

I finally did some laundry last night. I've got clean clothes.

Huzzah!

They're interviewing Mel Brooks on WGN news right now. I like Mel. He's damn funny.

Oh well, I don't have much to say. I've got stuff on my mind that still needs sorting out.

Today will be a day of sorting.

Have a good one!

dave

101 days to go
Part II: Frustration and sleep

I got some of each this afternoon. Fell asleep on the couch after work. Gotta love that. Although it always is annoying when you wake up halfway through the Simpsons and realize you really wanted to see the whole episode.

Such is life. So be it. Anybody got a tagline?

Frustration. Got that, too. Won't go into it, it's a private thing. And no, for those of you who are sick minded, it is not sexual.

I hate taking naps. It's like time travelling- something humans should not do. I always wake up thinking I'm really late for work or something. Happens every time I nap, actually. Someone should look into this.

Work was slow today, or at least, it was streaky. I read almost an entire book. Of course, I've read it before, but it's not often that I can devour a 300 book in one day. I'm just not that strong a reader.

The book, by the way, was The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, by the late great Douglas Adams. A fun read. I like his stuff.

Anyways, I'm done ruminating. I've got dinner to make and laundry to finally do.

dave

101 days to go

Despite my generous amount of apathy towards baseball, I really, really had a good time at the game last night. Of course, seeing 7 home runs in one game always perks up an evening, doesn't it?

101 days. Wow. I didn't have enough to think about, either.

Ah well. No rest for the wicked.

Ah well, again. It's time I got to work. I've got quite a bike ride to get there this morning, and I'd like to do it before the temp gets above 80.

Until we meet again,

dave

102 days to go
Part III: Ah ha! Without central air, I would be dead.

It's true. As of right now, the temperature in my neighborhood is 93 degrees according to weather.com. Gee, guys, thanks for that.

In my world we call that real fargin hot. Notice, I'm still trying to keep this blog as curse word free as I can. I just biked home in record time, as well, a whole 7 minutes from Bucktown to my house, just about 3 miles. Why did I do such a stupid thing is such overbearing heat? Well, for one thing, the wind was at my back, and I really, really wanted to get out of the heat. At least, when I'm in my house, sitting around naked and taking cold showers is acceptable. Doing that on Damen Avenue during rushhour is not advised.

By the way, my cat's breath smells like cat food is a Ralph Wiggum quote, not the translation for amor vincit omnia.

Let's just say I'm in a funky mood, and I sure as hell need a shower.

Grades were finally posted. I got what I thought I would get. No surprises. Am I happy with them, well, of course not. I could have done much better in one course, the other two were A's.

Goes to show that I sometimes, not always, kick @$$.

Ah well, I'm off to the shower to wash up. I'm supposed to go to the Cubs game tonight, but I'm feeling remarkably crappy and broke.

That's all for now.

dave

102 days to go
Part II: Perspective and you.

I was hoping to make it past 6 hours of sleep. I blame myself. It's just easier that way.

Besides, who's in charge of my actions? That's right, me.

At least I got to think further about the mistakes I've made, especially those from last night. If I had it to do over again, would I change it? Yes, of course. I'm not stupid, after all. Amor vincit omnia? Is it true? Do you need a translation?

My cat's breath smells like cat food.


Sorry, that's all I can say. I haven't been able to wake up the brain yet. Probably for the best. It hasn't been the most reliable thing lately.

That's it, folks. I've got work to get to, probably have my brain running in circles in no time this morning.

later,

dave

102 days to go

It's early. Guess what? I can't sleep.

This is to be expected. I made a mistake tonight. I err. I am human. Let's make up an new faux Latin phrase, shall we:

Erro ergo sum.

Take that Rene Descartes. I'll see you by the flagpole, 3:15.

At least I didn't say I'd see him behind the boathouse, right?

Sorry, I'm weird this early morning.

Bottom line. I make mistakes. Those mistakes have hurt people in the past, and undoubtedly will in the future. I apologize for the ones I've committed already. My roommate calls this my confessional. I guess, for tonight, it couldn't have a truer purpose.

There's a certain someone in my life who I hurt very, very much 494 days ago. Mistakes happen, and this one was a doozie, as the saying goes. As many of my friends know, I am the "I'll be there in 20 minutes" guy. I help. This time, I wasn't there in 20 minutes. I was gone in 20 minutes, and that was a mistake made by me. A choice based in error is rarely good for anyone involved, and I hurt someone.

I have a history of hurting people. I don't try to, and I usually suffer some serious collateral damage, as it was in this case. So be it. Karma is fair, justice is blind, and above all, people are people.

A very good friend of mine was hurt several years ago by me. We've healed, at least as far as we can. Do I still feel bad about it? Well, yes. I am not as cold hearted as I sometimes seem or act. It's true.

You have to choose your battles wisely in this world, my friends, and I chose poorly tonight. Especially poorly. Sadly, the past is set, the future isn't, so I can only try to make up for my actions.

E is the most common letter in the english language. R is the second most. I lied. I don't know about the r thing, but I'm sure about the e thing. Sorry, trying to project a little levity into the blog this evening. It's not working.

That's it then. I'm going to bed to hopefully wake up to a brighter world. It's hot, though, so sleep may be a tough catch.

Tangent time: My old boss used to always say that if you're going to complain about weather, you could only complain about one extreme or the other. Heat or cold. Not both. I like that philosophy- especially since we all know(well, we just learned, at least) that I wear shorts year round, and therefore don't b!tch about cold.

Stream of consciousness writing is always dangerous. Give me a card for the on sequitir.
(Anyone who gets that last joke/reference wins a beer.)

David Makes Apologies

103 days to go
Part II: Insert witty title here.

I am tired, my friends. And pensive. I didn't have much to do at work today, so my mind was abuzz with thoughts. Mostly worrysome ones, which is highly out of character for me. I'm not a worrier, I'm a problem solver. Or creater. Take your pick.

If there's any day that I'm going to write completely like Vonnegut, it's today. I've been reading Timequake again (for about the 1,000,000th time).

I need a shower. My nails are too long. I need to shave.

I'm sure I have a couple other obvious flaws that I can't see. I haven't been in front of the mirror yet.

I need a root beer float. It'll be cold and refreshing. And sugary. I like sugary.

Grades aren't posted online yet. I figured they would be by today. Probably by Wednesday. Question: is this the source of my sleeplessness? Answer: I should restart my dream journal and get to the underlying problem. I'm guessing it's either women, grades, or money. Take your pick.

I haven't panicked about turning older yet. We're still at RED, though. I could go at any moment. Like I said, if you're a friend of mine and you live within biking distance of me, you should have beer and comfort food on hand. Just in case.

I keep hearing about this "America's first network for men" thing. Now, I may not be the smartest person in the world, but isn't Ren and Stimpy really not gender specific as far as appeal? I could be wrong. I was never a fan. Secondly, I don't know how many women who really got a kick out of the Playboy Channel, so isn't this America's second netowrk for men? Do I have too much free time in my head?

MMMM. Root beer float.

Now I have a craving for nachos. Am I pregnant?

Well, probably not. Just hungry and sleepy.

There you have it. I've got a Simpsons episode to watch in a couple minutes, and I want to give it my full attention.

dave

103 days to go

It's a certain someone's birthday today. Happy birthday to her.

Birthdays are funny things, especially ones like my friends and I are having this year. We're having to face up to our lives thus far. For instance, I imagine that one of my parents have this hidden away in a trunk somewhere, but I remember in the seventh grade we had to write about what we thought our lives would be like in 15 years- basically what we thought our lives would be like when we were 28. I guessed that I would have 3 kids, I even named them(I was going through a Zappa phase at the time, so they had weird names), be happily married and be a DJ- afternoon shift.

Ah, the innocence of youth. Hell, I was 13, what did I know?

Well, needless to say, I'm not married, I have no children, and I'm not a DJ. I was once, back in college, but it was the 2-4 am slot. I believe the title wound up being "The Blathering Dunderhead Metalhead and Dave Show." I'm sure someone will point out any mistake I made. I wasn't exactly in my skull that much back then.

Ok, so with the birthdays and such going on, and my general inability to sleep well, today's turning 30 panic attack alert status is RED.

So, make sure you have plenty of comfort food and beer in the house. I'll probably be by later and need a shoulder. After all, Thursday is the 100-day mark. I'm really not going to be happy about that.

I'm off, kids, as I have to get to work, and it's going to be quite a ride down there.

Be good, and I'll write more later.

dave

104 days to go

I can't sleep, my friends. I'd like to know why.

I think it's probably me worrying about grades and the like. I feel a little gittery about one of my classes, where the professor has hated me for a couple years now. I kinda doubt my borderline performance in her class is going to be swayed by her good natured half, as I don't think she has one. Personally, I think it's something else. I've never cared about school, why would I start now?

I think it might be birthdays. My friend turns 30 today, and his girlfriend and I set up a surprise party- a complete success, although it was touch and go for a while. I have another friend, who is much younger, celebrating a birthday today as well, three people I know have birthdays tomorrow or the next day. Everyone is talking about what they haven't accomplished. Sadly, I think it's getting to me. I mean, I want all the stupid old sh!t, too. I want a good job that I don't have to worry about. I want a car again. I want to get married and settle down, I've wanted to for two years now, but haven't found anyone fool enough to settle down with me. That's not fair. I have found someone, but there's some hold up that I didn't expect. More on that later. Love, after all, is a battlefield.

I miss the 80's this morning. I found 99 Luftballoons in the songbook at the karaoke bar the other night. Yes, the German version. Tell me that's not worth a laugh. I think it is. Me, I was going to do Love me Two Times by The Doors. My friend was going to do Stray Cat Strut. It would have been cool, except that the bar closed before we were up.

Ah, such is life. Wear sunscreen, folks. I got a mild sunburn yesterday biking all over this beautiful city of mine. It's that perfect Chicago summer weather, not too hot yet, but still nice.

Ah well, it's time to get something productive done. I'm sure there's laundry I could be doing, or even dishes.

So be it!

later,

dave

105 days to go

Sorry I missed yesterday, folks, despite being my first day witout school to worry about, I was busy.

I'm doing a family history thing, and boy did I get caught up in it yesterday after work. Turns out one of my ancestors worked as a general on George Washington's staff! Now, that's history for ya!

Ok. I get excited about funny things, ask anyone.

Right now, I'm a little tired. Decided I could stay out last night after staying up late the night before. Silly old me.

I'm also a little confused, but that could just be the exhaustion talking.

I'm off to the store, I've got to get the fixin's for fajitas. Making my friends some good food for their birthdays before we go drinking to lament turning old.

Rapture!

Stay cool, friends.

dave

107 days to go
Part II: This is the End

My beautiful friends, the end. No more classes for a whole 3 weeks!

All the papers are turned in, all the tests are taken, all the projects are turned in, the Guinness is cold and cascading to my left! For the next few days I'll be conducting a discussion(well, just myself talking to myself) about zen and the art of Guinness. And the something else about Guinness. It's a patient drinker's beer.

*gulp* Ah. Good times.

So, now that I have all kinds of time on my hands(oh the joy) I've decided that since I've taken some flack from Wendy about my lust for Kathy Griffin, I've decided to make a list of TV stars as a who's hot, who's not. At least, to me. 10 is hottest. 1 is nottest:

Calista Flockheart- 3 Too skinny and I like skinny girls.
Jennifer Aniston- 5 Breasts do not make the woman.
Alyssa Milano- 10 She's the one for me, we grew up together, in a weird TV kinda way.
Juliana Marguiles- 7 I probably misspelled her last name, but she's really, really cool.
Patty & Selma Bouvier- 1 Ok. Do I have to explain?
Mary Kate & Ashley Olson- 2 Sure, cute, but annoying and well, they're like, 20 years younger than me.
Sherry Stringfield- 8 There's something about Dr. Susan Lewis.
Christina Applegate- 8 I wasn't much for Married with children, but Jesse was cool.
Courtney Cox Arquette- 7 Much hotter than Jennier Aniston.
Laura Prepon- 9 If I had a girlfriend like Donna in high school... wait, I kinda did...
Shannen Doherty- 4 Although she's attractive, she's also nuts. Or so I've heard.
Roxann Dawson- 9 C'mon. She played a half Klingon, half Hispanic engineer? What's there not to like?
Jeri Ryan- 6 See Jennifer Aniston.
Jolene Blalock- 8 See a Vulcan version of Jennifer Aniston/Jeri Ryan.
Tori Spelling- 4 Oy. I hated that show.
Kathy Griffin- 9 I like redheads, in case nobody noticed the trend.

Ok. That's a good enough list for now. I've got to get some food in me. Plus, the Guinness is dry.

I'm sure I'll add more later. Why not?

Be good.

dave

107 days to go
Mia's birthday edition

Ok, I'm a big dork. It's my cat's birthday today, and I'm going to get her a present. I do every year. Maybe deep down inside I'm some mushy hippie. Maybe I just like cats. Maybe I'm going to wind up spoiling my kids as badly as I spoil my cat. We'll just have to see, won't we?

I don't know about you guys, but I think that Kathy Griffin is hotter than pretty much any other TV actress. Of course, Alyssa will always be number one in my heart, but Kathy's got a close second on her. Although I liked her with curly hair more than the new, straight hair.

Sorry. It's late, and I've got the TV on in the background.

Yes, friends, it's time I called it a night. I got a little further on my last remaining task for the term, and I think I'm going to reward myself with some shuteye. I'll be back in a couple hours to get the thing done, but I could really use the sleep. Go gently, my friends.

dave

108 days to go
Part II: Still sizzling

Late nite in the lab. Someone should write a song like that. Leave it to me. I'll be up late anyways.

Programs are meant to work. The question is, why don't they. Next on Fox: when programs go bad!

Get the movie quote yet? It's none other than Pump Up the Volume. I'm too tired to be creative today. I'll try harder next time.

That's all folks. I just wanted to do something other than stare are C++ code for a few minutes.

Be good to one another.

dave

108 days to go

It's hot and it's wet in the Windy City today. A bad combination if you're biking.

The skeleton in my closet was rattling around again today. Strange things are afoot, methinks. I don't like it when things make me nervous, and those things are few and far between, so imagine my discomfort.

I decided that I wanted to hear from my readers, if any, but I doubt Blogger supports the cool little comments thing like Wendy has. Instead, I started up a new e-mail account, just for y'all to comment at. Maybe, after I try to renew, I'll turn this thing into some kind of advice column or some other half-crocked idea like that. It could work. I'm thinking of a Pump Up the Volume-type thing. Just call me Happy Harry! The e-mail address, if you care to use it, is loganrenew@hotmail.com write me letters, ask me what I think about stupid stuff, I don't know. It's there if you want it.

Thanks to finals week, my personal hygiene is lacking. I need a shave, both head and face. I need to do laundry, too. At least, for better or for worse, the term is over for me tomorrow. This weekend, I plan to sleep. And do laundry. And go for a really, really long bike ride. Something like down to the Field Museum and back up to Evanston. That would be fun. A kind of spirit-cleansing bike ride.

Anyways, let's get back to my skeleton rattling around. Here's my question, friends: should I respond? I have my fair share of exes that I am friends with(you know who you are), but is it really plausible this time? Does it matter? Should I continue to ignore, or should I respond and politely ask for the e-mails to cease? Too bad I'm not taking Java yet. I could link you to a poll, so all three of my readers could respond. Gimme a term or two, I'll get there.

Last summer, I got an e-mail from a friend of mine, who, through mutual friends, met an ex of mine from high school. He was kind enough to e-mail me first to ask permission to give her my e-mail address. To quote his e-mail: "I know how you love to hear from your old girlfriends." The tone, which doesn't translate terribly well here, was sarcastic. Enough on that. I've got some stuff to do before I finish school, and it's stuff I have to do to finish school.

So be it!

Oh, um, today's movie quote. Well, it's going to be super easy, especially if you were paying attention to what you just read here. "Talk hard!" Yesterday's movie, by the way, was Good Morning, Vietnam. And for those of you who like to notice when I screw up, I realized right after I posted that I typed mister instead of airman. Sorry for the confusion.

dave

109 days to go
Part II: I wish I had a witty remark right now

But I don't. I'm having one of those kinds of days where you want to scream at the top of your lungs. To quote Ned Flanders: "That's the loudest expletive I've ever heard." The computer works, the final project has only two more functions left to write. The take home final is done. The lab work is done. The take home for SPCH277 is halfway done, but I need to reinstall MS Word before I can finish it.

CAN YOU TASTE IT, MY FRIENDS? The end of the term is NIGH! Ok, I know it's a little strong, but it's how I feel, ok? Please don't take any offense. Things can only get better.

Hi ho.

Sorry, I just had to. I was so frustrated, watching my computer run it's restore, that I got my guitar out for the first time in months. Sometimes you just gotta work those fingers out. I forgot how much fun it is to play. I kept confusing the chord progression for Luna's California(All the Way) with Smashing Pumpkin's Today. Hey, it can happen.

Oh yeah, and I can still play Blackbird by the Beatles. I'm very proud of that.

Today's movie quote, seeing as I was in too gloomy of a mood to do one earlier, is:

"Sir? I work for a living- what does three up and three down mean to you mister?"
"End of an inning."

Mull that one over. I'll share the title later one.

dave

109 days to go

My system went @$$ over teakettle today, so I'm home from work restoring it. Or should I say that I have restored it, and we're hoping that it works. So far, so good.

Of course, all this time I could have been making money, or working on the final loose strings. Needless to say I'm a little peeved.

But now that I'm back in the 21st century, I'm going to make a run at having a productive afternoon.

Sorry for the short blog, but I'll hopefully have some time later.

dave

110 days to go
Part II: Listen to the sizzle

My brain is really fried. I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing permanent damage. School is meant for the young.

I've been thinking about the greatest pieces of advice ever given to me today. I'm not sure why. Here's my favorite few:

#1- Don't sh!t where you eat, my friend.
#2- It's good to be sophomoric for as long as possible.
#3- Get the thirty dollar port!

#1 is a song by Ween off of Chocolate and Cheese. #2 was by a professor or mine. #3 is my best friend's dad.
I shared the sophomoric quote with a current teacher of mine, and he disagreed with it. He sees being sophomoric as insulting. I, on the other hand, see it as a complete compliment. I think it's good to learn more, I just don't like school. He sees sophomoric as being immature and shallow. Debate amongst yourselves.

Let's talk about pop ups. I'm here at school, where every 15 or 30 seconds a new pop up tries to sell me something I can't afford to, nor never would purchase. Remind me, when I'm a gigantic software mogul, to eliminate all pop ups from the internet. Maybe I should start working on that code over break. I'll need something to do to keep my head working.

Here's something I've never shared on my blog: my favorite word. This is funny, and you'll need a piece of paper and something to write with. Write down the word dollop in lower case print. Got it? Now, turn it upside down.

If you did it right, you'll see that the paper still says dollop. I decided to call this an inverse palindrome. It's fun, dammit.

It's about that time, that I should get back to work. I figure at this point, it's like a bandaid. Just rip it off and go. Worst part is, it's absolutely beautiful out today, and I'm working on stupid homework. Oh, cruel fate, why do you mock me?

I'm off, got to get stuff done. Need to finish and go bowling.

later

dave

110 days to go

I enjoy meeting people sometimes. Every once in a while, you find a quality person and you get to know them, which I did last night. Hopefully, she's now reading this.

There was no victory for Schlitzkreig last night at the pub quiz. I didn't win the week in Michigan, either. Both of these things are ok with me. I'll live, after all. We did get second place in the quiz.

I'm very stream of consciousness this morning. I apologize for that. I am, as it were, late for work, and still not moving very fast. Damn good thing I have a cool boss.

It's my cat's birthday this week- Thursday. She'll be six. Did YOU remember to send her a card?

Like I said, stream of consciousness. Where's he gonna go next?

I'm gonna go to work, that's where.

more later,

dave

111 days to go
Father's Day edition Part II: Priceless

Finishing final exam: 90 questions
Finishing 2 overdue projects: 4 programs
Feeling the relief of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel: Priceless.

I'm hungry. Very hungry. I'm also done with the majority of work for the rest of the term. I've got 3 more things to do, and then I'm on vacation. One of the, I know I can do in about 3 hours. That'll be tomorrow before bowling, as we all know, bowling cures all that ails you, including doing too much work over the weekend.

Weekends. I forgot how nice it is to have time to work on homework on the weekends. I love this. It's outstanding. If you don't have access to these wonders of the world, I highly suggest finding a way to have them.

Pub quiz. Tonight will be the drawing for the week at a house in Michigan, something for which my team will have a very strong chance of winning. A week away. I'd probably be bored inside of an hour, but it's worth a try. Imagine, my friends, a week of me just decompressing. Of course, I'd have to find a way to blog while I was up there, but I'd work something out. Promise.

I'm off!

dave

111 days to go
Father's day edition

Dads are really, extremely cool. My father is no exception. He's probably the smartest person I have ever met(and I've known some smart people in my time), and definitely the most patient person(remember how I said I can be a handful? Imaging me as a child.). So, happy father's day to my dad, the funniest, smartest, most patient dad I've known.

No @$$kissing is implied. I write what I feel. Shouts out to all the other dads out there, too.

I feel somewhat rejuvenated after yesterday. I didn't go out. I only left the house to go to school(gotta get that work done!) and to the Osco for some food. Amazing how you can walk in there, needing only hamburger buns and q-tips and walk out with $30 worth of stuff you didn't know you needed. I shopped well, my friends, believe you me. It's just hard to resist the Breyers buy one get one free deal. Yum a dumb dumb!

I watched Freejack and Dreamscape last night, two of my favorite bad sci-fi movies. I had a couple Guinness to go with them, as well as a wonderfully cooked(well, George Foreman grilled) hamburgers. I was in heaven. Then, get this, I slept. I slept fairly well, too, except for a phone call at 3am. I wasn't ready for that.

But here I am, taking yet another break from homework. I could use it. It's been a rough morning of working on my C++ final.

Anyways, happy father's day everyone. I'm going to call mine soon, during one of my now infamous studybreaks.

Be good!

dave

112 days to go
Part II: I forgot....

I promised I'd tell y'all what move the quote was from. Maybe I'll wait a little longer. Ok, for those of you who have figured out that I'm just trying to extend the little break I've given myself from doing my C++ final(take home rocks!) you're right. I'm literally so bored doing this test that I've decided to keep typing random
bullsh!t until someone stops me. Ok, I'm a little hungry now, so I'm going to get something to eat and tell y'all that Blazing Saddles is the movie in question. Probably the greatest Mel Brooks film ever. With no further delay, here is the list of my favorite Mel Brooks movies, in order:

Blazing Saddles
Young Frankenstein
The Producers
Spaceballs
History of the World, Part I
High Anxiety

Ok, I know I didn't list them all, but I'm not going to waste my entire break on this stuff. Or am I? Here's a list of Mel Brooks' film credits. And happy birthday to him, in two weeks!

That's all. Back to work!

dave

112 days to go

That's a football season to go, well, without bye weeks, for those not so good at math.

I keep the fortunes from fortune cookies. Most people think of me as a pack rat- and they're probably right. I keep stuff that I shouldn't, stuff that really isn't that important, but for some reason I keep it anyway. Back to the fortune cookie thing- I keep them in my wallet, some of them are probably 15 years old- but I keep them anyways. I'm not sure why, maybe I'm afraid that they won't come true if I throw them out. Could be. I might just be psychotic, though. That's more likely an explanation. Anyway, back to the point here- one of the ones I have says one of the most amazing things ever said: I can resist anything but temptation. Probably one of the truest things I've heard. This idea, coupled with the personality test I took the other day which said I wasn't spontaneous, caused me to feel the sudden need to party literally until the sun started to rise this morning.

I'm pretty stupid sometimes. I was, however, spontaneous, dammit. And fun was had by all. Except the guy I kept beating at Golden Tee. Funniest part of that is he's in town covering the US Open- a real golf nut. Nice guy, though, we decided to keep the party rolling, where I ran into some other friends of mine, and I hung out with them. What a night. I hadn't seen some of those folks in a couple months.

All this when I was too tired to hang out before. Guess I got my second wind somewhere in there. Today, it's been work, work, work, as you might expect. After this week, I am done for the semester. I need a vacation. Good thing I've got 3 weeks off coming up.

Alright. I should be getting back to work, after all, it's a completely beautiful day and I'm speding it indoors doing homework. Damn, life is cruel sometimes, yes?

dave

113 days to go
Part II: Taking a well-deserved break

You'd that that since I'm not staring a code for the first time in 3 hours that I'd go outside and watch the sunset or something good like that.

Nope, I'm writing to my faithful readers. Faithful reader, I have a question:

Did Adam and Eve have navels?

Now, mind you, I'm not religous. I have no interest in further exploring my spirituality- especially since I don't seem to have one. But if you believe in Adam and Eve, would they have belly buttons?

Just mindless banter, really, it's about all I'm capable of. Let's see.... I haven't done a movie quote yet today... um, er, I dunno, I was going to try to avoid doing something computer related, as I can't really stand much more of those things this week. Here we go, let's get a little obscure:

"...the common clay of the New West. You know, morons!"

I didn't want to give away too much of the quote. I can't make it too easy on y'all.

C++ is a challenging language which I understand, but can't quite get all together, at least not down where it's all pretty and not clogging my brain.

Maybe it's just too late for me. Brainfry and all.

I'm off, this respite has to come to an end, after all. I'll give the answer to the movie quote in my next blog(just to keep you in suspense).

dave

113 days to go

Did you notice that there are 113 days until my big day and that it's Friday the 13th?

If that lottery ticket doesn't work out, I'm gonna be really, really pissed.

This is going to be my fastest blog ever, as I have to leave in about 5 minutes if I'm going to get to the bank before they close. Pat me on the back, I'm going to need the extra momentum.

I'm in a weird mood, friends, as I'm confused about some romance issues I'm having. I don't want to go into detail, as that would take up all of the time I have until my bank closes. So, let's just accept the confusion and move on.

Next: I'm tired. This week is tremendously taxing on the good ol Dave. However, next week I'm done for 2 1/2 weeks, so let's raise a pint or two, yes?

Always remember, happiness is where you find it. Me, I'm looking really hard today. Call me Elmer Fudd, I'm hunting wabbits.

*insert witty analogy here*

that's all.

dave

114 days to go
Part II: The evil of alarm clocks

Ok, it's mostly my fault, but I wound up oversleeping. After the good old alarm went off this morning, I must have turned off the alarm altogether instead of hitting snooze. This means I didn't get anything done this morning, so I'm off to work to see if I can get out early so I can get something done this afternoon.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. No I won't. I changed my mind.

At least I've got two take home finals. That will pretty much ruin my weekend, but at least I won't have the stress of sitting through class tests. Maybe there is something to look forward to. I can't wait to be done, though.

I'm off, friends, I'll blog more later if I have time. Be careful out there.

dave

114 days to go

Serenity Now!!!!!!!!

I want to shout it from the rooftops. Except I remember the rest of that episode. "Serenity now, insanity later."

Popups. Let's talk about them. I get the feeling that they aren't specific to computers, but to the karma of the person who is using the computer. When I'm at school, I get ads for the new Xcam2 or whatever. What the hell is this thing? Do they really think that spying on others is a good thing? I'm getting worried.

Tonight's(sorry, this morning's) movie quote is an easy one:

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

Ponder as you read further.

I am tired, my dear reader. Your narrator is Project Manager for his C++ final project, something he's none too happy about now. I'm also a little peeved. I retook an IQ test at e-mode.com, as well as another personality test, and it gave me instant Matchmaker suggestions. That part is fine, it's always good to be shown who a website thinks you should be with- you know, friends, relatives and coworkers don't know you any better- but what I get is a 19 year old from backwoods Wisconsin, a 20 year old from Elgin, a 24 year old from Oak Park, and (finally) a 29 year old from Evanston. What the hell is that?

Enough said. I guess I should feel honored to be paired up with complete strangers by a cold, heartless pile of ones and zeroes. If you're dieing to find out, my celebrity match is Drew Barrymore. I figure after Tom Green, I should look like 4 or 5 million dollars.

Ah well, again, I must stop blogging so I can get some sleep. It is, after all, becoming increasingly difficult to keep my eyelids open, a sure sign that my code will be error filled and messy.

Enjoy in good health!

Oh yeah, famous speech being quoted earlier was Bluto's to the Delta House in none other than Animal House.

dave

115 days to go
Part II: Reconstruction of Damen

Well, let's say it's moving along nicely. There's nothing like fresh asphalt to make my ride home a magical one. Thanks, Chicago, I needed that.

Big smiles, my friends! Why? Well, frankly I haven't the foggiest. I'm hungry and sleepy and just want to go to bed. Damn homework. I'll look forward to the day when we can just upload stuff into our knowledge a la The Matrix.

Todays TTPAAS is yellow. Remind me to put up a color guide sometime. Just so everything's been defined. I have a friend who is turning 30 in 11 days, and another who turns 19 in 12 days. Sounds like a weekend of silliness to me.

Does anyone else find it funny that former president Bill Clinton is calling Sammy Sosa and offering his support? Don't believe it's happening? Check it out here! I couldn't even make this up.

Enough already. It's been blown out of proportion. Did he cheat? I don't care. It just means I'll have a hole in my fantasy team lineup tonight, and for the next week or so.

To hell with it, right?

Friends, the Simpsons are on. It's time for me to go. Sad, I know, I'm leaving without a deep or even funny comment, well, maybe the Clinton-Sosa thing. Tack on Donald Trump, and it's just getting funnier. Apparently, Sammy considers both to be friends. Who knew?

Not me, that's for sure, but I'm apathetic and aloof. What's your excuse?

later!

dave

115 days to go

What's the 0 stand for? Oh my god it's early!

Name that movie... did you get it? No? I'll tell you later.

I just finished updating my resume for my friend, who's going to pass it on to his boss. I love opportunities. Hopefully, this one will work out. I should, after all, grow the hell up and get a real job again. One thing I have always said(ok, for the last few years I've said this): find something that makes you happy and do that thing. Lately, making walls, ceilings and other assorted things break has been tickling my fancy.

My friend Wendy has been blogging about what she wants in a man. I believe she's up to part 10. I've been thinking about what I want in a woman, as a response. I think I've got it, or at least part of it:

I want her to be smart, creative, witty, athletic and adventurous.
I want her to be funny, geeky-sheik(cool yet nerdy?), honest and free.
I don't care about money, having it is cool and all, but it won't make me fall in love.
I'm not all about looks, but do have my standards.
I want her to be patient, able to throw a strike and paddle a canoe.
She should like cats(mine is a challenge, after all).
I want her to be confident, easy-going, and crazy enough to like me.
I want her to be able to tell me who said "Mien fuhrer, I can walk!"
I want her to be able to do a crossword puzzle, and not one of those crappy ones from TV Guide or People. Those aren't challenging.
I want her to be able to fight. This sounds funny, I guess, but you've got to be able to argue your point with me. That's a good way to earn my respect.
Tattoos ARE cool, and I like them. Especially ones with good stories. Piercings are cool, too.
I want her to like hockey, and to hate the Dallas Stars as passionately as I do.

That's enough on Dave's ideal woman. I could probably keep going for hours without actually getting anything sensible out of me. Besides, it's late, and I need some sleep.

The movie quote at the beginning? It's from Good Morning Vietnam starring Robin Williams. Maybe I'll make that an extra feature of my blog. The daily movie quote. It'll add to all the wonderful other things I've posted to waste time with.

dave

116 days to go
Part II: Electric Boogaloo

I've probably used that joke before. Forgive me. I like it.

My ride home was outstanding, despite being cut off twice. I love having the wind at my back, and the storms not there yet. They might not come, which is fine by me. Somedays I feel the need. The need for speed.

For some silly reason, I looked up hangover cures on google. We did a shot of SoCo last night at bowling in honor of a friend of mine. That shot did not bode well for my head this morning, hence the philosophical tone. Anyways, this is my new favorite place to play. It has all kinds of games and stupidity, perfect for wasting time while you're supposed to be working. Just what I needed, another distraction.

I'd like to congradulate the New Jersey Devils on winning the Stanley Cup. At least the Mighty Ducks didn't get it. I'd really be mad if that happened.

I'd like to report that I am Monkeypox free, in case you were wondering.

Oh yes, and the turning thrity panic attack alert status for today is orange. Starting off the day with the taste of SoCo in your mouth is not a good way to start a day.

I'm out of stuff to write about, except how unhappy I was to have a hangover this morning. Plus, I'm trying to find a website where I can buy a replica or authentic USA hockey sweater from 1980- personalized, of course, with #9, Broten on the back. So far, no luck. I can get a whole boatload of T-shirts though.

I'm off to maybe get some homework done, get some food in me, wrestle an alligator, something like that.

Until later!

dave

116 days to go

You can never go back home, kids. Everything changes over time. It's inevitable.

Yes I am waxing the philosophic this morning, for reasons I probably won't reveal just yet. Let's just say I'm in a weird mood.

I took Fox's Test the Nation IQ test last night. I don't think they had the right scale. As it turns out, though, I'm Vulcan. Out of the 20 Logic questions, I got only one wrong. Sadly(and here's where my dad gets mad at me) I got 2 of the 10 math questions wrong. One of which, I switched my answer from right to wrong(ATD rule?) and one where I just plain got it wrong. Amazing.

Ah well. I'll be thinking about thinking for the rest of the week. I know their results weren't right, after all, the highest anyone in the aged 18-34 bracket could get was a 135. That's a crock.

Again, ah well. It's only reality TV after all.

Friends, I've decided I should go to work, after all, it's about that time(ok, I'm late(again)).

That's all for this morning. After all, it's gonna rain.

later.

dave

117 days to go
Part II: Wendy's Wild Weekend in the Windy City

Alliteration is king. She's on her way back to Beantown now. We won the pubquiz, as was stated earlier. If you're interested in participating, click here and learn more about it.

Today is absolutely beautiful. Maybe a little too warm. Get out and enjoy it, Chicago!

Me, I've got homework to do today. Life ain't easy for a boy named Dave. Finals are coming. There's work to be done. It's inevitable.

To my friends who were with me for the great write a song for Oprah thing:

Wake me up, before Oprah, don't leave me hanging on watchin' Dr. Phil!

Enough on that. Inside joke. It spilled over. A lot. I'll explain one of these days.

It's too nice out to blog. I'm gonna hit the bike trails methinks.

More later? Tune in and see...

dave

117 days to go

Ah, Mondays. They're actually not so cool, but it's nice out, and I'm running late(again), so I'm sitting down to blog for a few minutes before I shower and leave for work.

Pub quiz. Let's talk about it. Most of you know that I participate in a pub quiz on Sunday nights. What you might not know is that my team has won the last 3 weeks in a row. This is cool, because we pay our bar tab with the winnings, and get free dinners for four to boot, so it's turning into a cheap night out. Which, of course, is always pleasant thing.

This weekend with my friend from Boston has been fun. We always have a good time together. We're still dangerous. Check back next year, we'll slow down a little bit. Maybe.

The Cubs won their series with the Yankees yesterday. I was amused. It's hard to find people I know who like the Yankees. I can think of one person. That's it.

Ah well, it's about time for me to get going. Work beckons.

Good day all!

dave

118 days to go

I am an old man. A certain redhead from Boston blogged about how she's gotten old. I'm a year older than her. That pretty much narrows it down, yes?

It was my friend's birthday yesterday. His crystal stopped flashing red. My turn's a-comin' friends, it'll be here soon.

I'm only moderately philosophical today. I watched Do You Believe in Miracles? earlier, it's all about the 1980 US hockey team. Miracle on Ice, for those of you who don't know. I got all misty. It was funny.

I've been getting requests for the link to my favorite techno song. Here it is:

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail45.html

Check out all the other stuff. It's cool. Funny, even.

Go see A Mighty Wind. I'm going in 45 minutes. It's funny.

I seem to be lacking a direction in my blog this afternoon. I accidentally typed morning. Boy, I do miss Tower. Here's how: Back then, I had to wake up and be somewhere in the morning. Now, I'm expected to be bad and stay out too late. Which I did. Now, I'm tired and feeling old.

Today's turning 30 panic attack alert status(TTTPAAS for short) is Orange. Party hardy equals tardy.

I'm off to the movies!

dave

119 days to go

Sorry for the late entry, my faithful readers. Blogger wasn't working earlier today when I was online.

I like having friends around. We have such fun together. Up to and including a friend of mine singing "Sweet Caroline" karaoke at the Hidden Cove(yes, I'm a paid commercial spokesperson of theirs). Late nite silliness after early evening work is always a good thing. Myself, I couldn't find a song I really, really wanted to sing- not to mention that my voice is rather limited in range. If I worked on it, I could probably do a good Elvis, but I'm a Beatles man. It happens. I'll stick to the Johnny Cash and rap. It's just better that way. Probably safer, too.

A certain out of town guest of mine just hiccuped. Now, is it hiccuped or hiccupped? Let me know. I'm curious.

Blogging while Pump Up the Volumne is on WGN in the background is dangerous. Not to mention the wedding at the church across the street. Assyrian weddings are big parties. I have a friend who was baptized in the same church- he tells me that some weddings he's been to have had 1000 guests.

I'm certain that I know over 1000 people, but I probably wouldn't want to see them at my wedding. That's a way off, anyways. We'll see.

I tell ya, live ain't easy for a boy named Dave. Or Sue for that matter. Good luck to both of us.

Sleep is where you find it. Like happiness.

Today has been excellent so far- the weather is excellent, the lady at the bank was nice to me, I slept past 8 for the first time in almost 4 months, and my friend is in town. We'll be hitting the town again tonight. Lock up, well, everything you got, we're terrors to be reckoned with. We proved it this morning with late nite cab rides home.

Remember, everybody knows that the dice are loaded. I'm off to enjoy the day. And be a good host. Right now I'm being a little aloof.

later!

dave


Go here and play for a while. It's silly.
http://www.boohbah.com/

120 days to go
Part III: Murphy's Damn Law

No sooner had I clicked "Publish Blog" than I get a site with the new scarface on it.

http://www.nhl.com/cupcrazy2003/serieso/game5_notebook.shtml

Will take you to his bloody face. Needless to say, he'll be on my fantasy team next year.

I'm off!

dave

120 days to go
Part II: Where has all my Friday gone?

Sadly, my day has not been productive. Work was uneventful, almost boring. We got stuff done, just very little. Sometimes it's like that.

The house is still a mess. I'm still a mess. At least I got a load of laundry started. My homework is still a mess.

Someday, all this will be mine.

My friend arrives in about an hour, I just found out. Her other friend who lives in Chicago is picking her up. Big thanks to you for doing that.

Seems only fair that since she's put links up on her blog to mine, I should do the same for hers:

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/red/

Copy and paste, read and enjoy. After all, if it weren't for her blog, I would have never gotten the idea for this one. So blame her!(ha ha)

I was trying to be funny. I know it sounded forced, I couldn't help it. I'm a little sleepy today. Being the king of procrastination is sometimes quite draining.

Hockey is on the brain today. I actually watched(well, really only listened to) the game last night. As much as I hate everything from New Jersey, I had Disney more, ergo, I must admit to rooting for the Devils. Plus, John Madden is one bad@$$ dude for taking a skate to the face, getting 20 stitches, and still finishing the game. What's frustrating me, is I can't find a picture of his face anywhere. If anyone finds a link to it, e-mail it to me.

Ok. I don't want to offend any of my readers(anyone want to call my bluff?), but I just can't f***ing stand the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. I must hate California more than New Jersey. Someone should look into that. Lesser of two evils, just like the electoral college, yes?

Ok, before we get onto a whole political thing here, I'm going to get back to cleaning. I've got some dishes to do and some trash to take out.

Until tomorrow, mes amis-

dave

120 days to go

You know you're in deep when you hear these words from the television:

"The following program is a paid commercial..."

It's late. Alright- not as late as I could go, but it's too late, considering last night's late night work plus this morning's early morning homework. It will pay off, though. I hope.

My friend's plane lands in just under 16 hours. The dishes are started. The bathroom looks 150% better. That doesn't necessarily make it good. The project that's due tomorrow is 60% done, give or take.

One of my prime motivations for completing school is the hope that I'll find a job where I make enough to hire a maid service. Not an everyday thing, but maybe just Fridays- clean the place up before the weekend, that kind of thing.

For now, it's time to turn off the TV and head to bed. Gonna finish the blog and my delicious Hornsby's Draft Cider, though. Hey- a Dave's gotta do what a Dave's gotta do. And I earned this SOB. I really did.

Well, the part of my brain that ruminates is apparently already asleep. The rest of me should be soon, provided Mia doesn't keep me up. For those of you who don't know, my cat's name is Mia, and I doubt she'll be offended if I use her name here. Besides, she can only read two words, and I can prove it. The two words are:

Meow Mix

I'm telling you, she reads those words. It's eerie.

She's a smart one, most of the time. I've seen her screw up a few times. Once, she was trying to get comfy on top of my monitor, and misjudged how close she was to the edge of the monitor. Those hind legs dropped, and I started cackling. The look of surprise alone was worth all the mess she made knocking over things on my desk.

I'll save my favorite Mia on the Monitor story for another time. It's perhaps even funnier, but I don't want to ruin it.

I'm going to bed- the infomercial is winding down, and I'm not getting any more restful.

goodnight all!

dave

121 days to go
Part II: Today's rant(aka Le Rant du jour)

Today's rant is brought to you by the cabbie who completely and idiotically cut me off at the intersection of Damen and Belmont this morning. He barely held up from hitting the guy on the bike in front of me, then waved as though he had the right of way as he proceeded to nearly hit me on his way through. Let me tell you one thing, my friends: if I weren't a better person, there would have been some serious road rage. Of course, I've often felt that there could be a remake to the comic and movie for Judge Dredd. Let's call it Judge Dave. I get to go around "judging" people who do stupid, rude things like this, and well, "judge" them.

Of course, as we saw from last week's near miss, I have other methods of revenge. Especially since taxi numbers are specific, as in not dependent on cab company, I could easily, even almost automatically, lodge a complaint with the city. I've done it before, and I'll do it again. I am a crazy, dangerous person who doesn't like to take sh!t from anyone.

Especially @$$holes like that.

It's the daily mantra from Dave.

At least I got one major project done today, and I only have two to go- both of which I should be able to complete tonight, thereby almost catching me up. Of course, my friend who's coming to town will notice a great degree of messiness in my apartment, but I'll do my best.

Alas, my friends, the Simpsons are on, and I should offer my complete attention to my favorite vice.

Until later,

dave

121 days to go

121 in a perfect square. Gotta love that.

It's amazing to me how procrastination breeds so much productivity in me. I'm nearly done with almost everything I've been putting off. I thought I'd reward myself with a quick blog entry. Well, that, and I need to go to work, so it seemed to be a good opportunity.

Plus, I've been writing about interpersonal communication all morning, so it seemed time to do a little communicating. It's refreshing, you know.

Ok. I don't have much time, so I'll write more later, procrastination permitting.

dave

122 days to go
Part IV: Damn, I'm tired

Remeber all that complaining about procrastination I was doing the other day? It's caught up to me. Big time. Lots of work to do this week- not all of it involving school. We'll just see how Dave is doing tomorrow, yes?

Anyways, I'm sure all of you are thinking privately to yourselves, or yelling at the computer screen "when the hell is he going to shut up?"

Or something along those lines. Probably something about how I should be working instead of blogging. You're correct. I'll get on that. Right away.

Ha. Procrastination is king, and I am the king of procrastination.

I'll work on it... I have to go home to do so, so there's little point of me being here. Everything I need is at home, so it's pointless.

I strive for this time, too.

As far as my skeleton's e-mail, well I haven't done anything about it. I don't think I will, I just wanted to let y'all know that I've pushed it away. For the time being, anyways.

I'm off, to either work or to go home and guess what, do work.

More later, if I need to avoid working some more.

dave

122 days to go
Part III: Strange things are afoot...

I, like most people I know, have a couple skeletons hidden in my closet. Some things should just be left in the past.

So, about 5 minutes ago, I get an e-mail from one. Not a hey, how ya doin', what's new type thing. Something strange, for sure. I'm still processing. Haven't decided what to do next. Funny thing was, my spidey sense was tingling all day. I just didn't expect this.

Sorry to be so cryptic, my loyal readers... sometimes I feel funny about things. This is no different. At least I got to work today. My back's status has been upgraded to workable, not good, but I can live. So strange to be only 29 years old and sometimes feel more like 79.

But that's life, yes?

Sorry, I can't even try to project levity into my day suddenly. I could sure use the Simpsons to be on... Oh wait! I've only got 25 minutes to go. Yippee! So, do I pass the time by watching King of the Hill or keep listening to Soul Coughing?

You make the call.

dave

122 days to go
Part II: What I just heard on TV

Ok. WGN was just broadcasting fan reaction to the Sammy Sosa thing, and this is what one fan said:

"...it's going to get played over and over, like the Zapruder film..."

Now, I don't really know why this is so offensive to me, but it is. That was just a stupid thing to say, and I hope that fan knows it, at least in retrospective.

Sorry, I didn't want to bring that up again, but I got mad. It happens.

dave

122 days to go

I was thinking that I should add a supplimental countdown for my brother's wedding. We'll try it out today:

129 days til the big wedding!

Worth a try, right?

Now, I'm a baseball fan, well, of sorts. I became so disgruntled after the last strike that I really don't consider myself a fan of any particular team, at least not passionately, but I suppose I would be called a Cubs fan first. What I can't figure out is why in hell did they break into the Simpsons last night with the Sammy Sosa Corked Bat press conference. It was labeled as breaking news, kind of an ironic pun, but I was more distressed that something, oh, REAL might have happened to merit such a interruption in my programming. I mean, WGN was showing baseball and didn't interrupt or mention the press conference. So, the ending question: was Sammy Sosa showing up with what looked like teary eyes apologizing for using the wrong bat and getting caught really worth interrupting the Simpsons? Keep in mind, that whenever WFLD has tried to change the timeslot for the Simpsons, there have always been near riots? I strongly question the motives of WFLD. Hell, the other channels, which were broadcasting their 10 o'clock news went a little long due to the press conference, but let's keep some perspective: the conference started around the same time their sports report was on...

Ok. I think that rant is over. I, after all, would much rather watch the Simpsons than hear about Sammy Sosa. Call me still bitter. Call me Ishmail. Call me Dr. StrangeDave.

I had a talk with my friend coming into town from Boston last night. My friends are really cool. Partying with them, well, that's usually dangerous, but let's keep in mind that I don't work weekends anymore, so to hell with that.

PARTY TIL 5!

I lie. I don't have that much energy lately. I need to catch up on sleep before I can start breaking landspeed records again. After all, I'm too used to waking up early.

Today's turning 30 panic attack alert status is yellow.

Primarily because I fell asleep before midnight for the first time in ages. I must be worn out. I'm sure I'll panic about that later on today. But hey- I got almost 6 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep- that's rare.

The lesson from today's rumination is to never, ever cork your bat kids.

I'll ruminate more later on!

dave

123 days to go
Part II: What ya gonna do?

Daytime TV does suck. Big time. I've noticed that quiz shows seem to be getting dumber and dumber. How is this a hard question: "How many children are there in four sets of triplets?"

That's a real noggin-scratcher.

Today was completely unproductive. I have gotten nothing done. I thive for the stress caused by the "crunch" that only procrastination can bring. Either that, or I'm a complete idiot. Take your pick.

I watched A Bridge to Far this afternoon, it was a part of the 2 DVD pack I bought this weekend(the other one is Paths to Glory by Stanley Kubrick). I started thinking about that whole greatest generation thing, and about something Kurt Vonnegut wrote(and I'm going to paraphrase it, I'm too lazy to look it up): Movies about WWII will always be made, because the Nazi German uniforms were so fashionable. It's kinda true, if you think about it. They do look like some serious badasses. Which brings me to my favorite quote about Hitler from the movie Tao of Steve: "Hitler did a lot of things, but don't you wish he would have stayed at home and smoked pot?" I guess you really have to see the movie(for the context) to get the whole quote. It's not the greatest movie ever made(the Hitler quote is pretty much the highlight), but if you can sit through it, look for that quote.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to not use any parenthetical notations(like this one) in my blog. We'll see who rusts first!

Ok. I've got to get something worthwhile done today, or I'm going to get really pissed at myself. At least do some dishes, or clean the cat box, right? Something small and non-back-hurting? We'll see.

Did I mention that my little brother is getting married? How cool is that?

Like I said, a senile hiccup. I am really looking forward to it, though.

Back to work!

dave

123 days to go

Or call it 4 months and a day. It's all up to you. Nothing makes me feel older than a back that's out of commission. That's where we're at today, friends. Out of commission.

Daytime TV sucks. Fortunately, I bought a couple movies recently, so I could watch those. I should really study for the tests I have this week, though. Plus, the apartment is a mess, and my friend's going to be in town on Friday. Let's say this is going to make for a busy week.

I've got hockey on the brain this morning. Too bad none of my teams are playing, but at least there's some to watch. Of course, it's just another source of procrastination, my favorite way to pass the time.

So, it's about time I did some homework, me thinks. Or studied. Or ate lunch. Oh, it's too early for lunch. Damn.

So that's it for this morning's ruminations. I'm off to see if I can get something productive done. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

dave

123 days to go
Part III: Just go to bed, Dave!

I re-fixed the timestamp. This is mostly a test to see if it worked.

Here's some info on the prime number 313:

One of Donald Duck's auto license plate numbers in the comics. [Haga]
313 (base 10) = 100111001 (base 2). The only 3-digit palindromic prime with this property. Note that 100111001 (base 10) is a prime as well! [Larsen]

The largest known prime that divides a Unitary Perfect number.



The Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev spent exactly 313 days in space aboard the Mir Space Station.

The smallest multi-digit palindromic prime of the form n x phi(n) + 1, where phi(n) is the Euler function. [Russo]

Islam's first battle (The Battle of Badr) against the pagans of Mecca was fought by 313 Muslims, and won. [Daniyal]

Frenicle challenged Wallis to solve x2 - 313y2 = 1. [Beiler]

Elizabeth Haich's book Initiation analyzes the significance of 313 in ancient Egyptology.

313 = 122 + 132. [De Geest]

If 313 people (or ducks for that matter) are chosen at random, then the probability that at least 5 of them will share the same birthday is greater than 50%.

Wood's History of Alameda County, California, published in the decade around the first U.S. centennial, includes 313 men and not one woman! [Haga]

The smallest Weakly prime in base 5. [Duisenberg & Dionne]

313 x 285672 + 1 is prime. [Melo & Gallot]

In Shi'ism, it is believed that "Imam Mehdi" (the ultimate savior of the believers) will appear when there are 313 true and sincere Shia followers in the world. [Daniyal]

313 is the smallest number to appear exactly 3 times in itself factorial (313!). [ten Voorde]

10313 + 313 is prime. [Broadhurst & Titanix]

The Mayan ruin Coba near Tulum in the Yucatan peninsula contains a pyramid that is surrounded by 313 large stones with hieroglyphs. [Haid]

In the movie Somewhere In Time, Christopher Reeve checks into Room 313 of the Grand Hotel. [Haga]

The only 3-digit palindromic prime which is not the sum of consecutive composite numbers. [Russo]

(2^3+1)/3, (2^31+1)/3, (2^13+1)/3, and (2^313+1)/3 are prime. [Aggarwal]

The smallest Happy number which is a multi-digit palindromic prime. [Gupta]

1/313 produces a string of decimals that repeat it self after 312 (one less than itself) decimals. Only 5 of the 3-digit palidromic primes have this ability. [Vatshelle]

313, 313 - 2, 313 - 2*3, 313 - 2*3*5 & 313 - 2*3*5*7 are all prime numbers. [Rivera]

Hope all this works.

dave

123 days to go

Wow. It's early.

Sometimes in life, you have to do things. For me tonight, it was stay out late with your friend who's moving far away, ne'er to see again. Unless, of course, I take a trip to New Orleans.

Let's say this... it's in the works.

I've got plans to visit friends in Boston, Eugene, New Orleans, London, and Los Angeles. Plus, I'm going camping soon. Sounds like a busy summer. Good thing I quit working at Tower, otherwise I'd have lots of working weekends to do.

Thank jah for no more working weekends. My friend who I call Darth Dread will respect that.

This brings up an interesting topic. I've noticed that in other blogs no one's actual name is displayed for all to see. Is this a part of netiquette that I'm previously unaware of? I can't tell. I'll use a nickname here to protect the innocent, even though he can fully protect himself.

Did I already mention that my brother is getting married? Call it, as Kurt Vonnegut would say, a senile hiccup.

Hi ho.

My father is probably the only person who will truly appreciate that as much as I do. Thanks, dad.

Just as a side note, I fixed the time stamp problem. You're looking at the real time I post things nowadays. Sorry if you think I'm up too late. I usually do too.

Hi ho.

That's all I have for now. I'll be sure to write more in the morning before I go to work. Mostly so I can display my gigantic dedication to working, also to display my idiocy in being up this late.

Such is life.

Hi ho.

dave

124 days to go

What a weekend! There's nothing like family. I get such a kick out of them.

Top it all off....

MY LITTLE BROTHER IS GETTING MARRIED!

For those of you who didn't know, sorry- I couldn't wait. For me, it's big news. Damn big news. I'm quite excited. She's totally cool, and I like her. What could be better?

This means it's going to be a busy fall for a certain shave-headed Chicagoan. My friend from high school gets married in September, I turn 30 in October, and then my brother gets married a week later.

Rapture!

This also means a fair amount of air travel for me- I'm tired of driving up to the Twin Cities from here. It's too much work. Not to mention the whole not having a car thing. I should solve these problems.

My mom got me a tent for my birthday- totally cool of her to do so- and gave it to me this weekend. Best part is, I'm supposed to go camping in a couple weeks.

Handy!

My mother was called "Grandma" in front of me for the first time. I sometimes block out the fact that she married into having grandchildren. I wasn't entirely prepared for it. Of course, I got called uncle, something very new for me. This might take some getting used to. I suppose I should start.

This brings us to the turning 30 panic attack alert status:

RED.

Playing basketball for the first time in 2 years made me feel old. I'm not going to be happy about that for a while.

Like the Beatles said: It's all too much.

I'm off, as my alarm clock is busted, and I've overslept again.

Be excellent to one another,

dave