Sorry if I appear to be ignoring my blog. This is the first chance I've really had to start uploading music to my Creative Zen player and I'm on a roll. Got all the Patty Griffin stuff done, a few other things, and working on the k.d. lang collection now.
It would be nice if I could figure out how to upload some of the music DVDs. I haven't figured out that part yet.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Friday Pussy Blog
Miss Samantha, the red-eyed demon from hell.
That vinyl floor in the kitchen is also from hell. We need to do something about that... and soon. YUCK!
That vinyl floor in the kitchen is also from hell. We need to do something about that... and soon. YUCK!
Songs From My Head
I tried explaining to txrad yesterday about the perceived value in spending an extra $6.00 for a 750ml bottle of tequila vs. a 375ml bottle. It makes financial sense from a dollars per ounce basis, but rarely plays out as a "good deal" in the end. That is abundantly clear this morning.
TGIF. Pussy blog will be appearing late today. Work must come first.
Meanwhile, sing along, have fun. I'll be back.
TGIF. Pussy blog will be appearing late today. Work must come first.
Meanwhile, sing along, have fun. I'll be back.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Hide the Pipe
Marijuana isn't kosher for passover.
It isn't going to affect me, but I'll be on the lookout for stoned Jews.
It isn't going to affect me, but I'll be on the lookout for stoned Jews.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
This Job Ain't Good For Our Colons
txrad and I are in agreement on that issue.
This may fall in the "too much information" department. Sorry 'bout that.
It was another day from hell. We rushed to catch the 7:00 bus this morning and by the time it got there we were already on the 7:20 bus so we got to work 20 minutes later than expected and 40 minutes later than I needed to. It was downhill from there. By tomorrow afternoon things should start to lighten up a bit and just perhaps I can achieve some degree of bowel regularity again.
This does remind me quite a bit of the toilets at work:
This may fall in the "too much information" department. Sorry 'bout that.
It was another day from hell. We rushed to catch the 7:00 bus this morning and by the time it got there we were already on the 7:20 bus so we got to work 20 minutes later than expected and 40 minutes later than I needed to. It was downhill from there. By tomorrow afternoon things should start to lighten up a bit and just perhaps I can achieve some degree of bowel regularity again.
This does remind me quite a bit of the toilets at work:
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
It's Only Tuesday - I'm Drunk
But I deserve it. I did the work of 2 people today, and did what I estimated to be about 16 hours worth of work, and I managed to squeeze it into 10 hours. So when I went to buy tequila, I asked for the "small" bottle (200ml) of Hornitos. I was yapping with the clerk and when I got home I looked at the bottle and said, "Damn, that looks big."
It was the 375ml bottle. Oh well. I deserve it after a day like this....but tomorrow is only hump day. We shall see how that all plays out.
We do have dinner in the oven and that's a positive. I did not get muffins baked so I'll be grabbing one at Whole Foods again in the morning. Not terribly economical but extremely easy.
My latest infatuation is the breakfast buffet at Whole Foods. I'm not a big egg person. I don't even like eggs. But sometimes they have scrambled eggs, with potatoes, biscuits and gravy (all vegetarian, unless you count eggs as embryos in the fundamentalist sense -- I used to but don't any longer) and I am hooked on that. But this is damn good eats. I was so satisfied after breakfast, I didn't even eat my lunch until 2:35. I just want to pour gravy all over my biscuits, eggs, and potatoes, and that puts me in what some might call a form of heaven.
It was the 375ml bottle. Oh well. I deserve it after a day like this....but tomorrow is only hump day. We shall see how that all plays out.
We do have dinner in the oven and that's a positive. I did not get muffins baked so I'll be grabbing one at Whole Foods again in the morning. Not terribly economical but extremely easy.
My latest infatuation is the breakfast buffet at Whole Foods. I'm not a big egg person. I don't even like eggs. But sometimes they have scrambled eggs, with potatoes, biscuits and gravy (all vegetarian, unless you count eggs as embryos in the fundamentalist sense -- I used to but don't any longer) and I am hooked on that. But this is damn good eats. I was so satisfied after breakfast, I didn't even eat my lunch until 2:35. I just want to pour gravy all over my biscuits, eggs, and potatoes, and that puts me in what some might call a form of heaven.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Songs From My Head
Time for another segment of "I've got a song stuck in my head and you're gonna hear about it."
What a day! Crazy at work, crazy commute home with the heavy rain causing traffic jams. Then a crazy mess to clean up in the kitchen. By the time we eat dinner it'll be time to go to bed and start round two in the morning. Oh yeah!
Maybe Toast will enjoy this one. None of that jazz shit... just straight ahead rock and roll:
What a day! Crazy at work, crazy commute home with the heavy rain causing traffic jams. Then a crazy mess to clean up in the kitchen. By the time we eat dinner it'll be time to go to bed and start round two in the morning. Oh yeah!
Maybe Toast will enjoy this one. None of that jazz shit... just straight ahead rock and roll:
Aretha!
I don't know how I missed this one on yesterday's birthday post. Aretha Franklin was 65 yesterday. Thanks to maurinsky for pointing this out in the comments.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Greens Day
I have a lot to do today and I'm sitting on my ass like it was... Sunday or something. The collard greens in the garden have gone crazy again and it's time for another big harvest, do some blanching and freezing. And leave enough out for dinner tonight perhaps.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Analysis of Friendships (or a very long rambling post)
Sometimes I'm amazed that I ever met txrad, that I was immediately in love, and we've been together almost 17 years. I'm not so good with friendships and I constantly analyze myself to figure out why I'm so content with virtually no social life.
I only have one friend from high school with whom I've stayed in touch. Her name is Elizabeth (she sent the picture of Georgie in the cat post below) and we communicate almost every day via email or instant messaging. I was so excited to graduate high school and get away from that godforsaken town. Elizabeth and I wrote letters to each other for the first few years after graduation.
Five years later I went to London for 14 months. I felt as if I had a new life. I came out of the closet while in London and formed a bond with my co-workers. There were some fun parties and drinks at the pub quite often. I became very disconnected from my life in the states. I was also not enjoying my exchange of letters with Elizabeth. I know the reason was because I was gay and I had not yet made my orientation known back across the pond. So my letters to her were omitting a key aspect of my life.
I sat down one day to compose what I expected to be my last letter to her. It was the usual letter about what was going on in my life, and I told her I was gay. I wrongly assumed that would be the end of our correspondence and the last thread of contact with anyone from that high school would be cast away.
About two weeks later I received a letter from her and I was very surprised. The bomb I dropped about being gay didn't exactly detonate. It was as if I had announced that I like spicy mustard or something. And I felt rather silly for imagining the news would be received harshly. And so our friendship and regular communication continued -- only now it felt more real and honest.
I came back to the US in 1984 and slowly began to build a life here again. It was much easier as a gay person who was at least open about it with new friends. Once while out seeing a band at a club, a girl approached me to chat and I felt reasonably certain she was flirting. I nipped that in the bud immediately by mentioning something about my boyfriend being at the bar in the other room. Then she shifted gears and instead of leaving me alone as I expected, she continued chatting and we became friends. Rather than use her real name, I'll call her Ms. S.
This was 1985 and I was involved in a rather large circle of gay and gay-friendly people. I was constantly being introduced to new people -- some would drift out of my life as quickly as they entered it; others would be friends of mine for a few years longer.
I enjoyed Ms. S because she was loose and carefree and we both enjoyed music. Some of my experiences with her I treasure, such as our meals at an Indian restaurant. In 1988, at that restaurant, she introduced me to a guy who had just turned 18 -- I was 28. He and I had a fling for about 2 weeks, and then a longer period of major confusion and frustration, with an occasional fling thrown in just to really fuck things up. The relationship was doomed and that hurt. It seemed to hurt for years, but in reality it was only 2 years later when I met txrad. That's the part that really blows my mind: how, in retrospect, those two years seem to have lasted an entire decade now.
One of my other good friends was preparing to move to Denver. He encouraged me to move with him. It seemed like a good idea because I needed to get away from things for awhile. Ms. S was starting to get on my nerves frequently and it usually involved financial matters. Off to Denver I went -- hoping to find love, new friends and more adventure.
During the 18 months or so that I spent in Denver I did meet some new people and had a couple of friends with whom I was close. I hit it off particularly well with a woman (I'll call her Ms. K) I met there and she decided to move to San Diego and convinced me to move with her. I said goodbye to some of the friends I made in Denver, packed my bags, and moved. What's odd is that I didn't say goodbye to everyone. For a few people I just apparently disappeared. I had one close friend, another woman I met in an art gallery, and I was hoping we'd stay in touch. We basically hung around each other almost daily, and yet after I moved, I never heard from her again.
Ms. K and I found a cute little bungalow walking distance from the beach and began settling in. We'd barely been there a month when I met txrad. Ms. K and I had gone out to a club. I was sitting alone at a table sulking for some reason, and just staring into space when I suddenly noticed someone standing in front of me. It was him. Little did I know of the impact he would have on my life.
Ms. K seemed thrilled that I had the hots for someone. That thrill was short-lived. After a week or two, she became annoyed with me, and insisted it was just a temporary infatuation. The friction continued to build until one day she threw a diversion in my path. We had recently taken a day trip to L.A. together and she fell in love with the town and wanted to move there. My long-term plan in moving to San Diego had been to use it as a stepping stone to L.A. as well. So we plotted a move.
I made it quite clear that we'd only live together until I found a job and then I'd get my own place and txrad would then move to L.A. We found quite a nice apartment in Hollywood and I started the job search. Every weekend I'd drive back to San Diego to be with txrad. This annoyed Ms. K and our troubles started again. The situation quickly escalated into warfare of sorts.
Finally, after several weeks of searching for any kind of work, I landed a position at an advertising agency as a data entry clerk. The pay wasn't much, but I could afford an apartment, and more importantly, txrad could quit his job at Wendy's and leave San Diego to be with me. Thankfully, he did. And we proved Ms. K wrong. The friendship disintegrated.
Now, back to Ms. S. She had visited L.A. a few times and lived there a few times, and visited us there a few times. She had no problem accepting us as a couple, and there was no love lost between her and Ms. K., so in that regard she was our ally. Nevertheless, my level of agitation with Ms. S was increasing. I was settling down, had stable employment for the first time in years, and I was happy. Ms. S continued to drift from job to job, city to city, basically just surviving on the kindness of others. She was a skilled manipulator and took advantage of my easy-going nature and generosity on many occasions.
I can recall one such incident, long before I even moved to Denver. I was visiting her in L.A. after she had moved there (one move of several, back and forth) and she suggested we take a road trip to San Francisco for a long weekend. Gee, that sounded like fun, so we hit the road. We weren't even outside of Los Angeles County when she suggested we stop at a donut shop. She began digging around in her purse and proclaimed with some amusement, "Oh, I only have three cents." Not only did I pick up the tab for the donuts, but the rest of the trip was also on me. This was a typical scenario.
Another time I loaned her my credit card so she could get a plane ticket back home when she was down and out. She was going to charge the plane ticket, and once home she agreed to mail the card back to me. She was true to her word on that one. But when I got my credit card statement I knew it wasn't me that had gone out to eat, and also purchased a pair of shoes, and a few other things.
After a few years of working and getting promotions at my agency, and then moving to Austin after accepting a position at another agency, it just really bugged me for some reason that she continued to drift from place to place, holding down a crappy job here and there for a few days before moving on. She never seemed to take any responsibility for her actions. I still liked her as a person and a friend, but I just didn't want to be around her. We'd have long phone conversations but whenever she mentioned coming for a visit, it got to a point I'd cringe and make up some excuse for why it wasn't convenient.
She found a work-around for that little problem. I got in the car one day to run to the store and before I got out of my neighborhood, I saw someone in a car waving at me. I stopped because this person was vaguely familiar. It was her. She had driven down from Arkansas for a surprise visitation. I don't know about the rest of you, but konagod does not like those types of surprises -- particularly when they are coupled with an expectation to provide some food and definitely the housing aspect of this "vacation" she had planned.
A year or so after that I seem to recall having a voice mail from her that she was in Dallas and was on the way to Austin for the weekend and wanted to see us. (Read between the lines.) Instead of calling her back, txrad and I packed some bags, got in the car and drove to Houston and Galveston for the weekend.
There was another similar incident about 3 years ago in which she and her husband planned a trip to Austin, showed up, and expected a red carpet to be rolled out. Rather than come right out and ask if they could sleep here, she just lingered, waiting for an invitation. I was annoyed and finally got up and went to bed, leaving txrad to deal with the situation. He stood his ground and finally Ms. S and hubby left in a huff I'm sure.
I don't think I've seen her again since that time. We spoke a few times on the phone for a couple of months afterwards. She moved to L.A. again, then moved to Dallas (which made me nervous), but she was never doing anything to improve her financial life and I'd just had enough. I had bought her a CD for her birthday 2 or 3 years ago and I never sent it because she was living with some guy after separating from her husband, and she was talking about packing up and leaving in a few days. I never knew her address, or if she'd even be there long enough for the package to arrive, before she moved on somewhere else. Finally, I quit returning her calls and I quit responding to her email messages. Her friendship was literally stressing me out and I have enough stress in my life.
So, dear readers, do I have the problem? Or do I just attract crazies and other people who succeed in making me insane? The people I consider to be my best friends all seem to be as aloof as me. Most of them I haven't seen or spoken to in years. I'll get the occasional email or holiday card and that's about it. The friends in my life with whom I had the closest connections all went sour for one reason or another. Another thing I've noticed is that the friends who actually had the most negative impact on me were also the ones who provided the catalyst for some of the most positive changes in my life. It's ironic that I might never have met txrad were it not for Ms. K and I moving to San Diego from Denver. And that friendship which started out so strong, lasted 2 years at best.
These days, my new friends are.... bloggers. Some of them (or some of you) I may someday meet, and hope to. Others I'm sure I'll never meet. But I'm OK with it. It's safe and it's easy. There's no baggage. You stop by my blog and chat awhile and I'll visit yours and chat awhile. No advance notice required, no urgent need to change any bed linens, I don't need to tiptoe around the house at 6:00 am, and you won't keep me awake by chatting long after I've gone to bed. No inconveniences whatsoever. It's relaxing and easy. And it's quite strange.
Oh, that graphic I inserted above... "Doesn't Play Well With Others" -- it's a sticker which was given to me by none other than Ms. S. Hmmm....
I only have one friend from high school with whom I've stayed in touch. Her name is Elizabeth (she sent the picture of Georgie in the cat post below) and we communicate almost every day via email or instant messaging. I was so excited to graduate high school and get away from that godforsaken town. Elizabeth and I wrote letters to each other for the first few years after graduation.
Five years later I went to London for 14 months. I felt as if I had a new life. I came out of the closet while in London and formed a bond with my co-workers. There were some fun parties and drinks at the pub quite often. I became very disconnected from my life in the states. I was also not enjoying my exchange of letters with Elizabeth. I know the reason was because I was gay and I had not yet made my orientation known back across the pond. So my letters to her were omitting a key aspect of my life.
I sat down one day to compose what I expected to be my last letter to her. It was the usual letter about what was going on in my life, and I told her I was gay. I wrongly assumed that would be the end of our correspondence and the last thread of contact with anyone from that high school would be cast away.
About two weeks later I received a letter from her and I was very surprised. The bomb I dropped about being gay didn't exactly detonate. It was as if I had announced that I like spicy mustard or something. And I felt rather silly for imagining the news would be received harshly. And so our friendship and regular communication continued -- only now it felt more real and honest.
I came back to the US in 1984 and slowly began to build a life here again. It was much easier as a gay person who was at least open about it with new friends. Once while out seeing a band at a club, a girl approached me to chat and I felt reasonably certain she was flirting. I nipped that in the bud immediately by mentioning something about my boyfriend being at the bar in the other room. Then she shifted gears and instead of leaving me alone as I expected, she continued chatting and we became friends. Rather than use her real name, I'll call her Ms. S.
This was 1985 and I was involved in a rather large circle of gay and gay-friendly people. I was constantly being introduced to new people -- some would drift out of my life as quickly as they entered it; others would be friends of mine for a few years longer.
I enjoyed Ms. S because she was loose and carefree and we both enjoyed music. Some of my experiences with her I treasure, such as our meals at an Indian restaurant. In 1988, at that restaurant, she introduced me to a guy who had just turned 18 -- I was 28. He and I had a fling for about 2 weeks, and then a longer period of major confusion and frustration, with an occasional fling thrown in just to really fuck things up. The relationship was doomed and that hurt. It seemed to hurt for years, but in reality it was only 2 years later when I met txrad. That's the part that really blows my mind: how, in retrospect, those two years seem to have lasted an entire decade now.
One of my other good friends was preparing to move to Denver. He encouraged me to move with him. It seemed like a good idea because I needed to get away from things for awhile. Ms. S was starting to get on my nerves frequently and it usually involved financial matters. Off to Denver I went -- hoping to find love, new friends and more adventure.
During the 18 months or so that I spent in Denver I did meet some new people and had a couple of friends with whom I was close. I hit it off particularly well with a woman (I'll call her Ms. K) I met there and she decided to move to San Diego and convinced me to move with her. I said goodbye to some of the friends I made in Denver, packed my bags, and moved. What's odd is that I didn't say goodbye to everyone. For a few people I just apparently disappeared. I had one close friend, another woman I met in an art gallery, and I was hoping we'd stay in touch. We basically hung around each other almost daily, and yet after I moved, I never heard from her again.
Ms. K and I found a cute little bungalow walking distance from the beach and began settling in. We'd barely been there a month when I met txrad. Ms. K and I had gone out to a club. I was sitting alone at a table sulking for some reason, and just staring into space when I suddenly noticed someone standing in front of me. It was him. Little did I know of the impact he would have on my life.
Ms. K seemed thrilled that I had the hots for someone. That thrill was short-lived. After a week or two, she became annoyed with me, and insisted it was just a temporary infatuation. The friction continued to build until one day she threw a diversion in my path. We had recently taken a day trip to L.A. together and she fell in love with the town and wanted to move there. My long-term plan in moving to San Diego had been to use it as a stepping stone to L.A. as well. So we plotted a move.
I made it quite clear that we'd only live together until I found a job and then I'd get my own place and txrad would then move to L.A. We found quite a nice apartment in Hollywood and I started the job search. Every weekend I'd drive back to San Diego to be with txrad. This annoyed Ms. K and our troubles started again. The situation quickly escalated into warfare of sorts.
Finally, after several weeks of searching for any kind of work, I landed a position at an advertising agency as a data entry clerk. The pay wasn't much, but I could afford an apartment, and more importantly, txrad could quit his job at Wendy's and leave San Diego to be with me. Thankfully, he did. And we proved Ms. K wrong. The friendship disintegrated.
Now, back to Ms. S. She had visited L.A. a few times and lived there a few times, and visited us there a few times. She had no problem accepting us as a couple, and there was no love lost between her and Ms. K., so in that regard she was our ally. Nevertheless, my level of agitation with Ms. S was increasing. I was settling down, had stable employment for the first time in years, and I was happy. Ms. S continued to drift from job to job, city to city, basically just surviving on the kindness of others. She was a skilled manipulator and took advantage of my easy-going nature and generosity on many occasions.
I can recall one such incident, long before I even moved to Denver. I was visiting her in L.A. after she had moved there (one move of several, back and forth) and she suggested we take a road trip to San Francisco for a long weekend. Gee, that sounded like fun, so we hit the road. We weren't even outside of Los Angeles County when she suggested we stop at a donut shop. She began digging around in her purse and proclaimed with some amusement, "Oh, I only have three cents." Not only did I pick up the tab for the donuts, but the rest of the trip was also on me. This was a typical scenario.
Another time I loaned her my credit card so she could get a plane ticket back home when she was down and out. She was going to charge the plane ticket, and once home she agreed to mail the card back to me. She was true to her word on that one. But when I got my credit card statement I knew it wasn't me that had gone out to eat, and also purchased a pair of shoes, and a few other things.
After a few years of working and getting promotions at my agency, and then moving to Austin after accepting a position at another agency, it just really bugged me for some reason that she continued to drift from place to place, holding down a crappy job here and there for a few days before moving on. She never seemed to take any responsibility for her actions. I still liked her as a person and a friend, but I just didn't want to be around her. We'd have long phone conversations but whenever she mentioned coming for a visit, it got to a point I'd cringe and make up some excuse for why it wasn't convenient.
She found a work-around for that little problem. I got in the car one day to run to the store and before I got out of my neighborhood, I saw someone in a car waving at me. I stopped because this person was vaguely familiar. It was her. She had driven down from Arkansas for a surprise visitation. I don't know about the rest of you, but konagod does not like those types of surprises -- particularly when they are coupled with an expectation to provide some food and definitely the housing aspect of this "vacation" she had planned.
A year or so after that I seem to recall having a voice mail from her that she was in Dallas and was on the way to Austin for the weekend and wanted to see us. (Read between the lines.) Instead of calling her back, txrad and I packed some bags, got in the car and drove to Houston and Galveston for the weekend.
There was another similar incident about 3 years ago in which she and her husband planned a trip to Austin, showed up, and expected a red carpet to be rolled out. Rather than come right out and ask if they could sleep here, she just lingered, waiting for an invitation. I was annoyed and finally got up and went to bed, leaving txrad to deal with the situation. He stood his ground and finally Ms. S and hubby left in a huff I'm sure.
I don't think I've seen her again since that time. We spoke a few times on the phone for a couple of months afterwards. She moved to L.A. again, then moved to Dallas (which made me nervous), but she was never doing anything to improve her financial life and I'd just had enough. I had bought her a CD for her birthday 2 or 3 years ago and I never sent it because she was living with some guy after separating from her husband, and she was talking about packing up and leaving in a few days. I never knew her address, or if she'd even be there long enough for the package to arrive, before she moved on somewhere else. Finally, I quit returning her calls and I quit responding to her email messages. Her friendship was literally stressing me out and I have enough stress in my life.
So, dear readers, do I have the problem? Or do I just attract crazies and other people who succeed in making me insane? The people I consider to be my best friends all seem to be as aloof as me. Most of them I haven't seen or spoken to in years. I'll get the occasional email or holiday card and that's about it. The friends in my life with whom I had the closest connections all went sour for one reason or another. Another thing I've noticed is that the friends who actually had the most negative impact on me were also the ones who provided the catalyst for some of the most positive changes in my life. It's ironic that I might never have met txrad were it not for Ms. K and I moving to San Diego from Denver. And that friendship which started out so strong, lasted 2 years at best.
These days, my new friends are.... bloggers. Some of them (or some of you) I may someday meet, and hope to. Others I'm sure I'll never meet. But I'm OK with it. It's safe and it's easy. There's no baggage. You stop by my blog and chat awhile and I'll visit yours and chat awhile. No advance notice required, no urgent need to change any bed linens, I don't need to tiptoe around the house at 6:00 am, and you won't keep me awake by chatting long after I've gone to bed. No inconveniences whatsoever. It's relaxing and easy. And it's quite strange.
Oh, that graphic I inserted above... "Doesn't Play Well With Others" -- it's a sticker which was given to me by none other than Ms. S. Hmmm....
Friday Pussy Blog
Yeah, I know it's Saturday. Yesterday was horrendous. It was time to start pizza prep as soon as I walked in the door yesterday and the kitchen needed to be cleaned first from Thursday night's cooking session!
This week's post is courtesy of two friends.
Rebecca sent in a pic of her Gidget in the trash can.
Elizabeth sent a bunch of pics awhile back. Here's Georgie in the all-too-familiar pose.
Finally, litbrit sent a link to the tainted cat food story which has also been stressing me out all week. I think the odds of my cats being poisoned by the one can I have remaining are slim, but still... it's something that you think about. If it weren't for Samantha I'd just stick with the dry food regimen until this is all resolved.
Samantha used to be 18+ lbs and as she entered the "golden years" she lost the bulk of that weight. For some reason she just doesn't seem to be absorbing anything from the dry food and I'm very concerned about her. She LOVES the canned chicken and I like to give that to her because she will actually eat the entire contents of a can. If she doesn't get this special treat, she howls and screeches until I give in. Finding something suitable for her is on my to-do list this weekend.
This week's post is courtesy of two friends.
Rebecca sent in a pic of her Gidget in the trash can.
Elizabeth sent a bunch of pics awhile back. Here's Georgie in the all-too-familiar pose.
Finally, litbrit sent a link to the tainted cat food story which has also been stressing me out all week. I think the odds of my cats being poisoned by the one can I have remaining are slim, but still... it's something that you think about. If it weren't for Samantha I'd just stick with the dry food regimen until this is all resolved.
Samantha used to be 18+ lbs and as she entered the "golden years" she lost the bulk of that weight. For some reason she just doesn't seem to be absorbing anything from the dry food and I'm very concerned about her. She LOVES the canned chicken and I like to give that to her because she will actually eat the entire contents of a can. If she doesn't get this special treat, she howls and screeches until I give in. Finding something suitable for her is on my to-do list this weekend.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Lesson #1
When the creditors start to spoil your evening of fun with that annoying phone call, just pick up and hang up.
Works every time.
Works every time.
Five Things No One Knows About Me
I was tagged -- and quite awhile back by the ever-lovely litbrit with this one. Poor kona is a busy boy these days but I get around to the memes eventually. I'm going to spice this one up a bit by doing a tequila shot before each of the five things. Yeahh, baby. Rock & roll. If #5 is incoherent, you'll know why. Oh, and I'm drinking beer between shots. I guess that's worth mentioning. Anything to keep me away from the threads over at Shakes' place for awhile can only be a worthy cause, right?
1. When I was about 7, I must have been lacking general social skills. My best friend, whom I'd known basically since birth considering the fact that we were born one day apart in the same hospital, was in the same grade school as me. We were out in the playground with other kids at recess playing around an area where the garbage cans were stored. It was an area bricked in on 3 sides. There were a few loose bricks around so in order to get some attention, and perhaps a laugh, I somehow thought it would be hilarious if I threw a brick up in the air while hiding behind the brick wall. The other kids would see this brick falling from the sky and maybe it would land on someone's foot and they'd wonder where the hell it came from. Yes, that was my thought process.
I remember hearing a commotion and I stood up to see who might be laughing. No one was laughing. They were all pointing at me. The brick landed on my best friend's head. He was bleeding and had to be taken to a hospital for stitches. I don't really remember too much after that -- whether I was questioned by any teachers, or anything. I think I just went on with my day as if nothing had happened.
That night our phone rang and it was my friend's mother calling my mother for an explanation. I calmly said there was a brick on the playground and I was throwing it back over to the garbage can area where it belonged ... and missed. What a liar I was.
Nothing else was ever said, and we continued to be best friends for years -- until we were 16 or so. Actually we ended up being --- I hesitate to use the word "lovers." But he was my first sexual encounter and that went on for 2 years on a regular basis. Life is weird, huh? And he's dead now. That's another story.
2. I love chocolate. It's probably one of my absolute favorite substances in the world. But I despise chocolate beverages. Hot chocolate, any chocolate-flavored coffees, anything chocolate in liquid form is probably one of my biggest turn-offs. I don't care for candy either. And don't like chocolate candy unless it's of high quality. About the lowest common denominator of chocolate I'll eat in candy form is Godiva. I like most of that stuff. There's also a chocolate bar at Whole Foods Market with dried raspberries in it that I enjoy. But I can make one bar of that last me at least a week. I have incredible self-discipline when it comes to devouring chocolate. (Too bad I have NO self-discipline when it comes to tequila. Which reminds me, time for another shot if I'm done with #2.)
3. Let's talk about body fluids, and get this out of the way, all in one (wad) shot. About 2 weeks ago, I awoke about 4:00 am from a dream (in color as always) in which I was in a department store of some type. It was one of those multi-level stores with an elevator. I was shopping for merchandise when I suddenly realized I'd hit the stop button on the elevator when I got out, so the elevator was stuck there. About the time I realized I needed to run release the stop button so other people could use it, I awoke with the sensation that I needed to urinate. Actually, what was happening was a wet dream. I thought that only happened to younger guys. Live and learn.
In a similar vein (you can call this 3a if you wish), you've all heard the expression about having it coming out of both ends at the same time. Only once in my life have I been vomiting and had diarrhea at the same time. I was a teen and very sick with the flu or some bad bug. I had to crawl from the toilet to the bathtub. Fun!
4. I love looking at porn. Oh wait, no one is going to be surprised by that. Let's start over. Hmm, I think I squeezed in an extra shot there somewhere. Oh well, a boy needs his think time; these memes are not easy.
4. I probably could have earned my living as a pianist. When I was 7 I started taking piano lessons from the same woman who taught my brother. He was good. Damn good. My teacher told my mother I had far more talent than my brother. I took lessons until I was 9 and suddenly lost interest. It's a shame, because I enjoyed it, but there were certain aspects of it that frustrated me, and it was because my teacher didn't know how to teach. She couldn't explain things to me in a manner in which my mind could comprehend. (And she was an alcoholic.) I have similar problems to this very day with learning new things. I don't respond well to instruction without understanding the why or the history behind it. I need full-spectrum instruction or I lose interest. And so, I'm not a pianist. I'm in advertising and experiencing some of the same frustration I experienced as a pianist-to-be.
One more shot to go, and then I'm done with this meme. Oh, what to confess, what to confess!
5. I am not happy about aging. When I turned 40 (which wasn't nearly as hard for me as turning 30), I was still getting carded occasionally for alcohol purchases. In fact, I've become quite the pal with the woman who works at my liquor store and I first met her about 6 years ago. She carded me when I bought a pack of cigarettes from her for the first time. I remember saying, "Jesus, how old do I have to be to buy cigarettes?" She said, "18." I said, "Well, I believe I got that covered." She examined my ID and said, "You look young." The rest is history. Literally.
I'm actually planning a separate post about the transition from 4o to 50 and it's likely to take awhile, but this is as good a time as any to introduce it. I have never identified with people my own age. Oh sure, I've had friends older than me for the past 20 years, and I get on dandy with people 5, 10, 15 years older than me. I borrowed a Janis Joplin book from a former co-worker who is probably 20 years older than me, and I can certainly relate to her. But I do not ever care to act my age, if that makes any sense.
It's been quite an experience for me starting my new job. I've worked at home, away from society at large, for the past 6 or 7 years. Getting back into the work force has been a huge challenge. I'm now back in an environment with people 20+ years younger than me, along with a sprinkling of people my age, or a few years older. And folks, it's an adjustment.
But I refuse to conform. I refuse to act my age. I refuse to cast away my creativity for the sake of fitting a mold. I will not be manipulated and I will not be controlled. And apparently I am lucky to have that luxury.
Time for another shot. And maybe load the pipe. Tagged: Take it and run with it if you are so inclined.
1. When I was about 7, I must have been lacking general social skills. My best friend, whom I'd known basically since birth considering the fact that we were born one day apart in the same hospital, was in the same grade school as me. We were out in the playground with other kids at recess playing around an area where the garbage cans were stored. It was an area bricked in on 3 sides. There were a few loose bricks around so in order to get some attention, and perhaps a laugh, I somehow thought it would be hilarious if I threw a brick up in the air while hiding behind the brick wall. The other kids would see this brick falling from the sky and maybe it would land on someone's foot and they'd wonder where the hell it came from. Yes, that was my thought process.
I remember hearing a commotion and I stood up to see who might be laughing. No one was laughing. They were all pointing at me. The brick landed on my best friend's head. He was bleeding and had to be taken to a hospital for stitches. I don't really remember too much after that -- whether I was questioned by any teachers, or anything. I think I just went on with my day as if nothing had happened.
That night our phone rang and it was my friend's mother calling my mother for an explanation. I calmly said there was a brick on the playground and I was throwing it back over to the garbage can area where it belonged ... and missed. What a liar I was.
Nothing else was ever said, and we continued to be best friends for years -- until we were 16 or so. Actually we ended up being --- I hesitate to use the word "lovers." But he was my first sexual encounter and that went on for 2 years on a regular basis. Life is weird, huh? And he's dead now. That's another story.
2. I love chocolate. It's probably one of my absolute favorite substances in the world. But I despise chocolate beverages. Hot chocolate, any chocolate-flavored coffees, anything chocolate in liquid form is probably one of my biggest turn-offs. I don't care for candy either. And don't like chocolate candy unless it's of high quality. About the lowest common denominator of chocolate I'll eat in candy form is Godiva. I like most of that stuff. There's also a chocolate bar at Whole Foods Market with dried raspberries in it that I enjoy. But I can make one bar of that last me at least a week. I have incredible self-discipline when it comes to devouring chocolate. (Too bad I have NO self-discipline when it comes to tequila. Which reminds me, time for another shot if I'm done with #2.)
3. Let's talk about body fluids, and get this out of the way, all in one (wad) shot. About 2 weeks ago, I awoke about 4:00 am from a dream (in color as always) in which I was in a department store of some type. It was one of those multi-level stores with an elevator. I was shopping for merchandise when I suddenly realized I'd hit the stop button on the elevator when I got out, so the elevator was stuck there. About the time I realized I needed to run release the stop button so other people could use it, I awoke with the sensation that I needed to urinate. Actually, what was happening was a wet dream. I thought that only happened to younger guys. Live and learn.
In a similar vein (you can call this 3a if you wish), you've all heard the expression about having it coming out of both ends at the same time. Only once in my life have I been vomiting and had diarrhea at the same time. I was a teen and very sick with the flu or some bad bug. I had to crawl from the toilet to the bathtub. Fun!
4. I probably could have earned my living as a pianist. When I was 7 I started taking piano lessons from the same woman who taught my brother. He was good. Damn good. My teacher told my mother I had far more talent than my brother. I took lessons until I was 9 and suddenly lost interest. It's a shame, because I enjoyed it, but there were certain aspects of it that frustrated me, and it was because my teacher didn't know how to teach. She couldn't explain things to me in a manner in which my mind could comprehend. (And she was an alcoholic.) I have similar problems to this very day with learning new things. I don't respond well to instruction without understanding the why or the history behind it. I need full-spectrum instruction or I lose interest. And so, I'm not a pianist. I'm in advertising and experiencing some of the same frustration I experienced as a pianist-to-be.
One more shot to go, and then I'm done with this meme. Oh, what to confess, what to confess!
5. I am not happy about aging. When I turned 40 (which wasn't nearly as hard for me as turning 30), I was still getting carded occasionally for alcohol purchases. In fact, I've become quite the pal with the woman who works at my liquor store and I first met her about 6 years ago. She carded me when I bought a pack of cigarettes from her for the first time. I remember saying, "Jesus, how old do I have to be to buy cigarettes?" She said, "18." I said, "Well, I believe I got that covered." She examined my ID and said, "You look young." The rest is history. Literally.
I'm actually planning a separate post about the transition from 4o to 50 and it's likely to take awhile, but this is as good a time as any to introduce it. I have never identified with people my own age. Oh sure, I've had friends older than me for the past 20 years, and I get on dandy with people 5, 10, 15 years older than me. I borrowed a Janis Joplin book from a former co-worker who is probably 20 years older than me, and I can certainly relate to her. But I do not ever care to act my age, if that makes any sense.
It's been quite an experience for me starting my new job. I've worked at home, away from society at large, for the past 6 or 7 years. Getting back into the work force has been a huge challenge. I'm now back in an environment with people 20+ years younger than me, along with a sprinkling of people my age, or a few years older. And folks, it's an adjustment.
But I refuse to conform. I refuse to act my age. I refuse to cast away my creativity for the sake of fitting a mold. I will not be manipulated and I will not be controlled. And apparently I am lucky to have that luxury.
Time for another shot. And maybe load the pipe. Tagged: Take it and run with it if you are so inclined.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Who the Hell is Darrin Stephens?
And why don't people younger than me know who he is?
The agency I work for has a professional photographer to take a photo of each employee which is hung outside the cubicles and also posted on the internal web site of the company. I haven't had my photo taken yet so I decided to do something funny and put up a photo of my favorite advertising executive and I selected this one.
No one so far seems to have a clue who this person is. I thought it was funny. I guess I'm alone. Come on, people: he worked for McMann & Tate. Has everyone lost touch with the 60s?
Hump Day Birthdays
Rosie O'Donnell is 45.
Gary Oldman is 49.
Eddie James "Son" House was born on this day in 1902.
Had I known this when I got off the bus today, I'd already be 4 shots into the bottle. Due to my lack of information, I have none. Wine will do nicely however.
Rock on, brother.
Gary Oldman is 49.
Eddie James "Son" House was born on this day in 1902.
Had I known this when I got off the bus today, I'd already be 4 shots into the bottle. Due to my lack of information, I have none. Wine will do nicely however.
Rock on, brother.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Birthdays & Conspiracies
Spike Lee is 50.
I don't feel so old now.
I don't feel so old now.
Jimmie Vaughan is 57.
Performing live right here in Austin at the Capitol.
Bong Hits 4 Jesus
Keep an eye on this one. The Supreme Court could potentially find another use for duct tape. I can almost hear the whrrrrr of the paper shredder. The Bill of Rights is at risk yet again.
The print version is here.
A majority of the court seemed willing to create what would amount to a drug exception to students’ First Amendment rights, much as the court has in recent years permitted widespread drug testing of students, even those not personally suspected of using drugs, under a relaxed view of the Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable searches.
The print version is here.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Birthdays and Other Unpleasantries
Holy cow! Say it ain't so, Honey Ryder!!
Ursula Andress is 71.
Ursula Andress is 71.
Ornette Coleman is 77.
Wikipedia lists his birthday as March 9. The website where I gather this data says March 19. Who knows?
Randy Rhoads heavy metal guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, died in a plane crash at 25 in 1982. I guess that's the "other unpleasantries" portion of this post. Tragic. What a friggin' loss.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
1983-2007 | R.I.P. Platinum Card
I've been a "member" and carried a "Card" from a certain credit card company since 1983. That dates back to when I was a status symbol-obsessed youth. Since that time I have been accruing points on every purchase and never used them. I treat it like a savings account of sorts. If I ever wanted to take a free trip, the points are there. I had about 328,000 points as of this morning. That's good for quite a few trips! Too bad I never fly. I don't even like to be in close proximity to an airport.
Several years ago, probably more like 12 or 15, I was "invited" to upgrade to a Platinum card. This was before every other institution began issuing Platinum VISA cards out the ying-yang. I felt like I was part of an elite class; I felt special. Now I just feel rather stupid for playing along.
I've toyed with the idea of dumping the Card for the past couple of years. By the time I hit the bottom financially in early January I had decided to cancel my membership in this elite club when my next membership fee comes due in September. I already cancelled txrad's card in February.
Keep in mind, this Platinum card isn't cheap. It does come with some nice amenities for those with the finances to use them. A free companion ticket on certain overseas flights for business and first class flights is quite a perk. One such trip a year would offset the $395 annual membership fee for several years. But how many such trips have I taken? Zero.
After I found lucrative work again at the end of January, and txrad began working again last week, it had crossed my mind that perhaps I could hang on to my beloved Card now. I don't know why I have this completely irrational emotional attachment to a piece of plastic, and the tyrants behind it. (Ever been late with a payment to those folks?)
A letter I received this week from the Centurion has sealed the decision. I may have a job, and life may be grand again, but I have not forgotten how easy it is for situations to change, to go from rolling in the dough one day to wondering how we're going to feed the cats a week later. I'm enjoying being frugal, and honestly, I got over the Platinum status symbol honeymoon at least a decade ago.
The Centurion has informed me that my membership fee will be increasing to $450 this year. Umm, no it won't. And so, the Centurion has forced me to begin a shopping spree. Now I'm having fun.
This Creative Zen Vision:M 30 GB MP3 and Video Player is on the way. And yes, in GREEN. Why the hell not? I'm Irish! And I can start doing a Friday Random 10.
288,000 points remain. More shopping to be done.
Crossposted at B3
Several years ago, probably more like 12 or 15, I was "invited" to upgrade to a Platinum card. This was before every other institution began issuing Platinum VISA cards out the ying-yang. I felt like I was part of an elite class; I felt special. Now I just feel rather stupid for playing along.
I've toyed with the idea of dumping the Card for the past couple of years. By the time I hit the bottom financially in early January I had decided to cancel my membership in this elite club when my next membership fee comes due in September. I already cancelled txrad's card in February.
Keep in mind, this Platinum card isn't cheap. It does come with some nice amenities for those with the finances to use them. A free companion ticket on certain overseas flights for business and first class flights is quite a perk. One such trip a year would offset the $395 annual membership fee for several years. But how many such trips have I taken? Zero.
After I found lucrative work again at the end of January, and txrad began working again last week, it had crossed my mind that perhaps I could hang on to my beloved Card now. I don't know why I have this completely irrational emotional attachment to a piece of plastic, and the tyrants behind it. (Ever been late with a payment to those folks?)
A letter I received this week from the Centurion has sealed the decision. I may have a job, and life may be grand again, but I have not forgotten how easy it is for situations to change, to go from rolling in the dough one day to wondering how we're going to feed the cats a week later. I'm enjoying being frugal, and honestly, I got over the Platinum status symbol honeymoon at least a decade ago.
The Centurion has informed me that my membership fee will be increasing to $450 this year. Umm, no it won't. And so, the Centurion has forced me to begin a shopping spree. Now I'm having fun.
This Creative Zen Vision:M 30 GB MP3 and Video Player is on the way. And yes, in GREEN. Why the hell not? I'm Irish! And I can start doing a Friday Random 10.
Crossposted at B3
On This Day
Regular readers know I do some frequent birthday tributes here, and will also note certain days on which someone died. I retrieve this stuff from a "Today in History" website. There were a couple of odd entries there today:
1996 ? son of woman in coma raped by John Horace
1997 ? raped comatose woman who bore a child 1 year earlier, dies at 30
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Testing testing 1, 2, 3
I haven't posted anything today. So this is just a test post to make sure I'm still alive and kicking.
Actually, it's soul food night in the kona household. txrad went out and picked some collard greens, he got some purple hull peas going, I washed the greens and got those going with some onions and red pepper flakes, I have the corn bread ready to go in the oven as soon as the mac & cheese comes out, and then we're done.
Dinner will be served.
Actually, it's soul food night in the kona household. txrad went out and picked some collard greens, he got some purple hull peas going, I washed the greens and got those going with some onions and red pepper flakes, I have the corn bread ready to go in the oven as soon as the mac & cheese comes out, and then we're done.
Dinner will be served.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Songs From My Head
You all get songs stuck in your head at times, right?
This is going to be a new feature at konagod. I'm going to share what I have stuck in my head from time to time.
Tonight, this is it, and you get full size:
This is going to be a new feature at konagod. I'm going to share what I have stuck in my head from time to time.
Tonight, this is it, and you get full size:
I got dem workday blues
Well, not really. I can't really complain about a job where a band (whom I happen to like) comes in for a private in-house concert and to "premiere" their music video, and there was free beer, and this was at 2pm. I had 2 beers and went back to work afterwards.
Damn, life is hard sometimes.
I didn't get one of the free CDs though. I kept trying to position myself where I thought they were going to put them and wherever they did put them, they were all gone by the time I figured out where they were. Then they brought more and I had moved to where I thought they had been before. That was wrong. They put them where I had been.
Shit. Are we confused?
Damn, life is hard sometimes.
I didn't get one of the free CDs though. I kept trying to position myself where I thought they were going to put them and wherever they did put them, they were all gone by the time I figured out where they were. Then they brought more and I had moved to where I thought they had been before. That was wrong. They put them where I had been.
Shit. Are we confused?
Friday Pussy Blog
Tater Tot is being a bad boy, both this morning when I took this photo, and this afternoon. He likes to tease and torment Sissy. She'll only tolerate just so much.
I can't help but wonder what goes on around here now that both txrad and I are working downtown and out of the house all day.
I can't help but wonder what goes on around here now that both txrad and I are working downtown and out of the house all day.
Don't Try and Fix Me
I'm happy and there's nothing wrong with me that a little money can't cure. (hat tip to the Waitresses for that line)
Can someone find that passage in the Bible and let me know where it is? The Rev. R. Albert Mohler Jr., expressed these views on her personal web site earlier this month.
The president of the leading Southern Baptist seminary has suggested that a biological basis for homosexuality may be proven, and that prenatal treatment to reverse gay orientation would be biblically justified.
Can someone find that passage in the Bible and let me know where it is? The Rev. R. Albert Mohler Jr., expressed these views on her personal web site earlier this month.
The article, published on March 2, carried a long but intriguing title: “Is Your Baby Gay? What If You Could Know? What If You Could Do Something About It?”
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
55 Years is Ancient History
In Las Vegas apparently. How sad. One of my favorite attractions on the Strip was not the volcanos at the Mirage or the fountains at the Bellagio. It was simply those small fountains in front of the Startdust which would squirt water from one pool to another. It was simple and classy, and a little sexual. I wonder if those are gone as well. We can't salvage much in Vegas these days.
Old and gross. What an attitude.
“It’s always a little sad to see these places go, but that place was so old and gross — and old and gross don’t belong in Vegas,” said Jeff Remini, 49, of Los Angeles.
[...]
The oldest casino structure on the Strip now is a part of a coffee shop at the Sahara and dates back just 55 years.
Old and gross. What an attitude.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Personal Update & Birthdays, Etc.
I just realized I haven't done a post since Monday morning. That's what working hard will do to ya.
txrad finished his 2nd day at work today and all is going smoothly. It's kind of strange having him at the same place I work since it's been almost 7 years since that happened -- outside of us working from home, of course. Nevertheless I find it somewhat relaxing because I'm no longer in such a big hurry to leave work and get home since he's there now!
The good news is that we continue to come home and prepare dinner which is also relaxing. I'm not as tired as I used to be either. We're getting into a groove apparently.
Anyhoo, let's have some entertainment. Adam Clayton, bassist for U2 is just SLIGHTLY older than I am. He turned 47 today. Neil Sedaka is WAY older than I am and turned 68 today.
Neil is SOOOO gay.
txrad finished his 2nd day at work today and all is going smoothly. It's kind of strange having him at the same place I work since it's been almost 7 years since that happened -- outside of us working from home, of course. Nevertheless I find it somewhat relaxing because I'm no longer in such a big hurry to leave work and get home since he's there now!
The good news is that we continue to come home and prepare dinner which is also relaxing. I'm not as tired as I used to be either. We're getting into a groove apparently.
Anyhoo, let's have some entertainment. Adam Clayton, bassist for U2 is just SLIGHTLY older than I am. He turned 47 today. Neil Sedaka is WAY older than I am and turned 68 today.
Neil is SOOOO gay.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Photo of the Day
And understatement of the week.
Caption: A Palestinian youth threw stones at Israeli soldiers in Ramallah, West Bank, last week. Parents fear that the atmosphere of despair has destroyed their children's sense of hope.
Hmmm, ya think?
Caption: A Palestinian youth threw stones at Israeli soldiers in Ramallah, West Bank, last week. Parents fear that the atmosphere of despair has destroyed their children's sense of hope.
Hmmm, ya think?
Liza!
What kind of homo would I be without posting a birthday tribute to Liza Minnelli who turns 61 today.
And Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane is 65.
And Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane is 65.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Vacation or Anxiety Dream?
Hey, I like to get naked as much as anyone, but this is not my idea of a vacation.
I've had too many dreams already where I'm out in public and can't find my clothes. Maybe if they'd pay me $3,199 to get on the ship and travel light, I might consider it. Probably not. And I'm sure that price doesn't even include an all-you-can-drink tequila bar.
Source Events, a gay travel company, is offering the first gay nude luxury cruise this May in connection with Gay Naturists International, a nonprofit social organization.
[...]
Staterooms on the cruise start at $3,199, not including airfare and port taxes.
I've had too many dreams already where I'm out in public and can't find my clothes. Maybe if they'd pay me $3,199 to get on the ship and travel light, I might consider it. Probably not. And I'm sure that price doesn't even include an all-you-can-drink tequila bar.
Bush Seeks More Troops in Iraq -- No, I Mean MORE Troops
Of course, he'd bring this up while in Uruguay. There's got to be a few dozen in Congress who would love to slap the shit out of him. Fortunately for him, he's safely out of their reach for a few days.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
*Prices May Vary at Your Location
Today we dined out for the first time in about 2 months. We still opted for cheap since we're trying to be conservative with our money. (Imagine konagod describing himself as a conservative!)
txrad decided we'd try a new place not far from the house called Taco Del Mar. The menu online looked acceptable for a couple of vegetarians. $4.99 for a jumbo burrito with guac and sour cream is right within our budget. Elsewhere on their website there is some fine print which is the title of this post.
Notice at the top of this menu it clearly states the burritos include rice, beans, cheese, salsa and chips too. Well, I assumed the rice, beans and cheese would be IN the burrito since it's a veggie, and that was a correct assumption.
The store location we visited added a twist on the "prices may vary" caveat. Upgrade to a "combo" for an additional $1.99 and you get chips & salsa and a 22 oz. drink. The burritos do not automatically come with chips and salsa without upgrading to the combo plan. And honestly, it's a big rip-off.
I had already planned to get a small drink anyway, but a handful of chips, and a small plastic container of salsa with a drink for $1.99 is not what I'd call a "deal" for the customer. It's a sweet deal for the store since their product cost was probably in the neighborhood of 25-cents....
For a customer already spending five bucks on a burrito (considerably less hefty than the Chipotle burritos, I might add), I would expect a better upgrade deal on that combo. Or how about just throwing me that handful of chips and salsa, and let me pay $1.09 for the drink.
I'm just sayin'. Buyer beware. It was tasty though. They just had far fewer options for stuffing that burrito with goodness than what I've seen at other joints around town.
Oh, and notice the option at the bottom of their menu: "add enchilada sauce to your burrito for $1.00."
My goodness, bargains abound at this place!
The Future of My Blog
It's been 6 weeks now since I started a "real job" outside my home. I knew this meant an end to very much blogging during the week but I had no idea how close it would come to a total end of my blog. Originally I planned to get up and do a blog post in the early morning or do most of my blogging in the evening when I got home. That hasn't materialized, aside from the birthday and other tribute posts which don't require any of my own personal writing or thinking skills.
One victim has been my political posts. I barely have time to read the paper. And in all honesty, I'm going through a period of total burnout with the Iraq war situation. I'm not disengaged and I haven't stopped caring; but I just cannot get myself into a position where I want to write anything about it. Plenty of other bloggers do a fine job of that anyway.
Frankly, I'm sick of seeing, hearing and reading about Bush, Cheney, war, Libby, torture, lies and the fucking liars who tell them. The entire situation makes me want to puke so why the hell would I write about it? Politically, the only thing that excites me is 2008, and perhaps the last couple of months of 2007 leading up to the initial primaries. Like most of you, I am desperate for a radical change. And I use the word radical rather loosely here since it wouldn't take a hell of a lot to produce a radical change at this point.
Having said all of that, I have no idea what direction or focus I intend to pursue with my blog. There were several days when I seriously wanted to throw in the towel. And then something would happen to make me realize how much I love doing this. So I will continue, and in the meantime I'm going to ponder my focus, or the theme with which I want this blog to carry, not that I really need one.
Heavy posts will appear from time to time, some political in nature, but I can no longer stress about the fact that I can't do serious hard-hitting posts on a consistent basis.
This has been a strange and difficult year for me already. The year was barely 24 hours old when I came to the stark realization that my business was a mess, the debt was nearly impossible to manage due to lack of clients or clients in arrears with payments, and that hasn't changed. I still need to deal with that soon.
We were discussing the possibility of selling our house, packing up and moving to Arkansas. In fact, that much had been decided. My goal was to purchase a very inexpensive fixer-upper, pay cash for it if possible to avoid any monthly mortgage payments, and then use the profits from the sale of this house to erase our debt. I wanted to be in a debt-free situation and know that I could get by on a minimal income if necessary.
Then, very unexpectedly, I received a tip about a freelance position for which I was highly qualified, and which paid quite well. Clearly I would have been a fool to turn it down, but this did turn my life upside down yet again.
The first three weeks were absolute hell as I attempted to adapt to a vastly different work environment outside my home, not to mention the commute which has since become the most relaxing portion of my day thanks to convenient, cheap, and fast public transit. Then suddenly I began to make an adjustment at work. Rather than questioning myself for getting into this, I began to enjoy it, and by the end of the 4th week, I was truly loving it.
During this time, txrad also interviewed for a position with the same company and was hired. His first day on the job is Monday. During the past 6 weeks I've been relying quite heavily on him for everything during the workday which needed to be done, whether it was wrapping up loose ends with our business, shopping for groceries, or dealing with the banking. Obviously, that luxury is about to disappear and we're in for another period of adjustment.
When we lived in Los Angeles, we both worked for the same advertising agency for about 6 or 7 years. Life seemed so simple then. And the future seemed much more clear.
I'll get through it. We'll get through it. And the blog will continue.
One victim has been my political posts. I barely have time to read the paper. And in all honesty, I'm going through a period of total burnout with the Iraq war situation. I'm not disengaged and I haven't stopped caring; but I just cannot get myself into a position where I want to write anything about it. Plenty of other bloggers do a fine job of that anyway.
Frankly, I'm sick of seeing, hearing and reading about Bush, Cheney, war, Libby, torture, lies and the fucking liars who tell them. The entire situation makes me want to puke so why the hell would I write about it? Politically, the only thing that excites me is 2008, and perhaps the last couple of months of 2007 leading up to the initial primaries. Like most of you, I am desperate for a radical change. And I use the word radical rather loosely here since it wouldn't take a hell of a lot to produce a radical change at this point.
Having said all of that, I have no idea what direction or focus I intend to pursue with my blog. There were several days when I seriously wanted to throw in the towel. And then something would happen to make me realize how much I love doing this. So I will continue, and in the meantime I'm going to ponder my focus, or the theme with which I want this blog to carry, not that I really need one.
Heavy posts will appear from time to time, some political in nature, but I can no longer stress about the fact that I can't do serious hard-hitting posts on a consistent basis.
This has been a strange and difficult year for me already. The year was barely 24 hours old when I came to the stark realization that my business was a mess, the debt was nearly impossible to manage due to lack of clients or clients in arrears with payments, and that hasn't changed. I still need to deal with that soon.
We were discussing the possibility of selling our house, packing up and moving to Arkansas. In fact, that much had been decided. My goal was to purchase a very inexpensive fixer-upper, pay cash for it if possible to avoid any monthly mortgage payments, and then use the profits from the sale of this house to erase our debt. I wanted to be in a debt-free situation and know that I could get by on a minimal income if necessary.
Then, very unexpectedly, I received a tip about a freelance position for which I was highly qualified, and which paid quite well. Clearly I would have been a fool to turn it down, but this did turn my life upside down yet again.
The first three weeks were absolute hell as I attempted to adapt to a vastly different work environment outside my home, not to mention the commute which has since become the most relaxing portion of my day thanks to convenient, cheap, and fast public transit. Then suddenly I began to make an adjustment at work. Rather than questioning myself for getting into this, I began to enjoy it, and by the end of the 4th week, I was truly loving it.
During this time, txrad also interviewed for a position with the same company and was hired. His first day on the job is Monday. During the past 6 weeks I've been relying quite heavily on him for everything during the workday which needed to be done, whether it was wrapping up loose ends with our business, shopping for groceries, or dealing with the banking. Obviously, that luxury is about to disappear and we're in for another period of adjustment.
When we lived in Los Angeles, we both worked for the same advertising agency for about 6 or 7 years. Life seemed so simple then. And the future seemed much more clear.
I'll get through it. We'll get through it. And the blog will continue.
More Than a Feeling
When I was in my teens my brother was a scoutmaster and arranged to take his troop to the Minnesota/Ontario border region in March for a week of ice camping. I was never a scout but he invited me along. It was a chance for me to blow off a week of school.
We loaded up the bus with all our supplies and left Arkansas on a cool morning for the trek north. The bus was equipped with what I would assume at the time was an 8-track tape player and one of the boys brought along the debut album from the band Boston. I'd probably heard a song or two on the radio and don't recall thinking this was anything I'd ever want to own. But after hearing it for hour after hour on a long road trip I began to appreciate what a phenomenal talent they had.
For me, this is one of those few albums that is forever linked to an unforgettable experience in my life. When I hear it I remember so many details of that week in Minnesota, and of course the hours and hours spent on the road.
Tom Scholz, guitarist/keyboardist for the band, is 60 years old today. And I had no idea he has been a vegetarian for 25 years, or that he received a Mahatma Gandhi award in 1987 for his charity work, and a Man of the Year award in 1988 from the National Hospice Organization.
Brad Delp, the band's lead singer was found dead at his home in New Hampshire yesterday. The cause of death is under investigation. He was 55.
We loaded up the bus with all our supplies and left Arkansas on a cool morning for the trek north. The bus was equipped with what I would assume at the time was an 8-track tape player and one of the boys brought along the debut album from the band Boston. I'd probably heard a song or two on the radio and don't recall thinking this was anything I'd ever want to own. But after hearing it for hour after hour on a long road trip I began to appreciate what a phenomenal talent they had.
For me, this is one of those few albums that is forever linked to an unforgettable experience in my life. When I hear it I remember so many details of that week in Minnesota, and of course the hours and hours spent on the road.
Tom Scholz, guitarist/keyboardist for the band, is 60 years old today. And I had no idea he has been a vegetarian for 25 years, or that he received a Mahatma Gandhi award in 1987 for his charity work, and a Man of the Year award in 1988 from the National Hospice Organization.
“Boston,” largely recorded in Mr. Scholz’s basement, has sold more than 17 million copies in the United States.
Brad Delp, the band's lead singer was found dead at his home in New Hampshire yesterday. The cause of death is under investigation. He was 55.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Friday Pussy Blog
Samantha loves to curl up in a box. I had been using this basket to display some funky squash between October and when they started to rot in early January. Then Samantha decided she liked the basket. I could have done the red eye correction but I thought they matched the basket quite nicely. And since she is the spawn of Satan, they are appropriate.
Happy Friday Birthdays
Oh, this is fun for a Friday.
Martin Fry, vocalist of ABC, is 49 today.
John Cale is 65.
You might want to fire up a big fat one for this.
Martin Fry, vocalist of ABC, is 49 today.
John Cale is 65.
You might want to fire up a big fat one for this.
Glenda Jackson is 71.
I LOVE her voice. It has to be one of the most distinctive in show biz.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
What's Up With the Site Meter
I average 70-100 visits a day. Yesterday when I got home from work it said I'd had 8 visitors all day.
So far today, it has registered zero.
At this rate I'll never make it to a million.
Aside from that, it's Thursday and I'm about to conclude a very interesting week at my "new" job. The company I work for is so large, we can have our own in-house web pages and even our own in-house blogs.
Fancy that.
I think I'll stick with this one for now.
Life gets stranger every day.
I could go on.
So far today, it has registered zero.
At this rate I'll never make it to a million.
Aside from that, it's Thursday and I'm about to conclude a very interesting week at my "new" job. The company I work for is so large, we can have our own in-house web pages and even our own in-house blogs.
Fancy that.
I think I'll stick with this one for now.
Life gets stranger every day.
I could go on.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Townes Van Zandt
The man was born on this day in 1944, so away we go with an essential tribute.
But wait… there’s more.
But wait… there’s more.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
What a Day
I was so happy to be leaving work today at 4:20.
I got to my car just after 5:00 and headed towards the traffic light and noticed a strange noise. I pulled over and got out to inspect my tires and the right rear tire was completely flat.
Damn.
I had to change a tire and fortunately was able to drive across the street to the Firestone place and drop it off for repair.
The mistake I made was washing my hands there with their degreaser soap. I can't get the odor off my hands now.
Tequila has helped to diffuse the situation.
I got to my car just after 5:00 and headed towards the traffic light and noticed a strange noise. I pulled over and got out to inspect my tires and the right rear tire was completely flat.
Damn.
I had to change a tire and fortunately was able to drive across the street to the Firestone place and drop it off for repair.
The mistake I made was washing my hands there with their degreaser soap. I can't get the odor off my hands now.
Tequila has helped to diffuse the situation.
Monday, March 05, 2007
My Rant du Jour
This is related to my post early this morning, but I can't stop myself.
What is it with these friggin' banks/credit card issuers these days? I have a MasterCard payment due tomorrow. I went to their website to pay online. After going through a lengthy registration process and entering my bank information, I was informed it would take 6 business days before the process would be completed.
That wouldn't work since the bill is due tomorrow. So I called their 800# and went through a long automated process and found an option for doing the same thing on the phone using the automated service. After I had entered the bank information again, I was informed there was a $15 charge for using this service.
Well, excuse the fuck out of me! I'm trying to pay THEM what I owe them and they want ME to pay for the privilege of paying THEM. Go figure.
I called and bitched and they processed the payment at no charge. God, these people make life unnecessarily hard. And talk about greedy. Trying to screw me out of $15 now or $39 is my payment is late due to their inexcusable 6 day delay on setting up my online payment is not only absurd but immoral.
Grrrrrrrrr!
What is it with these friggin' banks/credit card issuers these days? I have a MasterCard payment due tomorrow. I went to their website to pay online. After going through a lengthy registration process and entering my bank information, I was informed it would take 6 business days before the process would be completed.
That wouldn't work since the bill is due tomorrow. So I called their 800# and went through a long automated process and found an option for doing the same thing on the phone using the automated service. After I had entered the bank information again, I was informed there was a $15 charge for using this service.
Well, excuse the fuck out of me! I'm trying to pay THEM what I owe them and they want ME to pay for the privilege of paying THEM. Go figure.
I called and bitched and they processed the payment at no charge. God, these people make life unnecessarily hard. And talk about greedy. Trying to screw me out of $15 now or $39 is my payment is late due to their inexcusable 6 day delay on setting up my online payment is not only absurd but immoral.
Grrrrrrrrr!
Happy (Black?) Monday
Are the US markets going to take another big dump today? I'm tired of this.
And this little tidbit got me thinking... so, I'm supposed to feel guilty about possibly having to file for bankruptcy? I think not.
One red Ferrari would wipe out all my corporate and personal debt. Guilt be gone!
And this little tidbit got me thinking... so, I'm supposed to feel guilty about possibly having to file for bankruptcy? I think not.
For Kal Elsayed, a former executive at New Century Financial, a large lender based in Irvine, driving a red convertible Ferrari to work at a company that provided home loans to people with low incomes and weak credit might have appeared ostentatious, he now acknowledges. But, he says, that was nothing compared with the private jets that executives at other companies had.
One red Ferrari would wipe out all my corporate and personal debt. Guilt be gone!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
We're All Going To Die Soon
And it doesn't matter what we try to do to stave it off. It will happen.
This is what the conservatives don't get. Nor do the liberals.
We just continue with the political bullshit as if it mattered in the grand scheme of things.
This is what the conservatives don't get. Nor do the liberals.
We just continue with the political bullshit as if it mattered in the grand scheme of things.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Saturday Night Beer Blogging
After reading about all the potent brews present at the Tartfest, I decided to spend a few extra minutes today in the supermarket checking out some I've never tried. We picked up a six-pack of these.
The wallop started with the $10.99 price tag. The next wallop will be delivered courtesy of the 8.5% alcohol content after I've had a few shots of tequila. I'll post my comments later, but wanted to give a heads up that we have new brew in the house. This stuff comes from Downington, PA. "Hops, hops and more hops."
Don't I know some bloggers around there?
The verdict is in: This is quite good.. Very hoppy, but smooth. A little bitter but I'm not having to force myself to drink it. It's smooth and pleasurable with a hop bite. And txrad is laughing at a Hitchcock film, so all is well in konaville.
"No, mother, I have NOT been drinking. These two men, they poured a whole bottle of bourbon into me. No they didn't give me a chaser."
The wallop started with the $10.99 price tag. The next wallop will be delivered courtesy of the 8.5% alcohol content after I've had a few shots of tequila. I'll post my comments later, but wanted to give a heads up that we have new brew in the house. This stuff comes from Downington, PA. "Hops, hops and more hops."
Don't I know some bloggers around there?
The verdict is in: This is quite good.. Very hoppy, but smooth. A little bitter but I'm not having to force myself to drink it. It's smooth and pleasurable with a hop bite. And txrad is laughing at a Hitchcock film, so all is well in konaville.
"No, mother, I have NOT been drinking. These two men, they poured a whole bottle of bourbon into me. No they didn't give me a chaser."
And Yes, That Bottle Was Full at 5:30
Guess we need another one for tonight! As txrad said, and I quote: "I made a mess last night."
Yes you did boy, yes you did. It's OK; it's all clean now.
Yes you did boy, yes you did. It's OK; it's all clean now.
Friday, March 02, 2007
On This Day (and a glimpse into konagod's early personal life)
Jon Bon Jovi is 45
Is he ever going to start looking like...old?
Is he ever going to start looking like...old?
This clip is hilarious (especially after a few shots of tequila)
Dale Bozzio is 52
Call me shallow, but the Missing Persons CD is one I'd haul off to the proverbial desert island. Brilliant for the era, and has withstood the test of time. Terry Bozzio, the band's drummer and Dale's ex-husband is phenomenal as a drummer. IMHO.
Lou Reed is 65
From 1974, live in Paris...ahhh, my era. Margot, are you listening?
Dr Seuss was born on this day in 1904
Dale Bozzio is 52
Call me shallow, but the Missing Persons CD is one I'd haul off to the proverbial desert island. Brilliant for the era, and has withstood the test of time. Terry Bozzio, the band's drummer and Dale's ex-husband is phenomenal as a drummer. IMHO.
Lou Reed is 65
From 1974, live in Paris...ahhh, my era. Margot, are you listening?
Dr Seuss was born on this day in 1904
These photos I just took of a Dr. Seuss book I had when I was probably 4 years old. If you'll look closely you'll see I was somewhat obsessed with anatomy, or pornography, depending on your political persuasion. I drew tits on everyone regardless of gender, and I drew very long dicks on everyone regardless of gender. This isn't the only book I own where there is evidence of this obsession. Strange. Later, probably when I was 6 or 7 and learned the value of an eraser, I can see where I tried to go back and destroy the evidence. Too late. Now the entire world knows. Or at least the few dozen people who read this blog.
Greetings from Austin
Another week down the tubes! As I left work today I snapped a few pictures. I must be getting inspired by Nicole and her mobile blog! Also got a nice picture of the place where I work but I won't be posting that. Confidentiality and all that. I'll send one of those to my mother. But here's a few for the rest of you:
Downtown Austin as seen from the 3rd floor where I am gainfully employed:
And miraculously I have yet to eat at my favorite burger joint despite the fact that it's just a short walk from my office -- I'm still pinching pennies and taking my lunch to work, but damn... I sure would like to have that Richie Valens veggie burger with a side of onion rings and fries.
Ritchie Valens Burger:
guacamole, grated cheese, chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, mayo and mustard.
Mercy! It's dinner time... but pizza night for us.
Downtown Austin as seen from the 3rd floor where I am gainfully employed:
And miraculously I have yet to eat at my favorite burger joint despite the fact that it's just a short walk from my office -- I'm still pinching pennies and taking my lunch to work, but damn... I sure would like to have that Richie Valens veggie burger with a side of onion rings and fries.
guacamole, grated cheese, chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, mayo and mustard.
Mercy! It's dinner time... but pizza night for us.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
On This Day
Burning Spear [Winston Rodney] is 62.
Roger Daltrey is 63.
Harry Belafonte is 80.
David Niven would have been 98.
Good heavens!!
It gets worse:
Frédéric Chopin would have been 197.
Jackie Coogan (Uncle Fester) died on this day in 1984 at age 69.
(oops, wrong photo... sorry.... click on it for the real video)
Johnny Cash and June Carter were married on this day in 1968.
Roger Daltrey is 63.
Harry Belafonte is 80.
David Niven would have been 98.
Good heavens!!
It gets worse:
Frédéric Chopin would have been 197.
Jackie Coogan (Uncle Fester) died on this day in 1984 at age 69.
(oops, wrong photo... sorry.... click on it for the real video)
Johnny Cash and June Carter were married on this day in 1968.
Naming No Names
I'm not saying who, but somebody needs to stop drinking tequila on a work night. Nevertheless, this somebody managed to get up this morning, have two cups of coffee, scan through the NY Times, shower, shave, catch a bus by 6:40 and get to the office by 7:10, only to put in the most exhausting day.
Wow. Just wow. Somebody is too old for this shit!
Anyhoo, tomorrow is Friday. There will be pussy blogging, and.... tequila involved.
Oh my God, it's March already. How did that happen?
Wow. Just wow. Somebody is too old for this shit!
Anyhoo, tomorrow is Friday. There will be pussy blogging, and.... tequila involved.
Oh my God, it's March already. How did that happen?