whoops... a belated happy holidays everyone!

I love the giant wreath :) It was a great Xmas but now I'm very much ready to move on to the new year!

A picture is worth a thousand Swedish meatballs

Somebody needs to tell the folks at IKEA that some words translate poorly into the English lexicon. I think this item can be used in conjunction with other IKEA products called HËRPES and TÖB TOPPS.

100th Post! Yippee! When do I get my gold fountain pen?

It was bound to happen sooner or later :)

Iron Chef

Okay, so I'm not quite a chef per se, nor am I made of iron or iron-like in any way (and judging by the bulge of my shirt, I'd be more of a doughy or marshmallowy chef). But I'm cooking!!! Yesiree bob! I'm in the kitchen and making delicious food for folks – in this case, mini bleu cheese bacon fennel burgers. Mmmmmmmmm.... mmmmmm... GOOD! I know making food isn't such a big dealio for many, but considering that the best thing I could cook up a few months ago was a can of chili, I'm pretty stoked :)

The porcelain bunny was trying to get an M&M all night. Maybe he was just looking at them... anyway, I wish we got more party pictures, but suffice to say it was a lot of fun! A big thanks to all who were there :D

YouTube now TheirTube

Not sure how much I like the fact that Google owns YouTube. After all, they had to pull a lot of interesting content off for fear of lawsuits. On the upside I just watched highlights from the latest Sharks game – apparently the suits have figured out that people like watching video on the internet and now they're posting "official" content. Of course, the way hockey ratings are going, they might as well save some money and just skip broadcasting and post entire games online!

Thy Xmas party cometh

So tomorrow there's a gathering of close friends at our place. And of course, with such a big occasion looming and there bound to being lots of photo taking, I've developed a zit right in the center of my giant forehead. The vastness of the real estate that surrounds it not withstanding, the zit also appears to be framed by my trademark eyebrows ("trademark" ~ "caterpillar-like"). Sigh... I guess I'll be doing lots of photoshopping soon. In the meantime, I'll notify the FAA so they can alter the flight paths of planes landing at Oakland International.

Why the world needs good designers...

I saw this strange ad that isn't for Netflix (tricky!). For some reason, someone thought it was good to show an image of a woman kissing a snowman that looks like he has a giant tumor (or another head) growing out the side of his face. Truly bizarre art direction!!

Friday night was a lot of fun - guys' night out in SF. It almost was called due to severe inclement weather, but Tony saved the day by pushing us out the door and assured us it wouldn't be raining when we got to where we were going. Shockingly (and I really was shocked) it wasn't raining by the time we got into town. Who would have thunk it? Like I said, it was a lot of fun, but here are my drinks in order of disappearance (to the best of my memory): beer, beer, white russian, black russian, irish car bomb, beer.

I think that might be a lot for an occasional drinker like myself, but I'm sure not anywhere near what many people take down in one night. That being said, I was pretty much hung over for all of Saturday, Sunday, and probably a little bit of Monday (did I mention I have a lingering cold or something as well?). Let's just say I'm not going to be wanting anything with alcohol in it for some time!

Sigh... I've looked (and felt) better...

UPDATE: So I saw the ad again and it is a Netflix ad after all! Shame on you Netflix for having such a cool look and besmirching it with such an awful photo!

Yabba Dabba Poo!*

So I've finally moved into the world of serious limb and digit chopping off power tools. The other day I used this bad boy to make a 6 inch 30˚ angled cross cut for a small support for the bracket of a new clothes rod in the closet. I was very anxious before I began, but it was all over in less than a second, and it was a big rush (which kinda reminds me of another first-time experience, but I can't quite recall what.) This particular model has a 'live' indicator, work LED, laser to blind foes with, and it even cuts wood!

*What Fred Flinstone exclaims when he steps in what Dino has left behind. (I just made that joke up and I don't know why I find it so funny - I just do. I was going to make it "Yabba Dabba Jew!" and reference Mel Gibson somehow, but that didn't work out.)

Sne Buh Nuh

I'm feeling nonsensical today.

Shhhh!!! I'm internetting...

How can it be Friday already??? That's what I want to know! I guess between being sick and playing Guitar Hero, the week just flew on by. After taking last week off for vacation for Thanksgiving and not getting any work for another week, I'm starting to freak out a little. Do they remember who I am? Am I out of favor? Was I replaced? So many neurosis, so little time. (seriously, I hope they give me more work soon!)

I'm typing this entry with my new fangled keyboard from Logitech. It's been a long time coming I guess, but I finally got around to wanting to replace my 4+ year old mouse and ended up getting a combo set from Logitech's "Laser" series (soon to be followed by a "Blazer" and "Taser" series I'm sure). I had serious input device envy after Cathryn got hers!

It's super flat and has all sorts of dohickey buttons that I can customize (I have a one-touch button to launch Bejeweled 2 – yes, it's a sickness). The mouse can control volume and to and fro in the browser on top of its normal mousely duties. Best of all, they're both wireless! Which doesn't really mean anything for me since I'm usually chained to the desk, but at least I feel more like a bona fide professional now because I've heard that anything wireless is cool.

Lastly but certainly not least – I often enjoy a wonderful gift Haydee got for me a while back in the form of a nodding Sunshine Buddie. By chance my parents came over and my mom got to finally see it during the day when it works. It made her so happy in the simple way that it works for me, that it was an easy call to know what I'm going to get her for Xmas (I got a green little guy off of eBay – the green one is for health). Now if I can only figure out what to get my dad. Parents are so hard to buy for!

Obessessed!

I have no idea WHY I want this game so much. I'm sure it wont even be that fun after a week. So I'm holding back on purchasing it – which of course makes me want it even more!

The act or feeling of wanting is sometimes so strange to me. I know want only brings about either suffering or more want, neither which are very good for the soul. But alas, I want to live out an air guitar dream I didn't even know I had!

Change is enevitable. Hmmmm...

Almost 8 years ago, when I just couldn't stand it anymore at my parent's house (I'm sure I was insufferable as well), I finally moved out. Our relationship has vastly improved since then and a lot of things have changed for me personally. I know it may seem odd, but the whole reason I started thinking back is because I just helped my parents replace their kitchen faucet, which was approximately the same age (I bought it for them when I bought mine).

Recently, I've been looking around the house at various fixtures and appliances and realized how much has changed from my mindset when I first purchased them to now. I know it's stupid, but the notion of wanting to replace it all or needing to replace it all feels very unsettling to me. I still remember growing up with the same awful pink bathroom tiles, squeaky chairs, and various other fixtures. It's weird what you remember as a kid.

I guess maybe I'm just feeling old lately. I want to have the time and energy to simply run around pointlessly in a gopher infested field again.

All of this being said though, I am very grateful for many, many things. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

It's perfectly cromulent

It's finally here! Friday at last! I can't wait to start my vacation as soon as possible. My head is tired of thinking of too many things and my heart is heavy from dealing with too many things. I'll soon be happily organizing closets, working on electrical in the garage, and wandering around the aisles of Target :)

Recently purchased at Target®
Holiday storage container ~ $5.88 on sale! Red and green mark this plastic storage container as Xmas holiday central (I dumped all my Halloween gear in it, shhhh....don't tell Cathryn!)
Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly ~ $24.99 on sale! A fun gift we got for my newphews. The playing pieces are seriously fun!
Panasonic Inverter Microwave ~ $88.88 on sale! This beauty has replaced my 10+ year old microwave and has such modern amenities as: turntable dish inside, digital timer, 1.2 cu ft of interior space (seriously, do you remember my old microwave? it took 2 minutes to make water go from room temp to lukewarm!)

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

After reading Julienne's blog about GTA, I just had to make my own top 10 lists of things I like to do in the game... (drum roll...)

10. Stop my car on the freeway and cause a HUGE pileup. Then throw a grenade in the middle of the pile and watch the chain reaction of explosions.

9. Mow down a group of rival gang members and gather their weapons and cash afterwards.

8. Take the slowest, biggest vehicle I can find on a jump ramp.

7. Drive on the freeway and streets on a motorcycle as fast as possible in the wrong direction for as long as possible.

6. Hit a pedestrian so they go straight up in the air, then look in the rear view to see them land.

5. Try to open a police car door, then when the cop steps out, let him chase you once around his car and then steal it.

4. Find a nice elevated spot with overhead cover and only one entrance, do rocket launcher cheat and shoot anything that moves.

3. Making CJ as fat as possible with constant trips to fast food restaurants, then watch him try to run.

2. Perform an end around on a police blockade, and then mow everyone down in a straight line.

1. Steal car. Cause mayhem. Repeat.

In other news, if you're a user of ear plugs or need a recommendation for one - I found a fantastic brand that was recommended by a Slate article. Hearos Ultimate Soft Series earplugs are pretty much like their name. Super soft and very effective!

And finally, here's some spam that I was recently sent. I can't decide if it's completely lame or if it's genius!

When the going gets tough, he's really rough, with a Hong Kong Phooey chop (Hi-Ya!). Thunder, thunder, thundercats, Ho! Thundercats are on the move, Thundercats are loose. Maybe tomorrow, I'll want to settle down, Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on. Straight'nin' the curve, flat'nin' the hills. One for all and all for one, it's a pretty story. wishing for The Cities of Gold. This is my boss, Jonathan Hart, a self-made millionaire, he's quite a guy. Hong Kong Phooey, number one super guy. Down the road, that's where I'll always be. Do-do-do-do, Cities of Gold. Ulysses - no-one else can

Love that irony...

Paper or plastic? Disposable or cotton? Ceramic mug or Styrofoam cup? These questions and more plague our tryin' to be green everyday existence. Wired recently had an interesting article with some surprising answers. I scanned the page so you can read it here for your pleasure (click on the small image and a big one should show up).

The one about hand washing dishes really surprised me. Since I don't have a dishwasher, I have to admit I'm the guy who washes dishes with the water running. I had assumed I still did better than a dishwasher, but decided to do a test – I hand washed some dishes and plugged the sink to see how quickly it would fill up. To my surprise, I only got a quarter of the way through a set of dishes before the sink was full!

So I did another test and only ran the faucet when I rinsed and only a little shot to make whatever I was washing wet (or none at all if it was already wet). The result was less than half a sink full for the rest of the dishes. It was easy to get used to washing dishes that way, and I'm very glad to know that I'm wasting that much less water. Thanks Wired :)

Next big thing?

New Young Pony Club - Ice Cream

I can't wait for the remix versions of this song. This band is seriously awesome in the most 80s-ish way you can think of!

When in doubt, pinky out!

I don't think I ever posted this shot of me waiting to eat my food. I was on my best behavior at Sean and Melissa's reception :) I'm using the photo for my profile at Sushimonsters.com. If they don't go out of business, the website is another great tool for finding sushi locally.


And as for this guy... well, I think a punching cat is self explanatory. If you can't get enough of him (like me) go here.

In response to a seriously rough past 10 days, I'm writing a comedy...

Bird flies overhead.
Hair feels wet.

SBUX

Now that I have my easy button, all my problems will be solved with a press of this big, shiny, red button! Bonus: it's a charitable product sold at Staples for five bucks.

Speaking of charitable, it's that time of year again! My favorite charity, Toys 4 Tots is now being backed up by Toy's R Us. From now until November 22, bring in any unwrapped toy to any Toy's (or Baby's) R Us store and they will match the donation! (up to one million toys). Kids may need a lot of things that might be more of a necessity than toys, but I think having something to play with can help beyond measure in intangible ways with the tough stuff every kid goes through growing up (I absorbed myself in Legos).

You may have wondered, nay, had a burning desire to find out why I have two logos below this post's picture. Have I gone mad? Have I gotten sponsorship? Neither! I just wanted to push again different ways you can save or invest your money. Too many people think they can't save or that they don't have enough money to save or invest.

I just discovered Sharebuilder.com, a GREAT way to get into stocks, because you don't have to think about buying shares. Google at $450 per share and you only have $40? No problem! You tell Sharebuilder to buy $40 worth of Google and you end up buying a partial share. Each non realtime trade is $4 and there are no set up fees, minimums to fund, or inactivity penalties. The stock market on average returns 10% on long-term investments (5-10+ years).

Do you have a savings account at your bank that's drawing 2% or trapped in a CD for months or years? Put your money in an ING Orange account. It's currently at 4.4% for an annual return and is semi-liquid. That is, all funds are transferred electronically to or from your checking account. Either way takes 3-5 business days to complete. There are no minimums and no fees. The best part is that you can set up an automatic savings plan to take cash from your checking! Schedule it to transfer $40 a month – chances are you wont miss it, and by the end of the year, you'll have $480. If you sign up, tell 'em I sent you and we both get promo cash added to our accounts.

Sorry for all the directives, but all this stuff I really believe in (and take part in) and I definitely want to share the knowledge that I've gained through lots of research and poking around. If you have any advice about charities, saving money, or investing money, (especially if you think I've got it wrong!) I'd love to hear about it!

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My chin is cold. Why you ask? Because I promised myself that I would shave off the goatee after Halloween. I can't say I miss it much though. It was always snagging on things, moving around when it was windy (which gave the strangest tugging sensation on my chin), and towards the end when it was longer, every now and again it would end up in my mouth (YUCK).

The photos are from this Saturday at Cleve's. I really like the quality of the image the camera phone produces (excellent shots taken by Cathryn). I think I missed out on the casting call for the break dancin' DJ villain from Zoolander.

In continuation of my assault on literature with six word stories, Cathryn wanted me to pen a mystery...

None shall prevail.
The perfect crime.

If I read "spooktacular savings" ONE more time...

Sadly, I'm not so much in the Halloween spirit this year. But I do feel something a comin' on. Maybe it was the windstorm that swept through this afternoon that flooded the streets with fall leaves. Or maybe it was putting up Cathryn's paper bats for work, but I think it's starting to finally feel more like autumn to me (ah, the beautifully temperate Bay Area). And tonight I even figured out a great idea for a costume!

If you haven't yet, you should check out Merima's pumpkins.

For some reason, I'm SO jonesing for a snack right now. Like Cheetos or Cheez-its (that Cheez-it craving isn't going away). Mmmm.... something crunchy and salty. I wonder how Bugles are doing these days. I swear they must put amphetamines in that stuff.

Anyway, here's another six word story :) This time, a bodice-ripper...

Innocent embrace
developed into
fiery passion.