Dear Stalker: Give me a job

Someone with the National Park Service was stalking my blog. It doesn't really bother me. I was a bit surprised to see that someone in DC was cruising posts for half an hour. Thought big brother was coming after me until I found out the source was the NPS. Of all the government offices out there I think they're the most non threatening. In fact I'd work for them if given the opportunity. So to the NPS people following my blog I have this to say: Give me a job. Any job would do. As long as I can spent a couple weeks a year getting paid to chill in the parks...

Speaking of the NPS, I started watching the Ken Burns documentary The National Parks: America's Best Idea. It's been really good so far. I'm about halfway through. I didn't realize it was 12 hours long when I started watching it. So far the most interesting part has been about the flooding of Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite. You might remember that when I visited the park I went to Hetch Hetchy. Seeing all the old pictures from before the dam was build was really sad. The place was gorgeous and they buried it in water. Nothing would please me more than for San Francisco to find a better place to get their water from and tear down the damn dam. I think that John Muir said it best, "One may as well dam for water tanks the people's cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man."...

The documentary is also loaded with stuff about John Muir, who was fascinating. I had no idea that before heading out west Muir's plan was to hike all the way to South American and find the head waters of the Amazon. That's hard core. I could also really get behind that guys philosophy. I think I'm going to have to find a good biography about him. I totally agree that in nature you can find the most impressive "cathedrals", more breathtaking than any church in Europe. It makes me want to see more. I guess I just need to be patient. Two more months and I'll get to check out Rocky Mountian NP and a bunch of others around Utah...

Don't you agree?


Yosemite Valley


Thunder Creek, North Cascades


Mount Rainier

"The problem is you're just too damn sexy"

So I've been working on some ideas for this totem pole. I think that I'm going to do a horizontal orca that is accented with other characters. Here's a quick sketch I did the other day. It's by no means a finished product and the quality sucks but kinda shows what I'm talking about...



I need to figure out the color scheme. I've been messing with a few things but I don't seem to like anything all that much. I know that it's going to be mostly black and white, beyond that I'm at a loss. I'm also trying to figure out how to incorporate various symbols I want to be a part of it. I think that they fin's and the tail are going to sport a few other characters, but we'll see. Like I've said, first I need to make a lil one...

This dude that works for my company is in the office today. He keeps touching me. If it happens again I might freak out and threaten his life. I don't know why anyone would assume it's okay to come up behind a person and start rubbing their neck. Creepy...



That last one is courtesy of Google Image "Creepy Dude"

Bumble bumble bumble bee

So I might trail off from blogging next week. I'm going to be assisting in the training of our new employee and I don't think that I want to blog with someone looking over my shoulder. But you never know. I might have to blog the whole experience. Actually Twitter is probably better for that. So even if I'm not putting up new posts keep an eye on my Twitter feed. It could be good...

Woodland Park Zoo is planning on closing the Nocturnal House. It's really a sad day. My favorite animal, the Ocelot, lives there, along with all kinds of other great animals like vampire bats, armadillos and sloths. Sunday there is an event scheduled to show support for the exhibit. You can find info here. Also join the FB group so that the Zoo realizes how many people don't want this exhibit to go... *The Ocelot does not live there. I was mistaken. When I got to the zoo it turns out that the Ocelot might be moving into the rain forest exhibit and is current in the house next to the Komodo Dragons, those things are awesome. However the bushbabies do live in the nocturnal house and are pretty awesome. It'll be sad to see it go...

Jim Mora is out as the Seahawks head coach. I don't really understand why they'd fire him before even hiring a new GM. I kinda hope whoever the new GM is just goes out and rehires him. He was given the same group as Holmgren had in his last season and came up with a 5-11 record compared to Mikes 4-12. To me it sounds like a bad team, not a bad coach. What the hawks really need to do is put together a decent offensive line and figure out what the long term situation with Matt Hasselbeck is. I'm still crossing my fingers that we're going to see Jake Locker in a hawks uniform in a couple years...

This plant continues to bring me unprecedented happiness...

What will we do without you John Curley?

This is going to be a painful week I think. I'm only 3 hours into the workweek and I'm bored out of my mind. Don't be surprised if it leads to many posts...

I went shopping on Saturday. What a scene. I took the bus out to Northgate. As I said to a friend earlier, "hyper-consumerism is draining and down right nauseating". Everywhere people were swarming. Everyone seemed to be completely lost in a sea of retail. The one saving grace was that I didn't have to listen to the sounds associated with the frenzy. I started the scene with a little Of Montreal, but that was too hectic and I switched it up to Kid A. Treefingers was perfect. After about 3 hours I'd had enough. I wasn't done, but any longer and I might have committed a felony. Should be able to get the rest wrapped up (pun intended) tonight...

I want to thank everyone for coming out on Friday. I had a great time...

New Year is coming up. A post up on Daruma-san got me thinking about goals for 2010. I commented a couple. Might have to elaborate for a post next week. We'll see...

I have no idea what I'm doing for the New Years holiday. It's a full moon that night, so I'm a bit concerned. NYE is always insane and I'm sure that the lunar cycle is just going to fuel the fire. Maybe I'll just sit at home and do puzzles. SCRATCH THAT!!! I know what I'm doing. Just forgot. Whatever happens I know that I am going to miss John Curley and his festive antics...




Mad props to RJS for hooking me up with the "strike" knowledge!

Degeneration

They shot the cop killer this morning. Hopefully this gives some sense of closure for the families affected by this tragedy and they can start to piece together what's left of their lives. I totally agree with PMRob in that anyone found to have been aiding the man in eluding the police should now be charged with four counts of murder and go on trial immediately. We need to send a message to any criminals out there that this is not going to be tolerated and there are EXTREME consequences. If we don't these acts of domestic terrorism will continue to plague our society...

Loneliness is contagious....

My aralia tree is thriving. It brings me great joy. Hopefully it will continue it's expansion and soon grow to be 5 feet tall. That would bring me even greater joy...

Work is busy. One of the few remaining sales people is out, so it's a bit crazy. The real irritating part is one particular customer who thinks he's funny. He'll call up and complain about how I'm never at my desk, when in actuality I haven't gone anywhere I've just been on the phone with other customers. It's the exact bullshit I complained to my boss about when they decided to not hire a new sales person when I was told "It'll be alright." It's far from alright if it's irritated me enough to bitch about it here. At the same time I'm just saying to hell with it all and blogging as I'm on the phone with him while he thinks I'm "researching" something...

Here's a little something else I was "researching":



And here's a little something that I wrote a bit earlier for the 2x4ster:

"Facebook just recommended that I write on your wall to make your Facebook experience better. So I figure "what the hell". Have you heard about the monkey's that lived in the clouds? They had 10 fingers and 10 toes just like us. But unlike us they had very long tails that stretch across the skies in a web that covered the entire planet. They lived this way for many many years until the invent of the aeroplane. It was a hundred years ago or so when they realized that they might have to leave their home in the sky because it was only a matter of time before we (humans) used our flying machines to unknowingly shred their tails to nothingness. So as the Wright brothers were performing their first flight the monkeys were building a vast underwater city in which they could live peacefully without fear of accidental death. They all flocked to this underwater eden where they still live. The problem in the end wasn't for them, but for us. Turns out that the monkey tails doubled as a form of second ozone, keeping our planet nice and cool. I talked with one of the representatives of the monkey people and they are aware of this dilemma. However their democratically elected officials have decided that we're just getting what we deserve and in the end hotter temps mean more water for them to spread out in. The conversation ended when their representative spit in my face, gave me the finger, threw some of his fresh feces at me and told me that I'm going to get whats coming to me. This didn't go over so well. I decided that as an ambassador for all mankind I should act in a manner that showcases humanity in it's truest form. So I grabbed a machete hacked off his tail and set him on fire. Then I ran to the next monkey and repeated this action. And again until all the monkeys were burning tail-less carcasses. I guess what I'm trying to say is: would you like to come over for some monkey tail soup?"

Boredom, Headhunters and Constantine's Symbol

My job is horribly boring of late. After my bosses decided that we were going to have to "agree to disagree" I've lost all motivation. It's not that I'm not doing my job. It's just that I don't have any desire to do anything that isn't my job. This has left me with a lot of free time at work. I'd rather have a job that is mentally stimulating, but it's been giving me a decent amount of time to work out the outline for Buried West. I also play a lot of Bejeweled. It's so addictive...

I watched another documentary that I didn't mention last night. It was called "The Airmen and the Headhunters". It was super interesting. I'd recommend you watch it too. Oh how I love PBS. I could watch it all day long if it weren't for the overwhelming number of kids shows during the day. But I guess kids deserve public television too.

I was trying to remember what the Labarum was called. I couldn't remember for the life of me. I knew that Constantine used it in battle so I did a google image search for "Constantine's Symbol". The image below was included in the page one results...

What would it feel like to have a drill dropped on your head?

If you ever really want to piss me off this is probably the best way to do it:

I'm sitting at my desk talking to a customer on the phone, actually working. I was in the middle of a conversation with this guy who is not particularly pleasant to begin with when our "handyman" places a ladder directly behind my chair. I give him a look that I thought clearly stated, "do you really have to do that now?" Apparently he did. He then started to open up the light fixture directly above my head. Apparently he had forgot something so he wanders off leaving the metal grating dangling over my head. While all of this was irritating it wasn't until he returned that I got really pissed. I was then checking my messages when he got back on the ladder, this time with a drill. He then began drilling into the ceiling making it impossible for me to hear my phone and showering me with fine white dust. I couldn't believe it. I was very tempted to kick out the ladder from underneath him as I had to snake my way out of my desk. I returned ten minutes later to find my entire desk covered in dust. Needless to say I'm not too happy right now. As if I needed another reason to hate my job right now.



This isn't my office, but it's almost exactly what I'm talking about.

Woven Illusions

I had the most relaxing weekend I've had in a long time. I didn't do anything, including answer my phone. I watched an unhealthy amount of football. Finished the third disc of Final Fantasy VIII (love that game). And otherwise kept a low profile...

There are times in the day that I'll go ask my boss a question. Not because I don't know how to accomplish it, but more that I just want to seem busy. It also seems to give him a sense of wellbeing and purpose. Oh the illusions we weave...

HAWKS!!! I'm glad to see that the return of Hasslebeck led to a shut out victory. Now we just need 10 more like that and I'll be a happy 12th fan...

"Meet a Bigot". Mad props go to the man holding up the sign. You all could probably have guessed this but I support Ref 71. I think that it should be approved and I think that it's absurd that we have to vote on honoring the rights of individuals. I strongly urge everyone out there to stand up this November and make the statement that Washington state is not a home for narrow minded bigots who want to deny people basic rights to others because of their sexual orientation or age...

For any of you who are curious it IS legal to own a turtle in the City of Seattle. Not sure why that came up, but it did...

Something is happening here at work and I'm not sure what it is yet, but I think everything is about to change...

My plastic glow-in-the-dark Jesus is broken. Well he's not broken but the chain that attached him to my keys is. Now he just looms over my telephone at work. He brings me happiness...

Welcome

As I came to work this morning I was listening to Pink Floyd and reading Cloud Atlas. I'm to a part in the book where the world is not as it is today. A post apocalypse world. Humanity destroyed itself in its quest for knowledge. I spent a few more minutes reading outside before going in to start the day. As I opened the door to my office Gilmore cried from my iPod, "Welcome to the Machine." It was the most fitting entry I think I've ever made into this building.

Chisel Chest hit the small screen

So this dude from Orange County calls up demanding that I open the 10 locks...
"this broad put on my door"
..and I tell him we're not locksmiths (i didn't know where he was till I searched the area code after)...
"If you can tell me where you are I can refer someone"
"I'm on the corner and I HAVE TO PEE!!"
"sir I don't know what corner you're talking about"
"YOU KNOW WHAT SHE DID TO ME!?" "I don't know what she did to you, who you are or where you are"
"well here get that other broad (a coworker or mine) on the phone, she sounded like a hot number, she'll let me in."
"first of all you're not going to be referring to my coworkers as 'broads' and secondly it's sounding like we can't help you"
"OH C'mon chisel chest you don't have to get all salty on me let me talk to the broad again"
"sir you're not going to be talking to anyone in this building anymore"
...and I hung up the phone.

So I'm a little slammed at work this afternoon and out of nowhere an old coworker hits me up on the facebook and is asking me if I'd act in his upcoming movie. Strange request being as I have NO acting experience, but I'm intrigued. Turns out he wants me to play John Hammond in his remake of Jurassic Park. Luckily for me I won't have to get a chisel chest to play the role.

The Wheels are in Motion

I can't get enough of the new Modest Mouse EP. It's great. I've probably listened to it about a dozen times now. You all should check out the video for "King Rat". It was directed by the late Heath Ledger. It's brilliantly disturbing...

I have a pile of paperwork on my desk that I would really like to ignore. I guess that's why I'm doing this and not that...

Life is changing. I'm not exactly sure how it's going to transpire but at this point it's going to happen. It's been a long time coming. I hope it all works out for the best. I was up way too late last night thinking about it, well I guess I should say drinking about it. Part of me wishes that it was all the way it used to be, but then I realize that it's not supposed to be. Everything happens for a reason. Who am I to question the plan? Right now I just need to accept it and move on. I just don't know what to do about my cats...

Sometimes things just hang around

I showed up for work 10 minutes early, as usual. I decided to turn my phone on 5 minutes early and the first phone call I got was a guy bitchin' about how I wasn't at my desk. What do these people expect from me? For me to just sit in the office my whole life waiting for their call about some stupid little part to a lock that they aren't even sure if it's broken or not?! Then to top it off while I'm screwing around with that guy I get three messages from people all complaining about how they can't get a hold of me. This is really turning into a bullshit gig. I need a vacation. 17 more days...

I woke up this morning and the box on my porch was still there. I don't know why, but I was really hoping it wouldn't be. When I got home last night I notice a cat laying underneath a van across from my house. I figured it was just sleeping and went about my business. An hour later it was still there and hadn't moved at all. A good number of neighbors were out and about so I asked them what was up. They all knew that the cat was dead, but didn't do anything about it. I got a box and a shovel. It's kind of sad, but it had to be done. I'm just not sure why it had to be me. Maybe it makes me a better person, probably not. The city is coming to pick it up later today...

There is a rose hanging from a peg board on my desk. It's been there for almost a year. I got it as part of a gift to commemorate my five year anniversary here. I find it depressing but for some reason never take it down. Hanging next to it is a hospital bracelet from when I was having severe chest pains. I don't know why I leave that up either...

I miss my AK

Today sucks. Everything seems to have imploded on its self at work this morning. The dust has settled and now I'm just bored with it all. I'm really starting to think that I need a new job. I just wish the job market wasn't so bad...

My ficus is still dying it seems. Whatever I do it doesn't seem to get better. More and more leaves fall off. It may be time to give up on it. I just have a tough time believing that it can't come back...

I want to give a public shout out to Sharp for currently placing in standings for "Washington Homebrewer of the Year". I intend to make it my personal goal that you participate in as many competitions as it takes for you to bring the gold back to Lucile Street...

I miss my AK. I really hope that she comes down this weekend. Her unwavering cynicism is just what I need to put my life back into perspective...

I wish it was 7pm already so I could be far away from this office and on the brink of global domination...

Cleanliness, Lucky Rides and a Love of Kennedy

When I get overwhelmed at work I clean my desk. That way everything looks more in order than it really is. Then I blog...

I woke up late today. Led to a very frantic morning. Luckily Archer found me waiting for the bus and hooked it up with a ride. Thank the maker for small miracles...

I think that I am going to try to get my work to use this picture of me for the website...

The rivers of the world will run red

FML. Work is horrid. We lost one of the sales people and they aren't replacing him. My boss said that it would be fine because he's going to pick up the slack. So far he's done nothing but make my job harder because he doesn't seem to know what he's doing (when he's actually here). Bah...

It's my sisters birthday today!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! She's such an awesome person. I don't know what I'd do without her...

I've been listening to a lot of Tool lately. Maybe it's because I'm frustrated with life. Maybe it's because they are amazing musicians who have redefined themselves many times over with each attempt suggesting that what once appeared perfect can still be improved upon. Maybe it's both...

I'm playing Risk on Friday. So far the trash talking has been extreme. I'm really looking forward to it. A side note to any of you guys that will be there: You're going down. My armies are ready. We will not fail in our ambitions. You will all submit. The rivers of the world will run red with your blood. See ya on Friday...

"Twitter slandering"

I just got tickets to see Handsome Furs a week from Friday at Neumos. Should be a good time. I'm anxious to get back out there and feel like a part of the scene again. That's just the beginning though. I also snapped up tickets to see Deerhunter at the Capitol Hill Block Party. I am going to be counting down the days...

I'd like to share some words of wisdom from P.:

dont support puppy mills
outing people on the online
facebook divorces'n shit
twitter slandering

The theoretical existence of naked singularities is important because their existence would mean that it would be possible to observe the collapse of an object to infinite density.

never go to bed without a piece of raw meat

if you do go on the price is right you should tell drew carry to perk up a bit, then thank him for soccer in seattle

He mentions another thing in the end there. I think that I'm going to go on the Price is Right with my dad. It would be AWESOME!!! Maybe I'll win a trip to Europe or a new car. Even if I don't I'm sure it will be fun, I just need to figure out what else we should do in So Cal...

I'm trying not to be disruptive at work. Its difficult since on of the people I'm talking to is making me laugh hysterically. I tried to suppress the outburst and the laughter came as tears...

Today is a blur kind of day...

Blasé Days

I am bored out of my mind today. Work is slow. The sun is shining, but I can't lay in the grass. Holiday is looming...

Damn this is bad. I'm so bored I don't even now what to blog about...

I remember being here and I want to go back...

Too many thoughts

I feel older everyday. I understand that I get older everyday, but I'm not sure at what point I became fully aware of this. At what point did the little things start to build up to the point that they now reveal my aging? Is there some event that occurred or is it that I just have more time to think about such things? I'm starting to think that it may have to do with knowledge. The more you know, the older you feel. I kind of like that...

It's completely acceptable to be different...

Every time that I've tried to get coffee today something has gone wrong. Maybe I'll try again. Maybe I'll quit trying. No. I'll try again. Failure isn't an option...

We're supposed to have thunder storms today. I hope so. There is something about them I've always loved. It might be the electricity in the air. Maybe the raw power put on display for all to see and fear. Actually, its probably the rain...

I need to make it to the SAM. I haven't been to see the new exhibit yet. I'm debating whether or not its a good idea to go with the broken foot. I really want to go though. To go back to an earlier thought: would going to the art museum make me feel older? Or does art not count? Art usually makes me feel younger for some reason, so I don't think it counts...

I'm going into the doctor today. They're supposed to take out the stitches. I'm really hoping that means I can put my whole body in the shower while I bath. It's not the easiest to do with one foot out. I've found it easier to wash myself with a rag on a stick, but it makes me feel like a invalid...

The Flaming Lips are working on a double album. I'm so excited that I have wet myself more times than I can count. Pitchfork has a blurb about it here. The best news was the inspirations, "thinking Beatles White Album, Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti and even some of the longer things that the Clash have done". I can't wait. Damn. I just wet myself again...

Trade Show is this weekend. I'm not really looking forward to it. Its the only weekend that I have to work. I wish I didn't have to...

I'd rather be in the woods. Preferably near the ocean. Somewhere like Forks. I love Forks. When I get old I think that's where you'll find me. Tucked away in a little cove along the coast. Looking out across the angry blue expanse and up into the chaotic crossing of evergreens. At this point I'd even settle for this...




I forgot to mention, I finally got some coffee..

A Tribute To My Coffee Mug

I have a great coffee mug. It's tall, metallic blue and has a lid. It's logo'd with Starbuck's name and has a nice handle on it. I got the mug many years ago. I have to figure it's been about 4 years. One morning, after a night of drinking in the U Dist, Matt gave me the mug filled with coffee to help get me through the day. Almost everyday since then I've used it. Except for the couple days at work in which my boss stole my mug. Needless to say I wasn't terribly thrilled about it but I recovered it and we've never been happier together.

I encourage every to find a coffee mug that can bring them the same amount of joy. It's also better for the environment. For more information about why you should have a reusable coffee mug check out Sustainability is Sexy.

It's not my fault!

I started off this morning by being ripped apart by a customer because someone else lied to him. I understand that he bought the shit from me, but it wasn't me that lied to him it was the damn factory. IT'S NOT MY FAULT!!!!...

Okay well now things to be calming down here at work so I can get back to bloggin'...

IT'S FRIDAY!!! WOOHOOO...

I'm about to start cloning my enormous Roma tomato plant. If anyone is interested in getting a clone hit me up. I have a feeling there will be plenty of them...

I went to the T-Mobile store last night. I've now decided that I need to get a G1 phone. Hopefully I'll get one for my birthday. Then I could do this anywhere without having to deal with predictive text on my blackberry. That would make me the happiest boy in all land...

I am still listening to a lot of TV on the Radio. They're amazing. Everyone go check them out! NOW...

I have no idea what I'm doing this weekend, but I feel like i have a lot of plans. I know that I've got to get to gettin' on the brewin. And there is a thing on Saturday night at Kink Street that I really want to attend. Hopefully I'm not forgetting anything. If I committed to making plans with you and they're not on this list hit me up...