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I'm thinking about changing my relationship status on facebook to "Complicated". That might be appropriate. I am dating someone right now. So far, so good. I just voted. I have a sticker on my jacket that says "I voted today". It is officially November and I really want it to rain because if and when it does, I might just download November Rain off of iTunes. It just happens to be quite temperate for how late in the year it is. Knock on wood. I am really hungry all the sudden and I should eat something before I go to work. Oh, work is going well. Sometimes I feel like an idiot because I'm still learning. Soooooo.... ok. Bye.
- Audio Input:Noisettes
A funny anecdote from this weekend. I was chatting with a cousin of the bride who came in from the Detroit area, and he asked why we Grand Haveners are so hostile towards tourists and I didn't really have a solid answer for that. The best I could come up with was that tourists sometimes don't know which streets in GH are one way.
I love you all dearly,
CR
- Audio Input:Ben Harper - Not Fire, Not Ice
I am sick right now. I've had a nasty cough and a mild fever. But I think I'm seeing the last of it.
One of my best friends is getting married next weekend and I am in the wedding. I just realized I should seriously be thinking about a gift of some sort. Any suggestions?
Since I have been sick, I haven't been sleeping the best over the last couple nights. I have been having vivid dreams about working at Best Buy. Ringing up customer after customer, standing in front of an endless line of new PC setups that have to be done.
I am starting to realize that I need to really step it up at this job because I really like it, and its a lot easier to lose a job that I anticipated in my more formidable years. Not that I think I'm gonna get fired, but I need to jump in with both feet and learn how to do shit. The day I started, my boss told me that I am free to make mistakes and its better to make mistakes than to do nothing. Flash forward to yesterday when one of my coworkers asked me if I wanted to install a power source in a tower. I said, 'hellz yeah.' Then I pulled the new power source out of the box, and there were way too many cords hanging off it. So, like an idiot, I asked one of my coworkers to help me. Instead he just did it and I felt stupid for not trying to do it myself. I mean, I've installed a power supply in school before (like a year ago) and besides, you can't really do any damage if you do it wrong. So I should have just done it. Ah well; I digress.
What else, what else...
Fall is officially here. Its getting chilly. There is that smell in the air that I can only imagine is caused by a combination of the leaves turning and the constant electricity in the air caused by the cloudiness and the rain. I love fall. I just wish I could enjoy it, but basically, I started getting sick right around the time that it started to feel autumny.
I read the NY Times when I went to the Vous for breakfast this morning. I was a little hesitant to pay about triple the cost of the GR Press but I knew if I got the Press, the whole thing would be about Art Prize. And, as the young lady at the gas station said while she was ringing me up for it, "There is actual reading material in there". So, in conclusion, I leave you with an article that I found truly fascinating.
How Nonsense Sharpens the Intellect
Cheers.
CR
- Audio Input:"Sex on Fire", Kings of Leon
So here are the updates on my life.
First: Wilco came out with a new album and it kinda sucks balls, so I've been a lot less obsessed with Wilco as of late. I'm sure rehab was a good thing for Jeff Tweedy in the grand scheme of things, but his music sucks ever since, except for a few shining moments on Sky Blue Sky.
Number B: Black Flag's guitarist Greg Ginn played at the Rosebud a couple weeks ago with his band, and all my friends thought they sucked. I kinda liked it, as it was kinda a cross between Pavement and Krautrock, but as you can imagine, it wasn't a huge crowd pleaser. Basically repetitious sloppiness. But I thought it was great.
Next, Thirdly: A.B. & Coconut Brown. Fantastic GRap band, also seen recently at Rosebud. If you like La Famiglia, you will dig this.
Quatro: My boy Sam is back in town. Yeah, boy.
FINALLY: I got a second job with the Geek Squad. I am super-jazzed because I'm doing something with computers, which I went to school for, and there is always something new to learn. Also, I kinda feel back at home, because it reminds me of my favorite job, working with my boys at Kinko's. Will, Phil: I miss you guys. Hope life is awesome.
K. That's it. I'll probably post again in a really long time.
- Audio Input:Greg Ginn's band, Jambang
In other news, here is my family picture that was just taken about a week ago.
Darn. I can't copy and paste it because of copyright blah blah blah... and I can't do rich text because I'm at the library... so here's a link.
http://www.hoeksemaphoto.com/mp_cli
Some good lookin' peeps, I might say.
CR
- Audio Input:311- Creatures
So here's what has been getting me amidst finishing school and anticipating a conversation with my parents about what I'm gonna do with my life / you need to pay rent now:
I know that with Zen philosophy its not about the goal but the journey. I appreciate that because it means that nothing really ought to be treated as a means to an end. But it does leave me wondering, "what is the ultimate goal". This is stated in vague terms very purposefully. If I were to restate it and make it sound a bit more fatalistic I would say, "What's the point?" I mean, so according to Eastern thought one ought to not focus on the goal or the point, but then what's the goal or point of that?
My brain hurts. I am kinda on a mission to find a mission, if you will. I have been living a very mundane and purposeless existence as of late and I want to find a purpose that is a)ultimately worthwhile b)not trite or something one might read in a Max Lucado book, and I don't know... all encompassing? Ummmmmmm.... ok. I gotta go to work now.
- Audio Input:Waste by Phish
I was in Florida for a week or so. It was alright. For six or seven days, this was my schedule:
Wake up around 9:30.
Have breakfast
Put on swimsuit
Sit by the pool reading a book
Continue reading book inside beacause I'm sick of sitting by the pool
Have a couple beers before supper
Have supper
Watch TV with family
Continue to watch TV after family has gone to bed
Go to bed around 2
So that was what I did for a week.
My birthday was the day I got back from Florida. I spent the majority of the day in the car. Then I got home, hung out with some friends, wrecked a pint of Jack, blacked/passed out.
The next day was Memorial Day. I went to Randy's house, and he and his brother in law were cooking some chronic fiddles. Like angel hair pasta, Arugela, slow cooked mushrooms, bruschetta, Salmon, and veggie steak, all topped with some Thai peanut sauce. Best meal I'd had in at least a couple days.
Oh. Randy is a dude who happens to be a stellar musician who is planning on gigging this summer and wants me to play bass with him. Sounds good to me, as I always say.
So I'm gonna go read up on DOS now.
- Audio Input:Randy McClain
A few things I noticed this weekend. Butch's Beach Burrito is open. Pronto Pup is open. In fact I just had three pups this weekend - ketchup and mustard, thanks. When I went down there, there were some high school students there, each with a digital cam, and they were soooooo excited to be in Grand Haven.
That's the other thing I noticed this weekend. The tourists are back. Ugh.
Also, the Musical Fountain started up again this past weekend.
Annnnnnddddd a fight almost broke out at the Pavilion last night, mainly caused by some tourists. What a shocker.
Another thing, I had to stock the cooler at work on both Friday and Saturday and it took my almost twice as long as usual.
So, I guess what I'm getting at is that in Grand Haven, MI, it is officially summer.
- Audio Input:You Don't Always Die From Tobacco
Second- I broke up with my girlfriend about a month ago. Details of such events don't belong on a server in some far off land that anyone can access, so suffice to say, we are still on good terms, I think.
Honorable mention- There are handful of women that come in to the gas station that I totally crush on. I met up with one of them at the bar Saturday night. We had a really great time and she's a lot of fun... So the next day I mention to her on facebook that I checked out her favorite band on youtube and thought they were pretty cool... she wrote back and said "oh, did I tell you that they were my favorite band?" She probably doesn't remember 75% of the night. Sigh.
- Audio Input:Mike Boxer Band
Weird thing happened to me today-
I went to Wendy's for lunch - I had just woken up from a nap, mind you - and I wanted Mountain Dew with my hamburger. But for some odd reason I was under the impression that they didn't have said beverage -- so I asked for a Doctor Pepper. And guess what, dear LJ friends? The young lady taking my order - and making flirtatious overtures -- something about Geico and competitor's prices -- - gave me Mountian Dew by mistake --
Or was it a mistake?
Gee whiz, I like Mountain Dew.
That makes me think of the song that Daniel Johnston sings about Mountain Dew while in a mental hospital.
CHECK - IT - OUT.
- Audio Input:Daniel Johnston
"Newton is a punk."
- Audio Input:Bob Dylan
Bummer news. My grandma is not doing well. She had a stroke almost a week ago and every day for the last couple days was going to be her last, according to the doctors. I haven't really known how to feel. Yesterday I called my mom to get an update and she had just been making funeral arrangements. She told me I could come see my grandma if I wanted to and I said I didn't. Then today I was getting a new battery for my cell phone and I was down the street from the hospice that she is at. So I decided to go. I pulled in the parking lot and saw my parents cars, and left. Then I went to Barnes and Noble for an hour or so, and decided to take another stab at it. She didn't look terrible apart from the fact that she didn't have her dentures in (I didn't even know she had dentures). She just looked like she was sleeping, which made it really weird to try to talk to her, cuz who talks to someone who is sleeping?
Anyways, a lot of crying on everybody's part. Its just starting to hit me now. I'm pretty sure that that was the last time I will see her. Kinda crazy to think about. My grandpa is being a champ. I'm really amazed by him.
K. That's it.
- Audio Input:Roses by Kanye West
"Since cosmologists can postulate a beginning point for time (a point when t=0) then would it be fair to say the same for space? Why or why not? Is it possible to say that space and time existed before the universe? If the universe were to have a definite "end", would time and space cease to exist? Explain."
Today we tackled a bit of curved space. Holy crap. It's like 8th grade geometry on shrooms.
On a more personal note, I am learning a lot about how to be in a relationship. I'm learning, via trial and much error, how to not screw up something in my life that is going so well. I'm learning how to let my guard down. I think. I hope.
Last night I picked up John Frusciante's new album, and it was so-so. I was kinda bummed out about that. I found a review that pretty much sums up how I felt about the album. Check it out. After reading a couple reviews I found out that my favorite track was a cover. Sweet.
OK. G2g. Hugs and Kisses.
CR
- Audio Input:Song to the Siren by JF
Funniest word ever:
POOP.
A couple quick notes:
* I have heat in my car finally.
* I hope to submit a resume today for a job that sounds awesome.
* word of the day: troglodyte
* if you find yourself in the Grand Haven area and are hungry, go to Did's Deli.
* today's music suggestion for your listening pleasure: A Ghost is Born by Wilco.
* Stephen Hawking
* one of my best friends is having a kid
* i like taking showers
- Audio Input:"We Will Rock You / Are the Champions" Queen
On Sunday Alicia and I had dinner with my family at my parents house. Kinda a big deal and I think it went pretty well.
I got a 2.18 GPA for the semester which means I'm keeping my head above water going into my final semester for my associates.
Merry Christmas Everybody! I hope y'all feel the love.
- Audio Input:Ramblin' Man
- Audio Input:Jesus, ect. by Wilco
The weather just gets worse and worse. My car was frozen shut yesterday and when I finally got it open, it wouldn't shut.
Note to self: Being a grown-up means making decisions for yourself that no one else can make for you. Get used to it buddy.
- Audio Input:"You Part the Waters" -Cake
Jess: What did you do this weekend?
Me: Not much on Friday and Saturday, but last night I hung out with my quasi-girlfriend... er... this girl who I will probably start calling my girlfriend soon... er... someone I've been dating, seeing, whatever... you know how it is.
Jess: lol
So that's what I have been calling her, for what its worth. And here's the thing... I'm kinda hesitant about using the "G" word because I've only used that word for one other woman over the last 4 years and 11 months, and she started ignoring my calls and made me feel like a stalker only a week after I started calling her my girlfriend...
So. ANYWAYS.
It may be a bad idea, I don't know but I'm willing to look into the situation. She's supercool and I love her laugh. And her smile. And her cheeks. Wow. The other night she told me what her middle name is and its pretty embarassing. We're going on, like, a real date tomorrow... out to a nice dinner and the whole nine. It has major romantical possibillities.
Sorry I wasn't forthright from the getgo. And I know you all are just looking out for me.
Christmas is coming up. Yay. I'm kinda curious if a particular PHILisophical person is going to make a trip from Shanghai this year. Exams are next week or the week after that. Not-so-yay. Its cold and there is so much snow that I don't know what to do with it all.
- Audio Input:"ELT" Wilco
I got out of class at 11 this morning at there were these huge... umm... I can't really say snow flakes, but more like snow fluffs. It was really weird because I could barely keep my eyes open since they would fly into my eyes.
Additional notes:
- Whiskey is a BAD thing.
- The gent currently sitting next to me in the school library just brought to my atttention that there is a healthy ratio of attractive women on our fine campus.
- Audio Input:Tom Waits, "Tango till They're Sore"
