Synapses fire like little tiny Transistors on my Cerebral Motherboard

Here I go, here I go, here - I - go - again. Girls, what's my weakness?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:15:12 GMT

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.

My goodness, its a wedding!

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:42:20 GMT

One of my best homies in the world got married yesterday. Talk about a great, fun weekend. Thursday a bunch of peeps showed up and we went to Pavilion. It got a bit redonkulous. Friday rehearsal dinner at Bill Mar. I had prime rib and it was deliciously rare. I got a super heartfelt note from the groom, as well as a really cool knife and a tie. Saturday I went to Russ' with the groom and the best man, two of my best friends since elementary school. Then we met up with the other guys at a hotel room and had a few spirits. Then there was a wedding. Rach and Jordo picked some fabulous music for the blessed occasion. A couple Beatles tunes, a Beach Boys song, a Ben Harper tune, A bit of Chopin... and the reception was loads of fun. I had a super hot date and neither of us are really keen on dancing, but after a couple drinks, we ended up getting out on the floor. Then this morning I had a meeting at work at 8:30. Ouch.

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

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:54:35 GMT

I think it might start to be a trend that, even though my chosen field is PC's, I will actually be on the internet very little given my schedule. So I guess I should try to post on LJ any time I am on the webs so that y'all don't hate on me.

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

At the end of the bout, he was punched out.

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:52:08 GMT

So I haven't felt like posting in a really long time, just cuz. But then my friend Phil asked me to post something and that was the impetus for this post. Not that I didn't want to post it, but I just have felt like posting... ah whatever. I don't need to justify myself. Either way, I'm making it happen right now.

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.

Random quickie.

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:38:04 GMT

I feel I really ought to post something because I don't post enough, but I have to be to work in like 20 minutes... so the pressure is on. Um, I chatted with my friend Erin who lives in GR for about an hour last night. We're planning on getting married in 5-10 years, provided that neither of us have met anyone in the meantime. We've known eachother for maybe 15 years or so, so it seems like an alright plan.

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_client/pictures.asp?pagenum=33&action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&id=2685402&imagename=DSCF1219t.jpg

Some good lookin' peeps, I might say.

CR

Don't wanna be an actor pretending on a stage...

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:14:19 GMT

I watched the movie Peaceful Warrior about a week ago and I loved it. It made me realize how much I love Eastern thought because it somehow resonates with me. It's really got me thinking, um, I guess... Easternly.

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.

I want to make a mess; I want to blow off stress.

Wed, 27 May 2009 19:52:23 GMT

I just walked into the library to check out my various internet thingamajiggs, and spotted DOS for dummies in the cheapstacks, so I bought it for 25 cents.

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.

I'm not ready for tourist season. I need to make a shirt that says "GH LOCAL".

Sun, 10 May 2009 20:09:15 GMT

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.

Let's catch us up on life, shall weeeeee?

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:12:29 GMT

First and most importantly- I have my only exam tomorrow and then... that's it. I'm done with school. No idea what I'm gonna do now, though, although I need to make more money because all the bills that my dad has been paying for me become my responsibility now. I'm gonna be all growed up! Yay.

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.

"Gee Whiz! Casey has something (moderately) post-worthy to say?" or "How to overuse hyphens"

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:10:26 GMT

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.

Rycenga's Theory

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:39:01 GMT

When Einstein put the finishing touches on his theory of relativity he leaned back in his chair and said:

"Newton is a punk."

Your heart won't heal right if you keep tearing out the sutures.

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:07:50 GMT

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.

Cosmic Edge?

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:58:52 GMT

I have been learning a lot lately. Oh, by the way, hi. Long time, no see. I'm Casey for those of you who probably completely forgot who I was. so ANYWAY. My Cosmology class just took a turn for the WTF and its blowing my mind and I love it. On Tuesday we discussed the containment principle and so most of the class was spent talking about stuff that was more like philosophy than science. Here's a question that was on my homework (I'm paraphrasing here):

"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

This is a re-run.

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:48:13 GMT

I'm pretty sure I've posted this here before a couple years ago, but I just thought about it again.

Funniest word ever:

POOP.

Opus Pocus

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:32:07 GMT

Hello, lovely LJ readership.

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

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:50:21 GMT

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.

Where you at, JC?

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:34:33 GMT

There is a lifesize nativity scene across the street from where I live... ya got the wise men, shepards, animals, Mary, Joseph, ya know, everything that is usually included in a nativity scene... except, um... Jesus. Seriously, its a bunch of life size fake people and animals gathered around nothing. Huh? Everytime I drive by it, I wonder what the heck happened. I'm inclined to think that someone stole Baby Jesus, manger and all... but I have no idea.

You invite your friends to tea but when its me, you lock the door.

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:36:55 GMT

One exam down, two to go. I worked two nine-hour shifts this weekend. That was crazy.

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.

Ok gang.

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:11:33 GMT

I'm going to be honest; I've been avoiding you. Remember the friends-only post I made about three weeks ago about a particularly awesome young lady that I hung out with? A couple of you said I was getting into trouble by being with her... and... we're still hanging out a lot. In fact here's a conversation that I had yesterday when I ran into an old friend at the gas station.

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.

I tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past.

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:34:16 GMT

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.

Lambchop

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:03:35 GMT

This morning I went to Barnes and Noble and grabbed a magazine that had a huge article in it about the band Lambchop. It also mentioned that it was one of the best bands ever... so after reading the article and the descriptions of each of their, like, 13 albums over the last 14 years, I thought that this has to be a band that I would be in to.

Weird thing is, they somehow fall in between the cracks betwixed some of my favorite bands, but overall, Lambchop really fails to impress me. Their lead singer sounds a lot like the Silver Jews' lead singer who I think is great, and their instrumentation is similar to Silver Mt. Zion, which I love. But if said lead singer fronted Silver Mt. Zion, it would be complete shite, not unlike what Audioslave tried to pull off. allow me to illustrate with a couple music equations:

(Rage Against The Machine - Zach DelaRocha) + Chris Cornell, Soundgarden frontman = Something kinda Nicklebackish

Silver Mt. Zion + (very pockety drummer & Nashville sound) - (any rubato & Toronto sound) + guy who sounds like Silver Jews' lead singer = (Something similar to Belle and Sebastian - Gimmicky-sounding Irish or Scottish Accent)

I was really excited to have a new band to obsess over but no dice today.

Today. Yep.

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:30:16 GMT

I am really excited for the elections to be over after today because it makes me strongly dislike some people towards whom I would otherwise be relatively indifferent.

I was looking through my past posts about the election over the last almost year or so, and I found this gem of a quote from withyour which was from way back. (kinda paraphrasing because I forgot to cut and paste) "I'm excited about Obama because as nerdy as it sounds, I like the fact that he has a background in Constitutional Law, and I'm sick of politicians shitting on the Constitution. Bah." Me to Bren. Me too.

Ahhhhh... what else... oh, at one point before the veepstakes, I was pulling for Kathleen Sebelius as Obama's running mate. I think he did good with big Joe instead.

Oh, and this is kinda a funny thought. A year from now no one will remember who Sarah Palin is. Anyone remember Geraldine Ferrarro? Me either. But for serious, what a dumb move on McCain's part. He might have had a shot if he picked someone with, um, IDK... street cred isn't the word but its close.

So yeah. I'm voting in about six hours. I didn't want this post to be completely political, but I guess it ended up being so. So.

A few non-sequitors: I had a giant sized Red Bull this morning. I woke up on time because of the time change, so that was fab. My pen leaked all over my fingers and on my tooth during my morning class.

Ok, that's it gang. That's my election day '08 post. If I had to sum up the whole election season in one word, it would be this:

"Mavericky".

Thank you. Thank you. My name is Case Monet and I'll be here all night.

Who wants an update? BAM. Here ya go.

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:36:15 GMT

I saw a billboard for McDonalds yesterday that had a picture of a breakfast burrito on it. The caption said, "This is what I would cook at home... if I cooked!" That was weird to me for some reason.

I have become much more interested in global issues lately which I think is due, in part, to my cultural geography class. What the heck is going on in D.R. Congo lately? A lot of senseless killing it seems.

McCain is going to take a beating next week. Its gonna be ugly. Last night Obama did a half hour long infomercial on prime time network television. A side note: I am currently reading The Audacity of Hope.

I looked at the ballot today. Some of my official picks: Obama, Tim Winslow, Carl Levin, and here's a shocker... Pete Hoekstra. yep. I'll vote for the incumbant Michigan Supreme Court Judge... and as far as proposals go, I'm voting yes on both state proposals, and voting no on both of the local proposals. So I guess judging from all this, I am going pretty leftish with the exception of Pete Hoekstra.

There is a strong possibilitry that I will skip my 6:30-9:30 class tonight. Also, if I had to guess at this point, I would say that I will probably move to Grand Rapids in the summer.

Sorry I don't have anything interesting to post. I haven't been as creative as of late in regards to my LJ, but I felt that I need to update nonetheless.

Gas stations, flirting, unarmed robbery, and making out with Sarah Palin.

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:02:19 GMT

So I guess gas station attendants get phone numbers a lot. Oh, by the way I work at a gas station now. And over the last three weeks or so that I have worked there, I have been flirted with at least twice by women I didn't really know and I didn't realize that I was being flirted with until afterwards. Well, last night I got an email address, which is kinda like a phone number.

Oh, and I guess I can talk about this now since it was in the paper today. One of my store's "sister stores" I guess you could call it, got robbed last night. And that was during a three hour stretch that I was alone, while working the latest shift I have worked thus far. My district manager called me, told me not to freak out, but someone just robbed the Clark station.... so heads up; someone might be robbing you soon because Clark is only a couple blocks away.

Thanks a bunch Pam.

Well, that's the latest and greatest in my life. I missed my early class this morning so I'm just now leaving for school.

xxoo
Casey

p.s. If you are looking for some good music to get turned on to, please for the love of all things fantastic, check out Yonder Mountain String Band. I'm pretty much addicted.

p.p.s. The election season is cracking me up. Even most Republicans hate the GOP ticket. Sarah Palin is a joke. A super sexy joke that I want to make out with.

All kinds of fun news today.

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:46:44 GMT

So I just got done reading two news papers. A couple interesting things. First, McCain has abandoned campaigning in Michigan. So that's kinda fun. Then, In the letters to the editor there were plenty of letters dissing McCain, mostly for the way he came off during the debate, and zero saying anything bad about Obama or anything good about McCain. Then I saw a little graph that showed which states were leaning either way, which ones, were pretty much sold either way, as well as the ones that were undecided and by their count Obama has a pretty solid lead.

I just had lunch with my pastor yesterday. That was great. I realized that there are things in life that I can get with little to no effort, which are the things that I usually go for, and then there are the things that would probably make me more fulfilled, but these things take some type of commitment and carry a possible rejection, so I avoid those.

On a similar note, a couple weeks ago, I really pissed off one of my best friends. She told me flat out that I can't handle conflict. I thought that that was a pretty fair assessment.