Vris Blog

Red Sox Opening Day

2007-04-02T12:41:00.000-04:00

The Sox open at 4:00 EDT in Kansas City. The lineup:

SS Julio Lugo
1B Kevin Youkilis
DH Papi Ortiz
LF Manny Ramirez
RF JD Drew
C Jason Varitek
3B Mike Lowell
CF Coco Crisp
2B Dustin Pedroia

Starting Pitcher:
Curt Schilling

Pen:
Matt Clement
Brendan Donnelly
Jon Lester
Javier Lopez
Hideki Okajima
Jonathan Papelbon
Joel Pinero
JC Romero
Kyle Snyder

Bench:
C Doug Mirabelli
IF Alex Cora
1B/OF Eric Hinske
OF Wily Mo Pena

Braves Opening Day Roster

2007-04-02T12:35:00.000-04:00

Braves open today in about half an hour. Here is a look at how they will start the season:

Lineup:

2B Kelly Johnson
SS Edgar Renteria
3B Chipper Jones
CF Andruw Jones
C Brian McCann
RF Jeff Francoeur
1B Scott Thorman
LF Ryan Langerhans
P John Smoltz

Pen:

Mike Gonzalez
Macay McBride
Chad Paronto
Rafael Soriano
Oscar Villarreal
Bob Wickman
Tyler Yates

Bench:

C Brayan Pena
IF Pete Orr
1B/OF Craig Wilson
IF Chris Woodward
OF Matt Diaz

Rest of Rotation:
Tim Hudson
Lance Cormier
Chuck James
Mark Redman

VrisBlog Movie Review: Hannibal Rising

2007-02-13T12:16:00.000-05:00

IMDB Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367959/

KEEP IN MIND: THIS WILL HAVE PROBABLY A BUTTLOAD OF SPOILERS

*yawn*

I guess I was expecting something different. The origin of Hannibal Lecter; justifying his insanity. It didn't do it for me. The Germans kill and eat his little sister and the rest of the movie is Hannibal getting revenge on this one incident. He was 8 at the time, his sister no more than 2. So yeah, it's a grusome event for any 8 year old. I'm not saying it wasn't justified, but the rest of the movie was Hannibal acting out his revenge on those that took a bite. Then it ends, with a trademark Hannibal pun of course. And then, for his aunt to be Japanese, living in France, made it totally unbelievable for me. Hannibal himself was from Lithuana (this might have been known previously, but I can't recall). I just thought it would be a lot different.

I'd give it a solid 2 out of 5 stars.

1. Sling Blade
2. Hannibal Rising

Daily Entry

2007-02-09T12:48:00.000-05:00

So my job interview was rescheduled for Monday due to a "family emergency". Which is no big deal from the outset. The problem is that they tried to contact me on Wednesday but couldn't get a hold of me until yesterday. I hope things go well and I can start making some actual money. The money I have coming in and the money I have going out every month is pretty equal, which leaves me with just about nothing for spending money. I think I calculated that if I had an extra $10,000 a year (bringing my salary to right around $43,000) it would help out a lot. I'll start by asking for $45,000 to see where I'm at.

In other news, I plan on becoming a Braves fan again this year. It's not that I jumped ship because they had a bad year last year (79-83, 4th in NL East), but because they don't show any games on TBS any longer. I'm trying to find a schedule but to no avail. I guess that's why we have box scores! Of course the Red Sox have NESN so I'll probably watch too many of their games. I might have to move to KY just to get coverage of the Braves!

Probably going to see Hannibal Rising tonight so expect a full review next week.

Where I'm headed

2007-02-07T13:01:00.000-05:00

Most people do New Year's Resolutions during the week between Christmas and New Year's. I am not most people.

My resolutions for the rest of '07:

a) Generate a third income. I was looking into Ebay businesses for a while and that still intrigues me, but the startup cost (inventory, marketing, etc) would be hell. I think my first area of business should be getting a better first income.

b) Write a script/film a movie. This requires me sitting down and actually brainstorming and writing, which is hard. I have about a million ideas but it's actually organizing them into something coherent. I also need a camera and actors, but I'm confident I could get something done to rival "The Long Walk" or "Vision of Doom".

c) Get a laptop. This is a more superficial goal, but I think it needs to happen. Currently I have no computer set up at home and it's kind of distressing. That probably sounds pretty sad so I'll move on.

d) Gain weight. This requires eating, which I do little of lately. This is mostly due to the fact that I can't cook. But I can make Mac and Cheese and reheat leftovers. I'm also throwing a couple other things in here: Take lunch to work and start doing exercises (pushups, situps).

Update of Updates

2007-02-07T12:45:00.000-05:00

So I haven't been around in a while. This is going to change as I now plan on doing some type of update at least once a day, maybe more depending on certain things. Here are some new ideas where I want to take this thing:

a) A Red Sox/Braves mini-blog, complete with news and notes and game recaps. This will require me to actually watch games, analyze box scores and transactions, and be up to date with the teams. Maybe when training camp starts I'll do something similar for my beloved Patriots.

b) Bowling updates. Though it's not going so great for me, we are in 5th and I plan on updating everyone as we head down to the wire. This includes the State Tournament (Mount Greylock!) which should be sometime in April.

c) Real Life updates. These will be few and far between, most likely, as everyone knows I'm kinda a private person.

d) The movie reviews. I hope to bring this back, as it kinda failed. I'll probably start a new.

If anyone has any suggestions of things they would like to see, I'd love to hear it.

Bowling: Week 3

2006-09-25T12:41:00.000-04:00

I should've started this weeks ago. But Funlovers has resumed. Russ is the president, Barbara the secretary and Karen took over treasury duties from my mother.

My team: The Patriots (yay!)
1. Judy Royal (133 avg)
2. Kathy Healey (141 avg)
3. Joe M. Fish (167 avg)
4. Bob Marois (169 avg)

We started off a weak 6-10. Only netting two points in the first week, before handicaps came out. And a hard fought split last week. Saturday, we were up against Oh Yeah Right. We were giving up 50 pins each game (38 in handicap and 10 because Judy wasn't there). So it was going to be an uphill battle.

My results: 169/158/189

I opened in the 10th all 3 games. We lost the first two by a combined 31 and won the 3rd by 14. Bob blows his load in the 2nd game, throwing a 136 (this after a 205 performance in game 1 just to knock the deficit down to 17). Kathy helped in game 2 with a 176, but struggled in the other two games. So we only took 2 again, bringing our season total to 8-16. Neither I or Bob will be there next week so it's up to Kathy and Judy to get us on the right track. My average was established after this week at 172. Which is the highest it's ever been, besting last year's 167. That will actually lower our handicap, depending on what everyone else's establishes to. Kathy's might drop, and I'm not sure about Bob. Judy hasn't bowled 9 games so her's won't be established until next week.

I'm bitter because all 3 of those games could've been won by us if I marked in the 10th. We had to fight and claw in all 3 games, so I guess 2 points are all right. We need to start taking 6 and 8 if we want to climb in the standings.

Movie Review: Sling Blade

2006-09-19T12:31:00.000-04:00

New feature here at VrisBlog: Movie Review. I'll review a movie. Then, I'll review another movie (after I have seen it of course) and see where it ranks with all the other movies I've reviewed. I'll keep the list going, adding movies as I go. Maybe in the future I'll review movies I've seen previous to this and add them in as well.

Today's (or rather, Sunday's) Movie: SLING BLADE

Starring Billy Bob Thornton, who I also believe directed and wrote the film, this is a movie that will tug at your heartstrings. BBT plays Karl, a mentally-challenged man who has spent a good portion of his life in a mental institution after the brutal murder of his mother and her estranged lover. His time is served and the instiution says he is free to leave. They set Carl up with a job and a place to stay. He befriends a small boy, named Frank. This is where the story turns. Carl ends up staying with Frank and his mother, and her "boyfriend" Doyle. Doyle reminds Carl of his father, and instead of making Frank go through life with someone like him, Carl helps him out by putting Doyle out of their life. He ends up back in the institution, but probably saner and thinking more clearly than ever before. Also with a great role in this film is John Ritter who plays Vaughn, the gay shop owner where Frank's mother works. As the viewer, you really learn to associate with Carl and feel for him. He might have been locked up for God knows how long, but he's not as crazy as its made out. My favorite scene is in the beginning, where the girl goes to interview Carl the day before his release. The lighting is fantastic and the way Carl (BBT) tells his tale is spine-tingling. You expect the movie to go in a different direction after that, but it's very well done and pleasant (even at the end). BBT throws together a great performance, which is hard to say because he's not my favorite actor. This role is completely out of character for him, but he nails it.

1. Sling Blade

One year later

2006-09-18T19:04:00.000-04:00

I have a house.
I have a girlfriend.
I have bills.
I want to keep this updated.

Starting with:

Pats 24
Jets 17

Up 24-0, it was looking pretty for the Patriots. Then, after some boneheaded lucky plays for the Jets, it was 24-17. But the Pats took control; going on an 8 minute drive to seal the win (even though new kicker Gostkowski had a figgie blocked at the end). Still, the Pats have been less than impressive. Brady seems human. The defense has been amazing and the running game is exactly as advertised. The Broncos will be a good test and payback for last season. I still have tons of hope for this team as they are still 2-0 and continue to play well, despite not really taking care of the ball.

So you want to be an actuary...

2005-10-12T22:51:00.000-04:00

Well, sort of. I want something different in my life. I actually took the initiative and emailed like 10 people yesterday with questions regarding actuarial sciences; how to get in the profession, what I need to know to take the tests, etc and so on. 2 people responded. Whoop de shit. They were both helpful, don't get me wrong. I would've liked to hear from one of the firms that I contacted. College professors are great, but I want to hear it from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

I downloaded a practice exam. 82 printed pages, 123 questions. I guess they give you 3 hours to take this first one (probability), so I might sit down this weekend and take it. They also give you the solutions, which I haven't looked at yet. I want to see how badly I can remember all this stuff first. I don't think it will be too helpful. But I'm going to try. I want to do something. I'm bored and sad and depressed. I was actually thinking that if I can nab a job in this field (where, even without any exams passed, the starting salary is around $50,000 a year. I need to get my foot in the door first) I can move out. I even emailed some people in PA kinda close to Reading (shhh) so maybe if I can get in I'd at least have a couple of prospective roommates for the area. Maybe. A lot of maybes. I should've emailed some people in Kentucky/Evansville. I almost did, except they were in Louisville and that's kinda far from Smith Mills. I'll think about it though. Evansville is most definitely a possibility I think (I forgot to look up Indiana firms).

Here goes nothing anyway. I can't take any exams anyway until February because I missed all the deadlines for the fall. Which I'm kinda pissed about. I have no one to blame but myself for that one. Also, looking at study guides and such, I was kinda impressed. Most are just around $100, which is how much I was paying for my textbooks at school. I thought they would be more, since this is more voluntary.

Now that I have direction, I need a woman. And the only woman I want, well....we all know that sad song.

Have a good night folks.

Moving on..

2005-10-07T21:55:00.000-04:00

So how does one meet people? Anyone? How do you single, lonely folk do it? I'm sick of sitting at home doing nothing, arguing with my family. I'm bored, lonely, looking for something to do. Going to the bar or clubs or what have you by myself seems silly. But, then again, I have few friends. And the ones I do have aren't even around me. Makes me more lonely and more apt to stay in at night. I'm sure eventually I'll start meeting people from somewhere, but what are you gonna do.

Well...

2005-10-05T00:50:00.000-04:00

Now that I know other people read this, I should be more conservative with what I say and how I say it.

I'm doing better. A lot better. She's not going to be totally out of my life, which I like. It will never happen beyond just really really really really really really great friends though, which I don't mind. Makes me feel a little on the lonely side, but that's all right. Things will come together for me. We both love each other very much, but she has a such a better thing going on for her down there, I'm stupid to get in the way. I'm going to let her live her life.

Now, I talk an awful lot about her. And it's understandable. I guess I don't talk enough about me though. What to say about me? I'm doing better, as I said. But I do feel lonely. I need to get out more and meet new people, but I don't have the faintest idea how to do that. Going out to bars and clubs and "the scene" is just stupid on your own. I don't really have friends or anything like that to go out with. It feels silly but that makes me feel more alone. I mean, I don't mind sitting at home and watching tv or reading or what not, but after what I experienced with Brittney, I want some more of that. Companionship. Someone who makes me feel good (no one will ever reach the level that Brittney reached with that though) and good about myself (ditto here). Maybe someday, somehow, I'll meet someone.

I'm just happy for her. She's in a good situation for her right now. She needs to be. She's had a hard, crazy life and she needs to settle. And that's what he does for her. Something I wouldn't be able to give her right now. I'm happy for her and that makes me happy. I feel all right. I'll get to talk to her once in a while, which is fine by me.

Pete, Joe, if you guys read this (well Pete anyway), I need a road trip. Anyone got any room?

So I feel better

2005-10-03T22:46:00.000-04:00

I feel a little better today. I've said to her just about everything I can and it feels good to let that stuff off my chest. Now I just gotta get back on the wagon.

Still feel sad and lonely and depressed. Don't know how long that is going to last. How long does it take to get over the love of your life? Anyone?

We want to remain friends. I'd kinda like that. Might make the grieving process a little tougher, but right now I need her. For a little while. Like training wheels. Just as a friend. I know, as of right now, that there can't be anything more between us. In the future? I don't know. It doesn't feel "permanent", but I also can't get my hopes up. I want to steal her away forever and I know she wouldn't mind, but that would still be wrong of me.

I hope I can meet a girl that's just as wonderful and pretty as she is. It's a tough combo and she pulls it off. Her guy is the luckiest SOB alive. Mark it down.

I really don't know what to say. Mark this on your calendar. Tomorrow I might be all sad and pathetic again. Better get me while I'm hot. You don't want to pass up a blubbering fool who's ripe for the picking. (caveat: must be within at most an hours drive...long distance isn't gonna work).

Patriots get ass kicked; I get more depressed

2005-10-02T19:30:00.000-04:00

With the Patriots losing horribly at home today, 41-17, I got my sign. Things will never be the same for me. It's a metaphor that speaks volumes to me. The end of the Patriots dynasty comes with the end of all good things to me. Sure, they are only 2-2 and can easily bounce back, as can this relationship (metaphorically speaking), but it assures the way I feel all this week. A week that culminates in this. I'm still nervous and shaking as I think about what has become.

I think about this fat girl at the bowling alley last night with two kids and she has to be under 20 years old. Where would my life be with a kid about now? Probably even more crazy and disturbed than it already is. But I'd like a family soon. Not now, but soon. When I can get everything together that needs to be sorted. A steady, well-paying job. A nice girl that wants to bear my children. A home, outside of this place. Some day, all those things will come together. I guess my biggest worries right now are finding a better job than what I have, so I have some sort of insurance. The job isn't bad and given time, they might ask me to stick around for the long haul. But I can't depend on that.

I'm shaking so bad I can't even type. I guess I'll just let this fly.

I can't take it anymore

2005-09-29T22:15:00.000-04:00

I have to write something down. I don't care who sees it because my head is going to explode. I've been sick to my stomach all week, I can't eat. All I think about is everything and nothing all at the same time. The next few "paragraphs" are going to seem rambled, but that is only because they are. I can't organize my thoughts anymore.

She (we) finally decided that enough was enough and it ended this past Monday when she informed that "you know who" was coming over. This wasn't the first time that she had done this, but this was the first time she had the decency to tell me about it and finally put an end to it. Mostly because she "couldn't stand it anymore". Well I could dammit! I know it was tough but I was really trying! I don't understand why two people who love each other have to have conflicting views about what is best for each other. I was fine with her. Apparently she wasn't fine with me. I still say it's because of the distance and my parents, because when we were together, it was magic. Pure magic.

All I think about is her. All I think about is hoping that he screws up again, like it is inevitable he will. I'm just waiting for her to call, crying, telling me that she broke up with him again. The guy is just too possessive and won't give her space when she needs it. All right. Back up. I know that sounds a little hypocritical, but it's not. Even though we were a million miles away, and we were in love, I let Brittney do as she pleased. If she wanted to go out with her friends, I didn't bitch and moan. This guy does. He won't let her see her friends, but he forces her to go out with him and his friends all the time. Double standard?

She was my life. I put her above everything else. Mostly because I don't matter. I've never mattered and I will never matter. I am nothing. Now I have nothing. Interesting. Anyway, I put her ahead of everything in my life. I tried to anyway. I didn't do anything without talking to her about it first. I thought that was fair. I gave her gifts on important days, like her birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day when she was really upset...I tried to make her happy and I tried to love her unconditionally. I think I succeeded. Then why is/was she so eager to just push me away out of her life?

Honestly, it comes back to distance and money. I am pretty sure that, if I get my life back on track and put away a decent amount of money and try to get things in order with my parents, that I/we can make this work. I know she wants to. I know she's only back with him because she's trying to do the same thing. I, however, can't be with anyone else and I don't know if I can ever be with anyone else. I put so much time and effort into this relationship that if I tried to do the same with anyone else, it wouldn't be worth it. I went all the way down there to visit her. She's 10 states and 18 hours away. Now I'm scared to ask out a girl only an hour away! Makes no sense. I was ready to go. Still am. But I'm convinced that this will not last. I try to think of it as temporary, like my current job. That, with time and money, things will be back on track and we will be happy. I cannot be happy. She felt alone when we were "together"..no fuck it, I'm taking away the quotes. ...when we were together. I was never alone because I could always call her up and talk to her and she always made me feel better. She made me feel good about myself, and she still does.

I'm trying not to initiate conversation with her because it hurts so bad. I don't even know what to say without crying. There is still so much I want to say to her, and I've gotten a lot of it off my chest already. I have a million questions that will go unanswered. I told her not to be a stranger, that she can still call and talk to me, but while she's with him I know she won't. She's too scared because the guy will go off the deep end. I guess the other day she told him about me and I'm just assuming that's where all this came from. I know what happens when you assume, but when you are in this sort of relationship for over 4 years, you kinda understand someone and how they work. She has a hard time expressing her feelings and emotions, and when she finally told her mother how she felt about me, I knew it took a lot of out her. She didn't feel relieved though. She felt more pressure. That's what most of this relationship was about, pressure. Pressure to do something now. We are only 22! We have our whole lives to act. Maybe not our whole lives, but I mean..why can't we just relax and prepare ourselves for it instead of acting so harshly? I mean, I would've gone and moved. But according to her, "that time was a long time ago".

This feels silly writing all this down. I want to say a lot (if not all) of it to her, but I don't know how to do it and what kind of response I will get. I feel stupid. I feel betrayed. I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me. I feel like I've been played for the past four years. I don't know how to feel because I still do love her a lot and I think about her all the time. I don't know what to do or how to get over it. I can't get over her. That's never going to happen. Every girl I meet from here on out is going to be compared to her and they just won't stack up. I know they won't. Do you believe in Soul Mates? Me either, until I met her. Things just clicked, and I still feel that magic. And I know she does too. I just know it.

It might take more time and energy, but I'm going to prove to her that the best thing for us to stick with each other. I don't know if there is anyone else out there for me that could even stand me. I'm a dirty, vile human being that doesn't deserve anything. No one wants me. I'm ugly and extremely white and I say stupid things.

There's still so much more I could probably say but I better stop. This thing is long enough. I apologize for the rambling nature of it and the length. But most of all, I apologize to you, Brittney. If you even read this. I'm sorry I couldn't be who you wanted me to be. I'm sorry I was so far away. I had a lot of fun with you and I wish you nothing but the best. I can't reiterate that enough.

Wireless Internet Is Cool

2005-09-04T22:32:00.000-04:00

So I got the internet in my room now. Meaning I don't have to fight with everyone when I want to use it. It also means I'm an addict/loser.

Still trying to get a job. It's a long weekend, and for us unemployed it sucks. It's not like we look forward to having the day off or something. I hope to find a job this week. It's not like I can't find one. If I actually sat down and called everyone, I could nail a job 8/10 times most likely. Why don't I? Lots of reasons actually. Not that I'd actually start naming them.

I really don't have any comments on what's happening in New Orleans. I mean I do, but it's best that I probably don't write them down. Someone could google "New Orleans", come to this, and become so horrified that I start getting hate mail. It's possible. Yes, it's a tragedy. Yes, it's horrible. But, yes, better them than me. Still wish I could've actually seen it before it became Atlantis.

Isn't a blog just for random thoughts and such?

Those of you who have deep relationships that ended, how did you get over it? Are you? Is it possible to get over it and move on with your life? Still trying to contemplate on this one...

Red Sox won again today, 4 up on the Yanks with the Pinstripes playing tonight. Braves were tied with the Reds, but who is worried about them? Not me! Up 4.5 on Philly. Funny how far the Nats fell. Same ol' Expos.

Gonna go walk the dog before it gets too dark.

Monday Again

2005-08-29T16:48:00.000-04:00

And I still have no job. Any potential employers out there? Want to give an opportunity to a poor kid who just graduated college who needs to move out on his own? Anyone?

I want to start today's post by posting the lyrics to one of my favorite songs:

Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed

Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace, whose sounds caress my ear
But not a word I heard could I relate, the story was quite clear
Oh, oh.

Oh, I been flying... mama, there ain’t no denyin’
I’ve been flying, ain’t no denyin’, no denyin’

All I see turns to brown, as the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand, as I scan this wasted land
Trying to find, trying to find where I’ve been.

Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace, like thoughts inside a dream
Heed the path that led me to that place, yellow desert stream
My shangri-la beneath the summer moon, I will return again
Sure as the dust that floats high and true, when movin’ through kashmir.

Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails, across the sea of years
With no provision but an open face, along the straits of fear
Ohh.

When I’m on, when I’m on my way, yeah
When I see, when I see the way, you stay-yeah

Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, when I’m down...
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, well I’m down, so down
Ooh, my baby, oooh, my baby, let me take you there

Let me take you there. let me take you there

Ever just sit back and actually listen to those lyrics? We all know the song, the tune is unmistakable, but the lyrics are like bliss. Makes me think. Makes me want to move out on my own and be my own person. I have this urge to just up and leave, but I can't. I have no money and no job and no other place to live. I feel stuck. Stuck in a place I'll never leave. It's sad. Plus, I want to be with Brittney. I know that sounds all sad and sappy, but it's true. I want to run away with her and be happy. Doesn't matter where. I won't be happy until I know that we will be together. She makes me happy and is really the only reason I'm even here and not in Arizona or some absurd place.

So let's play a game. 10 things that no one else might know about you. I'll start:

1. From 4th to 6th grade, I was considered one of the better "actors" and "singers" in school. This mostly pertains to the fact that I hit puberty late (summer after Freshman year in high school I grew 6 inches and my voice cracked). I never once even thought about persuing it later, even after countless talks with the musical director and so forth.

2. I lost the coveted "Most Likely to Succeed, Male" award to a noted crackhead and drug dealer.

3. I never drank until I got to college. I've yet to smoke or do any other drugs of any kind.

4. I have this undying fear that I'm going to be stuck living at my parent's house forever. I'm never going to get a good or steady job and going to college was a mistake. I'm going to be living in my little closet, talking on the phone to my little far-away girlfriend for the rest of my life and nothing good will ever come. This is because I'm an unmotivated asshole who does nothing to better himself.

5. I was accepted to go to the University of Arizona, but chickened out. I regret it every day. Not that I didn't have fun at the college I did go to, and some things now that I enjoy probably would've never happened if I went that far west, but I always wonder..."What if?"

6. I did not go to Prom or the Senior Dinner Dance or the Senior Class Trip. I was a social outcast in high school. I made up for it college though, somewhat. As much as I could I guess.

7. I totalled my car 3 days after getting my license.

8. I hate tacos.

9. I haven't talked to my best friend in high school since graduation. I feel bad, but he hasn't tried to contact me either so fuck him.

10. I had to wear glasses in like the 2nd grade. It was only supposed to be to read the board from far away. Being the lazy ass I was, I just wore them all the time. My eyes have deteriorated so badly, I can't do anything without glasses. My prescription is so strong that if anyone else tries to wear my glasses, they get intense headaches. I have tried contact lenses, but because I'm such a chicken shit, I didn't like touching my eye and would drop the lens constantly. I paid over $400 for specific lenses that I wore for less than a month.

Yes, I thought this was worth an update. Thanks for listening.

123 Book Game

2005-08-25T16:20:00.000-04:00

The computer had a list of about twenty-five other towns in ten states where Blue was starting to show up.

The Sipe Springs operation wasn't important because it wasn't unique. They'd had their chance at unique in Arnette -- well, maybe -- and flubbed it.

--The Stand, by Stephen King

Instructions as follows:

1. Grab the nearest book and turn to page 123.
2. Find the fifth sentence.
3. Post the next 3 sentences in your blog or web diary or anywhere really, along with these instructions.
4. Don't dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book! Just grab for whatever is closest.

A month between posts

2005-08-18T13:20:00.000-04:00

Makes no sense, does it. Keeping one of these things and never bothering to update it. I'm such a loser.

My birthday was Friday. I spent in Kentucky. Whoa, you say? Why Kentucky? Because that's where she is. You know who you are, darlin. 18 hour ride, and it went something like this:

Noonish, Wednesday, August 10:
--Embarked. Filled up on gas and took off. It's going to be a long next couple of days.

6:00ish, pm:
--Met up with Joe and Pete and unwinded. This after getting in stuck in traffic somewhere in PA when a truck flipped over, blocking the road. Made it out okay (I did anyway, don't really care about the driver) and finally made it to Reading.

8:30ish, pm:
--Met up with Lea, Joe's girlfriend and had a cocktail at her apartment before settling off for dinner at Panda Heaven. Hibachi = yum. Chicken and Red Snapper.

11:00ish pm:
--Make it back to Joe's, full and feeling fine. Fall asleep right away, thinking about the next day.

5:00 am, Thursday, August 11:
--Phone alarm gets me up and I'm on the road again. This is the fun part, making it all the way down there in one piece. She has to live on the other side of the freakin' state. Unbelievable. But it wasn't the first time I was making this trip, and it wasn't the last. I can tell you that right now.

Noonish:
--Pulled over by an Ohio cop. Real nice lady, let me go with a warning. I almost shit my pants because I didn't want to get pulled over, not after last time. Ouch. But I was able to keep trucking.

4:30ish pm, CST:
--Pulled into the Super 8. I made it. It was a long drive but I made it! I wanted to surprise her but she musta sensed me and came out of the room and saw me. Boy was I glad to see her. It had been so long. I'll spare the grimy, dirty details. I left on Monday afternoon and it was horrible. I didn't want to leave but I had to and it kills me. I will be back.

Life

2005-07-22T00:55:00.000-04:00

Ever think about death? I mean, really think about it. Would anyone miss you if your gone? How many people would be at your funeral? Would tears be shed when someone sees your name in the obituaries?

To me, these questions are quite interesting. I know I've touched a few lives in my life (right Brittney?...*wink) and I know people would be sad to see me go. How many attend my funeral is something different. Besides my family, I wonder how many of my friends (former and current) would be there. Anyone from East Brookfield? Albright? Have I touched that many people? How many people will be there just because my father is prominent in the community? Probably all are silly questions, but still. I think they are valid.

My Uncle Tony passed away this morning. Around 1:30 am. He had a blood disorder as well as an infection in his spleen. I didn't really realize the magnitude of it all until just the other day and I just started bawling. He is the first close family member that I have lost in my 22 years. This is going to be a tough funeral. His wife,(my Aunt Donna), my Aunt Mary, my mother and father, my Uncle George and Aunt Joanie, and Donna's two sons, Ricky and Johnathan, as well as their wives were there when he passed this morning. Absent were Tony's 3 daughters and 2 sons from his previous marriage. I'm glad the right people were there, and not these money-hungry scoundrals. They were already over my aunt's house rummaging through his car. Some people are just cruel.

Calling hours are Sunday, from 4-6 I think, or something similar. The funeral is Monday morning, around 11. I probably won't be able to do much until this is over. I am sorry for anyone who has ever lost a loved one.

Long Time, No See

2005-07-13T16:47:00.000-04:00

Been a while, but don't let that fool you.

I graduated from Albright College with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Mathematics, on May 22, 2005. Mark it down.

Since then I've been to Kentucky and back, haven't found a job (but a few interviews), and have been stuck at home with the family. Joy.

On the jobs: I'm not doing sales. Sorry. No can do. I hate salesmen and I can't be a salesman. It's just not right, for me. I know I shouldn't be picky, but I think I can be in this situation. It's not like I'm not looking, and my parents are going to let me stay as long as I want/can. It's only a matter of time until I find something I want to do anyway. Who knows in the end.

I really have little to report much else. Just that I'm back and this should see a little more action.

4 minutes to 24

2005-05-16T23:56:00.000-04:00

I got, like 4 minutes, so I thought I would do a tempting update of sorts! Yay!

This might be my last post for a while. With me graduating on Sunday (yippee!), it's going to be a busy week. Tiki Bar tomorrow, Mystery Dinner on Wednesday, Atlantic City on Thursday, other stuff on Friday, Graduation on Sunday. Phew! So I won't be around much.

After that, I don't know. I doubt I will be home for long. You know, road trip and everything.

Hershey Park was fun.

24 is on, gotta go!

Jay Leno sucks

2005-05-06T23:45:00.000-04:00

I mean, he isn't bad. But he just doesn't do it for me. I guess I just got used to Conan's hilarity.

Anyway, a couple things to discuss:

1) Premiere of Family Guy. Who caught it? Anyone? Awesome. Entitled, "North by North Quahoag", it was a complete parody of Hitchcock's classic "North by Northwest" (amazing film by the way). Complete with the cropduster scene, and the ending ontop of Mount Rushmore, it took the best parts of the film and made them Family Guy-esque. My favorite quote, as Mel Gibson is falling off of Mt. Rushmore: "Christians don't believe in gravity." It also included lots of making fun of Gibson's "Passion of the Christ", including a sneak peak of "Passion of the Christ 2: Crucify This" starring Chris Tucker and Jim Caviziel! Excellent stuff. Check out the new episode at 9:00 pm this Sunday.

2) Poker is fun.

3) Celtics force an improbably Game 7 in Boston. Let's see if I can talk about this rationally. There's like, 15 seconds left. C's up 1, on the road. In the playoffs. With the ball. Obviously you inbound the ball into Pierce, 'cause they are going to foul to stop the clock. He hits both, and the Pacers set a pick or two to get Miller open who misses the shot, and that's that. Except, Pierce was frustrated from being picked on all game, and at the obvious bias towards Reggie Miller. He picked up a technical foul earlier in the game. Remember this, as it is important. I forget who was inbounding, but they got it to Pierce at about half court. Tinsley does the smart thing and foul him quickly, scraping him across the face. And Pierce, being in the state of mind that he was in, ELBOWS HIM ACROSS THE FACE. Classy move Paul. No call was made right away due to the obvious flop by Tinsley, but the refs huddled together and made the right call, ejecting Pierce. Miller goes over and of course hits the free throw, tying the game. The wild part isn't over yet. A foul was called on Tinsley, and Pierce was supposed to take the free throws. Well, the rules state than when the fouled player is ejected, the opposing team can pick whoever they want to come over and shoot the free throws. Nice touch. Carlisle does the right thing in picking 20 year old Kendrick Perkins. Perkins was sitting on the bench the whole game, his only purpose to fluff Ricky Davis' pillow in between time outs. Predictably, Perkins chokes and misses both, when even one would suffice, forcing Indiana to do something. Now they can just sit around and hope a shot goes in as a bonus. Either way, they still have a chance to win. Miller misses the stand around jumper at the end of regulation, meaning we go to OT. Somehow the C's win. Walker makes a couple hoops during some horrible possessions. It's not really a convincing win, but it's a win. I'll take it. Game 7 tomorrow in Boston. I honestly can't see the Celtics losing, but it's gonna be ugly. If they do win, the series with Detroit is going to be horrendous. The worst 5 games ever.

4) Braves are on a roll. Scored 9 runs yesterday, and 9 today. The offense has been awesome lately. Smoltz left the game tonight with a hurt back, but he'll be all right. Just needs time to heal, stretch it out. He pitched fine even though he was hurt.

5) Today is May 6. Graduation is on May 22. Do the math.

20,000 is a big number

2005-05-04T22:10:00.000-04:00

So yeah. Went to the bar last night with Pete and Mike, because Mike heard through the grapevine months ago that the have beer pong on Tuesday nights. We get there and of course nothing is going on. Eventually it is discovered that, yes, there will be beer pong so Mike and Pete rejoice. However, to dampen the news, we find out that it is not played with beer. Instead, water is used. This is not cool. But, because they advertise for the beer pong tournaments, they have to use water.

Pete celebrates by coming back from an astronomical hole and defeating Mike in darts (Cricket). This sends Mike into dispair. More beer is ordered.

People start filing in (or as I like to say, "Here comes the booty") and it's getting pretty crowded. After much discussion and wavering through names like "Raped Angels", "Ranch Dressing-Glazed Dead Babies", "The Godfathers", "Team Tyson" and the more offensive "Fag Beaters", Pete and Mike settle on "Kong Dongs" as their Beer Pong name. This is humorous. I would have preferred "Ranch Dressing-Glazed Dead Babies", but it's not my team. I suck at beer pong and will watch.

I make small talk with a few hot girls. Maura, who I am acquainted with, introduces me to everyone as "from Massachusetts". One girl is from Keene, NH. This keeps my interest for about a minute.

Well, after Mike and Pete win their first game, I leave because I am a loser and I am slightly buzzed so I must go home. Pete later calls because he wanted to leave and Mike was still inside the bar making an ass out of himself. I pick up Pete and drop him off. Later, I learn that not only did Mike leave the bar with 2 complete strangers (walked all the way back to his apartment no less...I'm surprised they didn't kill him), but he was going to go to a party with them. You guess what happens. Yeah, they end up robbing Shelly and taking off.

Pretty slick Mike. Nice job.
----------------------------------
Nate did his Senior Thesis presentation today, and like most of the things Nate does, it was impressive. I had already seen most of everything (I use the Firefox theme, and the weather application to check the weather), but it was still neat to see how Nate presented to everyone. They all seemed impressed and Nate is going to go places (to see his stuff, go to thesis.nathanweller.com). Pete presented his yesterday and everyone got a kick out of it. That's not online, but it's a pretty cool movie. He got asked about his Quentin Tarentino-like influence, which is evident if you know Pete. I am not cool, nor smart, enough to do a Senior Thesis. I congratulate both of them on completing it and wish them luck with whatever they wish to do.
-----------------------------------
Braves win today, 5-2. They looked awfully shakey from what I saw. I guess Chipper hit a homerun, which is nice since he's been hurt. He looked rough running the bases though.

Celtics lost last night, 90-85, at home to the Pacers. They are now down 3-2 in the Series and have to go to Indiana to try and send it back to Boston for a Game 7. This is unlikely. They have been extremely disappointing, outside of their two blowout wins. How they can win by 20+ twice, and lose every other game is a mystery.

End Message.

More updates!

2005-05-03T13:34:00.000-04:00

I am the Highway by Audioslave
Come Together by Soundgarden
Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes
The Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd
No Leaf Clover by Metallica

I rarely see 8:30 in the morning. I had to today though. We are starting our senior seminar presentations. Andy Ikeler was first and his talk was on "Napolean's Theorem", which basically says that if you have any triangle, and construct equilateral triangles on each of the sides of the original triangles, then the centers of the newly constructed triangles will be the vertices of a new and different equilateral triangle. Phew. And he proved it 3 times! It was interesting. But geometry isn't really my cup of tea. Plus he had a little trouble explaining the difference between "1" and "0" (math thing, don't ask). The next presentations are Thursday. Rob (who has to be one of the more naive people I know; why he's a math major, I'll never understand) and Mary Jo. Rob is doing something with Linear Algebra that he probably doesn't understand. Mary Jo is doing something with polynomials and groups and Modern Algebra. It's probably interesting and she probably will do an excellent job on it. Overachiever. I'm lucky, or whatever you want to think about it. I don't have to go until next Thursday at 4:00 pm. So come see me make a fool out of myself!

What else was I going to say? I don't remember.... I don't know.

I feel bad for Nate. He's so stressed out lately. He was up 'til 5 the other morning working on his thesis. He got it done, or so he says. 30-some odd pages. Don't know how he does it. That and all the other stuff he's trying to get done. I think he's gonna go crazy one of these days.

Not much else going on. Where are the comments people? Doesn't anyone care at all? Probably not. But I do. That's why I write this stuff down. 'Cause I can, pretty much. Celtics go to try and take control of this series with the Pacers tonight, in Boston. Can't really see them losing, but I guess it's possible. We better win the series. I don't care that we have to take on the Pistons in the next round. 'Cause we might be able to take them. Might.

Sox are struggling, but it's early. Braves took 2/3 of from the Redbirds, so that was cool. Hopefully they will keep it up. Big series with Florida. The two favorites in the NL East right about now. Top 2 pitching staffs in the majors. Should be fun!

That's about it for now.

3 more weeks

2005-04-30T19:23:00.000-04:00

4 years ago I was saying the same thing. "I can't wait to graduate to get on with my life. I need something new and different." And I did. High school wore me out and I found it childish and stupid. The people were sophomoric, the teacher's rarely gave a rat's ass (except for a couple), and it lost it's luster.

Has college been any better? Maybe. I've had a lot of fun here at Albright. Was it my first choice? Well no. Anyone who knows me knows where I wanted to go. But I wouldn't trade any of my friends, here, for anything. Most of them are really good people. I can't say what would've happened if I went to Arizona. We can all say "what if...", but you don't know until you try. Sure Albright, as a school, sucks hardcore and I learned that students who leave Albright have a higher debt than any other Liberal Arts college....in the nation! But if I had to do all it over again? Yeah, I'd go to Arizona. But that's not a knock on the people here. Joe, Pete, Nate, Mike....they are all great people and wonderful friends. But it's time to move on and do something new and different. I have places I want to go. People I want to see. Things I want to do. Will I lose total contact with them? I can't say. It's not like I'll be impossible to get a hold of. But yeah, for a while I might not see them. Just look at all my friends from high school I still talk to. Very few. That's mostly by choice though. A lot of people from Prouty I just needed to seperate myself from. I needed to be my own person. And I think I've accomplished that. Now I have to do it all over again.

Grad school is probably out the window. I'm sick of school. I want something else besides sitting in a class room and writing papers and researching all this shit. I need to do something. I think my new motto is "Move West, young'n." See the world. Or at least the US. There's a lot of new and exciting people out there that you won't know about until you see them with your own eyes. Sure I'm biased, but yeah. That's how I feel.

Vris Sporting News:
--Celtics down 2-1 and 'Toine is out for Game 4. Ugh. Stupid league. That so didnt' warrant a suspension. Fine, maybe. Probably even. But to sit him out for Game 4? There's a conspiracy just to get Reggie Miller more air time. His "farewell tour". How idiotic is that? Doesn't anybody realize he has giant ears? He could fly away with those things! With no 'Toine, AJ has to step up BIG. Like, huge. He can do it and this is the place for him to show that he isn't just a 19 year old boy. This kid is a load and the Pacers have to prove they can bang with him. I don't think they can.

--Hudson v Mulder last night. Mulder got the better of Huddy, mostly because Tim floundered in the first. 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning is not a good start. The botched suiced squeeze by the Cardinals was nice though. Huddy made a great catch. And the Braves battled back, getting the homerun by Jordan to tie it at 4. Pujols answered with a 2-run moonshot, and the Braves got one more but couldn't get that last one to cross. Chipper got too much under a pitch, popped it up in foul ground but it couldn't find the seats. Tough break. It would be nice to win this series. We can't lose too much ground to Florida this early.

I really got nothing else right now. I'm on the facebook if anyone else is.

Friends, Romans, lend me your ears!

2005-04-26T19:00:00.000-04:00

It's been a couple days since a post, so I thought I'd be hip and cool and poppin' fresh and write some stuff down, as I see fit of course!

1) Braves lose a toughie to the Mets (I hate the Mets) last night. Smoltz v Martinez tonight. Very nice.

2) Celtics lose Game 2 to the Pacers (I hate the Pacers) 82-79. PP misses a 3-ball at the end that would've tied it. Now they lose homecourt. Aye.

3) Did the Tarot Card readings last night with Joe and Pete. Mike was there too. I really don't know what happened. They say I will have some sort of male influence/patriarchal figure in my future. This is something I was not expecting at all. I was definitely thinking female. It also hit dead on with the recent past events (torture, jealousy). It went on to say I am surrounded by good people, but I feel pain inside. And that, when all is said in done, I'll be happy. I like it.

4) I'm in a really good place right now. I feel good about myself and I'm smiling a lot more. I like the way things are going. But I need to graduate and do something with my life. The internet is a great place. After conversing with some people, one told me to look into "quant jobs" at a bank. They enjoy math majors. I'm on it.

April 23?

2005-04-24T00:47:00.000-04:00

Braves 11
Phillies 1

It's about damn time.

Anyways, I'm smilin'. Big time. I like where things are going in my life, besides the point where I don't have a job. But I'm looking forward to graduating and moving on with my life. I don't have "plans" per se, but there are things I want to do this summer. I'm sick of school, so that's out. I want something different in my life. I need something different. An 18 hour road trip will hit the spot big time.

That is all.

2005-04-23T01:18:00.000-04:00

Just watched Phillies/Braves (not on TBS...stupid networks) and was quite surprised. The Braves scored 6 runs. Count 'em: 1, 2, 3 ,4 ,5, 6! They had scored 6 runs total in their last 4 games (2-2; and those 2 wins were generous 2-1 and 1-0 luckjobs). What sparked them tonight? LaRoche and Giles hitting homeruns, Andy Jones ending a 0-28 skid with an RBI double. Chipper with a double and 3 walks. Will it keep up? That's hard to tell...

Pete Orr and Ryan Langerhaus started as the corner outfielders tonight, in place of Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan. Both of them are old and have been struggling mightily this year. Mondesi "won" the game yesterday when his sharp grounder to short was scooped up and then thrown in the dugout by Nationals shortstop Christian Guzman. 2 runs (unearned) came in and the Braves ended up holding on (Danny Kolb is extremely shaky this early in the year). Jordan hit a Grand Slam earlier this year against the Mets (that's always pretty). So they've had their moments.

Orr is an infielder, on the roster 'cause Giles was hurt and they needed him to play second base. But man is he fast. He legged out a triple a couple weeks ago that was mind boggling. He should be real fun to watch.

Currently the Braves are 9-8 and there is a logjam at the top of the NL East:

Fish 9-7*
Braves 9-8
Mets 9-8
Nats 9-8
Phils 8-9

*leading 4-2 in the 8th against Cincy

It's still early and the Braves have the best rotation in the division (but Pedro has looked extremely sharp already this year while John Smoltz can't buy a win). If their offense can get jump started, anything is possible.

Music Listened to while writing this blurb: Nirvana, "About a Girl" (extremely appropriate)

Ha!

2005-04-23T00:45:00.000-04:00

Whoa. This is a lot cooler than that other thing I was using. Thoughts, prayers, ideas, and musings will be here instead. Except I can't use Book Antiqua, those bastards.