Wednesday, April 30, 2003

Got a little thing for you here:

I'm gonna post lyrics from 10 MP3s currently on my hard drive. Can you name the artist and song for each? No fair Googling for 'em; let's see some BRAINS at work here.

Most correct answers get a prize of some kind. ;)

1) They said he loved adventure
"Ricky's the wild one"
He married trouble,
Had a courtship with a gun

2) Stuck to a chair
Watching this story about me
Everything goes by so fast
Making my head spin

3)He said "I'll love you 'til I die."
She told him "You'll forget in time"
As the years went slowly by,
She still preyed upon his mind.

4) We always did feel the same,
We just saw it from a different point of view.

5) On and on it goes
Calling like a distant wind
Through the zero hour we'll walk
We'll cut the thick and break the thin

6) Nothing suffocates you more than
the passing of everyday human events
Isolation is the oxygen mask you make
your children breathe in to survive

7) We asked for Mojo Nixon
They said "He don't work here!"
We said "if you don't know Mojo Nixon
Then your store could use some fixin'!"

8) I can hear you coming
I know what you're after
We're wise to you tis time
We won't let you kill the laughter

9) And I like eggs over easy
With flour tortillas

10) Hast du etwas Zeit fur mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied fur dich

E-mail me your responses at clintster @ thenews-gazette . com.
(remove spaces for best mailing results)
Good luck!

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

Lovers
You are the Lovers! Nothing means more to you than
your family and loved ones. You are empathetic,
caring, and affectionate to all who are blessed
to know you!


Which Tarot Card are You? *with cool pictures!*
brought to you by Quizilla

Sunday, April 27, 2003

OK, so, now the other weird story from the past week (see previous post)...

Wednesday, I was at work, minding my own business and trying to get caught up on work so I could leave for Boone (and Kathy's recital) with a clear conscience. All of a sudden my phone rings and I answer it.

It's a retiree who wants me to help him find and install a program that'll help him create thumbnails for photos he has on his computers. I tell him of a couple I know that are reliable, and I arrange to meet him Thursday evening to install it for him. I was supposed to go to Boone Thursday night, but hey, $30 is $30, right?

Well, the next day, I'm working away on a project I was trying to finish for the paper's annual graduation suppliment. All of a sudden, there's the guy. He came to the office to tell me that he was having problems with his computer and with his cable modem connection. And he tells me more about his plans for thumbnailing his phots and showing me some of them to see what he's talking about. "Uhh, nothing illegal, though." he adds.

Immediately my spider senses start tingling.

I get there at about 5:30 that evening, and he still hasn't gotten his computer back online. After talking with Adelphia tech support for a half-hour, he tells me what's really up with the computer pics. Seems his dad passed away recently and he's taken pics of all the estate items in anticipation of selling them off. He also mentions "I'm into bodybuilding", but judging from his physique and the magazine pic of a flexing musclehead on his living room floor, I suspected that he was more into bodyBUILDERS. The creepiness factor was rising exponentially as I stayed there and tried to explain that his crappy computer would need an upgrade to do what he had to do.

Finally, he and I decided that there was nothing else that could be done that day, and he walked me back to the door. Which he then unlocked. I didn't even noticed that it had been locked in the FIRST place. I left feeling like I had just avoided re-enacting a scene from Oz.

Now the question is, what do I do now? I need the money that he promised to pay for my work, which is yet to really begin. However, I have the strong suspicion that he is trying to make me, ifyouknowhutimean. Then again, maybe I'm reading too much into this. Maybe he is just a harmless old man who is genuinely working on his dad's estate and enjoys pumping up his deteriorating old body.

Still, I think I'm just going to tell him how to download the program he needs and try to refer him to someone else who can help him with his problems.

Saturday, April 26, 2003

Here in North Carolina, visiting my parents, and Kathy's mom. The Kath had her recital last night, and did quite well. A couple of weeks ago Kathy showed me a tape from her brother's wedding about 7 years ago; she sang "Ave Maria" for the ceremony. It was incredible just how much progress she has made in her training over the past few years.

Some weird things have been happening to me over the past couple of days. What happened to me Thursday is something I'll save for the next blog post. Yesterday, however, is something I'll ruminate on now.

So I got into town yesterday for Kathy's recital and decided to get my haircut so's I could look presentable. I went to a salon in Blowing Rock, and got a walk-in appointment. The beautician and I talked for a while about my engagement, the impending wedding, the weather and lots of other stuff.

After the haircut, she offered to wash my hair to wash away the loose hair. I agreed and she gave me a good shampoo. When I was finished, I started to get up, but I felt her hands clamp on my shoulders as she started to give me a shoulder rub.

"This is new..." I thought. Anyone else ever get a massage with a haircut? Didn't think so. And all the time she was calling me "Handsome". Eep!

After all that, I paid for the haircut, and she handed me her card, saying "Now, next time you're in town, look me up and I'll cut your hair again." I just kinda shrugged and left. It was a weird moment, to be sure. Not like Thursday, though. More on that later.

Oh, by the way. Thank you all (you know who you are). ;)

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Monday, April 21, 2003

OK, I have to blog about this, 'cause it's been eating away at me for the past week or so.

Back in college, I took Art History from a wonderful man named Dr. John Elliott. One of the first things we learned about in Art History I was about the contributions of the Assyrians and the Sumerians. Incredible artworks, gravity defying buildings, AND a uniform written language. He mentioned that many of these artworks were located in their land of origin, namely the nation currently known as Iraq.

Last week, reports came in from that nation stating that Iraqis had swarmed into their national museum and stripped it bare of all its artworks. 5-to-7000 year old vases, sculptures, bas-reliefs and other artifacts stolen or DESTROYED. Seems that for our administration, securing and guarding oil wells was much more important than safeguarding something much more important; a nation's cultural heritage. Not only one nation's, though; it was a heritage for western civilization as we know it.

When asked about it, administration officials were dismissive, even arrogant. "Oh, the Iraqi people are just letting off steam." "What are we whining about? It's just a bunch of old vases." "You liberals didn't whine about looting after the Rodney King verdict."

Bullshit.

Looting is looting. If the LA riots of '92 had resulted in the loss of a 7000 year-old television set, then you might have heard me as outraged as I am now. Televisions are replacable. This is not!

The thing that most pisses me off about this is the fact that the Resident's cultural advisors warned the administration that something like this could happen if/when Baghdad failed. Yet, in their own hubristic fashion, they decided that making sure Halliburton and Bechtel got their just reward for supporting Dubya was much more important than ensuring that the Iraqi people had something to point to with pride that DOESN'T power a Hummer.

I can't write any more. I'm just incredibly pissed and if I write any more, I'll probably get a visit from the FBI. Crikey.
*blush*
I scored
61½%
on the classic 400 Point Purity Test!
Take the test here!

Friday, April 18, 2003

So, according to this quiz, my empathy quotient is 61, and my systemizing quotient is 29. Above average empathy and average systemizing. Can you beat that?

Thursday, April 17, 2003

The first (well, the preview edition) of the new game "Wateveritiz" is now up. For simplicity's sake, I have posted it on my other blog. I'd kinda like to keep it there, but if anyone has a problem with it, I might move it over here. Just let me know, OK?

Have fun, everyone!

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

The past couple of days have been Hell for me, and for a couple of other people I care about, too. I won't go into details here, but suffice it to say I wish tings could be different.

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference


I learned that prayer 30 years ago, when my dad joined AA. That prayer saved his life. Until this morning I never truly understood the depth of it, though. I've always wanted to be the person who brought people together, the "glue of humanity". If that sounds haughty of my, I apologize.

I finally figured out last night that there are some situations that I can do absolutely nothing about, that there are some relationships over which I am powerless. I am coming to terms with that now. I may not like it, but if I cannot bring two people together who cannot stand one another, it is not a blight upon my character. I still wish they both could come to an understanding and a reconciliation, but it is beyond my help. I can only hope that the both of them can realize the bond that exists between myself and the other person and accept it as being there. My true love for the one, and my deep and abiding friendship for the other.

Peace to all.

Friday, April 11, 2003

OK, here's what I'm thinkin'...

Next week (Thursday, to be exact), I'm going to start a contest (no name yet). The contest will have to do with movie plots. I'll give you the plot of a movie, and you have to give me the title.

The catch is, I'll be giving you plot details in the "voice" of one of the characters in the film. For bonus points, you'll have to name the character that's speaking. Bonus points will also be given to the first person to come up with the correct answer, and for other stuff which I have yet to figure out.

Like Crink's fabulous contests, this will be an elimination contest, with the last person standing getting a fantastic prizzle. Tell your friends. Heck, tell your enemies, even. I want responses, responses, RESPONSES!

So, are you ready for... ummm... Whateveritiz?
Friday Five, 'cause there's nothing else on...

1. What was the first band you saw in concert?
It was Rush (the Canadian power trio, not the conservative blowhard), with Blue Oyster Cult opening up, in Augusta GA in 1986. I had a t-shirt from it, but lost it in a fire.

2. Who is your favorite artist/band now?
I'd have to say Pearl Jam.

3. What's your favorite song?
Hmmm... that's a toughie. I really like "Black" by Pearl Jam.

4. If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
Lessee, I'm learning to play guitar (slowly), and I've always wanted to learn, so there ya go. :)

5. If you could meet any musical icon (past or present), who would it be and why?
John Lennon, just to be in the presence of someone who really wanted to change the world with his music.

Tuesday, April 8, 2003

Just another This-or-That Tuesday:

1. Sexier (female)...Pamela Anderson or Jennifer Garner?
Garner. Pam has had Tommy Lee, Kid Rock, AND silicone implants inside her.

2. Sexier (male)...Ben Affleck or Matt Damon?
I'd have to go with Affleck. If I were gay, he'd really be my type.

3. The better piano player...Billy Joel or Elton John?
Sir Elton, thankyouverymuch.

4. Funnier...David Letterman or Craig Kilborn?
Of the two, I'd have to go with Dave. Kilborn's just a bit too smug for me.

5. The dumber cartoon cat...Stimpy (of *Ren & Stimpy*) or Tom (of *Tom & Jerry*)?
Stimpy. Although I've never seen Tom invent a Happy Helmet.

6. A better news anchor...Tom Brokaw or Dan Rather?
Rather. I like Brokaw's speech patterns better, though.

7. A better TV chef...Emeril Lagasse or Jacques Pepin?
BAM! It's Emeril, of the two. Add Masahiru Morimoto into the mix, and then we've got a challenge. :)

8. The trashier talk show host...Maury Povich or Jerry Springer?
Povich, for the simple reason that he still pretends he gives a shit about the poor people he's exploiting on TV.

9. The worse fast food burger joint...McDonald's or Burger King?
McD's. I'm biased though, since my first job was at a BK.

10. Thought-provoking question of the week: Only a handful of U.S. Presidents have been considered to be *great* Of the following two, which one do you consider to be greater...Franklin D. Roosevelt or Abraham Lincoln? Why?
Tough choice. The best president of the 19th Century vs. the best of the 20th. {side note: Isn't it scary that Dubya is the best president of the 21st Century so far?} In any case, I have to go with Lincoln. FDR pulled us out of the Great Depression, kept us motivated to fight and win WWII, and repealed Prohibition (the most ridiculous constitutional amendment EVER), but Abe Lincoln kept this nation from falling apart at the seams and, more importantly, freed an entire race of people from involuntary servitude.

Monday, April 7, 2003

Another Monday, another post.

For the first time in quite a while, I have Monday evening to myself, sort of. Since January I've been singing in the Rockbridge Community Chorus, where we've sung Handel's Israel in Egypt, and last night closed out our season with a pops concert. We sang a medley of Irving Berlin songs, two by Cole Porter (note to self: find MP3 of U2 singing "Night and Day") a suite from Carousel, an arrangement of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", and a pavane by Faure. When I went out and took photos for the paper today, several people complimented me on the performance. :)

I'm thinking about starting a contest on my blog. Something like "Title-ation" or one of the other games that Crink used to post on her blog, more or less regularly. I kinda wanna do something movie-and/or TV related. Any thoughts out there? Just comment or e-mail me. I'll probably announce something by the end of this week. :)

Friday, April 4, 2003

It's Clintster's So-Called Life, this Friday at Five (Four Central!)

1. How many houses/apartments have you lived in throughout your life?
From what I can remember, I've lived in at least 18 different places in my life.

2. Which was your favorite and why?
My favorite would have to be the house in Louisville, GA (1973-75) It was 3 stories, old as the hills, and located in a prototype "small town".

3. Do you find moving house more exciting or stressful? Why?
Actually I find it a little depressing, because of all the people and familiar places I'm leaving behind.

4. What's more important, location or price?
Location. A nice slightly out-of-town location is my favorite.

5. What features does your dream house have (pool, spa bath, big yard, etc.)?
It would have a pool, hot tub, big yard, AND plenty of space to have a darkroom. :)
A commercial has been bugging me lately. It's an ad for the upcoming movie The Core. I don't know how good it is, but if I had to guess, it's probably gonna be a stinker. That's not what's buggin' me, though.

The ad for it contains several review blurbs, all touting the "greatness" of this film. One of them calls The Core: "...a big summer movie, at just the right time."

Excuse me for being observant and all, but...

didn't we just start friggin' spring only two friggin' weeks ago????!???!?

Christ! I woouldn't have minded if they'd said "A big spring movie at just the right time" or "a big summer movie just a little bit early", but this is just R-O-N-G wrong!

OK, rant over. Go on with your normal routine.

Thursday, April 3, 2003

New meme, courtesy of Josh, via Ombre, by way of... and on and on and on.

How do you take your tea?
Iced, lotsa sugar, in a tall glass.

Do you give names to inanimate objects?
Not really, unless cars count.

Your love life: epic poem, short-story, or couplet?
More like scrawled graffiti on a bathroom stall. Probably a limerick.

Ketchup or mustard?
Ketchup. Josh says it's a redneck condiment, but I know better. All good rednecks only use TRUCK STOP condiments!

Your most interesting story behind an injury.
Lesson 1: Never make a home for fireflies in a Cool Whip bowl.
Lesson 2: Keep all sharp objects away from your knuckles!

Caesar salad in ten words or less:
Crisp lettuce, tangy dressing, toasty croutons and parmesan, GIMME SOME!

PBR or NPR? OR pour PBR on NPR? OR PBR with NPR?
NPR on PBR! Especially listening to "PHC"

ASL?
"I Love You", about 2/3 of the manual alphabet, and the lyrics to "The One I Love" by REM.

ADD?
Now that's the silliest thing I ever... SNAKESSNAKESGETEMOFFMEOMIGODIMGONNADIIIIEEEEE... ever heard.

OPP?
Naaah, I ain't down with that, dirty.

CNN: news mogul, story monger, or shit mongrel?
Story monger. Fox News, on the other hand, is pure shit mongrel!

Favorite RPG, assuming you recognize the abbreviation. Assuming you
don't, take this: METEO!

Hmmmm, gotta go with Star Trek Starfleet Battles. It's SOOOOO awesome!
What??!?

Holes in Socks: Proudly worn comfort scars or throw them bitches away?
Comfort scaars, though I try to tuck the holes between my toesies.

A song you've been singing the wrong lyrics to forever:
"Blinded by the light, wrapped up like a douche, another boner in the night"

The penis: culmination of evolution or ho-hum sexual dirigible?
Penis? Never heard of it.

Confess and we will shrive you of your sin: have you ever pulled the skin
Pulled it? Hell, son, I... maybe it's best you don't know.

Favorite cocktail? Addendum: whats in it? Duodendum: get it?
Screwdriver. Vodka and OJ (the juice, not the killer). Yes I do.

Any sport(s) you're passionate about?
Baseball

Beach or Mountains?
Mountains

Dog or cat?
They're both cute, but I gotta go with cat.

Cunnilingist: conniseur or glorified version of a pelican?
*whistles faintly*

The vagina: enigma of smegma or segue to Heaven?
Heh!

With which of the seven dwarves (or eight, if you insist) do you most identify?
Bashful

Most artistic use of profanity you've commited/seen commited?
"We just lie on our beds and piss money all day." -Kathy Truett

Which most complements corpulence: spandex, lace, or cheese cloth?
Cheese cloth, preferably in many, many layers.

Despite all your rage, are you still just a rat in a cage?
Well what I really want to know is: Are you gonna go my way?

Which Bond character most personifies your libido:
What was Christopher Walken's character in A View to a Kill? That one.

What would you have done with your mortal remains?
Bury 'em on a hill on Beech Mountain, NC.

What would we find under your car seats?
Marcellus Wallace's soul.

Does the carpet match the curtains?
A little darker, but yeah.

Whats going on in the background?
The latest episode of South Park.

What are you wearing, no, better yet, what am I wearing right now? Talk
dirty, slave!

I'm wearing a Trustus t-shirt and a pair of sleep bottoms. You are wearing... i seeeee... CLOTHES!

Good night, Springdale. There will be no encore.

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

Good news! The Virginia-Texas war is OVAH!

I called Kathy's dad tonight, and he and she talked about the whole ugly state of affairs between them in the past week or so. It's all been resolved, they're coming to the wedding, and they're paying for the pics and video. Kathy's step-grandmother still isn't coming (we think) because we found out she has agoraphobia. I want to assure her that no fuzzy sweaters will be around the wedding site, whatsoever. :)

So now we have 208 people on our invite list. Better make seconds.

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

Mix-n-match Monday. APRIL FOOOOL!!!

1. The Bogey-Man or Henry Kissinger?
The Bogey-Man. At least he never ordered a "secret" bombing campaign in Cambodia.

2. Whips 'n chains or soft ropes with furbound cuffs?
Soft ropes, hold the cuffs.

3. Fish sticks or Amazon.com?
Amazon.com. I got sick of fish sticks when I was a teenager.

4. Whitewall tires or color TV?
Color TV, baby!

5. Leather or lace?
:stevie nicks: give to me your leather, take from me myyy laaaaacce :/stevie:

6. Abraham Lincoln or leftover turkey?
Lincoln. I never heard of leftover turkey doin' anything for the black man.

7. Movable Type or Star Trek?
Ummmm, Star Trek, unless it's a really bad episode or a really cool font.

8. Happy Happy Joy Joy or Bounce Bounce Bounce like Tigger?
:bounce, BOUNCE, BOUNCE:

9. The Michelin Man or the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man?
The Michelin Man; ever since Ghostbusters, Stay-Puft won't return my calls.

10. Thought-Provoking Question of the Week: If you HAD to marry one of the talking M&M's in the TV commercials, would it be the red one or the yellow one? Why?
I don't swing that way baby, but if I had to choose, it'd be Red. Just imagine, a computer generated spouse with the voice of JON LOVITZ! :squeal: