I Know I Shouldn't...

Some Sweet Dreams

First of all, I'd like to mention that apparently I'm not the only one who has thought of the 10k day idea. Here is an article that you may find interesting. If you look near the bottom you will see that yes indeedy my blog was quoted. That counts as being published!!! Here's what I've been up to.
-I was offered the TA position for my Chem. class next spring. Very flattering and exciting. Also I may tutor a girl from my class for real money! They will pay you for that!
-I finally got Ubuntu to work on my old desktop. It took a little time but it really is cool. No Microsoft involved. The experience has been very empowering. I didn't even know what a terminal window was until last night. I was entering code and all sorts of stuff. Hurray! My greatest achievement was getting my rhythmbox to work by looking online at the forums and finding the answer to my problems. It was cool.
-My listening obsession with Vampire Weekend and M.I.A. led me to look at the record label they share. My two big finds are Dizzee Rascal and Ratatat. I can't stop listening to Dizzee. It's very hip.
-I think that the little Starbucks band my get off of the ground. I played a bass today at the music store and it was really fun. I want to talk our drummer into getting an electronic drumkit.
-I checked a "to do" off of my life goals checklist tonight as I purchased an excellent sombrero. It is pretty sweet.
-The lottery is going to be mine. I got a powerball ticket and there is no way I can lose. I'm already planning on what I will do with the money.
-I wrote a short story for my Eng. class and if the teacher doesn't totally rip it to shreds than I my post it on here. Thanks goes out to Ian for proofing it for me!
Later
---maybe I'll post some pics of my sombrero!!!

Primavera

The weather the past couple of days has been fantastic. I need to take my new bike and get the wheel trued, new pedals (the ones he gave me have these three prongs that EAT my shoes, and make the seat flat so I don't wreck my manly bits. The whole reason for this explanation was that the past few days have been so glorious and pretty that I simply had to bike ride, however I was much to lazy to get my new bike set up. SOOOO..I started riding my old bike. I lowered the seat and set the gear to a smooth "1." I proceeded to putter around the neighborhood at a, one might say, relaxed pace. I don't know how fast I was going, but the mailman walking to each house and delivering his letters today almost outpaced me. It made me remember how fun it is to just ride without a destination or thought of exercise. I definitely would NOT want to try to commute on my bike, but for the cruising speed I was making (with occasional kicks from me feet to help me along!) it was great. I don't think I have looked forward to riding all day like this in about a decade. The best part of today was passing some young hotties in capris and tube tops carrying puppies to their car while the pear blossom petals fluttered around me in the breeze under the gloriously shining sun. Sigh. I finally started my short story for school and it is pretty crappy. But at least it's done. Whew. I have to do some revision, but I think it might actually be ok. Emily is back from chicago and is even paler than when she left. This weather really makes me feel so fantastic. Not smoking and being outside makes me feel healthier now than I have in years. I guess I'm eating more, but I'm also doing a lot more so I think it's kind of balancing. I had a great breakfast with my ma and my sis this past weekend. It was weird in a good way for it to just be the three of us. The little shuffle Jed gave me has been getting unending play this past week, whether it be through my headphones or the tiny speakers from Walgreens. That's right. So far my whole ipod experience has run me a little over $5. Yeah. Some noticeable listenings have been Taylor Swift "Our Song," Vampire Weekend, and Toots and the Maytals. Here are some official pictures of them. I usually only have my own pics so it took some real effort to find these official photos on the internet.

If you only knew how funny I thought that was then you would appreciate it more. I think I fell at least twice laughing over those pics, but it is okay if you don't enjoy it. DIfferent strokes for different folks and all that.

Cut Your Teeth on Revolution!

I'm currently digging tunnels, making plans, and talking constantly in order to ward off fear. Fear of what you say? Fear of dying/living/failing/succeeding/etc. That is the answer. Hopefully I make sense to someone. Here's the news in the format I am most comfortable writing in.

-I finally got my bike and it is awesome. I named it Big Blue. Original, I know. The tires are kevlar. Kevlar man! That means, if someone shot at me, and it hit my tire I would be safe. More about the bike later.
-Freedom isn't free. Everyone should know that. I've been trying to define freedom/success for myself recently and it is VERY difficult. I get tired of making plans. Perhaps I will just start going with the flow. Why am I in such a rush to succeed anyway? Hmmmm...
-School is boring. I'm sorry but it is true. Everyone expects something from you. Did they expect something from Han Solo? Yes, and look where that got him. Don't you wish he still was out smuggling shit with Chewie. Drama and relationships are overrated. I like books. They never talk back.
-Pain in the ass customers are only lintballs in the pocket of my life. I will survive.
-Alvis Dunn is a cool professor. But he wants too many papers. Doesn't he know I have a blog to barely keep up with.
- I want to start saying that everything is "crispy." It's gonna be cooler that "cool." I mean crispier that "cool."
-I am taking another class with Eric Mortensen. AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!
-Foreign films are always depressing. Why can't they make something happy? Oh wait, Miyizaki saves the day again! Hurray for Kiki's Delivery Service! Booo for everything else!
-Kevin Bacon in the movie Quicksilver changed my life. I believe Kevin, I believe.
-Coffee is good. Starbucks coffee is good to drink. Major corporations are bad. All small businesses aspire to be big business. Thus all business bad. Starbucks bad. Coffee still good. We okay.
-Don't buy the Cloudbook. Never take technology advice from me. Always ask Emily, as she knows everything before everyone else.
-I'm going to Seattle. Is it sad that I'm excited because that's where Dark Angel is set?
-I still haven't finished watching Dark Angel. There are two episodes left, and after that the show is over. If I never watch them then it never ends. My imagination is great, though decidedly lewd when it comes to a superhuman Jessica Alba who goes into heat 3 times a year. Sigh.
-Spanish class is fun. I want to learn Spanish so bad, but a foreign language is so intimidating.
-Reese's has an Elvis inspired candy. It is delicious, although definitely from the King's later years. Mmmmm...
-Warm weather=pretty girls in summer clothes, thus warm weather and pretty girls in summer clothes are > π (I mean pie!).
-go to here because i said so (also, it's crispy)
-Technology blurs time and place of all memories.
-The signs of progress are urban and technological, as opposed to land and liberty. And that ain't right. Read Cory Doctorow and any other ribofunk you can find. It's the future you know. Viva Zapata.
-Life is life, everyone always lives, no matter what happens (unless you die, unfortunately). There is always that aspect to look forward to. You will always be living. Until you're dead. In which case it probably won't matter that much to you anyway.
-I quit smoking. The best comment I received was from Jed's Mama, "I am so proud and happy for you that you have quit smoking! Congratulations!

Keep on "Huffing" as you pedal your new bike, but no more "Puffing" on that nasty old weed,

Smokeless Sue" It's amazing.
-Do you put the fence around the cow or around the garden? Think carefully before you respond, but please do so in the comment box.
-I dreamed about Precious.

Some Updates and My 2007 Book List

Hello!

I recently made some updates to the blog. I took off the "Books since sept. 2007" list and updated it to be 2008. The books that I had read from Sept. 2007 are:

Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen

↓	When Heaven and Earth Changed Places, Le Ly Hayslip with Jay Wurts

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Mutant Message Down Under, Marlo Morgan

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The Mother Earth News Almanac, A Guide Through the Seasons

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Three Singles to Adventure, Gerald Durrell

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Lady of the Mazes, Karl Schroeder

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Son of the Revolution, Liang Heng and Judith Shapiro

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Runaways Vol. 7 Live Fast, Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona

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Runaways Vol. 6 Parental Guidance, Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona

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Family, Pa Chin

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Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett

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Runaways Vol. 5 Escape to New York, Brian K Vaughan and Adrian Alphona

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Runaways Vol. 4 True Believers, Brian K Vaughan and Adrian Alphona

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Runaways Vol. 3 The Good Die Young, Brian K Vaughan and Adrian Alphona

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Runaways Vol. 2 Teenage Wasteland, Brian K Vaughan and Adrian Alphona

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Runaways Vol. 1 Pride and Joy, Brian K Vaughan and Adrian Alphona

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California Sorcery, edited by William F. Nolan and William Schafer

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Pearl Harbor, Robert Goldston

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Barefoot Heart, Elva Trevino Hart

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Showcase Presents Batman and the Outsiders, Mike Barr and Jim Aparo

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Strangers in Paradise pocket book 1, Terry Moore

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Strangers in Paradise pocket book 2, Terry Moore

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American Gods, Neil Gaiman

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Around the World in 45 Years, Charles Schulz

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Identity Crisis, Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales

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Spook Country, WIlliam GIbson

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High Society (cerebus volume 2), Dave Sim

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Happy Days, Laurent Graff

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Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain

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World War Z, Max Brooks

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Cerebus, Dave Sim

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The Ghost Brigades, John Scalzi

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The Complete Bone, Jeff Smith

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The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy

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Thud, Terry Pratchett

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Watchmen, Alan Moore

Not Much of Anything At All (plus my 2007 book list)

That's what I would have to say if you asked what I'd been doing. But it would be a lie! I've been a very busy boy. To start off, I would like to say that I hate me computer and I hate me some Dell. What a piece of poop. Okay, that's out of my system. Since I've last posted I've
-Been to see the dentist for the first time since 2000 or 2001 (I can't really remember). It wasn't too bad. I have to have some enamel filled, but I was expecting to leave the place with dentures.
-I'm taking the Chantix. It seems to be reducing my desire to smoke, but I worry that it seems more of a habitual thing than I thought it would be. There are designated times that I smoke during the day and I seem to always smoke during them. But in times of limbo I certainly don't seem to smoke as much (for example, when I got home from school today at 1, I didn't smoke again until around 8).
-We had some beautiful days in the 70s and we had snow.
-I made some sweet sweet moola feeding Jim's dogs in Asheboro.
-Jed's poor car caught on fire and burned to a crisp. I miss Moon Max and will always remember that he carried me to some absolutely beautiful places. Jed subsequently bought a new "grown up" car.
-Emily and I ate a lot of vegetable.
-I read a lot of Hemingway.
-I bought 3 new pairs of shoes at REI. Magical new shoes, mmmmm!
-The Cloudbook was delayed at least 37 times. I don't even want one anymore.
-I got over my obsession with the Grateful Dead. Now I'm obsessed with bikes.
-I want to sell everything I own (I'd just give it away, but a brother has to turn a profit).
-Emily got a Kindle and loves it.
-I started watching Dark Angel (which I hated when it was on) and absolutely love it. The show is so horrible that I can't help but love it. Plus there are computers, mutants, bicycles, and Jessica Alba. Emily started watching Big Love. I don't like it very much and refuse to watch it with her.
-I got called in for JURY DUTY!!!
-There were two scholarships that I was eligible for that I applied to. No news yet, and I don't have very high hopes. I don't really DO that much, especially at school, which is what I believe that they are looking for.
-I have lots of bills (that's a sad one).
-I watched two sucky anime movies that almost drove me totally away from animation because they were so bad. Then I watched a Miyizaki film and my faith was restored. My Neighbor Totoro is one of the best movies ever made.
-Jed might sell me the roof rack from Max so that I can have one. It is only moderately crispy.
-If Pops reads this he should contact me so I can ask him numerous annoying questions about stupid bike stuff that he is not really interested it. But he has to realize that I don't have anyone here to talk to about that stupid bike stuff and it just sits in my head and then I feel bad for calling him to ask some really dumb question like, "If I buy a really cheap $50 bike from Target will it make me happier than the bike I have now, and if so how can I rationalize the purchase?" When really I will say, "There's a $50 bike at Target that's new and shiny and cheap, and I don't like my bike, what should I do?" I start to feel guilty when I call and have this conversation EVERY time we talk, but I do like some nonsensical reassurance.
-Work sucks. I like the new shift, but I've been there too long. I thought about transferring, but I don't particularly like any of the other stores that much either.
-Emily says I have to study for my chemistry test now, which I rationally know but I don't want to do because it's hard and I'm tired. I leave you with some pictures.



Hello!
I recently made some updates to the blog. The Tata Nano has been removed as a news feed and replaced with the Asus EEE PC, which I'm starting to like better than the cloudbook. My main pic. and profile pic. are new also. There are two new links added as well that deserve a look. I took off the "Books since sept. 2007" list and updated it to be 2008. The books that I had read from Sept. 2007 are:

Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
When Heaven and Earth Changed Places, Le Ly Hayslip with Jay Wurts
Mutant Message Down Under, Marlo Morgan
The Mother Earth News Almanac, A Guide Through the Seasons
Three Singles to Adventure, Gerald Durrell
Lady of the Mazes, Karl Schroeder
Son of the Revolution, Liang Heng and Judith Shapiro
Runaways Volumes 1-7, Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona
Family, Pa Chin
Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett
California Sorcery, edited by William F. Nolan and William Schafer
Pearl Harbor, Robert Goldston
Barefoot Heart, Elva Trevino Hart
Showcase Presents Batman and the Outsiders, Mike Barr and Jim Aparo
Strangers in Paradise pocket book 1 and 2, Terry Moore
American Gods, Neil Gaiman
Around the World in 45 Years, Charles Schulz
Identity Crisis, Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales
Spook Country, William Gibson
High Society & Cerebus, Dave Sims
Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain
World War Z, Max Brooks
The Ghost Brigades, John Scalzi
The Complete Bone, Jeff Smith
The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
(this book led me to briefly corresponding with my all time favorite author, Bruce Sterling)
Thud, Terry Pratchett
Watchmen, Alan Moore

Hello Again

It's been a fast week this week. Last week was slow, but this one is flying by. Emily and I have been trying to go bike riding some and I thought it would be fun to have a picture of her here, unfortunately the picture I took will not load. The weather has been fantastic, especially since my favorite pair of pants finally kicked the bucket. It's been so nice though I can soothe my troubled clothing worries with the wearing of my favorite leg coverings, shorts. School has been fun but really difficult. Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning with all of the things that I am supposed to do. I'm finding that as long as I take one thing at a time it doesn't accumulate as much. The other day at school I was reminded why Guilford is so kick-ass when I passed a guy making armor. Sweet. Lately I've been drawing a lot and decided to put some pictures of Em's up here for your edification. My friend Ashely started a cool new blog here. She's really funny and takes some mean photos. I'm off to Spanish and Chemistry class now. I have a quiz in Chem class today, AAARRRGGHHH!!! Wish me luck.
Okay, I'm writing this paragraph about 5 hours after the first one. The Chem quiz was easy and I got back my first Spanish test, which I didn't do as badly as I thought I did on. My pictures are taking forever to load because someone in this house regularly uses up ALL of the bandwidth doing who the hell knows what. I just finished One Hundred Years of Solitude and I am completely blown away. What a marvelous book. I don't even know what to say about it because I'm so flabbergasted with how astonishingly great it was from beginning to end. I don't think that there was a bad sentence/word in the whole darn thing.


I think that I want to try looking for a cheap road bike (in Greensboro that is no small undertaking). The last road bike I had is tainted with bad memories. So I normally don't think about it. I bought this bike the last semester I was at Wilmington. It was a beautiful silver Peugot that I bought from a local bike shop for a pittance. Even thought I rarely went to class flying around campus on that bike, listening to (I'll date myself here) Deseperacidos, was a magical experience. That was all destroyed though on the day that I was flying home on the great silver beast and the front fork simply divided. I only had time to register a moment of surprise as the front wheel outpaced the bike itself, leaving me and the frame to grapple on the cement over who was going to go after the beautiful front tire that had always led the way. At last, exhausted, I lay wrapped in the post-coital embrace of the jagged remains of the frame, watching as the errant front tire repented of its escapist ways and circled around to gently bop me on the head with a loving and rubbery kiss. I picked up the tire and and the remains of the bike and dragged both home, to the amusement of those that had watched my fall. At home I washed my wounds and shaved my head in mourning for my lost compatriot who had so viciously betrayed me. But now I am willing to put the fork's division down as a matter of rust or age, and not the betrayal of my love that I saw it as then. It is time for a new day to dawn where I am not afraid of the road bike that may bike me, or fork me over. In that vein I am searching for a large road bike, which would support my colossal weight, and bear me into the future on wings of steel and rubber. If anyone knows of a beat up old bike that needs a good home such as mine, where it will be cared for until the end of its days then let me know.