I think the show Coupling is genius. I'm sure I saw a few episodes closer to when they originally came out, but I'm only getting into them now. Fan-bloody-tastic show. And thank God for netflix for providing my DVD fix.
Also, I have discovered something that I think I'll make a new addiction: Indian food take out. What a brilliant concept (again, years behind the curve, me). I went last night in P-ton...why bother sitting down in the restaurant when you can just grab and go? The place has a lunch buffet too, so I may try to arrange a lunch outing with work folks.
I have the VMAs going in the back ground as I write this. Am I just getting old, or is this show really embarrasing? Wait, I am getting old. Ech.
8.31.2006
8.29.2006
Books
I just started reading Roddy Doyle's The Commitments...if it sounds familiar, it was also used as the basis for a rather good movie in the early 90s. I've had it on my shelf for a while, and I think I'm reading it now just so I can read someone espouse the coolness of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, et al. It's heavy on the "Irish" dialogue, and the version of the book I have actually contains three novels. I'm gonna have to split that level of "Irish" up somehow. (He spells all the dialogue phonetically, so you can imagine how the characters sound when they speak. Clever, sure, but everything is moderation.)
That fine selection notwithstanding, nothing else on my shelf of books to read looks all together interesting at the moment, so I decided to trawl the used bookstores of the area to find my next read. I headed first to the Cranbury Book Worm, and within 15 minutes, I already had four books in my hand. Had I the time and the inclination, I could have done some serious, serious damage in that place. The books are really inexpensive, and there are stacks behind stacks behind stacks of them. I only skimmed the surface, and I was still able to find some good ones.
I had fully intended to also hit the used book section of Micawbers Books in Princeton, but seeing as how I found some good things at the book worm, I may just hold off on that place until the next time I get the book shopping urge.
Going to Cranbury also reminded me of the lunch hours I used to take there when I worked near the area. We'd head to the pizza place and then spend the remaining time going after books. I've always been impressed about how they put plaques on each of the homes along Main Street saying when they were built. Coming from strip mall city in Florida, it was a nice dose of history.
That fine selection notwithstanding, nothing else on my shelf of books to read looks all together interesting at the moment, so I decided to trawl the used bookstores of the area to find my next read. I headed first to the Cranbury Book Worm, and within 15 minutes, I already had four books in my hand. Had I the time and the inclination, I could have done some serious, serious damage in that place. The books are really inexpensive, and there are stacks behind stacks behind stacks of them. I only skimmed the surface, and I was still able to find some good ones.
I had fully intended to also hit the used book section of Micawbers Books in Princeton, but seeing as how I found some good things at the book worm, I may just hold off on that place until the next time I get the book shopping urge.
Going to Cranbury also reminded me of the lunch hours I used to take there when I worked near the area. We'd head to the pizza place and then spend the remaining time going after books. I've always been impressed about how they put plaques on each of the homes along Main Street saying when they were built. Coming from strip mall city in Florida, it was a nice dose of history.
8.27.2006
A lazy Sunday in a rainy-day town
It has been raining off and on for most of the day, under a general din of gray. Weather like this casts a pall over everything, somehow quieting everything down and making go somewhat slower. It felt that time, rather than keeping its incessant pace, decided to lay itself down on a comfortable bed and watch a bit of TV, saying "y'all can go on without me for the afternoon. cheers."
That's my assumption, and it kinda held true for Hopewell...but not so much Princeton. The place was bloody packed; the misting rain must have drawn people in. It took me forever to find parking.
I've never done this before, but I managed to make it to the Small World coffee place twice in one day. I guess that's what having a good book in hand makes me do. I have to balance a compulsion to read with my inability to sit in one place for more than two hours, so I went there in the late morning after a quick jaunt to the witherspoon bakery, and I got myself overly caffeinated, which is never really a good idea. The rest of the afternoon, I drove around town, doing the odd errand here and there. I returned later in the evening after I ate an early dinner, and read some more.
The bummer about a book is that it eventually ends. I have a shelf of books ready, but none of them look all that appealing. If anyone has some suggestions.
On another note: at the intersection of Washington rd and Rte. 1, there's a sign that says "yield to pedestrians." I've never seen anyone even contemplate trying to walk across that intersection. Not even squirrels are dumb enough to try and cross Rte. 1
On another, another note: I was going to head into work for a few hours today, but the distraction potential of "dad had to go to the emergency room" is unmatched, really. When I think of emergency, I think of brain aneurysms and arms falling off, and various other horrors. Thankfully, the situation isn't as bad as the worst-case scenarios I immediately conjure, with most of the long-term health nightmares ruled out. While he'll still have to go into surgery tomorrow to get the problem dealt with, my parents do live in a country with one of the highest standards of living in the world (make all the cheese and watch jokes you want about Switzerland, we keep all your money safe), so that means they have great doctors and hospitals.
That's my assumption, and it kinda held true for Hopewell...but not so much Princeton. The place was bloody packed; the misting rain must have drawn people in. It took me forever to find parking.
I've never done this before, but I managed to make it to the Small World coffee place twice in one day. I guess that's what having a good book in hand makes me do. I have to balance a compulsion to read with my inability to sit in one place for more than two hours, so I went there in the late morning after a quick jaunt to the witherspoon bakery, and I got myself overly caffeinated, which is never really a good idea. The rest of the afternoon, I drove around town, doing the odd errand here and there. I returned later in the evening after I ate an early dinner, and read some more.
The bummer about a book is that it eventually ends. I have a shelf of books ready, but none of them look all that appealing. If anyone has some suggestions.
On another note: at the intersection of Washington rd and Rte. 1, there's a sign that says "yield to pedestrians." I've never seen anyone even contemplate trying to walk across that intersection. Not even squirrels are dumb enough to try and cross Rte. 1
On another, another note: I was going to head into work for a few hours today, but the distraction potential of "dad had to go to the emergency room" is unmatched, really. When I think of emergency, I think of brain aneurysms and arms falling off, and various other horrors. Thankfully, the situation isn't as bad as the worst-case scenarios I immediately conjure, with most of the long-term health nightmares ruled out. While he'll still have to go into surgery tomorrow to get the problem dealt with, my parents do live in a country with one of the highest standards of living in the world (make all the cheese and watch jokes you want about Switzerland, we keep all your money safe), so that means they have great doctors and hospitals.
Match
My little niece had a birthday yesterday. I can't believe she's already three years old. Man, the time flies. I bought her a Dora the Explorer doll...she liked it, and then promptly started tearing at the next gift! heh. I did see her playing with it later, so that's cool.
I watched the movie Match Point last night, Woody Allen's flick from last summer. Well written, I must say (I think Woody Allen is brilliant), but I think I've discovered I'm not really into those movies. I also couldn't quite understand how the movie related to tennis in any way. Eh. Oh well. I've had it for a long time from Netflix, and I was just watching it so that I can return it. Now, I've got season 1 of the Brit show Coupling on the way, so I'll be looking forward to that!
Apropos nothing, I think I'm going to add Women with British Accents to my list of weaknesses, right up there with Women who Play Guitar.
I watched the movie Match Point last night, Woody Allen's flick from last summer. Well written, I must say (I think Woody Allen is brilliant), but I think I've discovered I'm not really into those movies. I also couldn't quite understand how the movie related to tennis in any way. Eh. Oh well. I've had it for a long time from Netflix, and I was just watching it so that I can return it. Now, I've got season 1 of the Brit show Coupling on the way, so I'll be looking forward to that!
Apropos nothing, I think I'm going to add Women with British Accents to my list of weaknesses, right up there with Women who Play Guitar.
8.24.2006
3+2=5
It seems as though time has flown by, and another birthday is fast approaching. I'm not a big fan of them, as they always inevitably make me ask myself the big questions like: Who am I? Where am I going? How will I get there? Where the hell are my keys?
I don't necessarily like these questions, as thinking about them really cuts into my reading and TV watching time. Also, I have no idea of how to answer any of them...which bothers me even more.
I suspect the next few weeks will find me grumpy.
I don't necessarily like these questions, as thinking about them really cuts into my reading and TV watching time. Also, I have no idea of how to answer any of them...which bothers me even more.
I suspect the next few weeks will find me grumpy.
8.23.2006
I have a feeling I won't be able to sleep
So, I decided to indulge my inner computer geek and bought an operating system upgrade for my computer today. After all is said and done, my little powerbook has shiny new clothes...I haven't had a chance to check out all the little features involved in the upgrade, but I like what I've seen so far.
I also headed to town to get a sub at Hoagie Haven. Anyone who calls this area home knows of the place, and is required, by decree, at least once to eat there. It's fairly cheap and rather tasty.
I finally was able to get a figure of how many vacation days I have available to me, and it turns out I have a few!. I'm thinking of taking a week off in september and heading down to both Florida and Tennessee. I've been meaning to head back down to Tampa for a while now, and it's way past time for me to go. Looking forward to it (except for the flight down. ug.)
I'm also thinking of being self-indulgent and taking my birthday off. I don't intend to do anything really...getting out of bed might actually be an accomplishment that day! I'm not really fond of birthdays for the most part...
The cat is sitting on the computer desk, purring really loudly.
I also headed to town to get a sub at Hoagie Haven. Anyone who calls this area home knows of the place, and is required, by decree, at least once to eat there. It's fairly cheap and rather tasty.
I finally was able to get a figure of how many vacation days I have available to me, and it turns out I have a few!. I'm thinking of taking a week off in september and heading down to both Florida and Tennessee. I've been meaning to head back down to Tampa for a while now, and it's way past time for me to go. Looking forward to it (except for the flight down. ug.)
I'm also thinking of being self-indulgent and taking my birthday off. I don't intend to do anything really...getting out of bed might actually be an accomplishment that day! I'm not really fond of birthdays for the most part...
The cat is sitting on the computer desk, purring really loudly.
8.19.2006
Some notes
*I chatted with the lady who ran the interior decorating place downstairs. Seems as though she'll be opening a little cafe downstairs. Cool, right? It gets better! In said cafe they'll have a juke box and a pool table! It'll be a home away from home, which is convenient, as it's just downstairs. Sweet!
*I watched Michael Jackson's Thriller video last night on youtube...you know, the video with the zombies and what not who crawl out of their graves in the cemetary. Then, I realized that my little street would be a perfect setting for a zombie movie. My house has a creepy quality to it, and I'm right across the street from a cemetary (with our very own signer of the Declaration of Independence). I'd be the humans first line of defense. I apologize in advance.
*I'm reading a great book called "Lucky Dog" by Mark Barrowcliffe. A guy inherits a dog, and the dog speaks to him, but to no one else. The dude thinks he's gone mental. Anyway a snippet from the back cover...a canine pearl of wisdom:
On couches being chewable because they are actually sausages:
"It's got skin, it's got stuffing, what am I not getting here?"
Another quote from the book...one of the funniest things I've read in a while:
"In certain English tourist brochures you're invited to "step back in time." This isn't always a good thing. On my one visit to Liverpool, for instance, I managed to get lost and ended up stepping back in time to what appeared to be the middle of the Toxteth riots of the 1980s."
I have no clue what the Toxteth riots were, but that's beyond the point...
*I watched Michael Jackson's Thriller video last night on youtube...you know, the video with the zombies and what not who crawl out of their graves in the cemetary. Then, I realized that my little street would be a perfect setting for a zombie movie. My house has a creepy quality to it, and I'm right across the street from a cemetary (with our very own signer of the Declaration of Independence). I'd be the humans first line of defense. I apologize in advance.
*I'm reading a great book called "Lucky Dog" by Mark Barrowcliffe. A guy inherits a dog, and the dog speaks to him, but to no one else. The dude thinks he's gone mental. Anyway a snippet from the back cover...a canine pearl of wisdom:
On couches being chewable because they are actually sausages:
"It's got skin, it's got stuffing, what am I not getting here?"
Another quote from the book...one of the funniest things I've read in a while:
"In certain English tourist brochures you're invited to "step back in time." This isn't always a good thing. On my one visit to Liverpool, for instance, I managed to get lost and ended up stepping back in time to what appeared to be the middle of the Toxteth riots of the 1980s."
I have no clue what the Toxteth riots were, but that's beyond the point...
8.16.2006
Vroom? not so much
I went to go see the movie Little Miss Sunshine about a quirky little family from New Mexico who race to get the youngest to a beauty pageant in California. Fun little movie and very well acted.
One of the funniest things about it was the absolute disaster of a VW bus that they use to cart the family from New Mexico to Cali. At the beginning of the trip, the transmission eats itself. However, through some quirk of mechanics, and seeing as though those VWs are the cockroaches of the automotive world - never dying unless they actually get squashed- the little bus can still be started in its 3rd gear. The family has to get out and push to get the car enough speed to kickstart it (hilarity ensues).
Yeah, that sounds about normal for a VW bus; each one has some sort of quirk. I remember some dude in my first year of college had one. It was an automatic(the last car you'd ever want to get an auto in), and the reverse had a habit of not really working, and if it did, it would inch along.
Anyway, I bring this up because my buddy Greg wants to get one. Thankfully, not one of those from the 60s and 70s, but a later, fully decked out Westphalia from the 80s, in which he'll put in a more powerful engine.
I remember when I was in college, I really wanted one of those camper buses, but one from the 60s. It appealed to my hippie liberal sensibilities at the time, I guess. Now, when I can actually afford one of the buggers, I realize I am no longer a hippie (and never really was one) and have no desire to hold up traffic driving around in a sloth slow, smog and pollution producing rolling oddball of a vehicle that doubles in value when you put gas in it.
Does this mean that I've grown up, or that I've grown old? Eh, that's to answer for another time.
Anyway, my friend's ride would be nothing like the four-wheeled disaster I would have found myself in at 19. Considering that he actually knows how to fix cars and make them run better, I'm sure it'll be cool, and I can't wait until I can join him on an adventure or two.
Greg, it looks like you became the hippie, Hippie!
One thing I have to say about the camper bus...they epitomize the thrill and the freedom of the open road.
One of the funniest things about it was the absolute disaster of a VW bus that they use to cart the family from New Mexico to Cali. At the beginning of the trip, the transmission eats itself. However, through some quirk of mechanics, and seeing as though those VWs are the cockroaches of the automotive world - never dying unless they actually get squashed- the little bus can still be started in its 3rd gear. The family has to get out and push to get the car enough speed to kickstart it (hilarity ensues).
Yeah, that sounds about normal for a VW bus; each one has some sort of quirk. I remember some dude in my first year of college had one. It was an automatic(the last car you'd ever want to get an auto in), and the reverse had a habit of not really working, and if it did, it would inch along.
Anyway, I bring this up because my buddy Greg wants to get one. Thankfully, not one of those from the 60s and 70s, but a later, fully decked out Westphalia from the 80s, in which he'll put in a more powerful engine.
I remember when I was in college, I really wanted one of those camper buses, but one from the 60s. It appealed to my hippie liberal sensibilities at the time, I guess. Now, when I can actually afford one of the buggers, I realize I am no longer a hippie (and never really was one) and have no desire to hold up traffic driving around in a sloth slow, smog and pollution producing rolling oddball of a vehicle that doubles in value when you put gas in it.
Does this mean that I've grown up, or that I've grown old? Eh, that's to answer for another time.
Anyway, my friend's ride would be nothing like the four-wheeled disaster I would have found myself in at 19. Considering that he actually knows how to fix cars and make them run better, I'm sure it'll be cool, and I can't wait until I can join him on an adventure or two.
Greg, it looks like you became the hippie, Hippie!
One thing I have to say about the camper bus...they epitomize the thrill and the freedom of the open road.
8.14.2006
Towers
I just watched a show on The History Channel called The Miracle of Stairwell B (or something like that), about 14 people who survived the collapse of the north tower of the World Trade Center. They were on the second and third floors of this stairwell when the tower came down, yet managed to survive without an major injuries.
It was a moving show, and I suppose there'll be more of them as we approach the fifth anniversary of 9/11.
I turned on the TV just a few minutes before the second plane hit, and I was glued to the TV for the next hours, staring in disbelief.
...
I'm going to hack away from the computer so that I don't start a politics rant.
...
Five years down the road and the dude that did this, Osama Bin Laden, is still roaming about the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, plotting the next thing he wants to blow up. How is that still bloody possible???!!! We could have gotten him.
We are now instead stuck in a nascent civil war in Iraq with no easy way out. It has been one abject failure after abject failure on the part of this administration. We could have gotten Osama, yet we chose to divert our attention to Iraq, for reasons I don't understand. (All the multitude of reasons the administration gave have been proven bullshit, and no one has been held accountable.)
I'm disgusted and disappointed, and the next few weeks, with all the 5-year anniversary remembrances, will be a depressing reminder of that horrible day, but it will also be a reminder of where we are now and how this administration has completely fucked up.
Ug.
This wasn't even a rant. I'm happy I backed away.
It was a moving show, and I suppose there'll be more of them as we approach the fifth anniversary of 9/11.
I turned on the TV just a few minutes before the second plane hit, and I was glued to the TV for the next hours, staring in disbelief.
...
I'm going to hack away from the computer so that I don't start a politics rant.
...
Five years down the road and the dude that did this, Osama Bin Laden, is still roaming about the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, plotting the next thing he wants to blow up. How is that still bloody possible???!!! We could have gotten him.
We are now instead stuck in a nascent civil war in Iraq with no easy way out. It has been one abject failure after abject failure on the part of this administration. We could have gotten Osama, yet we chose to divert our attention to Iraq, for reasons I don't understand. (All the multitude of reasons the administration gave have been proven bullshit, and no one has been held accountable.)
I'm disgusted and disappointed, and the next few weeks, with all the 5-year anniversary remembrances, will be a depressing reminder of that horrible day, but it will also be a reminder of where we are now and how this administration has completely fucked up.
Ug.
This wasn't even a rant. I'm happy I backed away.
8.13.2006
New Hope auto show
Nothing like looking at shiny cars I'll unlikely ever own on an absolutely picture perfect sunday afternoon. That makes two car shows in one weekend, which has really let me get my car geek on. I have also come to this conclusion: I want a Ferrari!
To the hills, again
I was in the mood for doing some explorin', so I headed up to the Delaware Water Gap. I wanted to do some hiking so that I could capture some good views, but I just ended up driving around. I should have done just a wee bit more research, as the place is frigging huge! The Appalachain Trail follows along the Gap for miles, so it would have been nice to say that I had hiked a bit of the trail. Maybe the next time.
At any rate, the weather was perfect for an outdoor trek, and seeing something new always reinvigorates me.
What are the odds?
Last night, there were three different Steven Segal movies on at the same time. And I pay how much for cable? Sheesh!
Also, last week when I drove home from dinner at Conte's, I saw a really beautiful woman walking along the sidewalk in downtown Princeton. She was stunning. I had to head over to Target for some errand or another. Once I finished and was heading out to my car, guess who parked right next to me and was just getting out of her car? No, not Elvis...it was the same lady! Coincidences are strange.
Also, last week when I drove home from dinner at Conte's, I saw a really beautiful woman walking along the sidewalk in downtown Princeton. She was stunning. I had to head over to Target for some errand or another. Once I finished and was heading out to my car, guess who parked right next to me and was just getting out of her car? No, not Elvis...it was the same lady! Coincidences are strange.
8.10.2006
Milk + Ice cream
About a year ago, I got to choose my one-year anniversary gift from my work. Of course, at that point, I had been there two years, but that's really just quibbling about details, isn't it?
Anyway, I chose a milkshake maker. Why, you ask? For the same reason people climb Everest...because it was there. However, unlike climbing Everest, and I have no idea why they haven't used this in their marketing materials, there's little chance of dying of hypothermia or lack of oxygen when making a milkshake.
I have gotten way off point. Remember how I said I got this a year ago? Yeah...well, I finally made my first milkshake with the damn thing tonight. Tasty, but I used a bit too much milk. D'oh!
Anyway, I chose a milkshake maker. Why, you ask? For the same reason people climb Everest...because it was there. However, unlike climbing Everest, and I have no idea why they haven't used this in their marketing materials, there's little chance of dying of hypothermia or lack of oxygen when making a milkshake.
I have gotten way off point. Remember how I said I got this a year ago? Yeah...well, I finally made my first milkshake with the damn thing tonight. Tasty, but I used a bit too much milk. D'oh!
8.09.2006
My car
I've had my eye on getting a Mini Cooper S since ...well, for a while now, anyway. I'm not the fastest mover when it comes to decisions like that. (Crap. I sometimes have a hard time deciding on breakfast cereal.)
I've finally gotten one step closer. Last weekend, I washed, waxed, and detailed my car, making it all sorts of shiny and new looking (it's not that old looking to begin with, and it even still has faint wisps of new-car smell...). Then, I put it up on Autotrader, so I now have an ad online and in the magazine. Even though selling the car myself will invariably lead to me having to do a whole bunch of paperwork I despise, I'll get much more for the car this way than if I trade it in at the dealer. Ech dealers. I hate dealing with dealers. The whole car-buying process is a nightmare, but it's a necessary evil, I suppose.
I've finally gotten one step closer. Last weekend, I washed, waxed, and detailed my car, making it all sorts of shiny and new looking (it's not that old looking to begin with, and it even still has faint wisps of new-car smell...). Then, I put it up on Autotrader, so I now have an ad online and in the magazine. Even though selling the car myself will invariably lead to me having to do a whole bunch of paperwork I despise, I'll get much more for the car this way than if I trade it in at the dealer. Ech dealers. I hate dealing with dealers. The whole car-buying process is a nightmare, but it's a necessary evil, I suppose.
8.06.2006
OK, so I'm a procrastinator...
It seems as though i may have forgotten to put up pics from my trip to Europe...last September. If there were an award for procrastination, I'd win it, but I think I'd put off accepting it.
Check them out.
Scoop
I went to see the latest Woody Allen movie, Scoop, last night. It's one of the funnier Woody Allen movies I've seen in a while. I actually quite enjoyed it, and I thought some of the lines were very funny:
"I was born into the Hebrew persuasion but later in life I converted to narcisism."
"I was in the lounge when I heard you drowning, so I finished my tea and scone and ran right in here!"
"No, I see the glass as half full ... just of poison."
Also, the chance to see Woody Allen drive a SMART car. That was classic! This movie makes me want to visit London. I think I could really like it there...
I also still have Matchpoint ready and waiting, so maybe I'll be able to get to it tonight.
"I was born into the Hebrew persuasion but later in life I converted to narcisism."
"I was in the lounge when I heard you drowning, so I finished my tea and scone and ran right in here!"
"No, I see the glass as half full ... just of poison."
Also, the chance to see Woody Allen drive a SMART car. That was classic! This movie makes me want to visit London. I think I could really like it there...
I also still have Matchpoint ready and waiting, so maybe I'll be able to get to it tonight.
8.01.2006
Yay Switzerland
August 1 marks the Swiss national holiday, basically the Swiss version of the U.S.'s July 4. So, in my neck of the woods around Lake Geneva in the French part of the country, we would probably eat some sort of disgustingly rich melted cheese dish like Raclette or Fondue with family and friends. In the evening, each village would have a bonfire, so we'd probably go to one of those, and some of the bigger cities would have fireworks. You can see the bonfires in all the villages up and down the coast, if you have a good enough view.More information than you ever wanted to know about Switzerland.
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