I think I'm slowly coming down with a cold, which I may have gotten from my sister over the last weekend. Sister...UG! Cold bad!
That being said, can chicken-flavored Ramen noodles be considered chicken soup?
I think I'm going to sleep now.
11.29.2006
11.27.2006
Shuffle
I bought an Ipod Shuffle as an Xmas present to myself. It's cool and shiny. This photo is just to give people an idea how small this thing is (or, conversely, how big my cat's paw is. He's a freak.)
I spent the entire weekend with family, as two of my sisters, as well as my parents, met up at my brother's house. It was a great, relaxing time and we all seemed to have fun!
On a side note, it's amazing how many dirty dishes we produced over the weekend. The dishwasher must have been going nonstop.
11.21.2006
Books and a movie
I went to go see the movie A Good Year on Sunday night. We were two of six people in the whole theatre. Ouch. Not the best movie I've seen, as I think there may have been some holes in the script, but on the whole it was charming. I kinda thought it would have some great scenery and photography of the south of France, and I wasn't mistaken. I've been thinking recently I'd like to check the area out on my trip next May, so seeing this movie reaffirmed it. Seeing it in photography is something, but being there is something all together different. Can't wait!
I went a bit nuts at Borders over the weekend as well, but they had a good sale! I bought three books:
A Walk in the Woods: I've never read anything by Bill Bryson, but I have been meaning to. I've heard great things about him and especially this book from a friend at work, so I decided to finally start reading his work. What better way to temporarily ease the travel bug by reading travel books? Plus, this book is about walking the Appalachian Trail, something I would love to do at some point.
Slow Man: J.M. Coetzee won the Nobel Prize in literature and the book looked interesting, so I figured I'd give it a shot...continue on with reading "important" books every now and again.
Haunted: I've never read anything by Chuck Palahniuk, so I'm not quite sure to expect. When I worked at Borders, I sold a whole bunch of his books, and I'm not sure why I never picked up any of his books then. Oh well...no time like the present to start.
I went a bit nuts at Borders over the weekend as well, but they had a good sale! I bought three books:
A Walk in the Woods: I've never read anything by Bill Bryson, but I have been meaning to. I've heard great things about him and especially this book from a friend at work, so I decided to finally start reading his work. What better way to temporarily ease the travel bug by reading travel books? Plus, this book is about walking the Appalachian Trail, something I would love to do at some point.
Slow Man: J.M. Coetzee won the Nobel Prize in literature and the book looked interesting, so I figured I'd give it a shot...continue on with reading "important" books every now and again.
Haunted: I've never read anything by Chuck Palahniuk, so I'm not quite sure to expect. When I worked at Borders, I sold a whole bunch of his books, and I'm not sure why I never picked up any of his books then. Oh well...no time like the present to start.
11.17.2006
In which I realize I have a lot to learn
I seem to have misplaced my watch, a Christmas gift from years ago on which I put a new stainless steel band but now needs a new battery. I thought that I would have put it in some place obvious, or maybe left it in some jacket pocket. I have been turning my apartment upside down trying to track it down, all to no avail.
However, the last time I had to deal with this watch was about six months ago when I got the steel band fitted. So, it has technically been misplaced since then, but I’ve only really started worrying about it now. Why right now?? I could have just as well worried about it six weeks ago or two months from now.
My theory is that I’m bothered by something subconsciously, and me worrying about not finding a missing watch is the physical manifestation of it.
I’ve been at my company well over three years and have acted as a supervisor/assistant manager for well over a year, but the last few weeks at work have been uncharacteristically draining for reasons I’m not quite certain of. One thing might be that I recently moved cubes, so instead of a section with two or three others, I am now in a section with a whole bunch of others. However, I don’t think that’s what is really bothering me, as being in the new section isn’t bad.
One other thing might be that I’ve had to go against type. I’m by nature very laid back, quiet, and rather unassertive—not the typical manager—so when I do actually have to be assertive, it kind of takes quite a bit of energy. Also, then I feel bad for being assertive, and I apologize. Or that I wasn’t assertive soon enough or showed enough assertiveness. It’s like I can’t win.
Also, I’ve found that it’s quite a challenge to manage different personality types. Or, more accurately, it’s easier to theorize about it than to actually do it. And I’m only the assistant…if I were the actually manager. Oy.
So, I’ve found I have yet a lot to learn and will need to do quite a bit of altering to my personality for me to do it well. It’s very defeating. One positive thing I can take from this is that I’m in a safe environment to learn.
I want to find that damn watch.
However, the last time I had to deal with this watch was about six months ago when I got the steel band fitted. So, it has technically been misplaced since then, but I’ve only really started worrying about it now. Why right now?? I could have just as well worried about it six weeks ago or two months from now.
My theory is that I’m bothered by something subconsciously, and me worrying about not finding a missing watch is the physical manifestation of it.
I’ve been at my company well over three years and have acted as a supervisor/assistant manager for well over a year, but the last few weeks at work have been uncharacteristically draining for reasons I’m not quite certain of. One thing might be that I recently moved cubes, so instead of a section with two or three others, I am now in a section with a whole bunch of others. However, I don’t think that’s what is really bothering me, as being in the new section isn’t bad.
One other thing might be that I’ve had to go against type. I’m by nature very laid back, quiet, and rather unassertive—not the typical manager—so when I do actually have to be assertive, it kind of takes quite a bit of energy. Also, then I feel bad for being assertive, and I apologize. Or that I wasn’t assertive soon enough or showed enough assertiveness. It’s like I can’t win.
Also, I’ve found that it’s quite a challenge to manage different personality types. Or, more accurately, it’s easier to theorize about it than to actually do it. And I’m only the assistant…if I were the actually manager. Oy.
So, I’ve found I have yet a lot to learn and will need to do quite a bit of altering to my personality for me to do it well. It’s very defeating. One positive thing I can take from this is that I’m in a safe environment to learn.
I want to find that damn watch.
11.15.2006
A collection of sentences
I was just listening to "Be My Baby," by The Ronettes, a song many consider to be Phil Spector's finest. Brian Wilson did, playing it over and over again as he was slowly losing his mind in the late 60s. But that's neither here nor there, so I digress.
It really is definitive of the Wall of Sound. I heard some dude playing spoons! I'm surprised there wasn't anyone playing the kitchen sink.
What a great tune.
I think I might buy the new iPod Shuffle as a Xmas present to myself. Actually, do I really need a reason? It's a convenient little toy, perfect for work or for a train ride to the city. Also, I always listen to pretty much the same stuff at work, so it makes no sense to carry around my entire collection. Plus, it's tiny and unobtrusive.
Of course, me saying this and me doing this are two entirely (and sometimes mutually exclusive) things. Heh.
I want to go see the tree in Rockefeller Center. I love NYC before Xmas, and I try to go every year. This year, I think I'll be going with folks from work. Should be cool.
It really is definitive of the Wall of Sound. I heard some dude playing spoons! I'm surprised there wasn't anyone playing the kitchen sink.
What a great tune.
I think I might buy the new iPod Shuffle as a Xmas present to myself. Actually, do I really need a reason? It's a convenient little toy, perfect for work or for a train ride to the city. Also, I always listen to pretty much the same stuff at work, so it makes no sense to carry around my entire collection. Plus, it's tiny and unobtrusive.
Of course, me saying this and me doing this are two entirely (and sometimes mutually exclusive) things. Heh.
I want to go see the tree in Rockefeller Center. I love NYC before Xmas, and I try to go every year. This year, I think I'll be going with folks from work. Should be cool.
11.12.2006
The weather, the Gators, and SRV
What an odd weekend for weather. Yesterday, it was a perfect spring day...only problem is that it's middle November. What's up with mid 70s in November? Not that I'm complaining....I did my usual perfect-spring-day ritual, involving wandering around aimlessly. Actually, it wasn't completely aimless. I went to the Life is Good store at Peddler's Village to track down a zippered hoodie, with no luck. That place was crowded, I must say. I suppose people realized it would be one of the last warm days for a while.
On the other hand, what Cure album inspired today's weather? The gray seemed to suppress all energy, and there was an everpresent mist of rain...not even the rain could gather enough motivation to show us a momentary downpour.
Yesterday, the gators were able to exorcise a few demons of bad luck. They won 17-16 because they were able to block the last-second punt from South Carolina. A few years ago, that game would not have gone the Gators way...maybe this year is different? They even had a slight chance to try for the National Championship; they still have to win all their remaining games. In college football, a lot can happen in a few weeks.
I was going to go down to Knoxville for Thanksgiving, but it seems as though most of the family will be here in Jersey and the Poconos! So, I'll be looking forward to that, as I'll be able to pester my niece for a while. Heh. Small pleasures.
On the way home this afternoon, I heard the song "Let's Dance" by David Bowie. I loved it when it came out decades ago, but now I dig it even more just because I get to hear snippets of Stevie Ray Vaughan on lead guitar. He had such a distinctive style, you could hear it from a mile away. I'm envious of the roommie who was able to see him play live...that must have been cool.
On the other hand, what Cure album inspired today's weather? The gray seemed to suppress all energy, and there was an everpresent mist of rain...not even the rain could gather enough motivation to show us a momentary downpour.
Yesterday, the gators were able to exorcise a few demons of bad luck. They won 17-16 because they were able to block the last-second punt from South Carolina. A few years ago, that game would not have gone the Gators way...maybe this year is different? They even had a slight chance to try for the National Championship; they still have to win all their remaining games. In college football, a lot can happen in a few weeks.
I was going to go down to Knoxville for Thanksgiving, but it seems as though most of the family will be here in Jersey and the Poconos! So, I'll be looking forward to that, as I'll be able to pester my niece for a while. Heh. Small pleasures.
On the way home this afternoon, I heard the song "Let's Dance" by David Bowie. I loved it when it came out decades ago, but now I dig it even more just because I get to hear snippets of Stevie Ray Vaughan on lead guitar. He had such a distinctive style, you could hear it from a mile away. I'm envious of the roommie who was able to see him play live...that must have been cool.
11.09.2006
I love college football!
Rutgers, which is the state college in New Jersey, just won the biggest game in school history. They were down 25-7 in the third quarter, yet came back to win 28-25. They had a very impressive defense, and I must say, it was one of the more exciting college football games I've seen.
Anything can happen on any given game, and I find college football much more exciting than the NFL. Maybe it's because I think there is more drama in the season, and also, I just can't relate to any of the NFL teams. I haven't really cared about the NFL since the Bucs finally won the Super Bowl years ago.
Anything can happen on any given game, and I find college football much more exciting than the NFL. Maybe it's because I think there is more drama in the season, and also, I just can't relate to any of the NFL teams. I haven't really cared about the NFL since the Bucs finally won the Super Bowl years ago.
11.08.2006
Lost
I'm not gonna spoil it for anybody, but what a great cliffhanger for Lost. I can't believe they've decided to split up the season in this way...risky. Plus, one has to wait another 3 months for there's even a hint of resolution. One cool thing is that they'll be doing 16 straight episodes once they start back up in February.
On an unrelated note, I hear that Mr. Rumsfeld has decided to retire. What a happy little surprise!
And the democrats have taken control of the Senate?! What's the saying...turnabout is fair play? I'll be interested to see if they can actually accomplish anything. Even they it's a different brand name, the product is still politicians.
On an unrelated note, I hear that Mr. Rumsfeld has decided to retire. What a happy little surprise!
And the democrats have taken control of the Senate?! What's the saying...turnabout is fair play? I'll be interested to see if they can actually accomplish anything. Even they it's a different brand name, the product is still politicians.
11.07.2006
The Cure
This kind of came as a pleasant surprise: I found a Cure biography at Borders the other day called Never Enough: The Story of The Cure. I've been listening to this band for close about 20 years now, so I guess it's due time for someone to write one.
Turns out I won't be going down to Knoxville for Thanksgiving, as my sister, Julian, and Gio will instead be coming up here. While I would have liked to visit the area and might have enjoyed the drive to some extent, it's two days of my life I won't have to spend on the road...the lazy part of me rejoices! And I now have the Wednesday and the Monday around the holiday as actual vacation days...score!
As for politics, I'm intently watching the returns on CNN. Too early to tell if the Democrats will take over one or both houses of Congress. You know, I think I'll leave the cynicism for tomorrow (or maybe later this evening), but for now, "Yay. Go Team."
OK, I lasted five minutes: I give it six weeks for the happy glow to wear off and people to realize that not much will change.
Turns out I won't be going down to Knoxville for Thanksgiving, as my sister, Julian, and Gio will instead be coming up here. While I would have liked to visit the area and might have enjoyed the drive to some extent, it's two days of my life I won't have to spend on the road...the lazy part of me rejoices! And I now have the Wednesday and the Monday around the holiday as actual vacation days...score!
As for politics, I'm intently watching the returns on CNN. Too early to tell if the Democrats will take over one or both houses of Congress. You know, I think I'll leave the cynicism for tomorrow (or maybe later this evening), but for now, "Yay. Go Team."
OK, I lasted five minutes: I give it six weeks for the happy glow to wear off and people to realize that not much will change.
11.06.2006
I have Bill Clinton on my answering machine
This is one of the nuttiest mid-term elections that I can recall. Both parties and their various henchfolk are working like mad to get their people out to the polls tomorrow, and one way they've been trying to do so is by telephone calls.
So, on my answering machine I have Bill Clinton speaking to me about one candidate or another. Understandable, as he's the figurehead of the democratic party. The next message is from Joe Piscopo.
Yeah, that makes sense. He's gunning for another candidate, but I'm not sure who. Took me a few moments to stop being weirded out that I had Joe Piscopo on the machine...
So, on my answering machine I have Bill Clinton speaking to me about one candidate or another. Understandable, as he's the figurehead of the democratic party. The next message is from Joe Piscopo.
Yeah, that makes sense. He's gunning for another candidate, but I'm not sure who. Took me a few moments to stop being weirded out that I had Joe Piscopo on the machine...
11.01.2006
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