Insignifica

That's All, May, Bea Arthur, At Work, Thursday

Happy Thursday! For real this time.

Picture of the day!

Mother and child at Faire last year.

I'm at work today. Feeling alright, though not 100% by any means. Luckily I sit by myself, and no one else really has to breathe my air.

I forgot to mention the passing of America's Golden Girl, Bea Arthur, last week. Truly an icon, and loved by all sorts of people, including a bunch of men my age. What a woman. Thank you for being a friend!

May starts tomorrow? Really? Where the hell did April go? We're halfway through Spring already, too.

Since most of you are reading two posts today, that's all I'm gonna write. Have a great one!

Good Today, Feeling Better, Dave Matthews, Messed Up Schedule, What Day Is It?

Happy Hump Day! What? It's past midnight? Oh well, fuck it. Happy Thursday!

Picture of the day!

Dancing Katie. Click through to see her dancing before and after this pic, too.

This cold, and my associated work schedule, is messing me up. I worked at home today, and I just didn't remember to post. So here we are, getting one just after midnight. But this is Wednesday's post - I'm assuming I'll be at work today (Thursday), so I'll post again then. Right.

Someone really should have told Dave Matthews that his new song "Funny The Way It Is", while very good, is musically, lyrically, and thematically almost identical to "Mother, Father" from a few albums ago. Seriously, Dave - lay off the weed for a while.

I'm feeling better, but of course, it's evening - this morning I was pretty borderline again. I better be better by Sunday - I got some fairies to hunt at Ren Faire.

That's all I got. Have a good...today!

That's all, Cinco, Costume, Sherbet, Better, Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!

Picture of the day!

Alcatraz, the atheist brewhouse?

Feelin' better, at least somewhat. I went into work twice (my early morning meeting was rescheduled, but not before I got to work), but still spent half the day at home. Tomorrow, I'm likely working at home, as I'd rather not give my swine flu to the rest of the newsroom...

I attempted an sherbet of sorts this weekend, with an Orange/Mango/Peach juice. Out of the machine it tasted good (if a little plain), but it set up really weird - not smooth or creamy. It's not bad, it's just a weird consistency. I'm sure it'd be good in juice floats, but otherwise, it's not nearly as good as my regular ice cream recipes.

I finally got started on my "do horrible things to a bunch of dolls for my ren faire costume" project, and it's pretty awesome. I decapitated 5 dolls, chained one up, and have another prepped to be. I'll be leaving one alive, but caged. Oh yes, this costume rules.

Cinco de Mayo is on a Tuesday. I have a feeling my celebration this year won't be much more than a Mexican food dinner and a beer sometime in the next week. Unless a bunch of you want to come to a party...

That's all. Have a great day!

Monday recap

Good evening.

Picture of the day!

The Colorado River, as seen from The Colorado Belle in Laughlin. August 2007.

Well, you'll probably read this in the morning, so hello! Didn't post today, cause I'm sick. Is it the dreaded Swine Flu? No man can say. Well, probably some can say, but I'd have to ask them.

As of midnight, I'm feeling pretty good - better than most of the day, anyway. I actually had a 2 hour nap, and it was restful and pleasant - naps aren't something I typically like, especially then they pass me over the sunset (rendering me a Man Out Of Time, asleep when it's light, and awake when it's dark). Alas, I needed this one. I likely won't be back at work tomorrow, at least for the whole day (I have a meeting in the morning that I should really try to get to, and it's always nice to check my phone messages), but I need some more rest. We'll see about posting then. Happy Monday/Tuesday/Whenever you read this!

Weekending, Jesus, Facebook Friends, WSOP, Sleep, Gym, Icky, Karen's Birthday

Happy Friday! Happy Birthday to Karen!

Picture of the day!

Another shot of me from my birthday party. Not sure why I like this one so much.

I have what the medical professionals call a "gunky, icky throat" this morning. I'm hoping it's from sleeping with my mouth open or something, and not a new cold. Cause that would suck. I'm trying to kill whatever it is with coffee. We'll see what happens.

More gym this morning, and feelin' pretty darn good about that.

I'm on day three of 7+ hours of sleep, and I think I'm caught up. Just have to not ruin it this weekend. Sunday, hopefully, I'll get to sleep in and get 8+, but we'll see...

Pipe Dream of the moment: WSOP satellites have started at Poker Stars, and I think it'd be amazingly fun to play in any bracelet event (especially a smaller one, or one of the Omaha tourneys). I don't want to spend too much money trying, but it's worth a small investment.

Facebook's been recommending all sorts of people I know lately, some of whom I've actually been searching for. Social networking is great when it's so widespread...

Jesus is back from France, and had a great time. Related: Tori's pictures are awesome.

Happy weekending, my friends. What's happening?

Cinco de Mayo, Shakespeare, Gym, Cool Overcast, Good Day

Good day to you, my friends and gentle readers!

Picture of the day!

Oh, Whiskey Pete. You crazy drunk!

For the week starting out with record temps, I'm lovin' this overcast cool day. Such is April in Southern (and Northern, come to think of it) California.

Had a good gym workout this morning, and I'm feelin' fine. I'm inspired to work out again, which is good. It helps also that my morning gym workout is extremely convenient (it's on the way home from dropping off Katie at daycare). That's always a plus.

Funny! I'm re-reading Sandman: The Wake, and last night I started reading The Tempest story. Today, I find out, is The Bard's birthday. I guess, though, that Shakespeare is so ingrained in our culture that it's hard to avoid the dude.

I think I have this problem every year, but will there be interest in a Cinco de Mayo party, since I just had a big birthday blowout? There must be sometimes, since I've had a good number of them. We'll see what the masses say. Happy Thursday!

Big Deal, Tired 8 Hours, Follow-Up, Earth Day, Warm, Heina's Birthday

Happy Wednesday, and happy birthday to Heina today!

Picture of the day!

The birthday girl at my birthday.

Still warm here in southern California, but better today than yesterday, and last night it was downright cool when we opened everything up. April's like that, though - it knows to warm up obscenely for Coachella and the Ren Faire.

It's Earth Day, in honor of it, I'll do my part and not eat any meat. I'll also make sure my commute is absurdly short, and own a car with a SULEV engine. I'll buy mostly local produce, all organic dairy, and make sure that the vast majority of the products I buy are produced in the US, as our environmental standards are higher, and shipping is easier. Holy crap, I'm green!

I need to set up some sort of food giveaway, as I bought too much for my party, and I don't want it to go bad. Maybe a follow-up party!

I got almost 8 hours of sleep last night, but just like many good nights of sleep following a week of not-good nights of sleep, I'm more tired today than I've been in a while. I think it's my body finally saying "Hey man, you WERE sleeping well last night! Let's keep it up!". I just hate going to bed at 11 or 11:30 when I don't even get Katie down until 10:30.

That's all for today. what's the big deal?

Happy Tuesday, @BrentSpiner, Furlough, Birthday, Primm Recap, April 21.

It's April 21, and everybody knows tomorrow's Earth Day. Today, however, feel free to keep fucking stuff up!

Picture of the day!

Marek and Chris. Yeah, well.

Back from Nevada. The usual story is true: Lost some money, had a lot of fun. Highlights:

- It was cooler in the desert than it was at home, 10 miles from the beach. 10 degrees or so cooler. Even in Baker (the "Gateway to Death Valley"), the World's Tallest Thermometer only read 91F at 2pm.

- On the subject of Baker, the Bob's Big Boy (in the building formerly occupied by Bun Boy, RIP) there's a claw machine with toys. No big deal. But about 1/2 the toys have $20 bills tied to them with rubber bands. One even had a $50. Very strange. I spent $6 trying to win, and failed.

- I've complained often about the Cafe at Buffalo Bills (and all the Primm casinos, actually) for having very, very little for a vegetarian to eat (and nothing for a vegan except fries and onion rings). I believed this to be the case this trip as well, so I went to Tony Roma's for a mushroom burger. Low and behold, I checked the menu of the cafe on the way out, and it's been TOTALLY revamped, with veggie burgers, two vegetarian pastas, and quite possibly some more items I missed. I'm excited.

- I was down gambling, but made a lot of money back Monday morning. The casino was fairly quiet, so I had the craps table to myself - not nearly as fun or well-paced as a full table - but did well, hitting 6 or 7 of my points (including my Come bets) and only crapping out twice. Turned $100 into $150. On the way out I hit a blackjack table at Whiskey Pete's, again alone, and totally owned the shoe, turning $100 into $235 (not including the $15 I tipped the dealer while sitting there). Very nice to end a trip like that.

Birthday festivities were awesome - great turnout, old friends and new, lots of delicious food and drink, and everyone seemed to have a very good time.

Except for the whole "not getting paid" thing, I really enjoyed my furlough day off - it's nice not to be allowed to check work email, or go into the office.

Does anyone know what @BrentSpiner is on about?

Feelin' fine - I hope you are too. Happy Tuesday!

Happy Trails, Monday Plans, Internet Connection, Kitchen Fuck Up, Birthday Thanks, TGIF

TGIF!

Picture of the day!

Daddy with a beer. Katie doesn't get any. Birthday 2008 (my 30th).

Thanks again to everyone for all the birthday wishes. With Facebook telling everyone it's my birthday, I got dozens of greetings yesterday. It was pretty awesome (as was the birthday in general).

It's not often I have a total kitchen fuck up, but man - I tried to make mini caramel apples last night, but it wouldn't stick for anything - the apples were too moist. Because you have to peal them, though, that's always going to be a problem. I need to find out what that Iron Chef dude did, because I love the idea.

My internet connection has been woefully slow the last week, and I finally figured out why: I'm one of the only people seeding a new torrent that got popular this week. Whoops. I had no idea how much it would slow everyone else down.

I'd say the odds are about 60/40 that I'll head to Primm or Vegas on Sunday, but I'm gonna wait to see what the assembled masses say. As long as I dodge Coachella traffic with whatever I do, I'm happy.

I hope all of you have a great day, and great weekend. There may or may not be a Monday post. Happy Trails!

Vegas?, Apples, Exercise, Birthday

Happy Birthday!

Picture of the day!

Me, Bunny and some children at Birthday 2007.

I'm 31 today. This is exciting. Thanks to everyone who's already given me birthday wishes - I got cards at home and the office this morning, and quite a few emails. Thanks!

In honor of the day, I skipped the gym. This was also in honor of me having a little cold and being sore from two days of working out. I did go for my walk this morning, though, so that's something.

Is it bad when I start considering Iron Chef dishes for my parties? Last week both Cat Cora and her opponent made miniature dipped apples, and they were awesome (my biggest dipped/candied apple complaint is that they're far, far too large). We'll see if I have the time and patience to make them tomorrow.

Still looking for Monday plans! Anyone wanna ditch work and go to Vegas? No? well have a great day anyway!

What's Going On, OC Atheists, Gym, Plans, Last Day, Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

Picture of the day!

Birthday 2006. This picture is remarkably like this one from Birthday 2005.

Today's my last day as a 30 year old. That's pretty cool.

Still looking for something to do Sunday/Monday. Casino? Other road trip? Stay home? Your input is welcome.

The gym didn't kick my ass today, but I can really feel my arms, especially if I try to move them. I'm also remembering why I used to like working out at night - the gym's a busy place at 8:30am.

OC Atheists meet tonight! More info here. Join us if you're so inclined!

What's going on, my friends?

Fantastic Day, Tea Parties and Socialism, Gym, Dolls and Ladera, Tuesday

Good day, and happy Tuesday!

Picture of the day!

Me and Chris, Birthday 2005.

Got my dolls, finally. They're going to be part of my ren faire costume (I'm a Fairy Hunter). The Girlfriend found a Craigslist ad for a bunch of barbie/bratz (and similar) dolls, and they'll work great for my purposes. Also: If you haven't been to Ladera Ranch OC people, you should drive through. It's weird, and there are arbitrary traffic roundabouts.

Went to the gym this morning for the first time in two years. Kicked my ass pretty hard, but not so much to cause injury (I hope). It's nice to work out other muscle groups and change out my routine a bit.

So, all these "Tea Parties" going on this week to protest taxes? Grow up, people. Where was your anger when the last president was spending like a fucking madman, wasting billions of dollars on the invasion of another country? Look back at the numbers: Republican presidents in the last 40 years have run up higher debt and done more spending than the supposedly "tax and spend" Democrats. Oh, and all this "Socialist" bullshit? Stop it. You're using words that are too big for you, and you have no idea what they mean. Under your absurd definition, every single program that distributes money is "socialist" - that means EVERY SINGLE PROGRAM in the country. Every one. And all you people in "Red" states complaining about socialism better be prepared to give back the difference between what you pay in taxes and what the federal government gives you.

Now that that's out of the way, have a fantastic day, my friends!

Everything, Amazon.com, Time Traveler Shirt, Day Off Plans, Birthday Week, Poker, Monday

Happy Monday!

Picture of the day!

Birthday 2003. Note awesome ponytail and awesome Smirnoff Ice.

Kinda tired. It's my own fault for staying up too late, but if I'm going to go hours into a poker tournament, it'd be nice if I did better than two off the bubble. Oh well. WSOP satellites start today, so that'll be a fun thing to play for.

It's birthday week! I'm working on my actual birthday (Thursday), but I usually do. We'll do dinner, then have a real party Saturday. We're also doing OC Atheists on Wednesday (which is also Tax Day), so that's exciting. Well, it is for me.

I'm off on April 20 (next Monday), and am consider an overnight trip (Sunday night through Monday) to Primm/Vegas. Thoughts? Coherts? Caravan?

Ever see something so awesome, you must purchase it? Yeah, that happened to me last week with this. I think Ryan North has been in my head.

Amazon.com has some explaining to do. Read Neil's take on it.

That's everything. What's up?

Great Day, New Ren Faire Outfit, Orangecounty.com, Mile, Avenue Q, Friday

Happy Friday!

Picture of the day!

The road to Vegas.

Avenue Q was a lot of fun - very good cast, and very funny show.

Ran about a mile again this morning (my total travel is 1.4 miles, but I run a lot of it). I still don't like running, but it's a good morning routine.

Congrats to Roxanne and the team on the launch of OrangeCounty.com - a new portal for local happenings (food, events, nightlife). Looks great.

Put in my order today for a new custom ren faire outfit. Found a woman who'll do reasonably priced custom clothes. I get to spend my tax rebate money on something I'll use for a few years (at least), and get to support a local (well, American) small business owner. Good work, me!

Have a great day!

Lots To Do, Inboxes, Exercise, Avenue Q, Thursday

It's Thursday!

Picture of the day!

Katie this week. Another little haircut.

Going to see Avenue Q tonight. I'm very excited, as it seems like my kinda thing, and puppets, like children, are funnier when they sing and swear.

I thought I'd hyperextended something in my right arm yesterday working out, but it seems fine this morning. Also ran a mile this morning, which is nice, at least for my workout routine.

I was able to clear out both my work and home email inboxes yesterday (keeping emails there is my version of a "to do" list) - it was very fulfilling, almost as good as cleaning my kitchen or organizing my desk. I highly recommend it.

Lots to do today, that's all. Leave a comment and say hello!

What's Up, Doll Heads and Leather, TofuFighting, Tastes Funny, Haircut, Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

Picture of the day!

The Girlfriend, Katie, a cheesecake, and a pizza. Sunday dinner at our house.

Got a haircut. Feelin' fine.

You know how sometimes when you're on a new medication, things taste funny? Yeah, I'm getting that, except without being on any new meds. I'm not sure what's causing it, but it's kinda weird.

I'm kinda ignoring TofuFighting.com right now, at least in terms of big posts - March's "post every day" thing wore me out. But there'll be more new stuff there soon (as anyone who sees my flickr photostream can see).

I still need your doll heads - seriously. Now I'm looking for fake leather (that still kinda looks like tanned leather) for my project. Bonus points if it's made in the US. Yeah, I ask for a lot.

What's up today?

Sunshine, Poker, Avenue Q, Unproductive, Good Day

Good day!

Picture of the day!

Johnny Jump-Ups in my backyard. I prefer to call them "The purple and yellow flowers". Click through for great justice, and a better picture.

Because of plumbing issues, my water was supposed to be turned off this morning by 9:30. So I got up early to shower and take the kid to daycare, and I was going to get my gym membership redeemed, and get a haircut. Alas, 24 Hour Fitness didn't have anyone there to help me, and there was a line at barber. Oh well, at least I got some pancakes this morning.

My girlfriend is pretty awesome, and surprised me with tickets to see Avenue Q this week (for my birthday). I can't wait.

I've been craving poker lately - big tournaments, etc. I considering throwing one for my birthday, but I might just get people together for one another time. Thoughts?

Enjoy the sunshine out there - rest of the week could be dreary. Seeya!

What's New, Yo You, Roomba, Pizza and Ice Cream, Cheesecake, Birthday

Happy Monday! Happy Birthday Jared!

Picture of the day!

Foot bridge at South Coast Plaza. I'm finding that I'm a big fan of civic foot bridges. Is that strange?

I have cheesecake at home. I made it. It's delicious. Do you want some?

I made pizza and ice cream this weekend, too, both from scratch. But you can't have those.

It's really nice having a Roomba working again. It's not that my floors were disgusting, but they need a good sweeping/vacuuming a couple times a week, and now an automaton does it for me again. Welcome to the future!

Katie likes doing Yoga, except she calls it "Yo You", and it's adorable.

That's that for today. What's new?

Doll Shopping, Clothespins, Iowa Rocks, Ran, Friday

Happy Friday!

Picture of the day!

Little Katie with beer bottles.

Ran most of my 1.4 miles today - feelin' pretty good.

Iowa: You know, I've never think too much about you unless I'm thinking farming. But with this today, I'm proud of ya.

In my house, we use clothespins to keep bags (chips, dry good, etc.) closed. For whatever reason, I'm accumulating a collection here at work. It just looks funny.

No big weekend plans, which is kind of a nice change. Just gotta buy a bunch of dolls and decapitate them, out of the view of my daughter, who might find that disturbing. Have a great day!

Deadline, Doll Heads, New Shirt, Fuck You Yorba Linda, Cookies For You, Thursday

Thursday!

Picture of the day!

Kinda weird picture of Katie and Jesus at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

Cookies! Come join me today at 1pm for a Meet 'n Eat - I'll have the cookies I made this week to share, and you can sit down for lunch (there's about a million restaurants within 5 minutes of there). Read more at TofuFighting.com! I'll be out there tomorrow, more likely than not, too, in case you can't come by today.

Dear Yorba Linda: You know how I feel about "In God We Trust" displays, but plenty of cities (like Tustin, for example) have the motto alongside other mottoes, displayed in a very educational manner. I'd still rather it wasn't there, but I appreciate the placement. Your city, however, has chosen to ram your god down the throats of everyone who has business with the city council in what I can only describe as a disgusting, lavish, entirely un-Christian display. Good work in alienating a considerable percentage of your population.

Wearing another new shirt today, and again, it's not black. Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria, etc.

I NEED YOUR OLD DOLL HEADS. ALL SIZES. Inquire within.

Time to get going on this deadline. Come out for cookies!

That's All, Cookies, Family Guy, April Beginnings, April Fools Day, 4-Day Weekend, Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

Picture of the day!

Dog statues at Home Depot.

Had a great 4-day weekend. Did Glen Ivy on Monday, and did all the standard relaxing things. Great day for it, too - sunny and cool. Yesterday I casinoed, and did well enough at craps to make up for my other losses. Also had fun, which is what counts.

It's April Fools Day. For being the wacky kinda guy I am, I really don't care much for this holiday. Maybe this is because most of the jokes are dumb, or because you can't believe them anyway, because you know it's April 1. I think the only real winning jokes are those that end up being true.

April is also the beginning of all sorts of things - my birthday month, the second quarter of the year, and a new monthly theme over at TofuFighting.com. I'm also planning on rediscovering my diet/exercise routine. It's been a little lacking lately.

If you missed it, go find last week's Family Guy online - it features Star Trek AND atheism very centrally. It's like it was written for me.

I made cookies. Come find me, and you can have one. Well, assuming you find me where the cookies are...

That's all. What's happening?