Friday, November 28, 2003

post://107086173207924853/

I fell asleep last night on the couch with the TV on. I had quite an interesting dream too:

I have forgotten the details, but throughout the dream this guy kept trying to sell me quarters. I'd be walking around talking to people in an unrelated dream... then this guy would pop in and talk about his quarters... you could buy them, for only 25 cents each! If you got enough of them, you could get a gold one included FREE! "How do we do this??! VOLUME!"

I'd say "No -- I don't want to buy any quarters..." move on... and then he'd pop up from somewhere else. I think I was at a school... walking around, maybe my old highschool... and he'd keep popping up from behind trash cans, and out of doorways, and from around the corner. He'd always have something better to offer.

Finally I woke up... and what's on TV? QVC. What are they selling? Quarters. I didn't watch it long enough to verify if it was the same deal as in my dream... probably not, but I found it amusing regardless.

I'm currently prepping for work this evening... the day after Thanksgiving -- Black Friday as it's affectionately known in the retail world. I didn't exactly agree to this... but it's only for the last 4 hours till closing, so hopefully the rush is over with by then.
posted @ 15:18

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Thursday, November 27, 2003

post://107005106049109070/

I had to work on Tuesday, but nothing much after that. I hung around the house and played Need For Speed: Underground incessantly. I unlocked everything up to level 3 -- and godDAMN it's fast. It's all city courses, traffic, shortcuts... amazing... buy it, buy it!

Thanksgiving was nice -- headed up to VT early. It took me about 2 hours to do the 3 & 1/2 hour drive. I found my aunt's house after a bit of driving around, but for the most part without issue. My Mom had come up with her "companion" I think this might have been the first time they slept in the same bed, unless they got a dual bed hotel room... I didn't ask, don't want to know. Anyhow, my brother also came down from northern VT, my uncle Moris, and my cousin and her husband. I'm the youngest of the group and I'm past 21... had to reassure them before I was allowed a glass of wine ;)

I hung around for a little while after dinner, we took a walk... almost got into a really good conversation with my cousin, but didn't quite make it as my mom was there and they saw something along the way that changed the subject. My whole family has a short attention span and is easily distracted. At least I know where I get it from.

I headed down about 5 or so... was driving only about 45 minutes, on the highway when I felt the turkey kick in. I got really really sleepy. So much so I had to open the window, put on fast music... and it still wasn't doing it for me. I pulled into the next rest area and took a little siesta.

A good 20-30 minutes later I was on my way again, feeling alert enough to go on... I was just getting into 4th gear when the car in front on my swerved. It was the only car up ahead, so I wondered what the hell was going on. Deer never crossed my mind. It apparently hit one... the other was in the right lane, the hurt one was limping into the left... I was braking but there was no way I was going to make it as I swerved to the left to avoid the one standing in the road. As I swerved, the hurt deer was headed for the same place... I had just about slowed to a stop when I made contact. It hit the left side, right about the headlight - and I pushed him off to the side. I pulled over a bit down the road to check for damage... nothing but a little brush from his fur above the headlight, not even a scratch. I yelled sorry to the deer, thanked it for it's life... and sparing mine, then was on my way.

I made it the rest of the way home without incident.
So this Thanksgiving, I was thankful to the deer, thankful for being alive, and thankful for it not resulting in a worse accident. 65mph is hardly a good speed to hit anything.
posted @ 15:22

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Monday, November 24, 2003

post://106965846139596310/

Wow... what an interesting day.

I spent all day thinking about what happened yesterday:

I hung out all day, was aching for Need For Speed: Underground. I wasn't about to pay $50 for it, however. I still had a few of my worst (all that was left) XBox games. I decided I'd go to Funco Land. I thought about it for a moment, a tad hesitant because last time I went I saw a past friend: Andy Stevens.

I had a falling out with my group of friends in Ware about 2 years ago, shortly after moving out to Springfield. They claimed I was different, they didn't enjoy hanging out with me... except Andy -- he hated me and wanted me dead. No reason, no talking, just threaten me if he ever saw me.

I didn't give it all much clout. He's not a small man. He's no boxer but let's just say hitting him in the gut probably isn't going to hit anything vital... or count towards an eventual knock down, even. I'm not a fightin' man as it is, but there's a time and place for everything -- not knowing what causes someone to want to fight me, and their refusal to speak of it to anyone is hardly a reason for such a drastic act.

About 2 months ago I had gone into Funco land. Wow -- Andy works there. He saw me as I walked in, I said "Hi Andy" thinking it wouldn't be an issue. He just glared and left -- went outside in a tizzy. I was just amused so I proceeded to look around, a bit more hurried then usual -- he made this a "situation". I left about a minute or two later and was going next door to Petco. He was walking away from me, towards that direction. He turned and glared.
"I'm not following you -- don't worry, just going to Petco"
"You're a fucking dead man. A fucking dead man."
I shook my head and walked into Petco. He was gone when I went back outside.

I didn't think much of it.
I saw a mutual friend at a club about a week after the episode and told him the story.
His response was "Damn -- he's still hung up on that? That's a long time to hold a grudge."

I agreed, but I had seen it happen before. Back when we were still friends he had done the exact same thing to one of the gang. The kid really didn't even do anything, just didn't call him, or hung out with someone that Andy hated. He then didn't just not want to have anything to do with him -- he wanted to kill him. If he saw him he'd be a dead man, that's what he told us. I thought it a tad extreme at the time, even more so since experiencing it first hand.

So finally -- the good stuff: Saturday Evening.
I brought in my games to trade in. I didn't figure he'd be working on a Saturday so I went there. I wasn't going because I thought he'd be working, didn't say "ooooh, I think it'll be fun to see Andy and get him all worked up". I didn't even think it a possibility.

I get there and sure enough. He darts to the back room. My heart is pumping - he's made it a "situation" again. I proceed, he's not going to stop me from buying my game - he'll just have to grow up and deal. The manager goes back and I think told him he'd have to come out. He did... stormed right behind me (I remained looking at the games intently as the girl at the register looked up how much I'd get for each of the used games) and out the door. I was a tad relieved, but found it to be quite humorous. I stopped short of saying:
"Sorry for being an issue by being a customer." to the Manager, they were smirking as well and I figured they were on my side thinking he was being ridiculous.

I purchased my game (9 games equals $54.00 -- daaaamn, but they were old/crappy) and proceeded to leave. He was standing out in the parking lot trying to look menacing. As I walked towards my car he b-lined towards me.
"You think you're funny?!!!"
"I'm a customer" - holding up my game and receipt.
"I don't fucking care - get the fuck out of here" and he shoved me.

This was the point where I thought: "Do I fight this guy?" and worked out some scenarios in my head. If I got in a fight, he'd certainly get fired... if he didn't for the little stunt he was pulling right here. If he got fired he'd really have a reason to hate me -- but at least I'd know what it was this time. I knew I could only get in head shots... and I had a whole evening ahead of me, I was headed to a friends. I didn't want a fight, I didn't want police... and didn't know how far he'd go.

I couldn't walk to my car because he was in the way. He wouldn't get out of my way because he wanted me to leave. I didn't move so he shoved me again. This time he went a little to the side so I went to walk forward, and he shoved me again. That was it, I was going to speak to the manager. I turned towards the door, all the while he's yelling "Get the FUCK out of here -- FUCKING leave!!!!" yadda yadda yadda. I point to the manager. He's stone faced, staring... and doesn't care. I'm thinking he told the guy I murder children or something. I attempted to open the door, Andy had run forward seeing that I was going back inside... realizing where it was going he put his foot in front so I couldn't open the door. I turned back around as it was obvious the people inside weren't going to do shit. I mean... I wouldn't either if my friend had an "arch enemy" come into his place of work "just to piss him off, like a big joke" which is the feeling I got from the way he said "you think you're funny?"

I kept walking, all the while he's in my face. When I couldn't walk forward I stopped.
"You need to get 5 feet back"
"I don't gotta do shit"
"Yeah you do"
He tried knocking the game out of my hand - a no go.
He didn't seem to know what to do there. We were close enough to my car. I took a long time getting my keys out, pressing the alarm button, and inching into the car.
I sat there for a second, all I could say was "Interesting." I gave him a puzzled look, drove really slow -- went back towards the front of the store. I couldn't see the people inside, wish I could have gotten another feeling for what the manager was going to do, or thought about this.

I drove away wishing I had just upped and popped him one.

Now I'm wondering what to do about it.
I could easily get him fired, I think.
I don't want to do that... like I said, an enemy for life. However -- it already seems that's what I am, without a reason. It might feel good to have a reason for someone to hate me, at least. I am going to call the store manager tomorrow, explain the situation, and my past with the guy. I'm not sure why he hates me, will make that clear... but it's understood that if you work somewhere, part of "professionalism" is that you are there to provide a service to anyone who comes in the door, personal feelings aside. I didn't murder his children, I didn't rape his girlfriend, I didn't rob him. There's nothing I did that could make him hate me as he does (or says he does), let alone escalate the issue into fisticuffs upon seeing me.

I just don't want that to happen again. If it means letting the guy go... so be it, I'd rather he just stop being a baby and be able to stand across the counter from me, even just walk away if I go in there. I understand you have such a deep hatred for me... and you can't even look at me without becoming the Hulk -- not my problem. I wanted to buy a game. I think he's Assistant Manger too. Fuckin deal with it.

So I'll update after speaking to the manager tomorrow. If he doesn't believe me, I'll take it to the district manager... then I'm sure that he'll get fired. I have a receipt - time and date of the incident, and invite him to be there the next time I visit if he's so sure that Andy isn't capable of such a thing. I'd enjoy just watching him squirm knowing he can't do anything.

...so now that I have everything down maybe I'll be able to sleep.
Let's see, shall we?
=]
posted @ 01:38

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Thursday, November 20, 2003

post://106937939699384562/

Here's a fun little iPod parody for your viewing pleasure,
and the picture that's been slowing TheSmokingGun to a crawl.
(not really for viewing pleasure, per se)
posted @ 20:46

post://106935907904268252/

Why don't we have cool games like this? I'll tell you why... Americans only crave blood, gore, and death!

I'm just amazed it got an 8/10 given the quality of the graphics. It's sheer scale is one thing, but there's some bad clipping issues, in addition to characters with very limited polygons.
posted @ 15:11

post://106930711334913139/

I've just sucked 2 minutes of your life away... I hope to one day go as high as five, but there's no telling what that might do to you.
posted @ 00:43

post://106930648228172324/

Well -- I've been a busy little bee this evening. I spent the first half doing work, then figured I'd work on my own site since it was still early.

I added new rocks to Katerocks.com, they've got detail photos and they're both shopping cart ready. So adopt a little one, think Xmas!

I had to do something about the skewed and skewered bubbles -- no filters on this machine, so had to make do with what I've got... *cough* need photoshop filters for Mac *cough* please... *cough* but was able to do pretty close to what I had pictured in my head. It's certainly not perfect, I only had the .jpg to work off of, the original layers have long since disappeared.

I added the discussion board to the list on the left -- rearranged things a tad. You still have to sign up for the board, and give me about 24-48 hours to confirm your account before you'll be able to see the "secret forum". I know that's not how most of you are used to getting things, in this newfangled age of computers and teletype. It's the only way I can do it to keep things separate from the wonderful people at CG Systems who were so kind as to host it.

I did know the pictures of the kitty weren't entirely correct. Misnamed a file in the HTML (1), and misnamed the files on the server (2). All fixed and working -- leave the window it opens to the side, clicking another picture will open in that same window... maybe save you some screen-flippin.

So behold the new colors! Behold the new board! Behold the working pictures of Fitzi!!!
posted @ 00:23

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Tuesday, November 18, 2003

post://106921304704203360/

Everything you never thought to ask about something that most never see.*

Finally! Here's an adage for the kiddies -- save it when they ask you "why?".
posted @ 22:37

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Monday, November 17, 2003

post://106910222853265721/

I apologize, I couldn't resist - NSFW
posted @ 15:49

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Friday, November 14, 2003

post://106885433726508815/

Is it just me, or is this enough of a reason to stay away from Natzi parties?
posted @ 18:58

post://106910243711967246/

I went to court today to fight a speeding ticket. My argument was that I was going 57 in a 55, or what I thought to be a 55mph area due to the lack of signage. He reduced it, but since the officer marked it as a "marked" area on the ticket/report, they weren't just going to give it to me. I then appealed for a $20 fee, and shall return on the 16th of Dec. Possibly he may not show up, but in case he does I took pictures when I got out and had them developed. I took pictures of the whole stretch, where he was sitting, and the lack of signs along the way saying anything other then 55mph.

We shall see if justice prevails (for a nominal $20 fee).
posted @ 18:51

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Wednesday, November 12, 2003

post://106862479525218137/

That's ivy growing on the buildings at Yale... right? Biology really is a great thing.
posted @ 03:13

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Sunday, November 09, 2003

post://106837074397005873/

Tonight was Paul's party:
Computers, projection screen with movies
XBoxen, SNES, Sega Genesis on 6 TVs
Good pumping industrial, black lights, and glow items of many a kind.
It was a very fun time, no drinking -- but that didn't stop everyone from partying down =]

I was there right till the end, about 12:30 or so... I called Stefan to see what he was up to -- sure enough: party! The usual bunch was there, with a special appearance by a band from WNEC.

With sort of a Funky sound, they had 2 guys on keyboards, and their own drummer - they were short a vocalist, however. I was privaledged enough to be able to sing with them and I gotta say, I loved it. I asked for a topic and the dude said: "pussy... shakin that thing -- you know, like that".

I proceeded to go off. I freestyled in a funky way, singing funk from the head. They played along, supporting and guiding me where to go next with the change in tempo and tone. The accompaniment was keyboard with organ (keyboard) being the melody. I belted it out for a good 15 minutes. I had no trouble rhyming, kept a theme going, and was just feeling the music so much. I loved every minute of it.
posted @ 04:39

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Saturday, November 08, 2003

post://106827112625468066/

"I'm a roofer... I roof!
Do you see me roofing? I roof!
I'm a roofer!"

So maybe I'm not, but I did it and I'm glad.
I helped my Dad and learned a little.

I also got a whole bunch of nostalgic stuff from the basement.
A skateboard, banana, 70's style, blue with rollerskate wheels.
My dinosaur, have to give that to my kid someday.
A copper turtle covered in coral from my fish tank.
My Mustang RC Car.
Brio train set, Fisher Price Schoolhouse and Barn (also for the kid).
A card from the second time I got out of the hospital.
Letters (and pictures) from my first real "internet girlfriend".
A few tapes of music and foolings of me and my chums.
My special baby blanket and wool afghan, kids and me... later.

So that's a short list. I'll put most of it away, stow it until later.
I'm so fluttery.

Oh -- here is stuff you should know:

FTC - messaging company - extortion, yep... extortion
remove annoying message popups (doesn't apply for Win98/WinME)
posted @ 00:50

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Wednesday, November 05, 2003

post://106802487942068275/

...pictures - check.
happy new thing -- not quite
new section -- note quite
... new music recommendations - check.

Well 50/50 ain't all that bad.
It only took me 4 hours to ingest all the alcohol.
posted @ 04:32

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Tuesday, November 04, 2003

post://106800475149982948/

I'm feeling very pensive this evening, and managed to sit down at my computer. That can only mean one thing -- updates, and with any luck... some new content!

(pictures)
(a new section)
(a happy giggly thing)
(music recommendations)
posted @ 22:57

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Monday, November 03, 2003

post://106885506514284065/

Lessons:
Hospital
Moving Out
Into Bad Areas
Caution in the City
Accident

look for these little tidbits, possibly in their own section in the future
posted @ 19:11

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