Watching The Duff. DUFF stands for "Designated Ugly Fat Friend".
I can relate, except I was never that popular. I'm like the DUFF's DUFF.
Monday, July 04, 2016
Friday, July 01, 2016
Watching Insurgent
I watched Divergent last weekend (Saturday, according my Watch Diary). It was pretty good.
Enter: Insurgent.
I never liked Jeanine. I understand her role in the story, but that doesn't mean I have to like her. I haven't finished the movie at the time of writing, but from the beginning of the movie, why would I trust Jeanine?
If she succeeds in opening the box, is she really going to abide by what the box says? If it requires a Divergent to open it, why would the box/Founders then say that Divergents are the problem? No, Jeanine would twist whatever it says to suit her needs.
If that's even the purpose of the box.
---
Finished the movie. As I expected....
Enter: Insurgent.
I never liked Jeanine. I understand her role in the story, but that doesn't mean I have to like her. I haven't finished the movie at the time of writing, but from the beginning of the movie, why would I trust Jeanine?
If she succeeds in opening the box, is she really going to abide by what the box says? If it requires a Divergent to open it, why would the box/Founders then say that Divergents are the problem? No, Jeanine would twist whatever it says to suit her needs.
If that's even the purpose of the box.
---
Finished the movie. As I expected....
Watching Insurgent
I watched Divergent last weekend (Saturday, according my Watch Diary). It was pretty good.
Enter: Insurgent.
I never liked Jeanine. I understand her role in the story, but that doesn't mean I have to like her. I haven't finished the movie at the time of writing, but from the beginning of the movie, why would I trust Jeanine?
If she succeeds in opening the box, is she really going to abide by what the box says? If it requires a Divergent to open it, why would the box/Founders then say that Divergents are the problem? No, Jeanine would twist whatever it says to suit her needs.
If that's even the purpose of the box.
---
Finished the movie. As I expected....
Enter: Insurgent.
I never liked Jeanine. I understand her role in the story, but that doesn't mean I have to like her. I haven't finished the movie at the time of writing, but from the beginning of the movie, why would I trust Jeanine?
If she succeeds in opening the box, is she really going to abide by what the box says? If it requires a Divergent to open it, why would the box/Founders then say that Divergents are the problem? No, Jeanine would twist whatever it says to suit her needs.
If that's even the purpose of the box.
---
Finished the movie. As I expected....
Saturday, June 11, 2016
L.A. Story (1991)
I watched L.A. Story tonight. I love this movie. One of hundreds in my top 10, if you know what I mean. I'm watching Deleted Scenes on the 15th Anniversary DVD release right now.
I laugh and laugh. And then the scene where the weather changes Harris' life for the second time and Enya is playing. Gets me every time.
As you were.
I laugh and laugh. And then the scene where the weather changes Harris' life for the second time and Enya is playing. Gets me every time.
As you were.
Friday, January 08, 2016
I Am Lunatic
I am a writer.
That's what I'm supposed to tell myself if I feel the writing urge. I fear there is a book in me, one that I did not eat. I am consumed with story ideas, some good, some bad. I'm positive my brain coughed up some of these things like a smoker's hack.
Vivid scenes have played through my mind for years now, all without the aid of hallucinogens or pizza before bed.
The whisper of God to write has largely been ignored, yet He still whispers, sometimes strongly.
I have an artistic temperament without the artistic ability. Never satisfied with much of what I do, I also understand much of what I've done is quite rubbish. A few sketches I've done are okay. While I have a highly-negative weighted view of anything I do (on a good day, I have a 1.5% approval rating of myself), if I say something I've done is okay, that's generally a fairly realistic assessment: just okay.
I entered Jeff Goins 500 words a day challenge a two or three years ago. I got 100 words the first day, 25 words the second day, and blocked completely.
The only thing I do that I consider myself good at is programming. I've done some amazing things. I wrote a program once to build a ladder in a 3D model by selecting three points. Not such a big deal now, but 25 years ago, that was amazing.
I've done some VBA programming to extract PDFs from servers based on links in system-generated emails, saving and renaming them in seconds rather than minutes. The first person I did this for estimates she saved nine hours every two weeks. I'm extremely proud of this.
Abrupt conclusion: I'm good at some things. I wish I were better at some other things. Practice, patience, persistence, presence -- all these things play a part. Pessimism and petulance do not.
That's what I'm supposed to tell myself if I feel the writing urge. I fear there is a book in me, one that I did not eat. I am consumed with story ideas, some good, some bad. I'm positive my brain coughed up some of these things like a smoker's hack.
Vivid scenes have played through my mind for years now, all without the aid of hallucinogens or pizza before bed.
The whisper of God to write has largely been ignored, yet He still whispers, sometimes strongly.
I have an artistic temperament without the artistic ability. Never satisfied with much of what I do, I also understand much of what I've done is quite rubbish. A few sketches I've done are okay. While I have a highly-negative weighted view of anything I do (on a good day, I have a 1.5% approval rating of myself), if I say something I've done is okay, that's generally a fairly realistic assessment: just okay.
I entered Jeff Goins 500 words a day challenge a two or three years ago. I got 100 words the first day, 25 words the second day, and blocked completely.
The only thing I do that I consider myself good at is programming. I've done some amazing things. I wrote a program once to build a ladder in a 3D model by selecting three points. Not such a big deal now, but 25 years ago, that was amazing.
I've done some VBA programming to extract PDFs from servers based on links in system-generated emails, saving and renaming them in seconds rather than minutes. The first person I did this for estimates she saved nine hours every two weeks. I'm extremely proud of this.
Abrupt conclusion: I'm good at some things. I wish I were better at some other things. Practice, patience, persistence, presence -- all these things play a part. Pessimism and petulance do not.
Saturday, January 02, 2016
Resolutions Meh-solutions
I don't make resolutions because I never keep resolutions. My life hasn't been so great of late, so I decided to make a resolution this year. Two, actually. I'm taking action by the horns!
- I need to do something creative every day. I have so many ideas of things, but I never act on them. It's never going to just happen, so I want to do something about it.
- I've already broken this resolution.
- I'll have to modify this one because I have this deep seated yearning to do something, but maybe every day might be a tad audacious. Given my schedule of needing sleep, 3 times a week might be more acceptable, more if possible.
- "Lose weight." The most ridiculous resolution ever because it has no meaning in and of itself. It needs something specific. So, more specifically, I want to lose 20 pounds of fat by my birthday at the end of May.
- I say 20 pounds of fat because I don't believe my weight is a problem in and of itself, but I have fat to spare, a good 40+ pounds.
- 20 pounds is very aggressive, or 4 pounds a month, roughly 1 pound a week. That's very aggressive, and given my physical condition (bad knees, ankles), I'm not sure I could keep up that pace. Ten pounds is a better attainable goal. Ten pounds it is.
Look, Ma, I wrote a blog post!
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Look, much alive
So long since I've been here. Never forgotten, but never motivated to write anything worthwhile, or worth reading.
I like movies. I've mentioned this once or twice. For the year of 2014, I really didn't go see that many movies in the theater. I saw Muppets: Most Wanted, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Guardians of the Galaxy, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. There were lots more movies I wanted to see.
This morning, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. Which is when I normally wake up during the week, so don't go feeling too sorry for me. But I did go to bed at 3:30. P.M., that is. Stupid sinus attacks.
Anyway, I popped in Whisper of the Heart, a Studio Ghibli film. This is usually a good sign. It was less so for this movie. It wasn't bad, but it just didn't grab me. 6/10 Stars so Bright.
Then I watched The Maiden Heist, a movie about museum security guards who decide to steal their favorite art pieces. That description is normally more than enough to entice me, which it did. But for some reason, it just did not hold my interest. Sad, considering it had Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken (closet), and William H. Macy. 6/10 Aways in a Maiden
Then, I watched The April Fools, starring Jack Lemmon and Catherine Deneuve. They fall in love and leave (or attempt to leave) their respective spouses. That's the whole story. Didn't really like it. 6/10 Bah humbugs.
I'm now watching Justice League: War. So far, I'm pretty sure this will be much higher than 6/10 somethings.
I like movies. I've mentioned this once or twice. For the year of 2014, I really didn't go see that many movies in the theater. I saw Muppets: Most Wanted, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Guardians of the Galaxy, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. There were lots more movies I wanted to see.
This morning, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. Which is when I normally wake up during the week, so don't go feeling too sorry for me. But I did go to bed at 3:30. P.M., that is. Stupid sinus attacks.
Anyway, I popped in Whisper of the Heart, a Studio Ghibli film. This is usually a good sign. It was less so for this movie. It wasn't bad, but it just didn't grab me. 6/10 Stars so Bright.
Then I watched The Maiden Heist, a movie about museum security guards who decide to steal their favorite art pieces. That description is normally more than enough to entice me, which it did. But for some reason, it just did not hold my interest. Sad, considering it had Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken (closet), and William H. Macy. 6/10 Aways in a Maiden
Then, I watched The April Fools, starring Jack Lemmon and Catherine Deneuve. They fall in love and leave (or attempt to leave) their respective spouses. That's the whole story. Didn't really like it. 6/10 Bah humbugs.
I'm now watching Justice League: War. So far, I'm pretty sure this will be much higher than 6/10 somethings.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
I Wonder
Two months until I turn 50... I don't have much to show for my life...
I wonder what it's like to truly be in love (the Romantic kind). To have someone I want to spend every moment with, someone whose very being is knit together with mine. Someone who is not going to run away or abandon me when my inevitable flaws expose themselves — and me — for the outrageous fraud that I am. Someone who is not disgusted by my mere presence and might actually welcome and look forward to it. Someone who can champion what little virtually nothing I have to offer. Someone who is not caught up in taking but accepting what little there is of me to give.
And I can't even talk about kids, the great regret in my life (but probably much better off for never having been)...
I wonder what it's like to truly be in love (the Romantic kind). To have someone I want to spend every moment with, someone whose very being is knit together with mine. Someone who is not going to run away or abandon me when my inevitable flaws expose themselves — and me — for the outrageous fraud that I am. Someone who is not disgusted by my mere presence and might actually welcome and look forward to it. Someone who can champion what little virtually nothing I have to offer. Someone who is not caught up in taking but accepting what little there is of me to give.
And I can't even talk about kids, the great regret in my life (but probably much better off for never having been)...
Monday, June 10, 2013
Man of Steel
I've been anticipating this new Superman movie ever since it was originally announced that Christopher Nolan would be the director. I liked what he did for Batman, and I believed he would bring greatness to Superman, that he would do right by him.
But I don't hold on to these things too hard. I have no control over it, and to get upset that things change and hold it as some sort of personal affront against me is just not how I'm wired. I was sad when Nolan was "just" going to be the producer. But with him, that's still a huge deal, and I believed he would not let Mr. Snyder stray too far. Whatever else one might think of Mr. Snyder's movies, he makes visually stunning movies.
And time passed. And images and ideas slipped out here and there: Zod; the massive safe door; the odd Superman shield (that has grown on me); the handcuffs (ha!). And trailer after trailer. My heart grew in anticipation, hoping that my desire for this movie to be fantastic would be even remotely fulfilled.
I did not see anything that made me think this would be a bad movie, but I wasn't sure it would be fantastic.
Aside 1: I have loved Superman since I was boy and am unabashed in my admiration for the hero and my desire to be like him. Now, at the grand age of 49, I have not changed my mind about Superman (though I stopped reading the comics in DC's New 52; they're just missing something). He is still the hero I look up to and admire and want to be more like him, in particular in the desire to do what's right. Him being an archetype of Christ doesn't hurt matters for me.
Aside 2: When I went to see The Dark Knight, I had great anticipation for it, too. Sitting in the theater waiting for it to start, my gooses were bumping, and my heart was pounding. And I felt a prompt from God, "You're going to see something special today." And I did. The Dark Knight is the greatest movie I have ever seen to date.
Aside 3: I went to see Iron Man 3 on a Thursday. I saw a trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness and got gooses to bumping yet again. (It lived up to my expectations.) Then a trailer for Man of Steel ran. My reaction was different, not the bumping of the fowl, but a deeper satisfaction. I had seen the trailer before, but in a little video screen on my laptop doesn't begin to compare with the huge screen in the theater.
Unaside.
Everything I know of Man of Steel right now tells me that I will not be disappointed. It will have action beyond what I expect. The relationships will be rich. And the story will be more than sufficient to engage, entertain, and involve.
And I have a hint, the same as before The Dark Knight, that this will be something special.
But I don't hold on to these things too hard. I have no control over it, and to get upset that things change and hold it as some sort of personal affront against me is just not how I'm wired. I was sad when Nolan was "just" going to be the producer. But with him, that's still a huge deal, and I believed he would not let Mr. Snyder stray too far. Whatever else one might think of Mr. Snyder's movies, he makes visually stunning movies.
And time passed. And images and ideas slipped out here and there: Zod; the massive safe door; the odd Superman shield (that has grown on me); the handcuffs (ha!). And trailer after trailer. My heart grew in anticipation, hoping that my desire for this movie to be fantastic would be even remotely fulfilled.
I did not see anything that made me think this would be a bad movie, but I wasn't sure it would be fantastic.
Aside 1: I have loved Superman since I was boy and am unabashed in my admiration for the hero and my desire to be like him. Now, at the grand age of 49, I have not changed my mind about Superman (though I stopped reading the comics in DC's New 52; they're just missing something). He is still the hero I look up to and admire and want to be more like him, in particular in the desire to do what's right. Him being an archetype of Christ doesn't hurt matters for me.
Aside 2: When I went to see The Dark Knight, I had great anticipation for it, too. Sitting in the theater waiting for it to start, my gooses were bumping, and my heart was pounding. And I felt a prompt from God, "You're going to see something special today." And I did. The Dark Knight is the greatest movie I have ever seen to date.
Aside 3: I went to see Iron Man 3 on a Thursday. I saw a trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness and got gooses to bumping yet again. (It lived up to my expectations.) Then a trailer for Man of Steel ran. My reaction was different, not the bumping of the fowl, but a deeper satisfaction. I had seen the trailer before, but in a little video screen on my laptop doesn't begin to compare with the huge screen in the theater.
Unaside.
Everything I know of Man of Steel right now tells me that I will not be disappointed. It will have action beyond what I expect. The relationships will be rich. And the story will be more than sufficient to engage, entertain, and involve.
And I have a hint, the same as before The Dark Knight, that this will be something special.
Saturday, February 02, 2013
Brett Dennan
Some cool music I found via Wes Molebash, a cool cartoonist dude I've known for a couple of years. He's doing a cartoon series now called [IMG] INSERT IMAGE. Check it out here.
Anyway, hope you enjoy it.
Watch "Brett Dennen - Sydney I'll come Running (Full Studio Version)" on YouTube
[Note: edited to change name of cartoon and add link.]
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Coming Movies (based on IMDb trailers)
Went to IMDb today to look up some Harry Potter information. The trailer list at the top looked interesting, so I thought I would check them out. I like movies a little bit, and I wish I could see all that I want to see. There are lots of bad movies, and trailers are the main mechanism I use to determine which movies make the cut for my time and/or money.
So, here are the trailers I got from clicking on "After Earth". I'll give a short comment for each, trying to restrict my remarks solely to the trailer. I provide trailer and IMDb page links for each movie.
And there you have it, my ramblings you most likely don't care all that much about. I hope you found it at least a tiny bit enjoyable.
So, here are the trailers I got from clicking on "After Earth". I'll give a short comment for each, trying to restrict my remarks solely to the trailer. I provide trailer and IMDb page links for each movie.
- After Earth - Trailer - IMDbJun 07 2013
- Will Smith and his son, Jaden, are in a spaceship and crash land on...Earth. Somehow they must survive. I probably want to see this, but not enough to see it in the theater. It looks beautiful, and I hope not seeing it on the big screen is not a mistake.
- Man of Steel - Trailer - IMDbJun 14 2013
- I'm an unabashed fan of Superman. There's no question I want to see this in theaters. Very intriguing with hints of the story to come.
- Star Trek Into Darkness - Trailer - IMDbMay 17 2013
- This is more a teaser trailer, an "Announcement Trailer" as it were, and still, it entices me greatly. It promises more Star Trek goodness as the previous movie.
I wish this came out one week later for my birthday. Instead, the big movies are The Hangover Part III (triple meh), The Fast and the Furious 6 (meh), and Epic (ok). These just aren't my cup of tea that I'm excited about running out to see on the big screen. - Warm Bodies - Trailer - IMDbFeb 01 2013
- This is the second trailer I've seen for this movie; it's hard to un-see the first one to comment solely on this trailer. I think the premise, a zombie falls in love and kind of stops wanting to be a zombie, is sufficiently intriguing that I would want to see it regardless.
- Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away - Trailer - IMDbNov 09 2012
- I've never seen any Cirque du Soleil performance. I know they're spectacular and mind-bending. This movie looks spectacular and mind-bending. I should see it big screen but probably won't.
- Pacific Rim- Breaking News - IMDbJul 12 2013
- More like a clip from the movie, this is still enticing. It's a giant monster attacking San Francisco. I'm a sucker for this kind of thing.
- The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - Trailer - IMDbAug 23 2013
- Action-packed, visible and invisible people. Fate of the world in the balance. What's not to like? I'd want to see it big screen, but I probably won't.
- Now You See me - Trailer - IMDbJun 07 2013
- A caper movie is my favorite. Magic? I'm guessing more like super-advanced technology. I really want to see it, but probably won't see it big screen.
- 21 and Over - Trailer - IMDbMar 01 2013
- This is not my type of movie. I did laugh at the part where the cop told him to get down, and he started getting down. 99.9999% chance I will never see this movie.
- Fire with Fire - Trailer - IMDbJun 07 2013
- This looks interesting. We'll see if Josh Duhamel can pull off the action. And Bruce Willis is always a draw. Should see it big screen, but probably won't.
- The Last Stand - Trailer - IMDbJan 18 2013
- Arnold Schwarzenegger is a draw. "How are you, sheriff?" "Old". That's a lock for me.
- G.I. Joe: Retaliation - Trailer - IMDbMar 29 2013
- I didn't keep up enough with why this was postponed. I'm not expecting this to be great, but it looks fun. G.I. Joe came after my childhood, so I'm not part of the build-in fan base. And, again, Bruce Willis! Want to see this big screen.
- Iron Man 3 - Trailer - IMDbMay 03 2013
- This looks fantastic! And guy Pearce in a mainstream movie? I'm sold. Definitely must see on the big screen.
- West of Memphis - Trailer - IMDbDec 25 2012
- When I first saw this trailer, I did not realize it was based upon a true story. I hate to see justice perverted for any reason. I will probably watch this eventually.
- A Good Day to Die Hard - Trailer - IMDbFeb 14 2013
- You had me at Bruce Willis (even though I have not seen the last Die Hard movie).
- Jack Reacher - Trailer - IMDbDec 21 2012
- I've only read the first Jack Reacher novel, which was excellent. Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher? I guess he gets the character, because he's certainly not the physical embodiment. Lee Child is happy with the choice, so I can't complain too much. Typical Cruise actioner, though. Think it will be good. Hope to see it big screen.
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - TV Spot - IMDbDec 14 2012
- When I first heard about The Hobbit being made into a movie, I was kind of excited. Then I heard two movies. My excitement waned a bit. Three movies? My excitement level plummetted. If it's successful, I'll probably see it eventually, but I am in no rush to do so. And the trailer doesn't really inspire me that this will be great in the sense that Lord of the Rings was great.
- Zero Dark Thirty - Trailer - IMDbJan 11 2013
- These kinds of movies are difficult for me to watch. I'll wait for video. Eventually.
- Halo 4 - Preview/Video Game - IMDbNov 06 2012
- I'm not a game player, at least not these types of games. This looks amazing and makes me wish I did play games. I would love to see a good cinematic adaptation of this.
- Hitchcock - Trailer - IMDbDec 07 2012
- Hitchcock is the master. I really want to see this. Video, probably.
- Gangster Squad - Trailer - IMDbJan 11 2013
- Not sure why this was postponed. I'm as excited to see this as I was to see L. A. Confidential (and that went far beyond what I expected!). I think this every bit as much about his wife, too. Definitely will see, but probably video.
- Broken City - Trailer - IMDbJan 18 2013
- This looks pretty good. Not everything is as it seems. I like Russel Crowe, and the rest of the cast looks good. (I don't hate Mark Wahlberg like so many do, but he's not a draw for me, either.) Hoping the story is even more complex than it appears in this trailer. Will see eventually.
- Gambit - Trailer - IMDbNov 21 2012 (Ireland; not showing in U.S.? What?)
- This looks like a perfect movie for me. I really appreciatte the British sensibility in films (usually, anyway), and this is it in spades. But I don't see a U.S. release date. I hope I am dreadfully wrong on that count.
- Promised Land - Trailer - IMDbJan 04 2013
- I want to see this. Probably on video. If only big evil corporations were this easily defeated when truly doing bad things. (I'm not anti-corporation, but I am against badness; contrary to many beliefs, the two are not synonymous.)
- 42 - Trailer - IMDbApr 12 2013
- I'm not a sports guy at all. I want to see this movie. I don't know much about Jackie Robinson, but I would like to learn more.
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 - Trailer - IMDb Jun 07 2013
- I realized this movie is already out, but it represents two things for me. One, this Twilight stuff is finally over. Two, this is the first Twilight trailer that looks even remotely interesting story-wise. But I don't plan on ever seeing it.
- Silent Hill: Revelation 3D - Trailer - IMDbOct 26 2012
- I'm not big into games or game/movie adaptations because they usually are terrible. It seems like they are done for the "sure thing" of appealing to the fan base of the game and forgetting the other 90% of the people that like movies. Resident Evil seems to be the only game adaptation I've seen that even remotely tried to go beyond the game market (Max Payne and Hitman are two others that attempted the same but with less success). Silent Hill looks like it might be somewhat successful, too. But it will have to wait until video.
And there you have it, my ramblings you most likely don't care all that much about. I hope you found it at least a tiny bit enjoyable.
Friday, October 05, 2012
I Don't Understand
For some reason, I have a subscription to Hulu Plus. As far as I can tell, this subscription only allows me to view freely-available Hulu content on a device other than my laptop or desktop computer.
Recently, I started thinking about this: watching Hulu content through an app on my Wii or Kindle Fire or Nexus 7 or Toshiba Thrive is EXACTLY the same as watching this same content on my laptop, yet there is a serious divide in the media producers'/distributors' minds that watching this content is somehow significantly different.
I'm just a simple guy, but to me all of these distinctions seem very artificial to me. I can see a difference between broadcast TV, physical media, and online broadcast (sort of on the last two). But to further subdivide online broadcast is an arbitrary separation designed to extract more money.
I'm all for companies making an honest buck, but to turn vampire and suck as much as possible? No, I don't cotton to that.
Recently, I started thinking about this: watching Hulu content through an app on my Wii or Kindle Fire or Nexus 7 or Toshiba Thrive is EXACTLY the same as watching this same content on my laptop, yet there is a serious divide in the media producers'/distributors' minds that watching this content is somehow significantly different.
I'm just a simple guy, but to me all of these distinctions seem very artificial to me. I can see a difference between broadcast TV, physical media, and online broadcast (sort of on the last two). But to further subdivide online broadcast is an arbitrary separation designed to extract more money.
I'm all for companies making an honest buck, but to turn vampire and suck as much as possible? No, I don't cotton to that.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
What is a Store For?
I like going to stores. You can get stuff at stores. Stuff like clothes, movies, food, cleaners, household items, etc.
Sometimes I need many things. Often, I try to keep to the limit for the express line. At my local Walmart, that is 20 items (or less). Rarely do I have less. I try to keep it to 19, actually, so I can get a York Peppermint Patty to make an even 20 items, satisfy my chocolate craving, and clean my breath for a few minutes. I have killed three birds with one piece of candy. (Note: I have never felt like I was on a ski slope after consuming said patty. Cool, yes; slope, no.)
As much as I hate paying more for an item, I sometimes find myself going to Walgreens or CVS to pick up a couple of items. While more expensive, it's faster and more convenient not to traipse around two football fields of store for just a couple of items and then wait in the interminable lines. Especially since Walmart in its last grand re-design made it less efficient (for me) to get through the store.
Before the grand re-design, I used to go to Walmart at least once a week, and I never got out for less than $50. Most of the time, I wouldn't get the one particular item I needed to get.
After the re-design and reducing much of the previously-available choices, I no longer enjoyed shopping there. I went to getting bare necessities on rare occasions. I never cooked at home, so I really didn't need much. Over the course of two years, I went from once-or-more-a-week visits to a visit every two-three months. And I only spent $20-40 during these sporadic visits. In the past year, I have spent less at Walmart in total than I used to spend there in a month.
I have loved you, Walmart, but alas, you have spurned my advances and turned a cold shoulder. It's not me; it's you.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Not together yet
I don't have my stuff (life) together yet.
I want to write posts, and I have so many ideas. Yet, I'm lazy and don't get around to it.
I've got tons of podcasts I've downloaded and haven't listened to them. I would like a better stereo in my vehicle to handle this stuff. That's about an hour a day of listening that would be better use of my driving time, though I do take that time to pray (sometimes — people tend to honk their horns when they see my head bowed, almost as though they're against God and/or my free right to exercise my religion). Lots of (legitimate) music I've downloaded that I'd love to listen to in a more timely fashion.
Don't have my life together. Need to clean my apartment, and I have so much figured in my head, but by the time I get home, I'm exhausted, have to eat, and then collapse.
I can't imagine having a family and being this way. As much as it might be nice to be married, it's probably for the best that I'm not. And certainly I shouldn't be raising kids, even though I want kids way more than I want to be married. (kind of odd, I know, but no one ever accused me of not being odd)
Off to bed. You, my minions—all two of you—are charged with taking care of your loved ones.
Good night, and God bless (even Nikki Minaj, who performed in tongues tonight, but no one was there or here to interpret.)
I want to write posts, and I have so many ideas. Yet, I'm lazy and don't get around to it.
I've got tons of podcasts I've downloaded and haven't listened to them. I would like a better stereo in my vehicle to handle this stuff. That's about an hour a day of listening that would be better use of my driving time, though I do take that time to pray (sometimes — people tend to honk their horns when they see my head bowed, almost as though they're against God and/or my free right to exercise my religion). Lots of (legitimate) music I've downloaded that I'd love to listen to in a more timely fashion.
Don't have my life together. Need to clean my apartment, and I have so much figured in my head, but by the time I get home, I'm exhausted, have to eat, and then collapse.
I can't imagine having a family and being this way. As much as it might be nice to be married, it's probably for the best that I'm not. And certainly I shouldn't be raising kids, even though I want kids way more than I want to be married. (kind of odd, I know, but no one ever accused me of not being odd)
Off to bed. You, my minions—all two of you—are charged with taking care of your loved ones.
Good night, and God bless (even Nikki Minaj, who performed in tongues tonight, but no one was there or here to interpret.)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Coming Round the Bend
[This was written right after Christmas. I lost my internet connection on Christmas Eve and could not get the file to my phone to post on the blogger app.]
The New Year every year is a time to start something new, to make resolutions, to examine one's life and seek ways to improve. Traditionally, I have not done this resolution bit. Can't fail if you don't try, right?
But, I've been pretty much rudderless the past few years. I have no direction, no point, no gumption. It has been said the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect different results. I've wanted my life to be different, but I've not been willing to do anything different. I've expected some inherent perturbation in my system to cause some kind of change in my life.
But that only works in chaos theory and dynamical systems.
If I want change in my life, I have to be my own catalyst. I have to determine my own goals. I have to lay out my own steps for achieving those goals. I have to take charge of my life, rein myself in, and get on track.
May the cobwebs of indifference be forever removed from my brain.
The New Year every year is a time to start something new, to make resolutions, to examine one's life and seek ways to improve. Traditionally, I have not done this resolution bit. Can't fail if you don't try, right?
But, I've been pretty much rudderless the past few years. I have no direction, no point, no gumption. It has been said the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect different results. I've wanted my life to be different, but I've not been willing to do anything different. I've expected some inherent perturbation in my system to cause some kind of change in my life.
But that only works in chaos theory and dynamical systems.
If I want change in my life, I have to be my own catalyst. I have to determine my own goals. I have to lay out my own steps for achieving those goals. I have to take charge of my life, rein myself in, and get on track.
May the cobwebs of indifference be forever removed from my brain.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thanks, Nov 23 (for Nov 22)
Today, I am thankful for doctors and readily-available medical care.
A large dog jumped on my leg, and I had been having increasing troubles with it, so much so that I was using a crutch to get around. Well, after x-rays and examination, the doctor and his student doctor assistant shadowing him for a month did not find anything specific. But through that examination, I'm back on my diabetes and blood pressure medicine that I'd been off since February. Also, through that examination, they flexed my leg and foot enough that it broke through whatever was causing the discomfort so that I can flex my leg and walk normally now.
A large dog jumped on my leg, and I had been having increasing troubles with it, so much so that I was using a crutch to get around. Well, after x-rays and examination, the doctor and his student doctor assistant shadowing him for a month did not find anything specific. But through that examination, I'm back on my diabetes and blood pressure medicine that I'd been off since February. Also, through that examination, they flexed my leg and foot enough that it broke through whatever was causing the discomfort so that I can flex my leg and walk normally now.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thanks, Nov 21
Today, I had a hard time picking something specific to be thankful for. Perhaps I've been too general the past few days and covered most everything. Which tells me, regardless of how trite or cliché it might be, if I'm thankful for it, I will list it.
Today, I am thankful for air conditioning. Living in Houston (or the South), it seems a necessity. And with my sinuses, I run my A/C longer than most people and must keep the temp lower. Being overweight probably has something to do with wanting lower temperatures, at least to sleep comfortably.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia page about air conditioning; read under your own sweat.
Today, I am thankful for air conditioning. Living in Houston (or the South), it seems a necessity. And with my sinuses, I run my A/C longer than most people and must keep the temp lower. Being overweight probably has something to do with wanting lower temperatures, at least to sleep comfortably.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia page about air conditioning; read under your own sweat.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thanks, Nov 20 (for Nov 20)
kind of funny: I actually looked at the stats for this blog just to see what I could see. I don't post anything for months and get 5 followers (which I find funny). Then I start posting, and I lose 2 followers. I'm glad I don't do this for the followers or have an ego about those kinds of things. Heh.
Today, I am thankful for the little things in life that we get so busy and presume are always there, like food, a breath, shelter, a car/truck, plumbing, appliances, etc. We are so blessed here in the United States, so much so that we tend to think we are entitled to these things. There is no guarantee of any of this.
Edit 11/21/2010: This is my 300th post!
Today, I am thankful for the little things in life that we get so busy and presume are always there, like food, a breath, shelter, a car/truck, plumbing, appliances, etc. We are so blessed here in the United States, so much so that we tend to think we are entitled to these things. There is no guarantee of any of this.
Edit 11/21/2010: This is my 300th post!
Thanks, Nov 20 (for Nov 19)
Today, I am thank for a couple of things, like Benadryl to combat my severe sinus attack, and rolling chairs (because my leg is hurting - Doctor on Monday).
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