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3,580,406 | female | 42 | Student | Libra | 23,June,2004 | Well, the name fits! I am googled to death! I am finding this assignment challenging. I apparently am 'tech challenged'. I said in the first class that I have crashed some computers and while that was in jest, I do seem to have a knack for getting the screens to do wild and crazy things. Yesterday, I got my project's font to grow like Jack's beanstalk. I havent' been able to get into my project at home and wouldn't you know it, I'm having another bad hair day! |
3,580,406 | female | 42 | Student | Libra | 21,June,2004 | Thanks to Kery, I am going to invest in one of those flash memory thingies.I have been looking around for them and was glad for the information. I discovered that I do have a port on the front of my computer - everybody jump and clap! I don't suppose I can insert a sound clip here? This new technology should really be a big help this upcoming semester when I plan to take more classes than I have before. Anything that will make that easier for me and reduces the stress I feel. |
3,580,406 | female | 42 | Student | Libra | 15,June,2004 | I use spread sheets at work to manipulate information. We don't have much of a need for formulas to that part has been a good review for me. I tried for weeks to get the office manager (I use that term very loosely)to put a particular log in ABC order. We enter information in a log and it's given a reference number. Well, you can imagine what that log looked like with over 700 employees. The problem came when we had to look up a reference number. No one had access to the computer file to search for it that way. We were supposed to look through this endless report (with a very small font). Made me want to pull my hair out. Well, that 'office manager' departed and the new one did finally make that change and life is good now. |
3,580,406 | female | 42 | Student | Libra | 09,June,2004 | I first ran into copyright when I wanted to get a copy of a picture that I had bought. I couldn't understand why I couldn't use something I had already bought. I also ran into it when I wanted to copy a cross stitch pattern from a magazine. Yikes! It's very technical and confusing. I will remember that if I have an emergency situation in my music class, that I have a bit of breathing space. I didn't think about the internet not being part of public domain. I really wouldn't have thought that shareware and freeware would be copyrighted. It's nice to see the sites that can be used for instruction for classrooms. The one with about the Harbour was cool. |
3,580,406 | female | 42 | Student | Libra | 09,June,2004 | Maybe it's just my age but all this information being stored on the internet and computers makes me nervous . it's kind of like the feeling I get when I drive over a long bridge. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge comes to mind. It makes me want to roll my windows down and get my handy seatbelt cutter out just in case the bridge collapses, I will be able to escape my car! |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 30,July,2004 | Just when things were getting so good, they get frustrating again. The whole team just sucked. Lohse sucked. Hunter sucked. Stewart sucked. Blanco sucked. Cuddyer sucked. Morneau sucked. I could go on and on. Just two guys didn't suck. One was Joe Roa, who in my mind has replaced Juan Rincon for best bullpen guy who isn't a closer. And the other, surprisingly, was Mientkiewicz, who played like a man who had something to prove. Which is fine by me. Maybe that's why he could hit for .300+ early in his career. He had to prove to the organization that he was worth keeping. Now he had to prove it again, and I'd have to say that he did. I just hope that if he's still in a Twins uniform tomorrow, he'll continue to prove it. In trade news, the Mets got Kris Benson. Just as well. I was starting to think he wouldn't fit in with the team very well. It's just too bad we couldn't trade for his wife. For now, I guess Jodi Mientkiewicz (a woman who has nothing to prove) will have to do. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 29,July,2004 | One way or another, this situation is less than ideal. At the start of the week, when it looked like Dougie would be gone by Tuesday, I thought it would be the perfect trade. And then the days lingered on. And now, after all the reports I've read and all the different rumored trade offers, I'm not sure on anything anymore. On one hand, if we do end up with Benson, I'm starting to wonder just how good he will be for us. He's not that spectacular, especially in a playoff situation (assuming, of course, that the pressure will get to him). I just get bad vibes from it all, really. But on the other hand, now we HAVE to get rid of Mientkiewicz. I see no other way. Him and Gardenhire are reportedly at odds with each other, and that seems to be where all this trade talk sprouted from. While he may not have been a clubhouse cancer last week, if he doesn't find his way out of Minnesota, he will become one fast. So in one way, I don't really want Benson, but if that's what we can get for Mientkiewicz, I'll take him. But I hope Terry Ryan is working hard trying to come up with something else out of the blue. I'm thinking maybe Mientkiewicz plays for the Twins tomorrow night and switches over by Saturday's game as he gets traded to Boston. Perhaps that's what the hold up is; Carl Pohlad is too cheap to pay for a plane ticket, so some kind of trade with Boston has been on the table all week. God, I can only hope. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 29,July,2004 | Is there anything better than sweeping those damn White Sox? In Chicago? And all three games were really their own entities. Game one had Torii Hunter's tryout for the Vikings (my opinion: sign him up!). Game two had Corey Koskie getting more bases than all the Twins combined do somedays. And game three had Justin Morneau getting not one but two home run calls reversed, either one of which would have ended the game on time. But as it were, going into the 10th inning wasn't so bad, because it gave Torii Hunter a chance to make yet another phenomenal catch. One that I am sure burned in the hearts of White Sox fans everywhere. Really, I'm surprised after that catch that a fan didn't run onto the field and attack someone. But I guarantee this sweep would be a whole lot nicer if every day of it we weren't more concerned about where Mientkiewicz would be going. It made it hard to focus on the game as a fan. As far as trading him goes, I'm indifferent for now. It really depends on who we get. But now that the cat's out of the bag, they need to get the deal done ASAP. The first thing I do each day is check to see if he's been traded yet. The wait is killing me. Especially since now I'm not so sure we'll be getting Kris Benson, so we could be getting anyone really. Terry Ryan has a knack for the surprise trade, so really, there's a whole grab bag of players we could be getting, and only time will tell which one he picks. I just hope it's not TOO much time... |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 28,July,2004 | Am I the only one who was rooting for Koskie to get hit again in the 9th? I'm sure Koskie was hating it, especially since he isn't exactly known for being free of aches and pains. But he could've taken one more for the team! It'd be his name in the record books, after all! If it weren't for all the trade rumors swirling around, the Twins would have to be the hottest team in baseball right now. I mean, it feels like the last time they lost a series was in May. They're just playing excellent, excellent baseball right now. Hopefully, they can keep it up, because even if we sweep the White Sox tomorrow, then we face a tough Red Sox team, and the lead we have over Chicago could go just as fast as it came. But hey, if Oakland could win 20 games in a row a few years back, what's stopping the Twins from doing the same? I'm all for it, personally. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 26,July,2004 | What a game! Little Nicky Punto slipping on the wet grass and injuring himself (though I must say, it was maybe the most graceful injury I have ever seen), Torii Hunter absolutely running right through the White Sox catcher, and of course, subsequently being booed by the annoying White Sox fans. Rad Bradke showed both sides of himself on the mound today, but luckily his better half prevailed. The only worrying point is Juan Rincon giving up yet another home run. He's really starting to worry me now. And that's about all I saw. I was actually working too hard on finishing up the Former Players List (see below) to pay hard attention to the game. But I was overjoyed by the result. 1.5 games over the White Sox, this could be the start of something good. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 24,July,2004 | Finally, I have done something significant! Something that will put me up in the ranks of Bill James and Rob Neyer and those types! It ate up my entire day, but it is finished! It's my list of former players! This requires a bit of explanation: a 'former player' is, simply, any active player who used to play for a team different from his current team. For example, Barry Bonds is a current player of the San Francisco Giants, but he is a former player of the Pittsburgh Pirates. What I have spent pretty much every waking hour of today doing was finding the team that has the most former players. A player could have more than one former team (and many did). My inspiration for this is all the times I've watched the Twins play the Boston Red Sox or some other team and when the likes of David Ortiz or Todd Walker or whoever come up to bat, I always think 'former Twin, David Ortiz.' It made me wonder just where the Twins stand in former players. I got my current roster info from each team's official roster page and former team info from urlLink BaseballReference.com . All roster info is current as of today, July 26th. Now then, without further adieu, I bring you Ryan Whitaker's Former Players List: Former Players By Team: Anaheim: 22 (Mike Fetters, Steve Sparks, Jason Grimsley, Kent Mercker, Scott Schoeneweis, Jamie Burke, Todd Greene, Al Levine, Matt Perisho, Damion Easley, Orlando Palmeiro, Brian Anderson, Darrell May, Matt Wise, Mark McLemore, Ismael Valdes, Phil Nevin, J.T. Snow, Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Scott Spiezio, Jim Edmonds, Brad Fullmer) Arizona: 28 (Jose Guillen, Ken Huckaby, Karim Garcia, Alan Embree, Curt Schilling, Mike DiFelice, Lenny Harris, Brian Anderson, Dennys Reyes, Duaner Sanchez, Chris Capuano, Chad Moeller, Craig Counsell, Lyle Overbay, John Patterson, Tony Batista, Ricky Bottalico, Bret Prinz, Damian Miller, Erubiel Durazo, Felix Rodriguez, Mike Myers, Jeff Suppan, Tony Womack, Reggie Sanders, Rod Barajas, David Dellucci, Miguel Batista) Atlanta: 38 (Danny Bautista, Javy Lopez, Alan Embree, Greg Maddux, Kent Mercker, Mike Remlinger, Paul Bako, Steve Reed, Vinny Castilla, Mike Mordecai, Darrell May, Rudy Seanez, Tony Graffanino, Odalis Perez, Jose Hernandez, Wes Helms, Terry Mulholland, Henry Blanco, Tom Glavine, Mike Stanton, Kenny Lofton, Gary Sheffield, Jermaine Dye, Roberto Hernandez, Kevin Millwood, Randall Simon, Ryan Klesko, Marquis Grissom, Michael Tucker, Bret Boone, Ray King, Jason Marquis, Reggie Sanders, Robert Fick, Rey Sanchez, Brian Jordan, Kerry Lightenberg, Justin Speier) Baltimore: 33 (Mike Fetters, Roberto Alomar, Steve Finley, Curt Schilling, Mike Timlin, Kent Mercker, Willie Harris, Tim Laker, Casey Blake, Travis Driskill, Charles Johnson, Jason Johnson, Esteban Yan, Armando Benitez, Jeff Conine, Tony Batista, Scott Erickson, Todd Zeile, Mark McLemore, Tim Worrell, Jose Mesa, Willis Roberts, David Wells, Deivi Cruz, Jamie Moyer, Brook Fordyce, John Wasdin, David Dellucci, Gary Matthews, Sean Douglass, Kerry Lightenberg, Josh Towers, Gregg Zaun) Boston: 38 (Aaron Sele, Casey Fossum, Carlos Baerga, Shea Hillenbrand, Kent Mercker, Todd Walker, Carl Everett, Todd Jones, Bob Howry, Lou Merloni, Jeff Fassero, Tim Harikkala, Ugueth Urbina, Josias Manzanillo, Kirk Bullinger, Roger Clemens, Darren Oliver, Rudy Seanez, Matt Stairs, Jose Offerman, Sunny Kim, Mike Stanton, Cliff Floyd, Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill, John Flaherty, Tony Clark, Scott Hatteberg, Rheal Cormier, Chris Stynes, Rod Beck, Dustin Hermanson, Jamie Moyer, Jeff Suppan, Rey Sanchez, Ron Mahay, Brian Shouse, John Wasdin) Cubs: 55 (Jose Molina, Josh Paul, Luis Gonzalez, Antonio Alfonseca, Juan Cruz, Robert Machado, Rafael Palmeiro, Terry Adams, Mark Bellhorn, Ricky Gutierrez, Bill Mueller, Ross Gload, Phil Norton, Todd Van Poppel, Shawn Estes, Jeff Fassero, Jason Smith, Rondell White, Hee Seop Choi, Lenny Harris, Dave Weathers, Jose Vizcaino, Matt Stairs, Jose Hernandez, Terry Mulholland, Steve Trachsel, Todd Zeile, Tom Gordon, Felix Heredia, Jon Lieber, Tanyon Sturtze, Miguel Cairo, Kenny Lofton, Damian Miller, Eric Karros, Tim Worrell, Todd Pratt, Doug Glanville, Bobby Hill, Randall Simon, Chris Stynes, Rod Beck, Ismael Valdes, Michael Tucker, Jamie Moyer, Dave Hansen, Ray King, Julian Tavarez, Tony Womack, Rey Sanchez, Ron Mahay, Eric Young, Gary Matthews, Miguel Batista, Justin Speier) White Sox: 37 (Bartolo Colon, Josh Paul, Roberto Alomar, Julio Franco, Robert Machado, Alan Embree, Keith Foulke, Sammy Sosa, D'Angelo Jimenez, Bob Howry, Rick White, Charles Johnson, Royce Clayton, Aaron Miles, Al Levine, Billy Koch, Scott Sullivan, Tony Graffanino, Wilson Alvarez, Olmedo Saenz, Robin Ventura, Rocky Biddle, Mike Cameron, Tom Gordon, Tanyon Sturtze, Kenny Lofton, Ruben Sierra, Chad Bradford, Roberto Hernandez, Josh Fogg, Kip Wells, David Wells, Scott Eyre, Ray Durham, Miguel Olivo, Cal Eldred, Brook Fordyce) Cincinnati: 41 (Jose Guillen, Elmer Dessens, Chris Reitsma, B.J. Ryan, Todd Williams, Kent Mercker, Mike Remlinger, Todd Walker, Mike Jackson, Paul Konerko, Shawn Estes, Mark Sweeney, Dmitri Young, Josias Manzanillo, Lenny Harris, Dave Weathers, Dennys Reyes, Scott Sullivan, Ruben Mateo, Giovanni Carrara, Juan Encarnacion, Dave Burba, Brady Clark, John Franco, Mike Cameron, Eric Valent, Felix Heredia, Ruben Sierra, Chris Stynes, David Wells, Jim Brower, Felix Rodriguez, Brett Tomko, Michael Tucker, Ron Villone, Dan Wilson, Bret Boone, Reggie Sanders, Rob Bell, Brook Fordyce, Carlos Almanzar) Cleveland: 55 (Bartolo Colon, Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Tim Drew, Jaret Wright, Eddie Perez, Julio Franco, Jason Grimsley, Karim Garcia, Alan Embree, Ricky Gutierrez, Manny Ramirez, Kent Mercker, Mike Jackson, Sandy Alomar, Danny Graves, Sean Casey, Jacob Cruz, Steve Reed, Jeromy Burnitz, Dan Miceli, Dave Weathers, Jeff Kent, Jose Vizcaino, Brian Anderson, Rudy Seanez, Tom Martin, Jose Hernandez, Milton Bradley, Dave Roberts, Dave Burba, Chris Magruder, Terry Mulholland, Joe Roa, Einar Diaz, Enrique Wilson, Kenny Lofton, Ricardo Rincon, Mark McLemore, Paul Abbott, Tim Worrell, David Bell, Jim Thome, Ricky Ledee, Jose Mesa, Brian Giles, Jim Brower, Marquis Grissom, Ron Villone, Jolbert Cabrera, Steve Kline, Julian Tavarez, Danys Baez, Ryan Drese, Justin Speier) Colorado: 48 (Brent Mayne, Quinton McCracken, Mike Hampton, John Thomson, Mark Bellhorn, Gabe Kapler, Kent Mercker, Todd Walker, Tom Goodwin, Sandy Alomar, Ross Gload, Juan Uribe, Todd Jones, Gabe White, Jacob Cruz, Jason Romano, John Vander Wal, Scott Elarton, Matt Miller, Rick White, Ron Belliard, Lenny Harris, Juan Pierre, Dan Miceli, Darren Oliver, Dennys Reyes, Giovanni Carrara, Jose Hernandez, Victor Santos, Gary Bennett, Craig Counsell, Joe Roa, Henry Blanco, Mike DeJean, Todd Zeile, Adam Melhuse, Chris Stynes, Jeff Cirillo, Jay Payton, Neifi Perez, Mike Myers, Ron Villone, Julian Tavarez, Tony Womack, John Wasdin, Eric Young, Justin Speier, Gregg Zaun) Detroit: 41 (Steve Sparks, Danny Bautista, Luis Gonzalez, Dave Borkowski, Buddy Groom, Karim Garcia, Gabe Kapler, Paul Bako, Jose Macias, Todd Jones, Todd Van Poppel, Jacob Cruz, Adam Benero, Matt Perisho, Damion Easley, Dan Miceli, Brad Ausmus, Joe Randa, Jose Lima, Jeff Weaver, Juan Encarnacion, Victor Santos, John Flaherty, Tony Clark, Ruben Sierra, Mark Redman, Brian Powell, Tim Worrell, Willis Roberts, Randall Simon, David Wells, Phil Nevin, Deivi Cruz, Mike Myers, Roger Cedeno, Trever Miller, Robert Fick, Doug Brocail, Francisco Cordero, Chris Gomez, Frank Catalanotto) Florida: 42 (Danny Bautista, Antonio Alfonseca, Buddy Groom, Kevin Millar, Matt Clement, Paul Bako, Derrek Lee, Moises Alou, Carl Everett, Charles Johnson, Preston Wilson, Gary Knotts, Nate Robertson, Ugueth Urbina, Ivan Rodriguez, Dan Miceli, Dave Weathers, Juan Encarnacion, Craig Counsell, Livian Hernandez, Al Leiter, Braden Looper, Mike Piazza, Todd Zeile, Cliff Floyd, Felix Heredia, Gary Sheffield, Mark Redman, Ramon Castro, Mark Kotsay, Brian Meadows, Trevor Hoffman, Blaine Neal, Mike Myers, Julian Tavarez, Edgar Renteria, John Mabry, Ron Mahay, Miguel Batista, Justin Speier, Gregg Zaun, Dave Berg) Houston: 38 (Randy Johnson, Steve Finley, Luis Gonzalez, Mike Hampton, Curt Schilling, Ricky Gutierrez, Paul Bako, Moises Alou, Mike Jackson, Carl Everett, Todd Jones, Scott Elarton, Rick White, Vinny Castilla, Jose Lima, Tom Martin, Keith Ginter, Richard Hidalgo, Tom Gordon, Kenny Lofton, Octavio Dotel, Kirk Saarloos, Mark McLemore, Brian Powell, Billy Wagner, Bobby Abreu, Scott Linebrink, Ricky Stone, Phil Nevin, Wayne Franklin, Ron Villone, Roger Cedeno, John Halama, Trever Miller, Geoff Blum, Julio Lugo, Doug Brocail, Gregg Zaun) Kansas City: 37 (Juan Brito, Brent Mayne, Paul Byrd, Jason Grimsley, Johnny Damon, David McCarty, Glendon Rusch, Tom Goodwin, Chad Durbin, Jamey Wright, Kit Pellow, Al Levine, Jamie Walker, Mike DiFelice, Rondell White, Jeff Conine, Carlos Beltran, Jose Lima, Jose Offerman, Endy Chavez, Ricky Bottalico, Tom Gordon, Jermaine Dye, Paul Abbott, Roberto Hernandez, Brian Meadows, Chris Stynes, Jay Witasick, Neifi Perez, Michael Tucker, Raul Ibanez, Jeff Suppan, Lance Carter, Rey Sanchez, Brian Shouse, Miguel Batista, Gregg Zaun) Los Angeles: 36 (Mike Fetters, Todd Williams, Karim Garcia, Terry Adams, Pedro Martinez, Mark Grudzielanek, Tom Goodwin, Paul Konerko, Juan Castro, Jason Romano, Charles Johnson, Jeromy Burnitz, Lenny Harris, Jose Vizcaino, Dennys Reyes, Rudy Seanez, Craig Counsell, Terry Mulholland, Henry Blanco, Jose Offerman, Mike Piazza, Todd Zeile, Paul Quantrill, Gary Sheffield, Adam Melhuse, Eric Karros, Ismael Valdes, Matt Herges, Felix Rodriguez, Marquis Grissom, Jolbert Cabrera, Dave Hansen, Roger Cedeno, Trever Miller, Eric Young, Brian Jordan) Milwaukee: 34 (Mike Fetters, Steve Sparks, Eddie Perez, Julio Franco, Robert Machado, Luis Lopez, Glendon Rusch, Paul Bako, Jose Valentin, John Vander Wal, Bob Wickman, Ron Belliard, Jamey Wright, Royce Clayton, Jeromy Burnitz, Mark Sweeney, Josias Manzanillo, Lenny Harris, Dave Weathers, Matt Stairs, Jose Hernandez, Henry Blanco, Mike DeJean, Gary Sheffield, Jeff Cirillo, Mark Loretta, Wayne Franklin, Marquis Grissom, Mike Myers, Ron Villone, Cal Eldred, Ray King, Mike Matheny, Eric Young) Minnesota: 26 (Mike Fetters, Quinton McCracken, David McCarty, David Ortiz, LaTroy Hawkins, Todd Walker, Mike Jackson, Todd Jones, Javier Valentin, Casey Blake, Matt Lawton, Matt Kinney, Chad Moeller, Scott Erickson, Mark Redman, Damian Miller, Bobby Kielty, Paul Abbott, Eric Milton, A.J. Pierzynski, Dustan Mohr, Eddie Guardado, Kenny Rogers, Kevin Frederick, Michael Nakamura, Chris Gomez) Montreal: 39 (Bartolo Colon, Vladimir Guerrero, Randy Johnson, Tim Drew, Robert Machado, Pedro Martinez, Michael Barrett, Mark Grudzielanek, Jose Macias, Moises Alou, Gabe White, John Vander Wal, Tim Laker, Jeff Fassero, Larry Walker, Ugueth Urbina, Rondell White, Carl Pavano, Mike Mordecai, Kirk Bullinger, Raul Chavez, Matt Stairs, Guillermo Mota, Milton Bradley, Todd Zeile, Cliff Floyd, Javier Vazquez, Rheal Cormier, Salomon Torres, Jim Brower, Matt Herges, Dustin Hermanson, Kirk Reuter, Marquis Grissom, Steve Kline, Geoff Blum, Brad Fullmer, Miguel Batista, Ted Lilly) Mets: 47 (Brent Mayne, Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Paul Byrd, Mike Hampton, John Thomson, Luis Lopez, Melvin Mora, Mike Remlinger, Glendon Rusch, Carl Everett, Timo Perez, Cory Lidle, Paul Wilson, Rick White, Matt Lawton, Shawn Estes, Steve Reed, Jeromy Burnitz, Preston Wilson, Armando Benitez, Josias Manzanillo, Lenny Harris, Dave Weathers, Jeff Kent, Jose Vizcaino, Jaime Cerda, Alberto Castillo, Desi Relaford, Tom Martin, Robin Ventura, Gary Bennett, Brady Clark, Tony Clark, Octavio Dotel, Marco Scutaro, Todd Pratt, Terrence Long, Jay Payton, Tyler Walker, Edgardo Alfonzo, Jason Isringhausen, Roger Cedeno, Brook Fordyce, Rey Sanchez, Kenny Rogers, Gary Matthews) Yankees: 43 (Randy Choate, Jason Grimsely, Todd Williams, Karim Garcia, Ramiro Mendoza, Brandon Claussen, Gabe White, D'Angelo Jimenez, John Vander Wal, Jake Westbrook, Bob Wickman, Todd Greene, Marcus Thames, Rondell White, Armando Benitez, Josias Manzanillo, Mike Lowell, Roger Clemens, Dan Miceli, Andy Pettitte, Dave Weathers, Jose Vizcaino, Alberto Castillo, Jeff Weaver, Robin Ventura, Terry Mulholland, Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera, Al Leiter, Mike Stanton, Todd Zeile, Jim Mecir, Ricky Ledee, David Wells, Jay Witasick, J.T. Snow, Tino Martinez, Rey Sanchez, Carlos Almanzar, Kenny Rogers, Alfonso Soriano, David Dellucci, Ted Lilly) Oakland: 38 (Jose Guillen, Mike Fetters, Steve Sparks, Brent Mayne, Buddy Groom, Miguel Tejada, Keith Foulke, Mark Bellhorn, Johnny Damon, David McCarty, Aaron Harang, Cory Lidle, Todd Van Poppel, Carlos Pena, Billy Koch, Chad Harville, Mike Wood, Matt Stairs, Olmedo Saenz, Jason Grabowski, Luis Vizcaino, Ben Grieve, Tony Batista, Jason Giambi, Ruben Sierra, Tim Worrell, Jay Witasick, Terrence Long, Ray Durham, Scott Spiezio, Jason Isringhausen, John Mabry, John Halama, Ron Mahay, Kenny Rogers, John Wasdin, Ted Lilly, Frank Menechino) Philadelphia: 26 (Paul Byrd, Johnny Estrada, Julio Franco, Jason Grimsley, David Newhan, Terry Adams, Curt Schilling, Mike Timlin, Mike Jackson, Cliff Politte, Kirk Bullinger, Desi Relaford, Gary Bennett, Terry Mulholland, Joe Roa, Carlos Silva, Nick Punto, Ricky Bottalico, Todd Zeile, Eric Valent, Paul Quantrill, Jose Mesa, Marlon Anderson, Scott Rolen, John Mabry, Trever Miller) Pittsburgh: 38 (Jose Guillen, Elmer Dessens, Mike Fetters, Bronson Arroyo, Tim Wakefield, Aramis Ramirez, Moises Alou, Esteban Loaiza, Damaso Marte, Todd Van Poppel, John Vander Wal, Rick White, Tim Laker, Jason Johnson, Josias Manzanillo, Dan Miceli, Darrell May, Dennys Reyes, Joe Randa, Matt Stairs, Duaner Sanchez, Jose Hernandez, Terry Mulholland, Jon Lieber, Enrique Wilson, Kenny Lofton, Ricardo Rincon, Brian Giles, Jason Christianson, Barry Bonds, Ron Villone, Jeff Suppan, Julian Tavarez, Tony Womack, Reggie Sanders, Brian Shouse, Gary Matthews, Miguel Batista) San Diego: 47 (Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Steve Finley, Jaret Wright, Rodrigo Lopez, Luis Lopez, David Newhan, Alan Embree, Ricky Gutierrez, Matt Clement, Derrek Lee, Sandy Alomar, Ben Davis, D'Angelo Jimenez, John Vander Wal, Lou Merloni, Steve Reed, Mark Sweeney, Rondell White, Ben Howard, Dan Miceli, Brad Ausmus, Rudy Seanez, Desi Relaford, Gary Bennett, Joe Roa, John Flaherty, Gary Sheffield, Mark Kotsay, Tim Worrell, Brian Meadows, Oliver Perez, Jason Bay, Matt Herges, Dustin Hermanson, Brett Tomko, Deivi Cruz, Ron Villone, Bret Boone, Dave Hansen, Woody Williams, John Mabry, Reggie Sanders, Carlos Almanzar, Doug Brocail, Gary Matthews, Chris Gomez) San Francisco: 44 (Brent Mayne, Russ Ortiz, Sidney Ponson, Alan Embree, Keith Foulke, Doug Mirabelli, Bill Mueller, David McCarty, Mike Remlinger, Ramon Martinez, Tom Goodwin, Mike Jackson, Jacob Cruz, John Vander Wal, Shawn Estes, Steve Reed, Royce Clayton, Jeff Kent, Jose Vizcaino, Alberto Castillo, Wilson Alvarez, Dave Burba, Aaron Fultz, Terry Mulholland, Joe Nathan, Joe Roa, Livian Hernandez, Kenny Lofton, Roberto Hernandez, Brian Powell, Tim Worrell, David Bell, Jose Mesa, Salomon Torres, Ryan Vogelsong, Rod Beck, Scott Linebrink, Jay Witasick, Rich Aurilia, Julian Tavarez, Reggie Sanders, Rey Sanchez, Jose Cruz, Eric Young) Seattle: 42 (Aaron Sele, Randy Johnson, Mike Hampton, Todd Williams, Robert Machado, Derek Lowe, Mike Timlin, David McCarty, Freddy Garcia, Mike Jackson, Damaso Marte, Ben Davis, Omar Vizquel, Jeff Fassero, Tim Harikkala, Carlos Guillen, Armando Benitez, Josias Manzanillo, Raul Chavez, Desi Relaford, Giovanni Carrara, Dave Burba, Scott Podsednik, Terry Mulholland, Jose Offerman, Mike Cameron, Alex Rodriguez, Ruben Sierra, Jim Mecir, Mark McLemore, Paul Abbott, David Bell, Jose Mesa, Salomon Torres, Ismael Valdes, Jeff Cirillo, Brett Tomko, John Mabry, John Halama, Tino Martinez, Rey Sanchez, Jose Cruz) St. Louis: 31 (Adam Kennedy, J.D. Drew, Eli Marrero, Mike Timlin, Kent Mercker, Cliff Politte, Rick White, Jeff Fassero, Jamey Wright, Royce Clayton, Mark Sweeney, Esteban Yan, Mike DiFelice, Dmitri Young, Darren Oliver, Orlando Palmeiro, Alberto Castillo, Ricky Bottalico, Mike DeJean, Braden Looper, Todd Zeile, Joe McEwing, Miguel Cairo, Rheal Cormier, David Bell, Placido Polanco, Jason Christianson, Dustin Hermanson, Brett Tomko, Jamie Moyer, Brian Jordan) Tampa Bay: 32 (Jose Guillen, Quinton McCracken, Julio Franco, Mark Malaska, David McCarty, Cory Lidle, Paul Wilson, Javier Valentin, Rick White, Tim Laker, Vinny Castilla, Jason Johnson, Al Levine, Esteban Yan, Mike DiFelice, Jason Smith, Damion Easley, Tony Graffanino, Wilson Alvarez, Tom Martin, Ben Grieve, Steve Trachsel, Dan Wheeler, Tanyon Sturtze, John Flaherty, Miguel Cairo, Jim Mecir, Roberto Hernandez, Randy Winn, Marlon Anderson, Chris Gomez) Texas: 53 (Aaron Sele, John Thomson, Julio Franco, Rafael Palmeiro, Doug Mirabelli, Gabe Kapler, Tom Goodwin, Sammy Sosa, Esteban Loaiza, Carl Everett, Todd Van Poppel, Jason Romano, Travis Hafner, Jeff Fassero, Todd Greene, Royce Clayton, Al Levine, Danny Patterson, Ugueth Urbina, Esteban Yan, Ivan Rodriguez, Carlos Pena, Marcus Thames, Matt Perisho, Dan Miceli, Darren Oliver, Mike Lamb, Dennys Reyes, Rudy Seanez, Ruben Mateo, Wilson Alvarez, Jose Hernandez, Dave Burba, Doug Davis, Dan Kolb, Victor Santos, Chris Magruder, Aaron Fultz, Einar Diaz, Mike Stanton, Todd Zeile, Tanyon Sturtze, Alex Rodriguez, Ruben Sierra, Justin Duchscherer, Mark McLemore, Doug Glanville, Ricky Ledee, Ismael Valdes, Jamie Moyer, Rob Bell, Gregg Zaun, Frank Catalanotto) Toronto: 43 (Kelvim Escobar, Roberto Alomar, Ken Huckaby, Mike Timlin, Alex Gonzalez, Esteban Loaiza, Cliff Politte, Cory Lidle, Ryan Freel, Casey Blake, Todd Greene, Billy Koch, Roger Clemens, Peter Munro, Dave Weathers, Jeff Kent, Alberto Castillo, Giovanni Carrara, Shawn Green, Cesar Izturis, Jayson Werth, Doug Davis, Shannon Stewart, Tony Batista, Al Leiter, Steve Trachsel, Felix Heredia, Paul Quantrill, Tanyon Sturtze, Miguel Cairo, Ruben Sierra, Bobby Kielty, David Wells, Scott Eyre, Chris Carpenter, Woody Williams, Mike Matheny, Mark Hendrickson, Trever Miller, Jose Cruz, Carlos Almanzar, John Wasdin, Brad Fullmer) As you can see, the Twins actually were tied for the second fewest former players, which was extremely surprising to me. Maybe that's why I can come up with all the former players whenever I see them; we don't have as many as the Cubs or Cleveland. As for usage of this list, I'll let anyone that wants to use it use it in any way they want, provided they credit me for it by a simple little link. It's quick, it's easy, and it gives me some real readers! But it's not like I'll go after you if you don't. I'd probably just be glad that all my work has gone to a good use. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 24,July,2004 | Just a few days ago, I discovered that the Twins woes were due to the '90s becoming hip and cool again. Luckily, Henry Blanco took the Twins out of that fad. But now I turn on the game today, and what do I see but the retro uniforms?! When will they learn?! If the Twins want to look back to years past, how about 2002 and 2003, the years when we won the division? Hey guys, remember people like Kenny Rogers and Rick Reed? Eddie Guardado? Remember him? Yeah, those were good times. Not the '70s. The '70s had disco. That's so not cool. Now, according to the Twins website, the Twins used the blue uniforms from 1973 to 1986 (I had to look it up because that's before my time). 1973 was also the first year of Frank Quilici as manager. Despite having about the coolest name a manager could have, that did not translate onto the field, and he was gone after 1975. In the years of the blue uniforms, the Twins were better than .500 just four times, and the best they could do in the AL West was third. The rock bottom worst were the 60-102 1982 Twins, which, at a glance, appears to be the worst Twins team ever. Sure, the 1982 Twins had Kent Hrbek and Gary Gaetti and Tom Brunansky and, uh, Butch Wynegar. Hell, they even had Randy Johnson! Granted, he wasn't the future hall of fame pitcher that today mows down batters well into his 40's, but rather just a light-hitting DH who played just two seasons. Actually, looking up Randy 'Not The Pitcher' Johnson's info, I learned that the Twins got him as a PTBNL from the White Sox in a deal that sent the Twins Ivan Mesa, Ronnie Perry and cash for Jerry Koosman before the 1981 season. Then, years later in 1985, the Twins traded him back to the White Sox along with Ron Scheer in exchange for a one Roy Smalley. Surely, the 1982 Twins are no one to imitate, Randy Johnson or not. Unfortunately, Joe Roa hadn't checked the Twins history, where the greatest highlight from that era was starting play in the Metrodome, and he did his best Terry Felton impression (loser of 13 games in 1982, in relief). Just as well. I was starting to wonder if maybe the Twins had avoided the late '90s and focused in on 1991 only, and that was the reason for their five game winning streak. One loss isn't so bad after five wins. But let's just see some regular uniforms tomorrow, guys. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 22,July,2004 | Doug Mientkiewicz? Corey Koskie? Torii Hunter? Who the hell? Come on, Gardy! Where's the LeCroys and the Puntos we all know and love? Seriously, who is this man Mientkiewicz and what makes him a better first baseman than Morneau? Surely the bubble gum does not make the man. And Torii Hunter? Does the two I's make him better than Lew Ford, who has none? I think I remember hearing something of a one Cordel Koskie before, but I think maybe it was just someone who badly typoed on 'Cuddyer.' I don't think it's September yet, so they must not be the call-ups. I just don't get it. Well, whoever these nobodys are, they managed to collaborate (was I watching the Red Wings instead? Was it FSN and not KSTC? Don't tell me it was a Saints game!) for the Twins fifth win in a row. Mighty impressive, I must say. Then again, it is Kansas City/Tampa Bay/Baltimore. Not exactly the dynasties of our time. But they all count in the records the same. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 22,July,2004 | I actually attended this afternoon's game. Not that I was planning to. I actually went downtown to watch some tennis at One Financial Plaza, as they were having the Aquatennial Plaza Tennis tournament. But after watching one mildly entertaining match and no longer able to get free Edy's ice cream samples, I decided to ditch the scene and head over to the Dome. Because, as we all know, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all 365 days of the year, the Dome is the most entertaining spot in the Twin Cities. Or something like that. And low and behold, there was a game this afternoon! Oh my, how could I pass this up?! And I'm very glad I didn't, for if I hadn't gone, I would have missed Nick Punto's first ever grand slam! Granted, I almost missed it anyway, as I had trouble finding little Punto in the batter's box. I turned to a fan sitting next to me and asked, 'where's the batter?' He then passed me his binoculars, and there he was, so tiny that he was barely visible to the naked eye. So much power from someone so little. And, of course, mad props to my man Michael Cuddyer, for hitting the go-ahead home run. Michael Cuddyer has been disappointing to me at times, but he really came through today, showing me why I should continue to have him be one of my top five favorite Twins. Or maybe I'm just disappointed because he has about 300 career home runs in my MVP Baseball 2004 game. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 21,July,2004 | Clearly, Henry Blanco is not a man who enjoyed the '90s. For, unlike the rest of his teammates, 'Oh Henry!' has resisted the Quantum Leap to the '90s, and seemingly has brought them all back to the present day. Which is good, because he did it just in time for Brad Radke to pitch. The Twins have been notorious for not giving Rad Brad enough run support, though they've been notorious for not giving anyone any run support as of late. But not today. Blanco spearheaded the Twins to 12 runs, which seems like some kind of record after watching so much futility. Now lets just beat the Devil out of the Rays tomorrow for the two game sweep. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 21,July,2004 | This team worries me. Even in winning, they worry me. Grant Balfour comes in, and I basically start pounding my head on the desk. He's still pitching a couple innings later, and I continue to pound my head on the desk. It's just terrible to watch. Even when they win. Except Lew Ford. And Justin Morneau. Now those two, they are good to watch. The rest of 'em, not so much. Does Matthew LeCroy ever do anything other than strike out? I think I remember him once hitting a home run or two, but it's all so blurry now... |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 20,July,2004 | They won! What? You want more than three words? Try two wins in a row first. We'll see from there. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 19,July,2004 | There is just one explanation for the last few games that I can see. Clearly the Twins have been enthralled, as have I, in VH1's 'I Love The '90s.' However, unlike I, the Twins have taken the show to heart and have obviously decided to bring themselves back to the '90s. Not the good part of the '90s, like, say, 1991. No, we're talking 1997 or so. Remember when? LaTroy Hawkins was not only a Twin still, but a starter at that! 'Everyday' Eddie was just a relief pitcher, not the closer that gave us all heart attacks nightly. Rick 'Christina' Aguilera was the closer way back when. Yeah, they had Torii Hunter back then, but only for one game. And he didn't even have an at-bat in that game. In fact, the one apperance by Torii Hunter and Brad Radke (who, admittedly, did win 20 games that season, so he must not have cable TV) are the only Twins still with the modern day Twins. Which might explain youngsters like Lew Ford and Grant Balfour's fascination with the Twins of old. They don't know what sucking is like. All they know is being in a two-time division champion organization. But let me tell you, Aaron Fultz and Nick Punto, it's no fun. You only get one All-Star! I mean, sure, we only had one this year too, but at least Lew Ford got consideration! You get one, and that's it. Some people even argue that you shouldn't even have the one (though when it's Chuck Knoblauch, even I would argue that we shouldn't have had one). And if you think the attendance is bad now, think of how bad it is when even the die-hards won't show up? Hopefully, you kids will shape up and learn the mistakes of your ways and turn back towards the ballclub of great promise you once were. Or else one of you will earn the nickname 'Mike Trombley' (I'm looking at you, Balfour!). |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 18,July,2004 | So I go to post about Thursday's game, and Blogger wouldn't put it up on the website right. There'd be the title, but then no text. It didn't work for Friday's game either. But now the Twins win, and it works fine. Clearly, there's a higher force at work here. Lets just hope that Blogger continues to work from here until November. The game wasn't on TV today, nor is it tomorrow, so it's a fine time for Blogger to start working again, when I can't even really write about what I saw anyway. *Sigh* Perhaps this blog is doomed... Back tomorrow (hopefully). |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 14,July,2004 | What can I say? I'm a conspiracy theorist. So how does the greatest pitcher of our time, Roger Clemens, give up six runs on a stage as big as the All-Star Game, one that may be his last, in his own back yard? In ONE INNING? Simple. Mike Piazza. Anyone see 'Bull Durham?' I absolutely love that movie. And I couldn't help but think of the scene in the movie where the catcher tips off the hitter to what the pitch will be, just so that the hitter can whack it outta the park, just to spite Nuke Laloosh. Now Clemens certainly bears no resemblance to Tim Robbins, nor Piazza to Kevin Costner. But given the long-running feud, why wouldn't Piazza seek his revenge? Tipping off the AL batters to the pitches Clemens would throw is the perfect way to gain an edge on Clemens, because provided no one finds out about it, Piazza wouldn't have to deal with the media fallout. Imagine if Piazza did something wide out in the open to ruin the moment for Clemens. He'd never hear the end of it. His career may very well be ruined by that sort of thing, because it would be so underhanded. But tipping off the pitches? Who'd ever think of THAT? Certainly, Ichiro and Pudge and the like are no lightweights at the plate, but they just clobbered Clemens. There's gotta be something up there. If only there were a bull for Soriano to hit. He could've won a free steak. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 11,July,2004 | Last year, the Twins needed a break badly. If the All-Star Break would have come any later, who knows what may have happened? This year, it's only a three game skid, but you get that same feeling of despair. Things were looking up with the three complete game shutouts, but these last three games have been real downers. Maybe it's just because Mientkiewicz has been out (who would have thought we'd ever use that as a reason this year?), but it's still rough. True, we get Stewart back after the All-Star Break, so there is hope. Hell, if we could win the division last year, it should be a piece of cake this time around. Nevertheless, things may get interesting. I attended today's game, and I had fun even though there wasn't much to cheer about. I love watching Santana pitch, and aside from those first few innings, he was just as good as ever. Unfortunately, it was those first few innings that got him, but that's baseball. I waited outside the player's entrance after the game and had a great time yelling after all the players. Koskie was the only one who signed any autographs, but he skipped over me. Oh well. Like Charles Barkley says, 'even if you sign autographs for half the people there, the other half will hate you.' The mascot softball game was probably the highlight of the day though. Something about a shark and a bee in the most awkward play at the plate I've ever seen that was beautiful. I tried (emphasis on tried) to keep score of the mascot game, and I'll scan in my scorecard and post it sometime in the near future. Also look for a few feature pieces over the All-Star Break, plus the typical thoughts on the game itself and the Home Run Derby. I love the All-Star festivities, almost more than playoff baseball. It's just so much fun to watch it all. I generally get pretty nerdy about baseball this time of year, which is always fun. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 10,July,2004 | No, Radke wasn't bad. But he wasn't good enough. Three home runs isn't exactly Cy Young material. Though he might have passed for a Bert Blyleven if the eight behind him could have ran around the bases a little bit. But as much as I'd like to blame Bradke and the rest of the Twins for this loss, I know the blame falls on me squarely. It was my fault for scaring Brad Radke into thinking he owed us a pitcher of the week award. To paraphrase Spiderman, there was something he felt he had to do, but he doesn't have to do it anymore. Had I just kept my mouth shut and waited to see what would happen, we wouldn't be in this mess. Who knows how proficient Brad could have been? It is not beyond thought that he could have pitched a perfect game were it not for me. I brought it on myself, because one day I'm saying I won't predict anything about the pitchers, and the next day I'm practically handing Radke pitching awards. But this is why they give out the awards at the end of the season, not the middle. But tomorrow is another day. And I plan on attending the game, so I dare not say a word about Johan Santana. Whatever will be will be. I will be watching the 5th Annual TC The Bear Mascot Softball Game before the Twins take on the Tigers, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm actually going to attempt to keep score of the softball game, which should be an adventure. Even more of an adventure than that 15 inning game I went to that I tried to keep score of. I kept my scorecard in order until about the 11th inning, when I had to start filling stuff out on the backside of my scorecard. That can be difficult, I tell you. My sister will be along with me for the game tomorrow, which will make things interesting, since she is an avid hater of mascots, since they always taunt her for some reason. It's rather comical, really. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 09,July,2004 | What can be said about the game tonight? It was a textbook example of how baseball is a game of inches. Had Jason Smith's second home run, the one that hit the top of the wall, been just a few inches in closer toward home plate, that ball's a hit at the very least, if not an out. Had Mauer hit the ball less than an inch or so higher and not gotten so far under it, it wouldn't have fallen inches away from being a home run over the baggie. These few inches one way or another can sometimes amount to many runs, and sometimes that's the difference in the ballgame. That's not what makes baseball great, although you don't mind it when you're on the winning side of those few inches. But it's what makes the sport what it is. It adds a 'what if' factor to the game. What if Mauer had hit that ball just a little bit better? What if Torii Hunter got a little bit of a quicker break on Smith's second home run ball and leaped up and caught it? What if Jacque Jones ever could figure out how to hit when we need him to the most? Sometimes, it's not the loss that's the most piercing, it's the what if questions that make you wonder if somewhere in an alternate universe, the Twins take this one. Ultimately, this is one of those losses where it doesn't really change a whole lot. It was pretty inevitable that the Twins would have to come down someday after four dominant wins in a row. We're not the f'n Yankees! Sometimes a loss will bring the team down for the next game; this one will kinda get looked over. It falls under that 'you can't win 'em all' category. And that's fine. The Twins will come out swinging tomorrow and maybe those inches will go our way. Radke starts tomorrow for the Twins, and one would have to imagine that if he gets anywhere near his performance on Monday, he'd win the AL Pitcher of the Week Award. In general, I think things like that are largely meaningless, but for Radke and the entire team, it'd be a good sign. Given the work put up by all the Twins pitchers this week, it'd almost be like the whole team getting the honor. Heading into the All-Star Break, that's a good way to do it. This team could really pull ahead and come out of the gates fast after the All-Star Break, especially with Shannon Stewart returning. Last year he was that little spark that got the whole team going at full speed just after the All-Star Break, and this year he has the opportunity to do it again. Maybe the Twins should get creative next year and find a new way for him to rejoin the team at the All-Star Break. Maybe have him be 'kidnapped' or something, when he's actually just hanging out at Terry Ryan's house watching 18 hours of C-SPAN a day. Think of the publicity! |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 09,July,2004 | What can I say? My powers are beyond belief. Yesterday, at this very website, I predicted that Terry Mulholland would not pitch a complete game shutout, and now for the second game in a row, I have been completely right about the Twins pitchers. It's amazing beyond belief. I'm like the Ken Jennings of blogging! Which is why I'm hanging up my hat. No more pitching predictions for me, no sir. I'm worried that if I continue my Swami ways, people will come to me wanting to know my prediction for other things. And it's not like I couldn't do that kind of thing; of course I could tell you who the father of your baby is or what Saturday's Powerball numbers are. It's just that I don't want to take money away from the fine folks who do the tests to see who the father is, and if everyone had the right Powerball numbers, the winnings wouldn't be very much, you know? Plus then I'd have to charge some kind of access fee to my website, because predictions like that don't come cheap. Even Miss Cleo's free readings only last, like, what? Three minutes? And doesn't she just tell you things you already knew? It's like watching a magician; you know they're not REALLY performing magic. I could give you David Blaine for free, but then again, he kinda sucks anyway and I'm pretty sure he smells like a hobo. I feel I'm making the right choice by leaving at the top of my game. You can't beat two for two. Unless you get three for three. But then you're cheating. Or Joe Mauer. I do see a Twins win again tomorrow. That's not a prediction; that's a guarantee! |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 08,July,2004 | Like I mentioned, once again I was at driver's education again tonight, so I missed most of what I predicted would happen yesterday, Kyle Lohse getting a complete game shutout. So now, at the risk of becoming known as 'The Swami,' here's my pitching prediction for tomorrow's matchup against the Tigers: Terry Mulholland will not pitch a complete game shutout. I know, I know, people wonder how I can make such daring picks so young into my baseball blogging career. I like to look at it as blindly running into the baseball blogging community with full aggression. Or something to that effect. I've pulled out all the stops on this one, and there's no turning back! Otherwise, I guess hooray for Joe Mauer, who had a new career high in hits today. Why John Gordon felt that was so important to mention it over and over again tonight is beyond me, seeing how it's only his 30th game. Sure, we're all happy for Little Boy QuickSwing, but 30 games isn't much of a career. Unless you're Ron Gardenhire. And how could the Twins score 25 runs against the Royals in this series without Luis 'Silent But Deadly' Rivas' help? Truly, this is a new era. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 06,July,2004 | Okay, I didn't exactly plan this out very well. I start this blog in the heat of the night, and then I realize the next day that tonight's the night I start driver's education. Which means I got home just in time to see the double play that ended the game. While I was learning how to drive down the road, Torii Hunter drove one to the cheap seats. As I watched a cheesy video tape from the early '90s featuring MC Hammer! , Johan Santana threw the hammer down on the Royals. You get the idea. But really, watching the post-game show, I get the idea of the game. I get the feeling that it was basically last night's game once again. And while it was excellent to watch Brad Radke pitch amazingly well again, watching the same game twice? Sounds kinda boring. But I have Driver's Ed again tomorrow, so if the rest of you watching the games don't mind, lets have Kyle 'K.Lo' Loshe pitch his own complete game shutout, eh? Am I the only one who thinks Terry Steinbach looks like Mark Rosen? Should I just stop watching Minnesota Sports Tonight alltogether? Aren't the hosts the most annoying people ever? The answer is yes. To all three. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 06,July,2004 | Welcome to Turning The Unassisted Double Play, my own personal Minnesota Twins blog. I've been a long time reader of baseball blogs, especially about the Twins. I've fallen in love with Twins Geek and Aaron Gleeman and Batgirl and so many more over the years. I've always loved writing about the Twins whenever possible. Well, truthfully, I've always loved writing about anything, but when I can talk about baseball, that's the best. Really, the only thing that's stopped me from making a Twins blog sooner was I've had no clue what to call it. I tossed around a few names in my head, but nothing sounded right. Eventually, I settled on 'Turning The Unassisted Double Play.' I like this name because it's unique and very personal to me. My greatest baseball moment on the field itself was a pick-up game in gym class. I was playing right field, but it was almost more like back-up first base, because we had about fifteen kids to a team (but yet the ball never seemed to find a fielder). I seemed to be the only one with any substantial baseball knowledge, so I was prepared. There was a runner on first when the ball was hit right at the first baseman. The first baseman was the only other kid in the class who seemed to have his role down in the field, but I decided I'd back him up anyway, just in case. It turned out to be a blessing that I did, because the ball hit off his head as he lost it in the midday sun. I was prepared for what I instinctively knew would be the defining moment in my high school gym career. As the ball took a short bounce off his head, I quickly grabbed it in the air, getting the fly out, then running quickly to tag the runner as he was trying to head back to first base. I've never amounted to much in any sport, from my early days in a five year old tee-ball league to neighborhood softball games where I was the only boy playing on either team to the annual company volleyball game. I always knew a lot about the sports we would play, but applying that knowledge and using it toward some form of athletic endeavor was something I simply could not do. Okay, lets face it, I sucked at sports. But that one day under the warm, May sun, playing baseball on the South High football field, made me realize the beauty of the unassisted double play. What I hope to do with this blog is bridge the gap between Twins Geek and Batgirl. I love to have irreverent fun with the Twins, but I'm not afraid of the occasional stat or two. I can't wait to see future Twins as they're coming up through the minors, but I also hold a place for remembering baseball's past. I'd like to say that I love everything about baseball, but it wouldn't be true. I hate the Yankees. Please join me each day for Twins talk and analysis. And if you're ever playing a game, keep your eye open for that unassisted double play. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 03,August,2004 | The two hottest teams in baseball right now: the St. Louis Cardinals are on a roll, as are our very own Minnesota Twins. The Twins are just on a tear as of late, and if things keep going the way they have, we'll be leading the White Sox by about a hundred games come late September. They won last week even with the Mientkiewicz rumors floating around, which I'm sure weren't easy. Now that the fine folks of Boston are learning how to spell all over again, the Twins played very freely tonight. They looked like they were having fun and just dominated the Angels tonight. This team is very fun to watch right now. Mad props to Silva on his complete game shut out, despite having about seven base runners per inning. Great defense, great pitching. Hopefully Lohse can shed his recent woes and pitch a quality game tomorrow. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 01,August,2004 | Unfortunately, I missed today's game entirely. I, along with what seemed to be half of Minnesota, was at the new Ikea store checking out the swanky furniture with low, low prices. I would have to say that I enjoyed it, but maybe not as much as I would have enjoyed today's game. But I got a desk lamp and a pillow. Puts Becker Furniture World to shame, really. Tomorrow is my birthday, but the Twins don't play. Just as well, because then I can go do something without missing a game. Plus, there isn't that chance for them to lose, which really ruins my whole birthday. |
466,858 | male | 16 | Student | Leo | 01,August,2004 | We got screwed. I wanted him to be traded, but we got screwed. We got prospects. Scratch that, make it prospect. One pitcher. That's it. I've never felt so terrible after a win. |
3,416,672 | male | 38 | Telecommunications | Libra | 28,May,2004 | Well today was a typical fucked up end of the month bullshit extravaganza at the office. I am an engineer that supports a sales department. At the end of every month, they are all running around like dumb-asses trying to suck Purchase Orders out of every customer they have talked to in the last 30 days. That ultimately ends up with me having to change configurations at the last minute, writing scopes of work, and putting the files into the purchasing database. A little heads up would be nice assholes!!!!!!!!! It's not like I don't have anything else to do around here! So in honor of this monthly tradition, my fellow engineers and I decided to take the afternoon off and play golf and say 'fuck you' to everyone. You know the stupid bumper sticker that every retired person has on their car that says 'The worst day golfing is better than the best day working'? Well F-u-u-u-u-ck you!!! I used to be an avid golfer, but never any good. You know the type...Watching infomercials on the Golf Channel hoping that whatever piece of shit training aid they were pitching would make me the next Arnold Palmer..... Over time I realized how stupid this game was and gave up on the idea of every really having fun at it. So anyway, I went out this afternoon and played. It was over 100 degrees here today, I got sunburned, drank too much beer and not enough water, and in general played like complete shit, even for me. I could have been at home writing music or doing something just as useless, and felt a whole lot better than I do now.... Fucking little white ball. I'm going to bed now. I'm starting to bore myself. Pathetic eh? |
3,416,672 | male | 38 | Telecommunications | Libra | 27,May,2004 | So this week has been another strange week for me. I'm still in the process of getting divorced from my wife who I have been separated from for almost 5 years. This week has been chocked full of bullshit about selling our house, where I'm going to live, and her hating the fact that although she has been living with some asshole in another town since she left, I have finally decided to move on with my life. So in the next few weeks/months I could end up staying with my mom again. The thought of that is horrific to say the least. Not that I don't love my mom, but once you leave home, you should never have to go back, you know what I mean? Yesterday was an awesome day. I dropped off a Starbucks to my friend (girl) TH who I absolutely adore, and we ended up having a nice long lunch later on. Then I met her at her daughters softball game after work and we all went to dinner afterwards. We ended up talking on the phone after we both went home until midnight. I met her at Starbucks this morning for coffee before we both headed off to our commute to Tempe which is about 40 miles from where we live. I really love this person, and I'm afraid that it will never be requited. We are moving so slowly, and while I admit that is what I need right now, it's hard to not be insecure about the situation. She has been divorced for 2 years and is still getting over her first 'post marriage' relationship and I don't want to just be a rebound. We both want to take it slow, but sometimes it's hard if you know what I mean....... So aside from my standard 'what the heck is going on' love life, life has been pretty consistent. The latest talk around the office is that we are going to get sold again. That sucks because every time we get sold, people lose their jobs. The last time, it was me. Like a dumb-ass, I came back after about 6 months because I wanted to be with my friends. Of course the 20% salary increase didn't hurt, but I'm getting old now and I feel like a 5 year old dog. Nobody will want to adopt me if I go to the pound this time even though I'm good with kids.......... I watched the Soprano's the other day. Adrianna was a dip shit, and deserved to get whacked..... I love that show, and it is the closest thing to a soap opera that I will ever involve myself with. But having said that, I did tape the final episode of 'The Bachelor' for a friend, and found myself intrigued with the whole thing. I know it's sick, but I can see how people get attached to these shows. By the way, Tara should have won. Jessica is a 'Ho'........ That's all I have to say for tonight. A |
3,416,672 | male | 38 | Telecommunications | Libra | 21,May,2004 | Well it's only been a few hours, and I feel the need to write some more bullshit for anyone that really gives a fuck to read. Mainly, me... Tonight ended up to be a good night. I spent the bulk of it driving my kids to and from the movie theater and friends houses, but in between I managed to have a very nice, long conversation with Tina, the woman I am really starting to fall for. We are supposed to be not talking so she can figure out what she is doing, but somehow we end up unable to stay out of touch. I suppose that is a good thing, but then again, I figure I'll end up hurt, I always do...... So here I sit now on another exciting Friday night. My oldest daughter is at her best friends house (with the mother I like), my son is at his friends house, and my youngest is lying on my bed about to fall asleep. I love this little girl with all my heart, but she is so troubled. I wonder what is inside her head that causes her such turmoil. She is too young to be able to confide in me, but I feel like if something does not change, I will lose the connection with her forever. Sometimes divorce and separation can manifest itself in the strangest ways, and at the most unexpected times. Her mom and I have not lived together for almost 5 years. Why all the issues now? I wonder if I am to blame for the trouble in this beautiful girls life..... I'm going to bed now. Did I mention that my favorite beer was Bud Light? I have fed my indulgence in this fine American hops confection tonight, and now I must retire. More soon........ |
3,416,672 | male | 38 | Telecommunications | Libra | 21,May,2004 | Well I have been sitting around on my ass for long enough. I'm tired of talking to myself so I figured I'd start writing my daily thoughts down. If nothing else, at least I can go back and have a record of the fucked up things in my head. I wish I could have as juicy of a blog as that chick that just got fired in Washington, but Unf, my life is rather boring. I do write a lot, but most of it is shit..... It sucks being a 38 year old divorced man with 3 kids. My son lives with me, and my 2 daughters live 100 miles away with their mom, and I see them every other week. I'll always love their mom, but she is a bitch........ I didn't do much today except work. The company I work for really sucks, but I am great friends with everyone there so that makes a difference. People shouldn't work with people they can't stand. All the plastic bullshit 'hey, how's it going?' trite, fuck you if I didn't know you, small talk should be left for what you say to the guy that holds the door open for you at the video store. If you don't give a fuck about how I'm really doing, then don't fucking ask. I hate posers, no matter what they are posing as. People in general piss me off. So I'm getting to know this woman who I have had a crush on for over 2 years. She's my oldest daughter's best friends mom. How fucked up is that? I really like her, and we'll see how that goes. We have been getting to know each other for over 6 months, and I have been such a pussy because I didn't know if I was ready. I've been separated for almost 5 years. I'm not dead, but why the fuck do I feel like I am inside? Anyhow, enough poor me bullshit. I'll probably get hurt again, but fuck it. At least it gives me something to write song lyrics about. I'm hoping my friend from NC will take a look here too. The internet is a funny thing. I've never met this person, but I can tell them the most intimate, embarassing secrets I have, and they can do the same to me. Sometimes I think that the anonymity of the 'net' has taken away the basic needs of human interaction, yet at the same time, it allows people like me to become close to people without the bullshit and frustrations of trying to impress people to make them like you. I know that I can tell OM anything, and they feel the same. Kind of a long distance confessional I suppose. Good thing neither of us are Catholic! Fucking hypocrites............ Well I am done for today. Hopefully something good will happen so I can write some cool shit down soon. |
3,416,672 | male | 38 | Telecommunications | Libra | 22,June,2004 | Well it's been almost a month since my last post. Seems like shit never really stops once it starts rolling downhill... First off, I forgot where the hell my blog was, then once I found it, I forgot my password. It's funny how we make up little identities for ourselves on the internet to remain secluded isn't it? My kids are all out of school now, so I am the official taxi of my neighborhood. It's great that I can work from home while they are here, but it's 3 against one when it comes to what I want. I'm driving all over the damn area toting kids from here to there. I mean don't get me wrong, I love them, but I do get tired every once in a while.. June is the birthday month for me. All three kids were born in June, plus my oldest graduated from 8th grade so this was a financially trying month. I bought my oldest a snake today for her birthday. She really wanted it, and I have to admit that it's pretty cool. I never really was a snake or spider person, but I don't want my kids to be afraid of anything. It was kind of funny, my oldest started chasing my youngest around with the snake this afternoon and had her screaming like some B movie actress. I know I'm not supposed to laugh at these things as a parent, but it was pretty funny. Well now that I know where I left this shit off, I will be able to keep posting for those who care, mainly me.... Until then, I have a Bud Light calling me................ |
4,337,650 | male | 17 | indUnk | Leo | 24,August,2004 | Enjoy... Never ask what, ask why. Bush, why is he in Office? Why did Bush receive presidency? The total of votes from American Citizens were in favor of Al Gore. Yet, in a miraculous turn of events, Bush was pulled into presidency. Bush’s father was the president also. Now, what can you say the odds are, of a man, becoming president, even though his father was also a president. What are the odds, that the person with the same name, of all the families, that family was lucky enough. Of all the times, this time and era was the one. With the Twin Towers, and the war with Iraq, and Iraq’s possibility of getting nuclear weapons. (Not newk-you-lar) Now, lets calculate these odds right now. President George Bush, father is now an ex president, fighting in the same war, got presidency even though popular vote swayed the other direction, and all the other mitigating factors. George, W. Bush. Was placed into office. Why, is the question. In order to find out why he was put into office, all that does it take a quick glance at what he has done in office so far. One, revealed the French and their affiliation with Iraq, (Bad thing to do.) Screwed up our UN agreements, allowed the good `Ol patriot act that has helped convict…. Nobody knows.. If any at all. He has created a war with not only the Taliban, but the Iraqi regime, he has captured Saddam. And he has used some of our reserve Oil, he has stopped focusing on the homeland so much, made it harder for children to graduate, gotten several of our soldiers killed and used up our marines, Army, Army reserve, and Navy. Bush, has used up endless amounts of resources, and created a soar in gas prices. What bush is doing may be good, but it may also be bad. Lets take all of this and lay it out in pieces. 1. French Affiliation with Iraq. He put that out into the open. Bad mistake, now France knows we don’t trust them, now they’re going to be extra careful and not screw up. Just wait and see, France will try to do something here in the near future, something discreet, but it will get let out into the open. (I’ll go over what that might be later.) 2. Bush screwed up our UN agreements and led the United States to believe in going to war with Iraq. What does that make the United states look like? Remember people, nobody cares about the government, if the president makes a decision, the rest of the world calls it “America’s” decision. Now we’re all the police of the world. 3. The patriot act, what has it done? Nothing, nothing at all it seems like. Wait no, it allowed the government to search our computers, our files, and our personal lives. I have nothing to hide, but I don’t believe that the government should have access like that. 4. The war on Iraq/Taliban/Possibly Iran… Either Bush hasn’t heard of Divide and conquer, or he’s just an idiot. And I’ll go over what I think will happen with all of these when I’m done listing it. 5. He captured Saddam. You know that thing you do when you’re overwhelmed? When you brush your hair back with your hands? I’m doing that right now. 6. He used some of our reserve oil. It’s called reserve for a reason. RESERVE. 7. He’s not paying too much attention to the homeland. You know the homeland? Where things actually matter? 8. He made it harder for kids to graduate. No child left behind. Well, what’s he going to do about all the 2.0 children that are going to be left behind? 9. What exactly, are our forces doing in Iraq? They’re not doing anything. They’re getting killed. Sure they’re killing back but, we aren’t supposed to lose a single man. Bush, is doing some huge things here, some pretty huge things that are not getting attention. I’ll start with French’s Affiliation with Iraq. France, Russia, and Germany, three countries that didn’t want to go to war with Iraq… we found out why, they were in direct trading relations with Iraq… Iraq, was not trying to keep harmless trading relations. Saddam was going to retaliate, get his economy rolling, the Russians were found making trades of Night vision goggles to Iraq. Why is that? Why would you need Night vision? Why would you need to secretly break the trading laws and why was the country under such investigation? It’s because he had something to hide, and it wasn’t bombs. If He had bombs, he’d say something, he’d make threats and accusations that the US/UN/anybody he wants to ruin, is doing something to harm the world. He was preparing for something The U.S. thought they had weapons of mass destruction (WMD‘s) we were either wrong, or we were right and they are hidden. If he didn’t have them, that means that he was smart, and he wasn’t going to blow his cover with Germany France and Russia just yet, he’d be able to get some money pulled in. But, if he does have them, and they are just hidden, could you take a guess as to why they’re not being used? Because he was waiting for something. If he wasn’t waiting for something, then he’d be using them. What is that something though? Lets take a look at what Saddam had, and what he was getting. A. He was trying to boost his economy, (So money.) |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 30,June,2004 | Beware of old swords and other sharp weapons. Some people believe these old things are possessed by guardian spirits, or other unseen beings. Others say the essence or spirit of the original owners remain as residue on the weapons. A friend of mine who has a strange fascination with swords, bought an old samurai sword from a shop somewhere up north. It was a very normal looking sword, nothing special, certainly nothing to suggest anything supernatural. But what happened to him later seemed to prove otherwise. From the first day he brought the sword home and displayed it in his living room, he had trouble sleeping at night. Every time he closed his eyes and was about to doze off, he would snap back awake for no reason at all. Later, it got worse. After a few weeks, he began to feel something was there with him every night. When he was about to fall asleep, he would feel something or someone come at him, and he would immediately open his eyes and remain awake. He felt as if something would try to attack him if he closed his eyes. Sure enough, a week later, he began to see something in his bedroom. The lights would be off, the room would be in complete darkness, but he would see this thing that was blacker than the darkness. It would lunge at him and his heart would beat really fast, as if it would pound out of his chest. He was stricken with fear every night, unable to sleep, too afraid to turn off the lights. Sometimes, he felt the thing choke him, other times he would just feel this terrible, suffocating fear. Soon, his outward appearance began to resemble that of a zombie's, bags under his eyes, general health failing. He still didn't put two and two together to figure out that perhaps it was because of the sword that these horrible things were happening to him. Then, one day, he decided to have a closer look at his purchase. The sword had a strange smell. 'It had a strange, leathery odour that I can't quite explain,' was how he described it. As if that was not enough, there was a button on the handle of the sword which, when pushed, released a smaller blade. After seeing this, my friend was convinced that something was definitely not right about the sword. He decided to sell it to an old friend. And sure enough, once the sword was out of his hands, everything went back to normal. His nights were peaceful, he could sleep soundly without any kind of disturbance, and the room began to feel devoid of any otherworldly presence. Peculiarly enough, his friend who bought the sword did not experience anything out of the ordinary. And you would think my friend had learned his lesson. But no. A few months ago, he went to Penang and bought another samurai sword. But this time, nothing strange happened. Some people just never learn. |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 24,June,2004 | Some good news came in the beginning of the week. My second script, Offerings , has been greenlighted for production. My director, T, and I are on the lookout now for potential actors, and a Director of Photography. It's an exciting time, to have finally found backing for a professional, or at least semi-professional, project. And all this while, our first short film, Seeing Things , is still in the cutting room. Love, loss, longing, food, lots of food ... and ghosts. That's Offerings in a nutshell. It's going to be a very visual film, if all goes as planned. There is only one scene of dialogue. The rest of the time, the actors will have to work extremely hard to get the story across purely by gestures and expressions. We had originally planned for the shoot to be sometime in July, but we realised something that stopped us dead in our tracks. The month from July to August is the Month Of The Hungry Ghosts. The nature of the story in Offerings has something to do with the Hungry Ghost Festival, and we had to think hard about whether we should risk it - not only the actors and crew, but the project as a whole. But I did some research and found the exact period of the Hungry Ghost Month, and realised we could, in fact, shoot the film before the festival begins. When I related this problem to a friend, she suggested we should go ahead and the whole thing could work to our advantage when it comes to publicity. Yes, T and I are not very superstitious, but the rest of the crew ... we didn't think we would want to risk them . Pre-production begins now, and we're keeping our fingers crossed. But we're also keeping our feet on the ground. We're not superstitious, but well, just in case. You never know. |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 23,June,2004 | Last weekend, I saw urlLink Ingmar Bergman 's horror film, urlLink Hour Of The Wolf . Not everyone's cup of tea, to say the least, HOTW is really a very disturbing, highly intriguing horror film that, like all of Bergman's films, delves deeply into the disintegrating psyche of its main protagonist. An artist and his wife move to an island, where stands a castle that houses some rather peculiar inhabitants. The artist, played by Max von Sydow, is slowly going mad, and his wife, played by Bergman regular Liv Ullman, is aware of it and tries her very best to keep him from losing his mind. But gradually, she starts losing him to the weird family that lives in the castle. Among them is an old woman whose face comes off when she takes off her hat. Very soon, the wife also begins to share her husband's psychosis, as she encounters the demons and vampires from the castle, who may or may not be just figments of the artist's imagination and fragmented mind. A Bergman film wouldn't be complete without an exploration of the self, of being and of existence. The wife wonders whether it is true that if a couple live together for long enough, they would become of one mind, and also begin to resemble each other in appearance. The film is heavily influenced by German expressionism in its use of shadows and architecture, while the ending has a very slight tinge of the Hammer horror tradition. What intrigues me the most is the title of the film. The 'hour of the wolf' is the time between 3am and 4am, when nightmares creep into the dreams of those asleep, when those awake are plagued by worries and depression. It is the hour when most people die, and the hour when most babies are born. In the film, the protagonist obstinately stays awake until dawn, and forces his wife to accompany him, because he fears what the hour of the wolf would bring him. I have no idea where this idea of the hour of the wolf comes from, but I remember vaguely that it has something to do with Swedish folklore. I have tried looking for an explanation, but have found none (perhaps whoever is reading care to enlighten me on it). If you have read my previous post ('In the darkened halls of a cursed dwelling') you would know that during my time living in a haunted house, my sister used to see a dark figure come into her room at the same moment every night - at 3am, the hour of the wolf. Perhaps there is some truth to the legend then. Nowadays, although my sister works at home till late in the night, she never stays awake alone past 3am. She has encountered so many mysterious things at that hour, and it has scared her so much that she no longer has the courage to stay up, unlike the von Sydow character in the movie. She related to me once, what she saw at her apartment at 3am. She was working in the living room as usual, and her husband had gone to bed. She heard footsteps, as if someone was pacing up and down the corridor outside. It was a very strange pacing, as if the person (or whatever it was) was waiting for something. My sister looked through the foot of the front door, and saw the shadow of that person's feet, and something else. She saw a white, flowing robe. Now, my sister has had many experiences like this one, and it has come to a point where she can tell if it is something supernatural. She has had many visitations in the night. The fact that the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end indicated that this was no ordinary person pacing outside her apartment. Fearing the worst, she quickly turned out all the lights and hurried into her bedroom. I have also heard other tales from friends who say their dogs bark in terrible fear at that hour. One colleague related how she had heard her dog barking furiously in the front lawn. She opened the front door to see what was agitating the dog, and saw a strange woman in a black robe slowly walking by her front gate. She said the woman had a piercing, angry expression. But being unafraid, my friend stared the woman down, and eventually the woman just walked away. So, beware. Do not stay awake into the hour of the wolf. You never know what's waiting in the shadows for you. |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 21,June,2004 | Well, Anonymous, this kind of argument loops over itself after a while, because I can also say the same: if you don't like what I write, then don't continue reading. But that's not my point. When you put something out there to be accessed by the public, then get ready for some backlash if it's not good. If it's not meant for the public, then create limited access (ie. for members only, etc). Or like Liz's pet blog, it is clearly for fun (hey, i enjoy that kind of blogs, too). Liz's other urlLink book review blog is interesting and informative - anything and everything about books. And Dina's blog is just so damn hilarious, even when she's just writing about her braces! Some blogs may be journals, but they contain life lessons. But there are others that are pointless and completely self-important. Those are the ones that piss me off. 'Condemning other people's blogs'? Note that I didn't even name those blogs nor link them. Which means it is only my opinion, and others will have their own opinions about those same blogs, so I don't need to put examples and ram my opinion down other people's throats. But you, on the other hand, clearly do not tolerate differences in opinion. (And I said I hate MOST blogs, not ALL blogs, sheesh.) And if you read carefully what I wrote, you'll see that I never praised my own blog or placed it in the stratosphere. I said I will try my best to make it interesting. That's what those rules are about: to keep me in check. Which means I am well aware that I am fallible, too. When I decided to write the Manifesto, I knew I would be open to criticisms. Heck, when I started the blog, I was ready for potshots. (HIT ME! HIT ME! Adoi!) And so should you. The bottom line is, are we not to criticise anything and instead, pretend everything is rosy and beautiful? If we cannot accept criticism, how do we improve? How do we know where we went wrong and what to fix? (Stay tuned for an upcoming rant about this.) What you're basically saying is that if we are bloggers ourselves, we should not criticise other blogs. If we are writers, we should not criticise other books; if we are painters, we should not criticise other artowrks; if we are accountants, we should not criticise other balance sheets. (Well, you get the drift.) Otherwise we would 'masuk bakul, angkat sendiri'? Think about what you're saying. But thanks for your comment anyway, and I sincerely hope you will return to The Clouded Moon. The shadows have been pining for you. Now, back to the scary stuff! |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 19,June,2004 | I must confess, I hate most blogs. Many are pointless and uninteresting, self-indulgent even. For a long time, I resisted the temptation of starting my own blog, for fear of falling into the same trap. Why do people start blogs that don't even try to entertain or inform? One day, at an assignment, I met a friend whom I had not seen for a long time. While we were having lunch, we started talking about a mutual friend, Dina, whom both of us had not seen for a while. 'Have you been following Dina's blog?' said my friend. 'What? She has a blog too? Seems like everyone has one these days,' I said. 'Yah, but Dina's is very funny and interesting.' OK, I made it a point to check out urlLink The Gongkapas Times that very night. And for once, I was entertained by a blog! It was then that I started feeling the desire to blog again (I have another blog which I have abandoned because it became pointless!). But what the hell could I write about? I definitely wasn't going to write about my everyday life! There are already too many of those kinds of blogs, and most are as boring as drying paint. And then, while on Yahoo Messenger with Dina, it hit me. A horror blog! Shit, why the hell not? I have tonnes of horror stories, and there is nothing that interests me more than ghouls, monsters and seeing dead people! And then Dina suggested, why not also write about my filmmaking experience? Cool! That way, the blog won't stay in one form or shape. But there was still one thing: there had to be rules. Rules to keep me in check, so that the blog won't go astray. Thus was born The Clouded Moon Manifesto. Hell, in the last couple of weeks, I've been enjoying this blogging business. So far, so good. Let's see where we can go with this. THE CLOUDED MOON MANIFESTO 1. This blog shall remain true to the spirit of its inspiration: the Gothic manifestation of such shadows, architecture and foreboding of German Expressionism, Edgar Allan Poe, HP Lovecraft and Hammer Horror. Which means I get to be as melodramatic and pretentious as I want. 2. This blog shall attempt at all costs to be as entertaining and informative as its blogger's human capabilities will allow. Which means I have to be more interesting than a piece of cotton. 3. This blog shall refrain from becoming too self-indulgent. Which means I shall not write about my pet, or my belly button, or my rubber dolly, or my ingrown toenail. 4. However, this blog shall also remain partly a journal of my filmmaking experiences, which may seem to be in conflict with Rule No. 3, but hey, like Antonioni's Blow-Up, it's all a matter of perspective and perception. I see it as imparting information and advice to other fellow budding filmmakers, and if you disagree, you're a wanker. Ahem. 5. But this blog shall, first and foremost, be about all things that go bump in the night, regardless whether they are true or otherwise. We are not here in pursuit of the truth. Leave that to the science and religion blogs. Or the OJ Simpson blog. Or the ... er, whatever. |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 17,June,2004 | While working on the first draft ... 'So what are we going to do?' I said to my director, T. 'How are we going to start making films?' 'Don't worry,' he said in his low, Brando-wannabe voice. 'I want to start with something small. Just as a dry-run. I've been out of practice for so long.' OK, I said, I will write something small and easy to shoot. Weeks later, I still had nothing. I had finished a script which everyone loved, surprisingly. But T felt he wasn't ready to shoot that one until he has had some practice to get back on his directing feet. Meanwhile, the ready script, Offerings , was being thrown around a bit, as we fished for prospective investors. One producer had already expressed interest in it, set out a plan for the future, and budgeted the entire production. That was the problem. The budget was too big, and T got cold feet, doubting his own abilities, wondering if he could pull it off with a rusty directing hand. If he failed, it would all be over for him. He decided to decline the offer. I was a little disappointed at first, because no one else would ever give us such a budget to fool around with. But later, I came to realise that T was probably right. Hell, we only get to go around this block once. So, let's better do it right. The producer, meanwhile, was still after the script, but I had originally written it for T, and I had my word to keep. I had to keep in mind that this industry is an industry of ideas, and ideas are easily stolen. Therefore, we need to build trust. I couldn't go back on my word. I shouldn't. Offerings was T's. But I didn't want to burn my bridges. So I agreed to write another script for that producer. Then, one night, a sudden inspiration. I had been toying with the idea in my head all day. Finally, at 11pm, I was ready to write it all out. Two hours later, at 1am, it was completed. I emailed the script to T. Half an hour later, he SMSed me then called me up, excited like a little girl! 'I want to shoot this! It's mine!!!' he exclaimed down the line. 'It's yours, man,' I said. 'You said you needed something short and sweet to practise on, so here it is.' Just a few weeks ago, we wrapped, after shooting over three weekends stretched over a period of two months. We were like the Seven Samurai, we started out with a crew of about seven or eight. By the time we finished, we had a crew of only three. The rest had abandoned us! Talk about guerrilla filmmaking! The result: Seeing Things , a horror-scifi-comedy-noir-revenge-murder tale. Seven to eight minutes. Our first effort. Not great, but still something. T is in the midst of cutting it now. As I write this, he is probably in the editing suite, looking through the rushes. Yeah, right. Knowing him, he's more likely in his recliner, munching junk food and watching some classic samurai flick. That bum! 'So, what are we going to do? How are we going to start making films?' Famous first words. Famous answer: Get off your fat ass and just do something! (the adventure continues) |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 16,June,2004 | Late night. A phone conversation. My friend Dina. I was checking someone's credentials, and needed her to confirm some facts. Out of nowhere, Dina exclaimed: 'Hey, do you know about the haunted painting on eBay?' Er, no, I didn't. But sounds good. 'Yeah, apparently people who looked at it all fell dead or seriously ill.' Wow. Sounds terrific. My interest was definitely piqued. But where the hell can I see it? And then came the URL: urlLink www.surfingtheapocalypse.com/haunted_painting.html With the miracle of broadband, I logged onto the Net while staying on the line with Dina. I typed in the URL. Big mistake. The picture that greeted me was creepy. The story that followed was even worse. Just my kind of stuff. After chatting with Dina about some ghostly experience someone she knew had recently encountered, I hung up the phone and began to read the webpage. It's alive! By the time I finished reading about the Haunted Painting, it was way past midnight. The house was all quiet, the lights were off, save for the one in my bedroom. It was time to be afraid. Very afraid. The painting is called Hands Resist Him. If by now you've clicked on the link, you know what the painting looks like. If not, then it depicts a very strange-looking boy and a girl who seems to be a broken puppet with no eyes. Behind these two figures is a large window, and behind the window, it is pitch black. But in the darkness are many pairs of disembodied hands reaching out towards the window. And in the sky is a black moon. Very Gothic. Very weird. Very disconcerting. The story has it that a couple bought the painting from someone who had found it abandoned behind an old brewery. They put the painting in their children's room, but every night, the kids complain that the two figures in the painting came alive and argued with each other. One of the children also claimed the puppet girl stepped out of the painting. The couple then decided to put a motion-capture camera in the room. If you go to the website, you can see a photo of what was captured by the camera, although it looks more like a trick of the light. The children were so disturbed that the couple decided to put the painting up for auction at eBay. And thus began one of the most interesting urban legends. Or is it just an urban legend? Some people who viewed the painting online have claimed that they fell terribly ill, or had strange visitations in the night. But the person who finally bought the painting has reported nothing out of the ordinary so far. The artist himself, Bill Stoneham, is still alive and he tells an even more interesting story about the painting at his website urlLink http://www.stonehamstudios.com/ . He explains that the boy in the painting is himself when he was five, the window is a thin veil between waking and dreaming, the hands are 'other lives,' and the girl is the boy's guide. Don't ask me what the hell it all means. Stoneham also claims the owner of the gallery where the painting was displayed and the LA Times critic who reviewed the show were both dead within a year of the show. Yikes. Says Stoneham: 'I'm sure it was coincidence, but some of what I paint resonates in other people, opening the inner door, or basement. By the way, I still have no idea what happened to the character actor (whose name escapes me) that bought the painting at the show, or how it ended up abandoned in a building, though I could speculate.' Being an unbeliever and a skeptic of widespread mania such as this, I decided to test the painting out on several people. Da Vinci would be proud The first thing I did was to immediately log on to the Yahoo Chat Movies Room, The Visitor's favourite haunt. I typed the URL in the room several times to make sure all my friends got to view the painting. The reactions varied - there were those who were totally spooked, those who couldn't care less and those who were too chickenshit to click on the link. One guy claimed, in a Private Message to me, that he felt strange. Right. We made jokes all night. Some of us got on the mic and made gurgling sounds, some disappeared from the chat room and pretended to be dead. But when it was time for bed, when I had switched off all the lights, then I realised how spooked I really was. I kept waking up and looking at my computer to see if the little girl was there. For the next two nights, everywhere I turned, I imagined the boy and the little girl there. The power of suggestion. How effective it is. The next day, I posted the link on the office internal messaging system. Same reactions. One guy sent a message saying: 'So? What's so scary?' Smart-ass. I bet he soiled his pants that night. Later, I got our art critic to look at the painting. She was all smiles and excitement when I told her the painting was haunted. But when she took her first look, her expression changed. She had a disturbed look on her face. The first thing she said was: 'There's something not right about this painting.' Woah. Wait a minute.I thought it was all a hoax to fetch a good price on eBay. Shit, does this mean I'm going to die? Is the little girl going to climb out of my computer in urlLink seven days unless I show the painting to someone else? Here is her explanation. The boy's body is asymmetrical, his shoulders are not on the same level, and his elbows are also like that. The shadows on him are all wrong. This gives an illusion of movement. That explains why the couple's children thought the figures in the painting moved. My critic friend used Da Vinci's Mona Lisa as an example. The subject is deliberately asymmetrical, and the background behind her are different on both sides of her. This gives the impression that her gaze follows us wherever we go. It's all mathematical. You can read some stuff about the Mona Lisa urlLink here . Now comes the disturbing part. Dreams and inner senses When an artist creates a work of art, sometimes they unwittingly become channels for something beyond the physical world. Read what Bill Stoneham said above. My art critic friend found the painting very disturbing for the very fact that Stoneham had inlcuded a lot of powerful symbols in it. The most outstanding feature is the disembodied hands behind the window. In art, hands are very powerful symbols, especially the palm. Buddhist monks apparently have to train for 12 years and go through several tests before they are allowed to paint the Buddha's Palm. In most paintings of religious figures, the palms are always upturned or outward-facing. The other thing is that the eyes of both the figures in the painting are unseen. The girl even has empty eye sockets. And as you know, the eyes are the windows to the soul. Also, the boy has a very adult expression on his face and looks more like an older person than a boy. And some people have noted that the black moon is a symbol of the Apocalypse, the end of the world. My critic friend said the artist probably went through a very hard time when he was a child, hence the whole mood of the painting. Had he channelled something from the Other Side while painting? Some force from the Netherworld? Stoneham has also done a sequel to Hands Resist Him, called Resistance At The Threshold. You can view it at his urlLink website . It is a much happier painting. There is brihgt sunlight, the artist is an old man now, and the puppet girl is all broken and hung on the wall. It seems like the artist has finally overcome whatever hardship or dark times in his life. What do you think? (note: btw, nothing strange happened since the first day I viewed the painting ... except that when writing this post, I tried to preview it, but an error occurred on the page ... oh boy) |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 15,June,2004 | Remember, this is only the first draft Desolation, alienation, dehumanisation. These are the elements that inspired my first feature script, The Visitor. We have come so far as human beings, but what really have we achieved? Have we really made ourselves any better? Or have we become more blindsided to certain things? The next time you're out on the streets, take a good look around you. You'd be surprised at all the things you missed out on before, even though they've been there right in front of you all your life. Pay attention to the littlest details. Allow what you see to inspire feelings in you, be they negative or positive. Largely inspired by urlLink Pulse (Kairo) , the Japanese techno-horror film by urlLink Kiyoshi Kurosawa , The Visitor is my attempt at exploring the dehumanised condition we experience in this fast-moving, money-driven world. The spark came one late night, while lying in bed, unable to sleep. An image, it always starts with a single, unforgettable image. Then the rest followed. I toyed with The Idea for a long while, unable to move forward. All the while I worked on other short scripts, little bursts of inspiration that slowly took bigger shape. Nothing came through until I had the good luck of meeting a young film editor who expressed interest in The Idea and shared a common vision of how we wanted to make films. At a mutual friend's house, we watched Pulse. Scared shitless, we talked some more about The Idea. Over the next few weeks, we discussed it some more, and The Idea grew and grew and grew. Our talks delved into the sociological, the psychological, the metaphysical, the philosophical. It was getting richer. The big question was: Could I handle it? Was I good enough? Hell, I took the dive anyway. Now, The Visitor is about halfway done. It's not looking great by any measure, but it is slowly working itself out. And I keep telling myself: This is only the first draft. (to be cont'd) |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 14,June,2004 | And so, my family and I lived in the haunted shophouse for almost 26 years. Strangely enough, during all that time, I had never encountered a single ghost. The rest of my family did, but somehow I was spared. Maybe I just don't have the Eyes, as they say. Lucky me. But I can recall when I was young, that I constantly felt depressed. At times, I found my actions somehow beyond my control, as if something was guiding me to destroy my own life little by little. It was extremely strange, difficult to explain. And whenever I was alone in the house at night, I would feel this terrible, constricting fear. I remember whenever I was left by myself, I would sit very still in front of the TV, my back against the wall, too frightened to move, too scared to even go to the bathroom. The thing that frightened me the most was the long corridor leading from the living room to the front door. At night, that corridor was darker than hell. Remember that I was young at the time, and no one told me about the hauntings. Yet, I would always imagine seeing something appearing along that corridor, walking slowly towards me. Or worse, I would imagine a figure coming out of my parents' room, that troubled room along the corridor. I would always remain unmoving, eyes fixed on the TV, until everyone got home. I never understood why I was so scared. Unexplained illness My mother, my poor mother, got it the worst. During all the years we lived in that shophouse, we saw my mother's health gradually get worse. She became weaker and weaker, dark bags under her eyes, constantly looking tired and worn out. My father and her would come home from work and in the evenings and nights, do nothing but sit in their room, the two of them alone, sometimes not talking and staring into space. They were always depressed, unhappy, worried, sometimes for no good reason at all. I cannot remember exactly how many times my mother fell seriously ill. She would complain of dizziness and would throw up so many times that she became too weak to even get out of bed. It was like she was on the verge of death. The doctors could not figure out what was wrong with her. They suspected it was her diabetes and hypertension, gave her medication, put her on drip for a few days, and she would return home normal again. And then it would happen again months later. If she did not fall ill, she would constantly feel lethargic. I remember waking up in the middle of the night, hearing her throw up, and thinking 'Oh no, here we go again,' fearfully wondering if it would be the last time. During those years too, I hardly did well in anything. I gradually did worse in my studies, until it came to a point when I decided to leave my studies and take up a job. Everytime I made money, it would all trickle away somehow. My parents' savings which were to pay for my education abroad, were all used up for my mother's medications. Nothing ever went well. Sometime in 2000, after so many years of suffering, my parents were convinced by my sister and her husband to go back to Church. It was then that the biggest, most frightening revelation came to us. The thing on the wall After my parents re-embraced the Catholic faith, their health improved tremendously, especially so for my mother. When before, she looked depressed and lethargic all the time, she regained her strength considerably and looked much happier than we had ever seen her. She did fall ill one more time, but even then, the doctors managed to pinpoint the problem. It was her cholesterol level, which was rocketing to a dangerous high. Made us wonder why it took so long for the doctors to figure that out. With the symptoms and the cause recognised, it was fairly easy to treat my mother then. My parents also stopped moping aimlessly around the house, spent more of their time in the living room instead of in that room, engaged in lively chatter or enjoying a TV show. By 2001, I found a well-paying job and was suddenly able to save some money. After all the years of working, I found I barely had any savings! By the end of 2001, we decided we would move to a better home. But it wasn't without a lot of convincing that we decided to take that step. Firstly, we had new and rather uncouth neighbours. And we had a new landlord who raised the rent twofold. Secondly, the neighbourhood was turning bad. One Saturday morning, while I was asleep in my room, someone forced the front door, broke in, and stole my mobile phone which was lying on the living room table. Luckily, I wasn't killed! We were so shocked that after so many years in that shophouse, such a thing happened. We suspected it was the new neighbours, but we didn't have proof. The new landlord could care less about our plight when we brought it to his attention. That was the last straw for us. Well, at least for my mother and I. My father still refused to move out because he was worried that the rent anywhere else would be much more expensive and I might not be able to afford it. I don't know if you, dear Reader, believe in any kind of Divine Power or Divine Plan. But the way things happened, it was difficult for my family to gainsay that there was some kind of Intervention. We finally found a place somewhere nearby, for a reasonable monthly rent too. The single-storey house belongs to my father's ex-colleague, who kindly offered us a very special rate. Still, my father was not convinced enough to take up the offer. He had to learn the hard way. Now, my father loved to read in the evenings. He would sit on an armchair in my parent's room, back against a wall, facing the opposite wall. Now, against the wall opposite the armchair is a rather large wooden shelf that stood almost to waist length. Adjacent to that shelf and wall is a large closet with a tall mirror. Every morning, that is where all of us go to get ready for work, to change and freshen up. One night, my father sat in his favourite spot to read. After a few minutes, he looked up to give his eyes a rest. For a moment, he thought he had seen something on the wall opposite. He got up and went for a closer scrutiny. What he saw frightened him so much that he immediately agreed to move out in a week's time. And he didn't tell us why or what he saw until a week after we moved into the new house. And when he told us, my mother and I were so creeped out that we could not sleep the whole night. Now, you know how over the years, the old layer of paint on a wall fades away to reveal what was previously underneath. My father saw a drawing on the wall - someone had sketched a Chinese coffin in white paint. A drawing like that is one of the most powerful curses anyone could put on a house. It means death to anyone who lives there. Miraculously, my family and I survived through all those years, but not without tremendous difficulties and obstacles. Suddenly, we understood what had been going on all those years, why we were always broke, why there was always illness and unhappiness. And then we wondered why we hadn't seen that drawing since it clearly had been there for a long time, and the top layer of paint had faded away a long time ago. I remember seeing some white lines but never really noticed what they were. Or was it the power of the hex that prevented all of us from seeing it? It's certainly difficult for me to negate that, since I went up to that wall every morning, sometimes even looking at it up close, yet never seeing what was really there. Eyes wide shut. Even when we were moving, when we had cleared that room of all the furniture, we didn't even see it then, when the wall was all bare. A day after my father told us about the drawing, I suddenly remembered that I had taken a photograph of my mother sitting at the doorway of the room. I quickly looked for that photo to see if the drawing was visible in it. It was. Right there behind my mother was the wall, and on the wall was the dreaded drawing of the coffin. I still have that photo. Now, in this new blessed house, we are all much happier, our lives much more peaceful than during those 26 years. Looking back, we're all surprised at how we survived through all the hardships. We thank God every day for that. Sometimes, I still dream of that shophouse. On dark, quiet nights, in those moments of dreaming, I see that house, I see that room, and it is like being back in those haunted years. But even so, I do not see the drawing. Even in dreams and in knowing, it remains clouded. But I am not afraid anymore. I know that my family's Faith protects us and God watches over us now. Back to the question: Do I believe? I don't know; I don't have a clear answer. But I do believe that there are things we cannot explain, things we cannot understand or fathom. Things that tap us on the shoulder when we least expect it, making us turn around and, facing it, see our deepest fears. The most important thing, I guess, is how you deal with it. |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 07,June,2004 | There is one question everyone hardly asks. 'Do you believe in ghosts?' Whenever one is about to be engaged in a discussion about religion, more often than not, the question that forebears everything is: 'Do you believe in God?' A discussion about the supernatural is never preceded by the obvious question. Rather, it is assumed that everyone within earshot is a believer. Until someone offers a revelation as to the negative. But is there really an answer to that question? I ask so because of one thing: I lived in a haunted house for over 20 years. In fact, I grew up in it. Which maybe explains why I continue to be frightened yet deeply fascinated by all things supernatural. Yet till today, I still cannot find the answer to that question: 'Do I believe?' How it began Almost 26 years ago, my family moved into a shophouse. It looked innocuous enough - two bedrooms, one bathroom. Just nice for a family of four - me, my elder sister and my parents. But what awaited us was stranger than what our collective imagination could have produced. I don't remember how long it was before the first incident began. My mother saw a figure moving about the house in the night. And that was just the mildest of incidents. A slow start, if you like. My parents used to sleep in one room while my sis and I would share the other. The room my parents occupied was situated along a long corridor that leads to the kitchen and bathroom, and ultimately the front door. It has a window that looks out into the corridor. One night, my father saw someone walking along the corridor in the dark. In his sleepiness, he assumed it was my mother, until she told him the next day that she never did such a thing. (And it certainly wasn't me sneaking off to the bathroom to whack off! I was too young then.) Of course, by then, my parents suspected something was amiss. And the next night confirmed it when my father woke up in the night and saw someone peering through the window! Sometime in the next few months, or even years, my parents identified the figure as a woman wearing a red dress. Now if you're well-versed in the supernatural, you'd know that a woman in red spells big trouble. It is a vengeful spirit. Of course, us kids being young, our parents did not tell us any of these things. But my sister possesses the gift of The Eye, and soon she too began to have some of the most frightening visitations in the night. Over the course of a few years, somehow, my parents vacated their room and slept with me in the other room, while my sister occupied theirs. My parents kept an oil lamp in each room, to keep us kids from being afraid of the dark. They also believed that a house should not be left entirely in the dark and that there should always be some light at all times. But every night, at 3am, my sister would see a dark figure come into her room and blow out the lamp. Without fail. The final straw was when the figure came right up to the side of her bed and peered down at her. She decided to get the hell out of there. After that, it was back to the old arrangement - my parents back in their room and my sister and I in the other. Of course, naturally by now, you're asking why we didn't just move out. The answer is simple. We were piss poor, and could not afford any other dwelling. And the rent was especially low for that shophouse (yah, we wondered why). It was then that my mother recalled how some folks who had lived in the same block had advised her against renting that particular apartment. When she queried them on the reason, they simply said the plumbing was not good. Knowing something was definitely not right about the house, she carried out her own sleuthing and soon came upon the real story. A few years before we moved in, a young man and his wife were the occupants. One day, the wife came home and stumbled upon the man in bed with another woman. She stormed out of the house, and later killed herself in another place. The woman's parents were so devastated and infuriated, they buried her in a red dress, hoping she would return to exact revenge on her unfaithful husband. And sure enough, she did. The man was so haunted, he finally sought the help of a medium, who advised him to place a small prayer altar in the room where he slept, and some blessed yellow papers on the wall. He did as he was told, and found peace again. And guess what my mother did. She recalled that when she inspected the empty apartment shortly before we moved in, there was indeed a small prayer altar in the room that would become my parents', and that there were Taoist yellow papers hanging on the wall. Right before we moved in, she tore down the yellow papers and, along with the altar, burned them. Smart move. Over the years, we continued to live there, and we encountered less and less supernatural incidents as time went on. We were Catholics, then we were Hindus, then we were Buddhists, and a little more than three years ago, my parents went back to Church. My sister had since married and moved out. Three years ago, I found a job that paid well, and we decided to move out of that shophouse. It was then that we discovered something else about that room, something that would send a very cold chill down our spines. Something that finally explained all the hardship, sickness and unhappiness my family went through living in that house. (to be cont'd) |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 06,June,2004 | Yes, for God's sake, please watch out for anything moving in the shadows. Even I get nervous at times, especially when the TV seems to want to come alive in the long, dark midnight. You never know, Sadako may decide to visit. What is this blog about? I seriously don't know, but hopefully it will never be fully fleshed out. Ideal conditions, uninfluenced by forces beyond control, would dictate that this blog remain an ambiguous, multi-purpose, multi-pronged blog. To remain as a single, defined entity would be to limit and deny oneself of the many possibilities that exist out there. Let this creature grow as it pleases, I say. Spare the rod and see it absorb both the good and evil, the light and the shadows, the positive and the negative, all the delectable/despicable dualities of life. Let it become many things, let it die and be reborn always. Let it burn, let it cry, let it reincarnate, let it elate. Part of this will also be a journal about my journey into the filmmaking world, which has just begun, but feels like a thousand years old already. And the name I so chose as a representation of my self here in The Clouded Moon is actually the title of my very first feature script, The Visitor. Just who is The Visitor? He is an enigma, a puzzle, a horror, a saviour, a devourer, a creator. He comes in the quiet, moonless night, leans close to your face, bathes you in his dry, pestilence-infested breath, and spirits you away to a place where you become a symbol, a metaphor, a signpost to a larger scheme. So, come in, have a seat, but do not - I stress, DO NOT - look into the shadows too long. For, as someone once said, if the abyss looks back at you, your soul will forever be caught. And there are many, many shadows, here at The Clouded Moon. |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 18,July,2004 | Lifts are scary things, even long before the Pang Brothers scared the shit out of us with that heart-stopping moment in the film The Eye . In a small, enclosed space, with no one around, your mind will tend to expect someone or something to appear next to you within those confines. And what more if the lift happens to stop midway ... and the lights go out. It's happened to me before. Apart from the fear of running out of air and dying like a fish out of water, you also begin to feel the silence and the empty space around take on a very palpable form. But what happened to me recently did not happen inside a lift. Rather, it happened as I was heading towards the lift lobby. This was a place I frequented, an apartment block, the lift lobby of which I'd always felt was very creepy and unsettling. One night, as I was heading towards the two lifts, when I was about 20m away, I distinctly remember seeing the lift on the right closing, and a hand stretched out towards the button panel, obviously pressing on the close button. I thought 'Oh well, I'll catch the other one.' When I got there, I pressed the 'up' button and waited. Immediately, THE LIFT ON THE RIGHT OPENED! I jumped. Then I looked up at the indicator above and saw that the other lift was up on the 6th floor. Where was the person in the lift whose hand I saw outstretched? How did the lift get down within seconds? Even if it had gone up only one floor, it would still have taken longer to get back to the ground floor, more so when the 'up' button hadn't been pressed yet. I felt a chill. But me being me, I went in anyway. I'm glad to report that nothing happened in the lift. I didn't feel any presence, nor did I smell anything strange. It was an ordinary ride up to the 6th floor. For weeks after that, I was baffled. I kept thinking about it, but couldn't figure it out. I told all my friends about it, and they all went 'Oh, my goodness. You are so brave to still get into that lift. I would have bolted!' Now, for me to have still gone into the lift, I figured my sub-conscious mind must have detected some logical explanation to the whole thing. Then, one day, while on the bus to work, I finally figured it out. It hit me so suddenly that its simplicity made me feel absolutely stupid. What happened was this: I had simply mistaken the left lift for the right! Duh-uh! That is how some ghost stories are born. From mere confusion. Somehow our minds love to opt for the stranger, more exciting, supernatural expanation rather than the logical one. We love to be scared. We love that life is not really so dull. We want to believe that things can be extraordinary. The next time something strange happens, stop for a moment to think logically. I'm sure you'll find that there is a sensible answer to whatever it is. Or maybe not. Perhaps you shouldn't get into that lift at all ... just to be safe. |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 15,July,2004 | The Visitor has returned from a successful trip to Athens and Crete island. But unsuccessful in finding anything supernatural there, unfortunately! So, I come home without any tales of ghostly happenings. Even at the island of Spinalonga, the former leper colony also known as the Island of Tears because of the great suffering and hardship that the lepers experienced there, there was no ghost to be found. I asked the tour guide if anyone had reported any strange occurrances, but she said there had been none. Bummer! The only time I did feel creeped out was in the cave on Mount Ditka, where, according to mythology, the great god Zeus was born. I was the last person left in the cave after everyone had made their rounds and left. The green lighting in the cave did not help to ease my nerves. I got the hell out of there pretty quick. When I came out of the cave, to my horror, all my companions had left the mountain. I had to climb alone down the steep, rocky mountain, dreading the thought of falling and hurting myself with no one around to rescue me. Alas, I did make it safely down. The only supernatural thing I found in Greece was a book I bought at the Athens airport, called Haunted Greece: Nymphs, Vampires and Other Exotica . You got to love that title! This is what it says on the back cover: 'In Haunted Greece , John L. Tomkinson takes you on a journey into the dark regions of the Hellenic folk memory. Here you will meet the fearful stringles, who murder infants in their cots; beautiful nymphs who entice young men into insanity; the dead who climb out of their graves to prey upon their friends and relatives; the mischievous demons who emerge from the Underworld during the twelve nights of Christmas; ox-headed serpents which haunt churches and foretell death; the rainbow-plumaged bird whose flight signals imminent catastrophe; and many even more terrible creatures. Some of these may have haunted the imagination of this most inventive people for more than three millennia.' Woo hoo! Just my kind of book! I'm off to bed now, with all the lights off save the table lamp, snug under the covers, to enjoy this most promising book! |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 07,July,2004 | The Visitor is off to Athens and Crete to celebrate with the new Euro champions! So there won't be any updates for a week. Will be back on July 14. Hang in there. Till I bring back the scare. |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 04,July,2004 | A former colleague went to Indonesia and found two old keris that she thought her dad would like. She bought them, took them to her hotel room, and placed them one on each side of the bed. After a good shower, she watched some TV, relaxed, and then reclined on the bed, about to fall asleep. But before that, she inspected the gifts she had bought for her dad. They looked like any old keris, nothing particularly out of the ordinary about them. She then placed them back one on each side of the bed, before turning out the lights and dozing off. In the middle of the night, as she recalled later, she either had a very vivid dream, or she really did hear two male voices speaking, one on each side of her. One of them said: 'What are we going to do with her?' To which the other replied: 'I don't know. What do you think we should do?' After that, there were some other things that were spoken, but she couldn't quite remember what they were exactly. She woke up the next morning, went to take a shower before packing up to leave. When she was all dried and dressed, she looked for her glasses which she remembered very clearly that she had left on the bedside table. But they were not there. She searched high and low for them, but they were nowhere to be found. She had to call front desk to get some help searching the room. They literally turned the room upside down, but the glasses were still nowhere to be found. They had disappeared into thin air! She had to leave without her glasses in the end. And it was not until much later, when she recalled that dream (or was it a dream?) that she put two and two together and realised what had happened to her glasses. Coincidence? Or ... ? |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 11,August,2004 | I heard this story many years ago. How true is it? I don't know. I'll leave it up to you to decide. The Thambi Longkang Hantu Story There once was a pair of newly -weds who moved into this housing area somewhere in an older part of Kuala Lumpur, after their honeymoon. Their house was situated in a corner lot, and across the road at the side of the house was a big drain, beyond which was forest. After they moved in, the couple decided to mingle with the neighbours and break the ice by bringing gifts of food for the families in the other houses. They chatted with everyone for a while, trying to learn more about the neighbourhood and its inhabitants. What they didn't count on was getting a very strange warning from one of the neighbours, an elderly woman. The woman told them: 'If ever you should be walking along that road at the side of your house, next to the big drain, and you see a man sitting at the drain, please don't pay him any attention, if you know what's good for you! Just walk away and, for God's sake, don't look back!' Of course, they thought the warning was a bit hilarious. After all, what is there to fear from a man who sits by the drain? Then, one night, the couple were coming home from a party at one of the neighbouring houses, and sure enough, they were walking along that road that runs along the side of their house. When they were close to their house, they noticed a man sitting by the drain. Remembering the old lady's warning, the husband reminded the wife not to pay the man any attention. As they walked nervously past the man, he said to them in a low drawl: 'Eh, thambi, lu takut kah?' The couple were really nervous now, but once they were past the man, the wife made the mistake of turning around to look. The man wasn't there anymore. The wife got so frightened, she grabbed her husband's hand and ran into their house. For the next few days, the wife became seriously ill. The doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. Finally they had to call in a bomoh, who found that the wife had been 'disturbed' by some 'unclean things.' He carried out a ritual and supposedly cleansed the wife. Then for the next few days, the wife's health improved and she was well on the way to a full recovery. But one night, the husband awoke and found that his wife was not next to him in the bed. He went searching around the house for her, but to no avail. Finally he went back upstairs and found her sitting at the balcony alone, staring out into the horizon. He walked up to her and asked her: 'Darling, what are you doing out here? Are you alright?' The wife slowly turned towards him, and said, in a low drawl: 'Eh, thambi, lu takut kah?' The end |
3,557,420 | male | 33 | Publishing | Libra | 11,August,2004 | The Visitor is back! For those of you who thought I had been abducted by aliens, swallowed by Hungry Ghosts, kidnapped by urlLink hanturaya or ravaged by urlLink Maya Karin (I wish!), worry not. None of the above happened. Rather, I have been having some serious personal problems of late. Hence, time has been of the essence and a little difficult to spare for even The Clouded Moon . Thanks to the readers who asked about me and took the time to visit this Land of Moving Shadows. You will soon be rewarded! (with a visitation or two, so watch out!) The Month of the Hungry Ghosts has just begun (Aug 6 to Sept 6), and I'm sure many strange and frightening things abound. I hope to post some delicious tales here soon, so watch this space! Death, mayhem and horror will rule once again! (In the meantime, I have to go to Thailand for four days. I shall try to collect some ghostly Thai tales there!) |
4,200,165 | male | 14 | indUnk | Aquarius | 22,August,2004 | i can't sleep!yesterdae nite ad 10pm my whole famili tido kat living room tgk crite hantu pasal mak wok.scary xia.den lepas tu ad 11:15pm continue lagi crite pontianak.scary xia..especially da song.eeee!!pi mepek sikit ar.its lyk pontianak bandar~..hurhur.after da story i go back to ma bilik n tido.but cannot sleep xia.my bed faces da window n window lak tu tunjuk kat tingkap.i always imagine da pontianak kat lua tingkap.eeee!ngerikan xia.~aaah..i can't get da pontianak nye face out of ma mind~HELP ME FAUZI OR ANIBODI!!~hurhur. now daddy sleepin..boncit kua wif umar gi expo.ayu n mom ngok pontianak again.they tk takot ke.of coz la ngah pagi2 bute.den tadi baru ngok athens volleyball.weak xia satu2 maen...mcm lah ako pandai maen~hurhur!!!den juz noe ad 12pm go kenduri ad jurong.mkn nasi minyak.mmmm...sedap siot!hahkz!da lame tk mkn kat kenduri.den on 1st september abg norman nk tunang kat johor wif enta la sape da gurl.ma mom kate bdk maen anak metropolitan.sape xia.ala hueva she is tk heran la..~cam btol je..hurhur!nanti tk sala 26 september ma old fwen arifah nye b'dae tk tau nk antakan card ke tk.ala antakan jek.tk baek u...harhar.im sod xia...but tk de kwn nk ajak jadi giler.hmph.klau dulu ajak ayu join we both giler abis nye.kekek non-stop.hahahahahahahakz!eh jap eh................boncit baru alik kene bukak kan pintu.he bought games...nampaksah nye.ti gurantee halau mi from da com coz nk download da game.hmph...!....ohk paiseh ar.boncit beli p.s2 nye game.naseb ar..klau tk da tk leh kai com.tomolo my class photo nk lawa2 la.but cannot use eyeliner xia.mesti buruk seh muke.nvm.pandai2 lah kai celak.i wanna go try dif. hairstyle arh..jelak wif ma ordinary style.hopefully dpt hairstyle yg suiting arh.cheers! deliquexgal out! ~i wan ma discman back!~ |
4,200,165 | male | 14 | indUnk | Aquarius | 20,August,2004 | alermek bingit seh todae ad skewl.actuali not dad veri bingit..cume a lil angry ad ema.kla todae ad skewl mi,ifah n sha2 ajak ema n wany kua tomolo gi bugis den gi far east.wany memamg da nk ikut but tk nk. ema sae'tk nk ar.boring xia tgk muke same jek.jelak abis.abe amik gambar pon muke same je.'we were lyk 'wats up wif her?'den ifah jwb to her'ehk..katekan members kan.of coz la slalu muke same.mns klau ko da jelak ngan satu kwn ko cari kwn baru la?'ema terus diam.de uat dek jek.den i sae ar'ala aku ngan ifah da tk hang ngan ko la.kite da start hang ngan ida n lynn.'its true.mi n ifah pon suke hang ngan ida n lynn.lagi gerek.wif em leh kua anytime.klau ngan ema susa xia.mak tk bagi la enta pape lagi la.den till da end of da dae me n ifah neva tok to ema.after skewl ema alik ngan ayuni n wany.i dun noe wad ema tell em ar coz wen they pass by us wany n ayuni stare ad us semacam.ni mesti ema da rasuk dorang.bingit seh kat ema.da bagos seh org ajak kua dari duduk jek kat umah.boring jek.da la mls nk lyn ema.she nk gi cari kwn baru gi la.tk heran.kla i nk go mamam.ciao bebeh! deliquexgal out! |
4,200,165 | male | 14 | indUnk | Aquarius | 17,August,2004 | Ugh..i'm sick.Got sore throat..cough flu..aaah mcm2 la.I can't breathe.In skewl i kept on 'blowing' my nose.Ugh so irritating da la cannot breathe.Xianla.Have to take Panadol every 4 hours.Haiz.E Panadol klau kecik tk pe ni besar lak tu. Todae in skewl...hmm cb ar.Fuck xia.Ifah da kene change place cuz we both always tok.xia ar.Den Hamdi yg sit next to me.Then Abqari ,Hamdi n Rahman always disturb me.Take my pencil bow la..pull my hair la..bongkar my bag.Tk leh tahan xia.If 1 onli disturb mi nvm..ni 3 lak tu.Stress xia.I nearly cried.Then Hamdi took my gold marker..eraser..n liquid.At dat point i'm at flames alredi.Lagi Abqari take my blue n black pen.Kanina xia.At least Hamdi give back at the end of da day pi Abqari lak kebas e marker.Semue perangai cam budak2 xia.Sway xia get classmate lyk dis.Skali Rahman lak bongkar my bag.Iwas totally stress out i cried.Yayaya.i noe lyk gembang but i reali can't stand it.Many ppl ask me ahy i cried i juz told em Abqari n they noe wat i mean.He's a bastard.Theb Ida say'Jom nk hang Abqari abis2?'Hahahakz.Great to have a fwen lyk dat.Sporting! Well i'm still bingit at em.Besok jage dorang.Well gtg.Ciaoz DeLiQuExGaL Out1 |
4,200,165 | male | 14 | indUnk | Aquarius | 13,August,2004 | Holla.Gosh today at skewl was fine.We cooked cookies durin Home Econs period.Mine n Ifah's turn out nice but tasted horrible.It was a lil salty.HarHar. Then wen i came home my mom told me dat my tchr Mdm Zulaiha(she sux!!)called and complained to my mom bout my hair colour.Busted seh.xia nye tchr.Padahal my hair not dat obvious.She warned me before..last 6 months and dat pon i dyed my hair dark brown.I guess the colour fad away.But dats not the point.She could just tell me straight foward to my face dat my hair is brown.Since she neva say anythin i thought my hair was fine.Skali everythin was not fine.That bitch told my mom that i always jelink at her as if i was not sastified.That's true actuali~HurHur.That's just me.Wenever i get mad at a person ngan mata2 skali i jelink kan.Then my mom say 'tak baek de kan cikgu'Luckily my mom was sporting and told me nicely. But you should've seen her 'explode' before wen the DM,Mr Aw called my mom to complai about my short skirt.My skirt was too short for him and so i had to use the ankle-length skirt.Soooo memalukan.I've used that skirt 3 times.Now i'm so tired of running away from the DM so i lenghtened my skirt a lil bit onli and the DM said it was ok.So now no need to worry animore~HeeHee.*Yawns I'm so sleepy i wanna shut my eyes.Ciaoz! DeLiQuExGaL Out! |
4,200,165 | male | 14 | indUnk | Aquarius | 12,August,2004 | Todae at skewl...as usual.Was so sleepy.Islept late last nite watching C.S.I Miami.Luv dat show.So in skewl was lyk half-way dozing away but i can't sleep coz me and Ifah kept on talking.We always had so much to talk about.We are like sisters for life.She's my baby girl~HarHar.But then MT period was boring.Sitting beside Hamdi was boring seh.He's so quiet.I prefer sitting beside Azmi.Lagi siok!But then too bad Cikgu Sharmila had to change Azmi's place and so here i end up with Hamdi.Luckily Ifah was nearby so still i could chit chat.Aso Hidayah was behind me.She was heart broken.Her matae keeps on ignoring her n neva ever call.Hmph..some guy!I dun think a guy should treat his gal lyk that.I would take of my shoe and did damage~HurHur!Recall dat line from'You Got Served'Niwae when Hidayah ask for a breakup he treats it as if it was some joke.I reali pity Hidayah.She doesn't deserve guy lyk dat.Now she keeps on riting love poems that r kinda sad and very touching.I almost cried when i read it~WaWaWa!.*Yawns.Gosh i'm so sleepy.i'll update ya soon k..Ciaoz! DeLiQuExGaL Out! |
4,200,165 | male | 14 | indUnk | Aquarius | 11,August,2004 | Todae at skewl wuz ok la.Kinda boring.I woke up dis morning feel lyk not wanting to go skewl.At skewl pon okla but me n Ifah kept on toking from 8:15 to 1:10pm.We tok bout***.Mostly crap ar~HurHur!So funny i laughed till my mouh almost tear~HeeHee!Nolah.But den after skewl Ifah neva walk back with us.She went back wif her matae Firhan(UGH!)I hate him.Dunnoe why la.When me n Ema pass by them we sengaje laugh out loudly at them.Then Firhan ask us to 'Diam!'So rude~Hah padahal we both yg rude.Firhan dendam Ema.I aso dunno why.We call hm'Jangut' coz he ade jangutla dat he keep.Even if he shave pon still ade jangut~HarHar!Gosh i hope he doesn't read dis or i'm dead:xOops gotta go my piano tchr is here.UGH I hate piano lessons.Well Ciaoz! DeLiQuExGaL Out. |
4,157,853 | male | 15 | Student | Taurus | 06,August,2002 | Whatsup Eveybody, Wow this summer has been.......um...interesting. I haven't had too much to do so i've been working out a lot...lol. Utica Football is in full force now and im soo fuckin excited!! We been training all summer and we gonna kick Ike's ass when we play them!! I met a lot of cool new people at speed camp this summa. Jason Wu!!!!!!!!!!...lmao. Ron doin the 'special' inner thigh strech with Terry....lol. WILSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!....lmfao. Man....I can't even imagine how much fun i'm gonna have @ Utica! Other than football, I've been writing my novel on the human spirit and it's nearing 300 pages!!! Man i don't have a life!....lol jpjp. I'll be finished by Christmas of this year. And of course i'll give you all copies to read!! I went to Myrtle Beach for the 4th of July. Man there were some gorgeous girls there!!! I want to live down there tho..man it never got cold!! I was up @ 5:00 A.M. and it was 85 Fuckin Degrees!!!!! Then I went to West Virginia to White Water Raft. I feel of our raft in a class 5 rapid! I started writing music for my new band...it's called 'Of A Sound Mind' and we still need a Bass player and Drummer....so if you play either IM me to see about trying out. My love life has been pretty scarce unfortunately but I do have my eye on a beautiful girl. I'm tired of typing so I'm out for now...check once in a while for Updates!!!! |
4,157,853 | male | 15 | Student | Taurus | 13,August,2004 | As I sit here @ my computer I wonder about a lot of things. Why summer goes by soo fast.....Why do I always waste the little amount of summer I have.....and why doesn't anyone appreciate what that time means. I guess It's cuz we just get caught up in the moment. We don't ever think about the future because we expect to 'cross that bridge when we get to it'. But, everybody doesn't just get that future. Things happen and unfortunately ppl have to die before their time. My pastor told me that everyday is a good day no matter what happens to you, because you were able to wake up and live life that many others could not have. I don't know very much. I'm only 15 short years old, and yet I feel I am cursed with the sorrow of endless ages of war, evil and injustice. I wanna lay back and just be a normal teen....go to parties,be crazy....drink....and live by the seat of my pants. But, Something is telling me to be different, to dream of scientific providence...to dream of Jesus's return..to build toward a heaven we could all grasp. I take a moment's rest and step back from all of this philosophy and prophecy and I think of what I could have done. I could have been a jock....with no brains but natural athletic talent to spare. Maybe a suave devonair pimp with beautiful women hanging from my shoulders and popularity beyond dreams of chess geeks. I could have been a science geek with a 4.5 gpa and a college degree at age 12 but in the end i am and will always be the guy that tried to clone himself (W/O HIS MOTHERS TAMPON OR SEMEN). I guess science like this is what i will do when i finish college. I hope i am the first person to completely clone myself and i hope i go in the record books. In fact i hope i am the first scientist to successfully alter genes and create a super human. Look for me on the news in the next 20 years you might be able to say you once new that guy....the guy that changed science forever. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 30,January,2004 | Uh…yeah. Right. Life is just so daily. I need a little less excitement and a little more down time. I really don’t enjoy having something to do EVERY weekend. It gets a little tedious. When do I get to cuddle up with my honey, in front of the fire, and do NOTHING? Ok, sorry about the caps, but I just need to emphasize. I do like the seclusion of a snowy cabin in the Sierra’s and a visit up the coast on a foggy day. Melancholy or gloom, maybe isolation, I like that better than a party. Super Bowl Sunday. A day of American lore: when heroes are made into legends. Oh, give me a break, football is just football. It’s a game. In the big scheme of things does it even really matter? I cannot get my head around how much money is wasted on this one day in the life. So narcissistic men can get up on the podium and refer to themselves in the third person? To inspire kids into believing if they work hard they too can become self-absorbed, wealthy individuals who are above the law. All right, all right, I’m getting off the soapbox; although, isn’t that the point of having a blog? |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 28,January,2004 | Texture the ceiling “I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, long foreplay, show tunes, and that the novels of Thomas Pynchon are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, I believe that there oughtta be a constitutional amendment outlawing astro-turf and the designated hitter, I believe in the 'sweet spot', voting every election, soft core pornography, chocolate chip cookies, opening your presents on Christmas morning rather than Christmas eve, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last for 7 days.” And that's about that. At least I posted something. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 27,January,2004 | One for Connie I googled my ex-boyfriend and found his website yesterday. I’m torn as to contact him or let sleeping dogs lie. Looks like he may be engaged, which I am truly happy about. I am glad he found someone that he believes he can spend the rest of his life with. I haven’t spoken to him in years, and the last time he tried to contact me was THE DAY before my wedding! What drama. Not that I called him back, but it was so typical him to call me the day before my wedding. I just want a little closure I think. It was really good, but REALLY bad too. And since we never did say goodbye, a little part of me wants to do that. And a little part of me wants to rub in the fact that I’m married and very happy. Why do I even want to make contact???? Why am I still thinking about it? Why am asking so many questions, when you don't have the answers? So, do I have a final final or let it go? At least I know I can if I want to, not that that makes it easier. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 26,January,2004 | Recon Mission Ok, this whole blog thing is interesting. I haven’t found my grove yet. I think it’s because I don’t get the point, but whatever. So, went to a 1 year old birthday party this weekend, which I believe is just an excuse for the adults to get together and drink. Does the kid really have a clue? No. She didn’t want to eat the cake, she didn’t want to open gifts, but we did enjoy the keg. Had friends over last night for dinner and business. Had way too much wine, which isn’t fun to deal with on a Monday morning. I’m a horrible wife. I haven’t cleaned the bathrooms in weeks, only like 3, but still. I haven’t mopped, which is driving me batty, but I don’t like to. I have all kinds of laundry, and yes I am hoping it grows legs and gets itself done. Why do women obsess about these things? Why is my self worth determined by my ability to get these chores done once a week? |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 23,January,2004 | Get Down On It The weekend is off to a great start. My carpool mate bought me my 'Venti, NF, 2 pump, Mocha' for the commute into work this AM, and, of course, I spilt it all over myself about 2 blocks from my house. Please tell me this is NOT how my weekend is going to be. My hubby had to work late last night, so I have spent about 7 minuts with him in the last 30 hours. Ah, the makings of an everlasting love. So much I could say, but won't. I'm hoping that my weekend will be as perfect as last. We actually had NO company stop in. Imagine, getting to hang out in your sweats all day, watch football, and not have to answer the door OR the telephone. How much closer to heaven can you get? |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 22,January,2004 | Shibboleth \SHIH-buh-luth\ noun 1 a : a catchword or slogan used by members of a group but regarded by others as empty of real meaning b : a commonly held belief 2 : a behavior or use of language that identifies a person as belonging to a group So many shibboleth's to share, so little time. I guess I could be doing some work, but what is the point of that right now? I'm a little unfocused, unstable, undecisive, or is that indecisive? I'm lacking a focus. At least I now have a creative outlet with my Blog Spot. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 27,February,2004 | Take it down a notch I haven’t blogged in awhile, but that’s because I have nothing profound to say. I still have an urge to run outside and just yell at the top of my lungs. Just scream for the sake of screaming. Don’t you ever feel that way? I’ve just discovered Michael Buble. WONDERFUL, that’s really all I can say. His CD is great! He’s going to be in the bay area soon, but his concert is sold out. I guess I’m not as hip and with it as I thought. I’m trying to plan my vacation to London/Scotland/Germany, but my hubby is dragging his feet. One second yes, one second no. I just want to be there already. I wish I could stay for months, but it’s not to be. I think I should go to business school in London, then I could move there for a few years, but it would entail actually going to school. Well, you know the lotto is up to 35 million. I would be absolutely fabulous with 15 million. Even if I had to split it, I could handle 7. At least then I could stay in Europe a wee bit longer. Ok, really I haven’t done a thing at work today. It’s been e-mail and blogging. A little listening to the radio and idle chit chat. I guess I better do something since I’m taking a longer lunch and leaving a bit early. But then again, what are Friday’s for? |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 13,February,2004 | You're killin' me smalls V-day. It will be nice, but it really is just a commercialized event. At least this year it coincides with President's Day, so there will be some really good sales going on. I am a lost soul. I haven't found what is going to make me happy. I know I can go looking for something to MAKE me happy, but in the end, isn't it me? Aren't I the only one who can truly make myself happy? I have an idea but it is so hard to articulate and 'seal a paln of action.' Wishes, hopes, and dreams. Do any of them really come true? |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 06,February,2004 | Couple hours on the couch Pay bills, pay bills, pay bills, that’s what I did this week. Oh, well. When does life get easier? I guess I can make it easier by living simpler, but where is the fun in that. I want to go to Europe, come home, get preggers, and the rest will be history. Only I still want more than I can have, or at least I believe that’s what I want. Maybe children really do change your life that much. Maybe I need to have a child to actually become a grown-up. But who wants to be a grown-up? I guess the real problem is me. My outlook needs to change before life becomes what I want. If I put all my energy into what I want and visualize, will it REALLY come to be? Do I have to write it down and have clearly defined goals in order for my picture perfect life to materialize? What if I just have a concept of what I want to be when I grow-up? Does anyone really have the answers? Why do we ask so many questions? I know it can’t be just me. Maybe if we had the answers, life wouldn’t be so beautiful, or special, or filled with wonder everyday; I would probably take it for granted if I knew what it was all about, wouldn’t you? I wouldn’t enjoy the beautiful colors in the sunset. I wouldn’t take the time to look at the stars when I get out of the car at night. Would I look at the full moon with awe every month if I had the answers? This is a long way from my bills. Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all. William Goldman, 'The Princess Bride' |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 02,February,2004 | Love ya, mean it, double guns How about them Pats? I was rooting for Carolina, only for monetary reasons, but did want New England to win. Another drunken weekend. How much alcohol can one person consume in 48 hours before it becomes an issue? I think I might hop up onto the wagon for a bit…oh but wait. Valentine’s is next weekend and we’re going wine tasting. A two-week detox period should be good. I love the sound of rain hitting my bedroom window; however, I do not love getting out of bed and having to work when the rain is hitting against my bedroom window. I think that it should be a holiday if it rains, and someone needs to enact a law that the Monday after the Super Bowl is a holiday. Will someone please work on that? I was just thinking to myself, “self…” how great is an electronic diary? This whole blog thing is great because if you do it anonymously, you don’t have to worry about someone finding it. I don’t even thing peeps know this site exists, unless I tell them. And the best part is, I have always been more comfortable telling strangers things I can’t tell my mother. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 11,March,2004 | Oh, whatever |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 08,March,2004 | I don’t even know. Ok, I am still lacking any sort of motivation. I don’t want to be here, I want to have Spring Break. Why don’t companies shut down for a couple weeks here and there? Why not have summer vacations? Really? The American workforce would probably so much more enthusiastic and love work a bit more, if we knew we would get a break every now and again. 2 weeks is for the birds (not a clue what that means). I spend 2 weeks on doctor appointments and other random appointments in no time. We, as a society, do need more time off. Am I sensing a theme with my blogs? Just had my first Soy Mocha. Now that’s different. I need to drink the soy a little bit more so I become used to it. I think I should not be drinking cow milk. If you analyze, the whole point of cow’s milk is to make calves fat. Why do humans drink it? Don’t you think it’s a little odd? I can see making things with it. Use it sparingly and such, but to drink the cow’s milk…I don’t think so. Now don’t tell anyone about this blasphemous idea, it could very well be ground for a divorce. But come on people think about it!!!! I’m going to try it out and see how far I can take it. I’m sitting here trying to think of all the things I use milk for, and really can’t. One does not have to eat cereal for breakfast. Oatmeal is absolutely fab with water. You don’t have to have a glass with dinner, red wine will do. Maybe the wee little ones need the milk, but just for a bit, maybe. I think that’s what formula is for, right? They get all the nutrients and such from that, along with the breast milk. AH-HA!!! You don’t see female breast milk on the store shelves. You aren’t going around buying breast milk, are you? Breast milk is used for the kiddies to grow up nice and strong. And then they stop drinking it. And this is why I shouldn’t drink milk. I think that I am the only this makes sense to. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 14,April,2004 | Why can’t I just run away? Sometimes, ok almost all the time, I feel the “responsibility” to be a productive member of society is literally just too overwhelming. And really, I don’t feel like I am a productive member of society. And while I’m at it…is everyone dead set on annoying the shite out of me today? I feel sorry for them, as they have no concept on how annoying they actually are. Do you all really think I care? Did I give you the impression that I care? I don’t think so. I just ask questions because I might be little nosey. This can’t be all there is…when do I get to the point when something exciting happens? I know it has to be out there waiting for me. Really, how do I find it? How do I find what it is that I love; so I can do what I love and let the cash follow. It happens, I know it does. I see it in magazines, in books, on those trashy tabloid TV shows, although I have stopped watching those. When does it happen to me? It’s beginning to build like one of those cartoon snowballs that run out of control and squash a whole town. I do have a deep appreciation for life; I just can’t believe that this is all. How do I figure it out? How can the things that make be bonkers and want to dig a hole and hide, make others happy? Do you feel the need for something, anything, astonishing, captivating, enchanting fascinating? Do you know, really, truly, deep down, KNOW, that there is more? That yes, one second everything will be gray, and suddenly there will be light and it will be so clear, that you’ll wonder what you were thinking all along. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 28,May,2004 | Is everyone here to piss me off? I am in such a BAD mood. We have been planning this damn weekend, based on someone else’s idea, and now “someone else” is begging out. HELLO, I really didn’t want to do this, but I was being a good friend and said yes, sounds like fun…and where does nice get me? Stuck doing something I don’t want to do. Oh, eventually I’ll have fun this weekend, but I just wanted to be annoyed for a little while. PLUS, the people at work are buggin me to no end. Oh, happy 3-day weekend. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 26,May,2004 | Oh, I don’t even know… I actually began typing yesterday, but work got in the way…isn’t that always the case? So, another weekend I’m never going to get back. This makes 2 in a row that I don’t remember actually going to bed, I just wake-up there. First, last weekend, a wedding OUT OF CONTROL. I still cannot believe how absolutely rude I was, but only once, and at least I realize it. Just another thing I said that I wish I could take back, it seems to happen a lot. It was quite interesting. I’ve only had a breakdown once, OK maybe twice, while drinking. And it is so interesting when a person who you think has it all together has a breakdown. It’s also v. interesting that while intoxicated, you believe that whomever you are talking to, at that moment is your “best friend” and you can tell them anything. Lucky for her I’m not a gossipmonger, but HELLO, I don’t WANT to know. But who am I to judge? I’m the one who has to call everyone at ALL hours of the night when inebriated and share whatever is happening to me, or ask, “Why aren’t you over here drinkin’ with me?” So, I’ve actually been married 3 years. That’s practically a long-term marriage in California; I’m an old timer, a virtual pro! I guess it’s time to start thinking about those pesky brats, HA! That’s probably why I haven’t been “blessed” yet; I keep calling ‘em brats. I know I want children, but I believe it is my fear of the unknown that is holding me back. That, and everyone keeps asking me questions that 1) really do not pertain to them and 2) are NONE OF THEIR DAMN BUSINESS. Really, mind your fuckin’ own g.d. business. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 07,May,2004 | 'And as for you my galvanized friend...you want a heart? Well, you don't know how lucky you are not to have one!' --The Wizard, The Wizard of Oz Is it so bad to agree with that? I’m back from vacation, as if you missed me, and I can’t believe it only took 5 minutes in the car before I was screaming cuss words at all the drivers. Isn’t it a little scary how we slip right back into the pace of things after a nice relaxing vacation? You may try to stay in that frame of mind, but I think the world is stacked against it. You turn the TV on and see the horrible news, you watch TV, the same, read the newspaper and it’s just more. How can you separate yourself from that and try to remain somewhat at peace. How can you consciously try to forget the horrors in this world so that you can live your life without guilt, shame, fear, disgust, or regret? How do I make a difference? I wish this were something that I could explain to folks so that they would understand. There are those who just would not get it: the need for something that will actually count. It’s not enough to be talking and thinking about this all the time, I need more. Will that need change with children? Will it be enough to have and raise a child? Will that make me feel that I have made a valuable contribution to society, to this planet? If I didn’t have a heart, would it matter less? |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 30,June,2004 | Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it. Oh, ain't life grand? I'm still ill and just want to sleep. The weather has been so gloomy, I guess no one let Mother Nature know it's June, and all I want to do is curl up in bed with a book; although, that would require me buying a new book. Why do moms pull such guilt trips? I mean really mother, I am an adult. I can, and do, make decisions on a daily basis that end up helping people and solving problems. Do you really thing a decision I make now, without your buy in or approval; is just the worst thing in the world? Do you really think Im going straight to hell? Even the actual person it affected appreciated the decision I made. UGH...and why do I care, oh yeah, she's my mum. It's just so damn irritating. I'm going to do it, whether she likes it or not, whether I feel guilty or not, I just wish the guilt wouldn't eat away at me. Ah, the joys of being a recovering catholic. So, patriotic day is this weekend. All the crazy overzealous patriots really scare me. I'm not quite sure where they're coming from, meaning I don't understand their point of view at all. It's really scary that there are folks who just follow blindly. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 23,June,2004 | Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards. ---Vernon Law Oh, so true. I feel like a 19-year-old sorority girl. I went out last weekend with a girlfriend and we had a “wild & crazy” time, with a few humiliating and extremely embarrassing occurrences. I guess I just can’t hold my alcohol like I used to. I can’t even begin to explain what happened due to the enormous amount of guilt, shame, humiliation, etc. I feel. Nope, can’t do it. Still dwelling…ok I have to stop thinking about it. I’ve always liked repression. Of course, don’t they say confession is good for the soul? I don’t think it’s going to work in this case, I feel nauseous just typing about it. I’ve started The Rule of Four by those 2 best friends about an ancient document I can’t pronounce. It’s pretty good so far. I really liked The DaVinci Code and the whole secret societies, codes, and puzzles. They are saying this is even better…we’ll see. After I finish, I’ll probably start looking up the Hypnerotomachia. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 15,June,2004 | Who took the jam outta your doughnut? Yup, I’m pretty sure that’s what everyone is thinking. I really can’t handle this “trying to be more positive” routine; it’s just not me. I really, truly can’t handle it anymore…I’m serious this time; I‘m not dealing with it. I’m just sick of everyone, well almost everyone. I want to sit on my couch, watch the basketball game, watch Howard Stern, and go to sleep. I need a more comfortable couch and a new book. We have not had a meal at home since Wednesday, maybe Tuesday. Why, WHY, do WE have to go everywhere and visit everyone? Do you think our presence will be that missed, nope, I don’t. This sounds horrible, but I’m really looking forward to my husband going out of town this weekend. Everyone knows he’s going to be gone, so they shouldn’t call or stop by, and our presence won’t be requested anywhere. AHHHH, I get giddy just typing about it. And speaking of my hubs, he’s 75% of the cause. All these “events” are because of him…his family, his friends, his co-workers, him, him, him. Um, that felt a bit better. Festering…still festering…and still. I think this is what women do best. I can't be alone on this one. After an hour-long conversation, one little thing sticks in our brain that gets stuck like a splinter, and just festers. And you think about it for HOURS afterwards. About what you said, what he said, what you should’ve said, what you’re going to say, what he’s going to say, on and on it goes. I get so worked up about a conversation that hasn’t taken place yet all because of festering. And then when you say exactly what you want to say, and you are all set with how you’re going to respond to his response, he goes and says something different. Men. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 09,June,2004 | Shibboleth Instead of calling a “friend” to tell them “no, I can’t (really don’t want to) go out with you,” I’ve completely avoided the whole situation. This person is really not MY friend, but the wife of my husband’s b-man…and a complete whacko. This goes back to my whole “people + alcohol = instant best friend” theory. I don’t believe that folks are my best friends just because I’ve had a few drinks, but others seem to think this to be true. Note to self: the world IS NOT made up of your friends. Whenever she sees me, she just clings on and starts talking about things that are (1) none of my business and (2) not to be shared with my husband. HELLO!!! While I don’t tell my husband EVERYTHING, I am not, and probably couldn’t, keep from him anything having to do with his boss’s marital relationship. I mean, it’s just too juicy. For fear of them finding this blog one day, I will not go into detail but the hot topics are: divorce, plastic surgery, me calling her a bitch…to her face (which NEVER happened), and my husband and I having marital problems. Oh, so my whole point to this is that we’ve been invited to their son’s graduation party, but not really as guests, but to help BBQ the chicken. Don’t send me an invitation if you just want a gift and my hubs to BBQ the fucking chicken. Just ask him as a favor so that I don’t have to make an appearance and “be on” for all the fake folks. So I can do something really productive with my day, like shop, or hang with friends, or, heaven help me, go see a damn movie. OK, I think I’m done. Now for my new mantra, which I have been looking at for some time now, but can’t seem to follow… The way to happiness – keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry, live simply, expect little, give much. Isn’t it always easier said then done? |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 08,June,2004 | Alright, enough already So, I'm going to attempt to be a bit more positive. I've noticed lately that I complain about a lot of things. A thought just popped into my head, isn't that what people want to hear? When they ask you how you are, do they want to hear you are doing really well? That your marriage is great, you have a very busy social life, you're financially secure, etc. etc. etc.? No, they don't. And I've decided that this is so based on the fact that after I tell someone how I am, they complain about something. They don't go into detail about the good stuff, just the negative. Ok, that being more positive thing seems to have slipped right out the window, let me go and pick it up. I have finalized my plans to attend my girlfriend's bachelorette party in Vegas baby, Vegas. I CAN NOT, no matter how hard I try, say Vegas, without saying baby. Thank you Jon Favreau. And I am really excited about going because I will be there with a bunch of partying fools!!! My favorite bunch of people. I am rooming with a bit of the straight and narrow, but with all the bad influences, I think we may be able to turn her around. I am also really excited about the Vegas trip because my hubby and I are starting to 'for reals' focus on having a baby. This entails all that charting and documenting crap and a lot of hard work on my end. But in the end, I'll have a baby to show for it...which will prevent me from attending bachlorette parties in Vegas baby...for awhile. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 30,July,2004 | Someone said they are 'mudding' this weekend, and I asked what they were talking about. They explained they are texturing the walls in one of their bedrooms, which lead me to think of 'texturing the ceilings.' Don't ask. So, I have a fun filled weekend planed. Tonight, an obligatory husband function. Meaning, I do something he likes 'cause we're doing something I like tomorrow night. Then, oh I can hardly contain my excitement, it's his companies family picnic on Saturday. WHAT JOY!!!! But, then we do go somewhere fun Saturday, phew. What in the hell IS IT all about? |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 27,July,2004 | Memories. I’m enjoying a cherry Tootsie pop now. And thinking about this... urlLink http://www.snopes.com/business/redeem/tootsie.asp |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 26,July,2004 | I have an incredible urge to job surf. I really like my job, and LOVE the pay, but I feel that my life is out of control working here. I completely feel that I have a hold on my job, but the one on my life is slipping. I'm not home so late, but it's usually around 6. My husband, and I do as well, likes to eat dinner early, so more or less right away. So, once I'm home, I'm not actually relaxing until after we eat and do the dishes, which puts it around 7, but realistically 7:30. I'm just rushing, rushing, rushing. And once all that is done, I don't necessarily have the time to 'relax.' I either have to do something, you know all those household chores, or go somewhere. It's really frustrating. So, I don't even begin to wind down until 8:30 or 9, and we usually go to bed on school nights around 9:30, 10 if it's not a 'sex night' (we don't really have scheduled sex nights, but we 'just know' which nights we will) but even then we may be up for a 'couple hours on the couch.' My point being that I don't truly unwind in time to go to sleep. I think, hope, and pray, that if I did work closer to home, I would have a bit more time in the AM, and some additional time in the evening. If I didn't work at all, the hours in a day would be just fine. Do you realize it's August. Hmhm, yup, August. As in this year is over and I better start Christmas shopping, or at least thinking up the list. Now that I have absolutely freaked myself out, I think I'll go and surf the web. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 26,July,2004 | Ah, doesn’t that conjure up memories of summertime. Last night we went to bed early, as we always do on Sunday nights, and I was awakened to the sound of squealing tires on pavement rounding our corner. Not once, not twice, but THREE FUCKING times. You know, I’m relatively young, but I very often find myself saying, “Kids these days”. It makes me want to throw nails out into the street, or any other crazy barrier that may hurt them. I’m not really a violent person, but they really pissed me off. Especially since I couldn’t go back to sleep and had to go watch TV for an hour before crawling into bed at 2:30. But even then I couldn’t sleep, nothing but tossing and turning. So, the only sane thing to do, other than calling in sick, was to oversleep by 45 minutes. Whatever, I was still dressed in time for the carpool. So, I just got off the phone with my sister. I had shot her an e-mail explaining how our brother’s girlfriend drove down to the docks with me to drop my ‘rents off at their cruise ship. The very surreal moment was when the girlfriend started crying saying good-bye to MY parents. They are only going to be gone for 10 days. 10, one-zero, 10. Not 2 weeks, not 2 months, not 10 months…10 days. And she started crying. I’m their daughter, and I sure as hell wasn’t teary eyed. WTF? And then my mom started getting misty eyed. I guess she’s the daughter my mom always wanted. Give me a break. And I can expound on this all day if given the opportunity, but as I am at work, I have to stop. Now. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 22,July,2004 | Now that is a phrase I love…although the incantation doesn’t come across via a blog.If all goes well, I’ll be preggers in the next couple weeks. If not, I think it may be time to see an M.D. It’s kind of exciting actually doing it this way. I feel like it is well planned and won’t be a total and complete shock if it happens. Not that it would be now, but just KNOWING that you are doing all the “right” things and the possibilities if it actually working make me feel all gooey inside. I told my husband I didn’t want to work if I get pregnant, and he was all for it. I think (it’s so nice to daydream now, because once that kid comes along…ALL THIS is going to change) I’ll get a job closer to home if necessary, but won’t work until “they’re” age 5ish. It could work. I think. I hope. After all this is CA and you all know the cost of living out here. I just have to stop buying things, like shoes and mochas. Ah, the little things in life. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 20,July,2004 | I don't think this really qualifies as a shibboleth; however, it is a good inside joke between my hubs and I. I did get to meet my cousin's baby this weekend. Ah, what an adorable baby. He really is cute; I'm not just saying that. He has the longest fingers ever, and didn't make a peep while visiting. I got the low-down on the birth process, though not nearly enough information, and the run-down on the breast-feeding process. Oh boy. We've been staying at my in-laws this week because my mother-in-law went to visit my brother-in-law and we had to stay with my father-in-law. Ah, the in-law's. My F-I-L had a stroke about 13 years ago and is partially paralyzed. He can communicate, but has a very limited vocabulary and forgets specifics, so sometimes it's a guessing game. It hasn't been that bad; however, I'm not the one 'physically' taking care of him. I just do the cooking and cleaning and my husband handles everything else. There's a 'lady' that comes out to stay with him and do the 'physical' stuff during the day, but we need to be there at night. If I step back and analyze all that needs to be done, I begin to realize the life my M-I-L lives. And even though she is a M-I-L, who can, and sometimes (OK, often) does, all those M-I-L things, I realize that she deserves more of my respect, or maybe more appreciation. It's difficult as she is cut from a different cloth than my family. I can't explain it, it's a bit of a cross between...oh, I just can't explain it. It's different than my matriarchal family. My i-l's are matriarchal, but it's just...different. While it is that way now, I know it wasn't always such. It's all very interesting to think about. Just stop and think of what a tremendous bond they have, my F- & M-I-L. Now there is one committed couple. But enough about me, how are you? I've been in a bit of an upper mood. I don't have a clue why, but everyone is benefiting. I think it may be the suspension of my life while staying at the in-laws. I didn't have to answer the phone, hide from the friends and neighbors that drop by, or clean the house, HA! Yup, that could be it. Not to say we didn't have friends and neighbors stop by and see us at the in-laws, but it was a bit different. Folks who don't usually 'pop over for a cold one' were stopping by, which is a nice change from the ordinary. So now it's back to the usual, the normal, the routine, the monotony of my everyday life. Oh, and another g.d. dental appointment. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 16,July,2004 | I LOVE that song, not the NSYNC version, but the good one. It just sets the mood for Fridays and gears you up for the weekend. I have yet to see an episode of the I Love the 90’s on VH1. Everyone is talking about it, and I’m DYING to see it, but at last, it is not to be. I know I have no reason to worry, as VH1 reruns everything about at as much as E TV, which translates to constant reruns. I got my teeth bleached yesterday. Let me just tell you, that experience is not fun. This was yet another trip to the dentist office due to my drunken 19-year-old sorority girl night. Only, it’s not so fun when you’re 27 and married. Thank goodness I don’t have children. I think that’s the only thing keeping me from jumping off a bridge in complete despair. So, the bleaching. They put this blue goop, technical term, over your gums so that the lighting agent doesn’t come in contact with your gums, as it will “burn” the skin. All the time your mouth is stretched into a very unnatural position, which is extremely conducive to drool oozing down one’s chin, classy. There is a UV type light, similar to a tanning bed light, that is positioned about 2 inches from your mouth for about 20 minutes. You are to do 3 20 minutes sessions. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, and went through 2 root canals within a day of each other, and the pain from that was NOTHING compared to the bleach. The first session was fine. Towards the end of the 2nd session, pain, pain, pain, everywhere. My teeth got super-ultra- (sounds like a tampon description) sensitive (or a really good condom) and I was dying for the last 10 minutes or so. I decided that I would try the 3rd session, because I was there and hey, why not? But what we, or the tech did was put the bleach just on the upper teeth. I could only hang in there for 10 minutes and I was done. The pain was so bad. After the appt. I took about 800mg of ibuprofen and 2 valiums. It didn’t work. So, after dinner, we decided to make the round in the neighborhood and after about 4 screwdrivers, I was feeling all right. Not to mention the fact my hubs was happy with ensuing side effects of alcohol consumption. I’m going to visit my cousin’s baby tomorrow. I haven’t met him yet and I can’t wait. His pictures are so adorable. AH, I want one. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 14,July,2004 | Vegas, what a town! Left Friday evening for Vegas, arrived at the hotel around 9 p.m. We met the crew at the restaurant they were dining at. The bride had a cute pink feather head dress on. She cracks me up! We went to The Foundation Room, what a view. That has got to be one of the best views in Vega, Rain might be better, but I doubt it. Had a couple pops there and then returned to party central for a midnight toast. That was wonderful and then we went on to Rum Jungle. After a few (who was counting) shots and a couple drinks (OK, I wasnt counting, so it couldve been a bit more) we danced until the joint closed down. Then got waylaid into an after-hours club called Lust. I think that was my downfall. I stayed for a couple drinks and then ditched everyone to go and eat something so I wouldnt get ill in the morning. I got to my bed around 5:30 a.m. Saturday I lounged all day, never went outside until our trip to the nightclub. So we had a bit of a party until 10 or 11 and then went to the Hard Rock. We went to some VIP club that was crazy fun, but way over crowded. Had a few celebratory shots for the bride and partied til our feet were ready to fall off. Thank the lord for Red Bull and Vodka. We left there and went back to the Rum Jungle until closing, again. Tried to ditch some crazy delusional man who thought the bride was his soul mate and be a good citizen and help the gal vomiting in the ladies restroom. After that, the remaining 4, me included because Im an all-star, decided we should eat or be ill in the morning. So, we ate and then I got to bed around 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning was very similar to Saturday morning, lounged until the last possible minute and then said good-bye to Vegas for a little while. Im sure there is so much more that occurred, but how can you possibly remember everything. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 08,July,2004 | You're 'Haunted'...always scared and depressed... urlLink Which Evanesence song are you? brought to you by urlLink Quizilla |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 07,July,2004 | Hot Lap…did I do that one already? Ok, so my drunken 19-year-old sorority girl night is ending up costing me a FORTUNE. I’ve had one root canal, another tomorrow, may have to bleach my teeth, and then get 2 crowns, which cost a goddamn arm and leg. I think my dentist office is totally over billing, but they were the only office that could get me in the Monday morning after my ‘trauma,’ so what’s a girl to do? And my insurance covers less than 50% of each procedure, which is really cutting into my budget. BUT, and this is a big but, all procedures performed have only been mildly uncomfortable for dental work vs. excruciatingly painful, and one really does not want to mess with one’s front teeth, or any visible tooth for that matter. Sigh. So, now that I’ve ranted on that topic, on to bigger and better things. VEGAS. I leave Friday and the bridesmaid organizing this PARTAY for my friend is a bit of an overachiever. She has organized all, sent us not only an e-viite, but also a flier with a, wait for it, itinerary for the day. I can only dream of being so organized. I think I’m more envious than anything. I know it will be a riot and there will be too many stories to blog…although, for all of you with out a TV to see the ad campaign promoting debauchery, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, which happens to be the same motto for my bachelorette party. I didn’t go to one organized 4th of July event this year. I am so proud of myself. Hit a friendly BBQ, walked around the block with a couple road sodas and watched the little tykes playing with sparklers. To be young and carefree. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 01,July,2004 | Willy Wonka: And Charlie: don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he'd ever wished for. Charlie: What happened? Willy Wonka: He lived happily ever after. Is it so simple? WHO IS RUNNING A GODDAMN MARATHON UPSTAIRS?????? Sorry, it just irritated me. I’m trying to be happy, but it’s not working for me. I don’t understand what it is about me. I’m hardly in a “good mood” just because, there does have to be a reason. Usually it has to do with my hubs, but there are a few friends who put a smile on my face. I am a pessimist by nature, that much I know. I don’t wait for bad things to happen, I just know they will. It’s not like I can’t enjoy happiness when it comes along because I’m waiting for “the other shoe to drop.” I think a lot of it has to do with “finding myself.” I don’t know what’s going to make me happy. I guess I just have to go out and try a bunch of different things, try’em on for size. I’m just counting the days and marking them off until…what? I feel like a cartoon prisoner marking off the days, in groups of five, on the cell wall. I don’t know. I’m waiting for that thing, that something wonderful that’s just around the corner, that some kind of wonderful that’s going to let me live happily ever after. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 09,August,2004 | I think I may be reusing these things. So, I mentioned previously that last weekend (2 Saturday’s ago) my hubs and I went to a dinner party. I was the DD, which I am still pretty proud about, and as we were driving to our house I think I had one of those “once in a lifetime” moments. Let me give you a bit of history. Our house is on a corner lot and we live across from the high school football field. We are one block down from a pretty major street and get a fair amount of traffic. Well, we are headed to our house from the street that comes up behind it and I'm stopping at the stop sign with our house immediately to our right. Well, I did make a full stop, complete cessation of movement, and looked over and saw what I thought to be a dog or big bag of garbage on my lawn. As we looked a bit closer we realized it was a couple getting it on, ON MY FRONT LAWN. I rolled down the window and yelled, “Get a room” and my hubs yelled, “Get it done.” The differences in the sexes. So, I continued around the turn and into our driveway, and yelled again for the freaks to get a room and they left down the street holding hands. I’ve probably told that story 10 times in the last week, because who comes home to find folks having sex on your lawn? But it gets better. Friday, just this one passed, my hubs was out in the garage doing some work when our neighbor and her daughter stopped by, they were out walking their dog. Here’s the convo Hubs: How’s your son getting along with the new girlfriend? Mom: You know, you saw him last weekend. Hubs: What are you taking about? I didn’t see him last weekend. Mom: Yeah, you found them on you lawn Saturday night. I don’t know how he responded, because I probably would’ve peed my pants at that point. So, the scoop is Mom kicked them out for some reason, mainly to do with making out in the boy’s bedroom, and they found their way to our lawn just around the corner. The thing is, there’s a football field across the street, where cars can’t see you. Why stop on our lawn that gets a good amount of traffic. AND why tell your mom????? We didn’t even think twice that it was one of these kids. We thought they were smarter than that. Wow, that’s a long ramble. I’ll type about this weekend later. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 03,August,2004 | I’ve been thinking (I know, I know, but I still have to do it every once in awhile) that I don’t really know how to do this whole blog thing. Is it just an online diary? Or a page dedicated to “you”? I don’t even know how to link to things I like out in cyber-space. I think I’m going to do one of those lists. You know the one that everybody’s doing listing 10, 50, 100 things about themselves. So, I figure I can start small, and keep adding. Here is the Top 10, which means 10 things off the top of my head: 1. I’m the oldest. 2. I’m named after my father’s mother. 3. I’m married to THE greatest guy. 4. I’m afraid to be a mom. 5. I’m afraid of becoming my mother. 6. If I could, I would sleep with a nightlight. 7. I HATE talking about myself. 8. I don’t want to attend my 10 year H.S. reunion 9. “Take on me” is my ring tone, and playing on the radio right now. 10.I love the 80’s. |
2,733,832 | female | 27 | BusinessServices | Virgo | 02,August,2004 | What a weekend. We went to the drag races Friday night, got into a heated political argument, and got home after stopping at Safeway for a midnight munchie. Saturday I slept in while my hubs left the house at 5:30 a.m., poor hubs. Then did some laundry, headed to the company picnic, won a game of horse shoes, then came home, did some more laundry, took a bit of a nap (15 minutes DOES NOT equal nap), then freshened up for the party. We weren’t out too late, and I was the DD and am proud of myself for actually stopping the consumption of alcohol and drinking water. We left for the Giants game at 2:30, after entertaining 2 guests. We sat in front of this gal who would not stop talking. No, she really didn’t stop talking. Maybe for about 4 minutes when her friend went to the bathroom, but that was it. I haven’t a clue how people do it. We are going to start painting our bedroom. We have to move everything out of junk room number 2 so I can move everything from the guest room in there. Then we have to move everything from our room to either the guest room or junk room number 2, or junk room number 1, or the garage. I think it may be time for me to throw things away. We are going to remove the “popcorn” crap on our ceiling, which I am REALLY excited about, and paint the walls red. Kinda brick colored. And then we’ll work on either our bathroom, or junk room number 2, depending on what happens this month. It will be so nice when the house is actually decorated. It will have it’s own personality and feel like a home. Not that it doesn’t now; it’s just a bunch of stuff thrown together. And we’re getting an awesome new couch. YIPEE. |
3,528,676 | male | 27 | Technology | Aries | 30,June,2004 | It was the end of my shift and I still have'nt made up my mind. There was a very strong typhoon going on outside at Signal No. 1 and the wind was blowing skirts up everywhere. After a few minutes of pondering over a cup of lukewarm company paid chocolate , I decided..I'm gonna go. I hate lining up for a movie. I hate it when it gets noisy in the theater. And I ABSOLUTELY hate noisy KIDS running around in the theater. But alas, my desire got the better of my sense of comfort. I'm going to see SPIDERMAN 2 . I had my reservations at first. The first one was good, but not spectacular. I saw it in Angeles City when I was still a tutor along with my brother and some friends on premier night. My expectations were that this would be a clone of what Superman 2 was. You know, when Superman got fed up of being Superhuman and not being able to be with the love of his life, therefore sacrificing his powers. You know what THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I GOT! However, as I recall, I lLOVED Superman 2. Although SPIDERMAN 2 recycled an old formula, it was a tried and tested formula nonetheless. It works...for superheroes, at least. Sam Raimi's treatment of the new Spiderman movies concentrates more on the personality of Peter Parker. It doesn't take a lot to figure Spiderman out. He swoops in whenever there's trouble, saves the girl, boy, puppy whatever the case may be. Puts him down on a street or a park, says a lame joke and takes off. Peter Parker is a more complicated character. Conflicted by the his dead end job, his schooling and of course the love of his life Mary Jane and his 'responsibility' as vigilante savior to the people of New York, Peter Parker lives a dual life that's taking him closer to the edge. He comes to a point where he doen't know who he is anymore, you know kind of like how we are sometimes. Alfred Molina is the perfect Dr. Octopus. It seems like Spidey has a penchant for schizos for enemies. The way Henry Osborn as conflicted Gollum- wise was similar to how Dr. Octavius was controlled by his AI mechanical arms. Funny he never got any superpowers but was able to resist large chunks of brick and concrete without bleeding. Hmmm, just an observation. The real gem here was the human storey of Peter Parker and his struggles to live a normal life. Although, we know know what he chooses in the end. All in all SPIDERMAN 2 is a great summer movie fit for a good night out. It was definitely better than the first. |
3,528,676 | male | 27 | Technology | Aries | 29,June,2004 | I live in a very densely populated part to San Andres bukid where you see kids playing badminton in the streets and young girls flirting with the jobless young college graduates. If you walk a little southward of Zobel Roxas street, you will see an old tindahan in the corner placed below an old residence made of wood. Look into the street crossing Zobel Roxas where the tindahan is, you'll see a small red room extending from the tindahan' side like a big red tumor. I say red because the room is colored blood red. If you look at ti really hard it will look familiar to you if you saw Mark Meily's 'Crying Ladies'. That's the small shack Sharon Cuneta's charagter lived in as a single ex-convict trying to make ends meet working for a chinese store owner. The tindahan was Hilda Coronel's character's sari-sari Store. The rickety second floor apartment was Edgar Mortiz's character's house where most of the 'noise' going into Sharon's room comes from. Mark Meily's 'Crying Ladies will be shown in This year's CineManila opening tommorrow, to be held at Glorietta 4. I recommend you seeing it because it proves how much we can improve if we just forget about all that cheesy hollywood stuff. Not to say that there wasn't a tinge of hollywood in it. The idea was very original. It was our own. No cruise ships, no European cities as settings, just a simple story of a simple woman with a really strange job that is unique to the Philippine culture. urlLink Speaking of film locations, here are some more... |
3,528,676 | male | 27 | Technology | Aries | 28,June,2004 | I have been having problems with soap lately. I am in the process of making a study on what the most effective soap is. Safeguard is nice, fragrant and very recognizeable. It has a smell that I have gotten used to as I grew up. The beige colored Safeguard is the most commonly used soap, I think. I have also tried using Zest . One thing about Zest is it gets very hard when it dries up, so whe you try to use it for the millionth time it feels like its brand new, only smaller. However it feels like its loaded with chemicals you know, something 'industrial' like what the that fish guy on 'The Beach' wanted Lifebuoy is very fragrant. you can put lifebuoy in a tray half filled with water and youll have it turn to mush, but your bathroom will smell like the pirated version of eternity sold in Greenhills. Whatever soap you use, just make sure you dont do what my friend in Cebu did. He was a little too close to the toilet.... |
3,528,676 | male | 27 | Technology | Aries | 24,June,2004 | I feel sorry for Britney Spears. Sure she's the most popular girl in the world. Millions of dollars. Thousands of guys after her. However the way things are going, her image change from schoolgirl to slut, the 2 day Las vegas wedding/divorce,she must be inches away from losing her marbles. Then suddenly, this.... Just recently another story hit the papers concerning Britney Spears being involved in an accident. Britney's mom accidentally ran over a paparazzi photographer after shopping for a pet at a local pet store. Britney apparently went into a panic attack after hearing what was described as a 'sickening crunch' when the un'lucky' (corny pun intended) photog's leg got caught in the path of the left front wheel. Britney was so upset by what happened that she had to be consoled by the ambulance driver (intended for the photographer!) The photographer had to wait for treatment on the sidewalk after they were done with Britney.The driver held her hand as she bawled, mascara trail dripping down her cheeks. She was clinging on to the new dog she had just bought at the pet shop. The pet was to keep her spirits up while she was recuperating from knee surgery she had which injury was the reason for the cancellation of ther world tour. Inches....just inches away. ..or maybe it's just the stress she gets from studying Semiconductor Physics? Click the image to view this page. urlLink |
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