I've been job hunting for who knows how long, only to come up empty handed... am I not looking in the right places? Do potential employers find me hideous and unemployable? No, that can't be the case, I am a phenomenal dresser and I'm pretty sure my hygene is top-notch. They must be intimidated that I'll bitch-slap them en francais if they make a wrong move. Yes, that must be it!
I was talking to my co-worker, Lisa, about our job situations since we both seem to be in the same boat. I had never really talked to Lisa much until I moved desks and now sit right next to her. I was always intimidated by her pretty looks and her "popular girl" personality, but we began emailing last week and she's grown on me. We've started to lean on each other at work when we're at our wits end with our supervisors, and since we can't exactly have a verbal conversation about our frustrations, we've found another way to be bitter and spiteful - email. Through the gossip we've shared with each other, I've come to learn that we are not the only ones here who are fed up with our jobs and supervisors. She has been looking for a new job for about as long as I have, and she too has come up with nothing. So the best her and I can do while doing the job search is complain about our co-workers.
This reminds me somewhat of the movie "9 to 5", starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton. For those of you who haven't seen this movie, I'd suggest it. The three women battle the "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" boss-man in a series of events, and in the end, they pretty much come out on top. But their frustrations with work and their boss reminds me a lot of what Lisa and I talk about, minus having a pot party while doing that. Why is work so stressful? And it's not stressful in the sense of having a lot of work to do - don't get me wrong, I have plenty of work to do - but it's stressful in the sense that I work with a bunch of monkeys whose jobs I could be doing a million times better than them. But alas, my company doesn't see that. So I'll be stuck doing what I'm doing until one day, hopefully in the very near future, I get a new job that takes me to new heights.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Friday, April 07, 2006
Ants In My Pants
It's Friday afternoon and I am sitting here at work, barely able to contain myself and giddy with excitement that I get to blow this popsicle stand in a half hour. I only had a 4-day work week, since my birthday was on Monday; however, this week has dragged on and on and on... and I didn't think it would ever end. But alas, it's drawing to a close, and thus begins my weekend-o-fun!
1. I finally get a night to just stay at home with Matty and do nothing all night tonight. I'm looking forward to this bit-o-nestling because I don't think my brain can handle any more thinking.
2. Matt and I get to crash a bachelorette party tomorrow night, and I'm very excited! Let's face it, 2 fun gay boys ALWAYS make the party more fun!
3. It's supposed to be nice outside all weekend... it's about frickin' time!
Ok, stop laughing! I know my weekend plans look really lame now that they're all typed out, but I'm really looking forward to it! It's the first time in a while where Matt and I haven't been committed to any plans with anyone! We're just so damn popular!
1. I finally get a night to just stay at home with Matty and do nothing all night tonight. I'm looking forward to this bit-o-nestling because I don't think my brain can handle any more thinking.
2. Matt and I get to crash a bachelorette party tomorrow night, and I'm very excited! Let's face it, 2 fun gay boys ALWAYS make the party more fun!
3. It's supposed to be nice outside all weekend... it's about frickin' time!
Ok, stop laughing! I know my weekend plans look really lame now that they're all typed out, but I'm really looking forward to it! It's the first time in a while where Matt and I haven't been committed to any plans with anyone! We're just so damn popular!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Basic Instinct 2: Meet Mrs. Satan
Is it just me, or does Sharon Stone look a little like the bride of Satan here? This was what she looked like for the premiere of Basic Instinct 2... A few observations:
1.) Try not to look so crazy, even if your fictional character is.
2.) Since when is it the "in thing" to match your lips to your hair color?
3.) She really needs a new stylist - I mean, who the heck thought it would be sexy to give her the Marie Antoinette/Hootie McBoob Prostitute/Ratty looking up-do?
4.) You're 50-something, and not hot enough to show your cooter anymore on screen, so let's start looking more our age and a little less scary/slutty.
**Check out Bertachel for fashion critiques and other random fashion slams!**
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
No Fly Zone
Co-workers are an interesting bunch... and not to single out any specific industry or trade, but I must say, hands down, that the transportation/trucking industry is BY FAR the most interesting group. While everyone is rather irritatingly pleasant and nice to one another, I have never heard the F-Bomb dropped so much in my life, nor have I seen particular people eat a smorgasbord of McDonald's breakfast, almost every morning before. Another interesting tidbit is how much some people totally invade others' private bubble. There is one person in particular, and we shall call him Humpy (obviously NOT his real name, although it should be).
When Humpy needs something from you or needs to talk to you, he will come stand behind your chair. Now, this may seem reasonable to some people, but he doesn't just stand there. His front side is, no joke, pressed up against the back of your chair. He'll just stand there until you notice him and ask him what he needs. Honestly, I think Humpy get's his rocks off on practically humping the back of your chair. Sometimes he even gets a little physical with it by patting your shoulders... I mean, it's bad enough that one has to feel Humpy breathing down onto the top of your head, but there is no need to, as Olivia Newton-John once sang about, "get physical". At work, my personal bubble is a no fly zone for anyone - especially you, Humpy!
Monday, March 27, 2006
Bowl-O-Rama
I think I might become a pro-bowler. I don't know if it was the sweaty balls we were using, or if it was the previous bowler's germ-infested shoes I was using, or if Bi Al's bowling karma was wafting toward lane 8, but I was tearin' it up our first game. We were ALL tearin' it up on our first game. I scored a 150! I think that was the highest score I've ever had at bowling. However, after that first game, my old age and arthritis started kicking in and each game after got subsequently worse and worse.
The second game we maintained our spark and I got 119, which is still good for me. I think the crusty beer we were drinking was starting to kick in, too, so our scores slipped a little, along with the ability to control the level of our voices and control of the sweaty balls. I know that sounds dirty, but seriously, the balls we sweating like no other... which, being a germ-o-phobe, worried me a little.
The third game we decided that we all had to bowl with the opposite hand. Lord almighty. I have never laughed harder in my life! We all looked like a group of special-ed string beans who could not control their limbs... people were staring and pointing at the 4 twenty-somethings bowling worse than their 3 year-old kids. We did manage to hit some pins, but overall, that game was for entertainment purposes... also, bowling like that is a sure-fire way to clear the lanes next to you on both sides so you can act even more stupid and not have to worry about what your bowling neighbors might think.
The last game we played only lasted 5 frames, so we granny-bowled. I actually did pretty well with this one. I managed to get 3 or 4 strikes in a row. Matt and I also learned that it is much easier for boys to granny bowl than girls... proof positive by looking at Cathy's granny bowling form, which I would try to descibe, but there really aren't words for it. Good times, good times.
So in conclusion, I suggest bowling to everyone if they are looking for something entertaining to do... especially cosmic bowling. There's lots of sexy black lights, so be sure to wear non-jizz stained clothing, but make sure you wear something that will make you glow. And as always, there's a ton of choice people and fashion statements being made, so it's a fabulous pick-me-up if you're feeling down about yourself!
The second game we maintained our spark and I got 119, which is still good for me. I think the crusty beer we were drinking was starting to kick in, too, so our scores slipped a little, along with the ability to control the level of our voices and control of the sweaty balls. I know that sounds dirty, but seriously, the balls we sweating like no other... which, being a germ-o-phobe, worried me a little.
The third game we decided that we all had to bowl with the opposite hand. Lord almighty. I have never laughed harder in my life! We all looked like a group of special-ed string beans who could not control their limbs... people were staring and pointing at the 4 twenty-somethings bowling worse than their 3 year-old kids. We did manage to hit some pins, but overall, that game was for entertainment purposes... also, bowling like that is a sure-fire way to clear the lanes next to you on both sides so you can act even more stupid and not have to worry about what your bowling neighbors might think.
The last game we played only lasted 5 frames, so we granny-bowled. I actually did pretty well with this one. I managed to get 3 or 4 strikes in a row. Matt and I also learned that it is much easier for boys to granny bowl than girls... proof positive by looking at Cathy's granny bowling form, which I would try to descibe, but there really aren't words for it. Good times, good times.
So in conclusion, I suggest bowling to everyone if they are looking for something entertaining to do... especially cosmic bowling. There's lots of sexy black lights, so be sure to wear non-jizz stained clothing, but make sure you wear something that will make you glow. And as always, there's a ton of choice people and fashion statements being made, so it's a fabulous pick-me-up if you're feeling down about yourself!
Friday, March 24, 2006
Catch-up...
It has been well over a month since I've posted anything on here... I think it's been a combination of sheer laziness and lack of something interesting to write about. So much has (NOT) happened in the last month! Where to begin?
The last time we met... hmmm, that was... whew! February 15th! I'm a little behind the times I guess... well nothing major happened in those last two weeks in February, so we'll just move on to March...
-March 5th: The Oscars have been mulled over and over, so I won't give my fashion critiques, other than to say Reese looked gorgeous and I'm happy she won the Oscar.
-March 11th: Matt's family took a trip up to the Big City and we all went out to dinner at Buca's for his mom's 50th birthday. It was excellent and the wait for a table wasn't bad, minus the 800 times my front side got plastered against the fake Roman pillar in front of the "bread baking observation area" in the packed-so-tight-it-was-a-fire-hazard waiting room, while Juan Cucaracha (or whatever his name was) kept opening the oven, exposing my face to the flames of hell... *gasp* ... while my back side was being violated by unknown strangers passing by. And I'm pretty sure my face was dripping with sweat, which probably got onto some of the bread Mr. Cucaracha was making... but that's ok because it adds more flavor.
March 17th: St. Patrick's Day. Matt and I took this day off for fun, and we were both sauced by 9am. Ok, I lied, we weren't sauced at all that day, but we did go to the bar downtown for a while.
That, friends, brings us to today, March 24th. Tonight I am going bowling at Sunray with Rachel, Cathy, and Matt. Bring the cameras, kids! I haven't been bowling since college; however, I do have the bowling form down pat where the one leg sweeps majestically behind the other. That, I can do... the ball, on the other hand, doesn't have such perfect form and usually ends up in the gutter. I have an innate fear that I'll be "that guy" whose bowling ball slips off his fingers while he swings his arm back to throw the ball down the alley, and then gasps in horror with his hands covering his mouth in shock like he just won the Miss America pageant, while the ball flies back and hits someone in the face... I think its cosmic bowling tonight though, so at least it will be dark, and no one will witness my dainty bowling skills.
The last time we met... hmmm, that was... whew! February 15th! I'm a little behind the times I guess... well nothing major happened in those last two weeks in February, so we'll just move on to March...
-March 5th: The Oscars have been mulled over and over, so I won't give my fashion critiques, other than to say Reese looked gorgeous and I'm happy she won the Oscar.
-March 11th: Matt's family took a trip up to the Big City and we all went out to dinner at Buca's for his mom's 50th birthday. It was excellent and the wait for a table wasn't bad, minus the 800 times my front side got plastered against the fake Roman pillar in front of the "bread baking observation area" in the packed-so-tight-it-was-a-fire-hazard waiting room, while Juan Cucaracha (or whatever his name was) kept opening the oven, exposing my face to the flames of hell... *gasp* ... while my back side was being violated by unknown strangers passing by. And I'm pretty sure my face was dripping with sweat, which probably got onto some of the bread Mr. Cucaracha was making... but that's ok because it adds more flavor.
March 17th: St. Patrick's Day. Matt and I took this day off for fun, and we were both sauced by 9am. Ok, I lied, we weren't sauced at all that day, but we did go to the bar downtown for a while.
That, friends, brings us to today, March 24th. Tonight I am going bowling at Sunray with Rachel, Cathy, and Matt. Bring the cameras, kids! I haven't been bowling since college; however, I do have the bowling form down pat where the one leg sweeps majestically behind the other. That, I can do... the ball, on the other hand, doesn't have such perfect form and usually ends up in the gutter. I have an innate fear that I'll be "that guy" whose bowling ball slips off his fingers while he swings his arm back to throw the ball down the alley, and then gasps in horror with his hands covering his mouth in shock like he just won the Miss America pageant, while the ball flies back and hits someone in the face... I think its cosmic bowling tonight though, so at least it will be dark, and no one will witness my dainty bowling skills.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Limbo
I read my friend Missy’s blog last week and she had a very insightful post about packing and organizing for a life that hasn’t even started yet. After college, like Missy, I started buying household items for a future apartment or house, and packing them up along with other personal belongings hoping that someday soon I would be moving away and on my own.
Later that same day I got home from work and stood in my room looking around at what I have collected over the months since moving back home from college in mid-2004. I realized I had bought a lot of stuff for a future residence. I bought a big boy bed, a bookshelf, a chair, a computer desk, numerous household decorations such as pictures, vases, lamps (I seriously have more lamps than I can shake a stick at – it’s kind of a vice of mine. I love cool lamps… it’s weird, I know), artsy stuff from Ikea, mirrors, and candles. I had such grandiose dreams – living at home with my mom for a short period of time and then moving out with a roommate after having lived at home for 6 months and living happily ever after. That dream soon faded away into oblivion and I stopped buying and organizing for something that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.
After living at home for a while, I began to realize that I would not have the ability to move out on my own because a.) I had no more options for roommates as all my friends had found other people to live with, and b.) I was not making enough money to live on my own without a roommate because rent is so outrageous for a one bedroom. Living at home really isn’t all that bad. I can’t complain because my set up is really quite ideal. Cheap rent, I have the entire lower level of my mom’s house to myself, free cable, free internet, free utilities… and I can close off half of the lower level where my bedroom and bathroom are from the rest of the house. And besides, I’m practically living at Matt’s apartment anyway, so I am hardly ever actually living at my house.
I had been off the home decorating kick and buying things for a while until this past weekend when Matt and I went and toured some of the homes in the Parade of Homes booklet. He and I looked at some townhouses in Woodbury. If he and I end up staying in Minnesota, we would more than likely get a townhouse – and just looking for fun gave me the itch to start anticipating a move again – and the move would not even happen until October or November. Then Monday night my mom and I went to Target together and she bought my sister some new dishes for her birthday and she convinced me to buy this lamp (like I need anymore lamps!) that was on clearance. We finished splurging on household items and went home and I started collecting items from my old bedroom upstairs and organizing them into big Rubbermaid containers.
I don’t know if it’s me just wanting to move, or if it’s my Bree VanDeKamp/Martha Stewart obsession with keeping things organized, or if it’s just the Spring Cleaning phase coming into play… Since I can’t quite put my finger on what the deal is, it makes me feel like I’m in limbo – and it’s not just the whole living situation above, but my career and future as well. There are some things I know I am certain of at this point, but not everything. I think a lot of people my age are in limbo at this time of their life. I guess I just have to wait and see what comes my way and hope for the best.
Later that same day I got home from work and stood in my room looking around at what I have collected over the months since moving back home from college in mid-2004. I realized I had bought a lot of stuff for a future residence. I bought a big boy bed, a bookshelf, a chair, a computer desk, numerous household decorations such as pictures, vases, lamps (I seriously have more lamps than I can shake a stick at – it’s kind of a vice of mine. I love cool lamps… it’s weird, I know), artsy stuff from Ikea, mirrors, and candles. I had such grandiose dreams – living at home with my mom for a short period of time and then moving out with a roommate after having lived at home for 6 months and living happily ever after. That dream soon faded away into oblivion and I stopped buying and organizing for something that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.
After living at home for a while, I began to realize that I would not have the ability to move out on my own because a.) I had no more options for roommates as all my friends had found other people to live with, and b.) I was not making enough money to live on my own without a roommate because rent is so outrageous for a one bedroom. Living at home really isn’t all that bad. I can’t complain because my set up is really quite ideal. Cheap rent, I have the entire lower level of my mom’s house to myself, free cable, free internet, free utilities… and I can close off half of the lower level where my bedroom and bathroom are from the rest of the house. And besides, I’m practically living at Matt’s apartment anyway, so I am hardly ever actually living at my house.
I had been off the home decorating kick and buying things for a while until this past weekend when Matt and I went and toured some of the homes in the Parade of Homes booklet. He and I looked at some townhouses in Woodbury. If he and I end up staying in Minnesota, we would more than likely get a townhouse – and just looking for fun gave me the itch to start anticipating a move again – and the move would not even happen until October or November. Then Monday night my mom and I went to Target together and she bought my sister some new dishes for her birthday and she convinced me to buy this lamp (like I need anymore lamps!) that was on clearance. We finished splurging on household items and went home and I started collecting items from my old bedroom upstairs and organizing them into big Rubbermaid containers.
I don’t know if it’s me just wanting to move, or if it’s my Bree VanDeKamp/Martha Stewart obsession with keeping things organized, or if it’s just the Spring Cleaning phase coming into play… Since I can’t quite put my finger on what the deal is, it makes me feel like I’m in limbo – and it’s not just the whole living situation above, but my career and future as well. There are some things I know I am certain of at this point, but not everything. I think a lot of people my age are in limbo at this time of their life. I guess I just have to wait and see what comes my way and hope for the best.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Bathroom Encounters
Rule NUMBER ONE when in the men's restroom: NEVER talk to the guy at the next urinal while you are peeing (mainly if you don't know him).
This has had to have happened to every guy at one point or another in his life - you're having a peaceful piss, and then the guy at the next urinal decides to be all neighborly and strike up a conversation about baseball, or some other masculine topic which I would know nothing about, given my circumstances. You stand there - uncomfortable and trying to pee faster just to get the heck out of there - awkwardly staring at the wall and noticing that the no-talent ass clown next to you is actually trying to make eye contact with you. This brings me to Rule NUMBER TWO: If you happen to be one of those guys who talks to his urinal neighbor, do not try and make eye contact. It's just uncomfortable and gross.
It should be one of those known rules in the bathroom to not talk to anyone (unless you really know them well, but even then you still stare at the wall, not at them), but occasionally you get those rebels who break the rules and make it weird. However, all of the above can be avoided, if you have more than two urinals to take advantage of.
Rule NUMBER THREE: If there are numerous urinals to choose from, always leave a space of one urinal between you and any other guy.
All of this came about because here at work, I only have the option of two urinals and two stalls in the bathroom on this floor. There have been many times where I'll be standing in an empty bathroom doing my business and some clown will come in and stand at the next available space, and strike up a conversation with me like we've been best friends for years. It's uncomfortable. And it's just weird. Don't do it...
This has had to have happened to every guy at one point or another in his life - you're having a peaceful piss, and then the guy at the next urinal decides to be all neighborly and strike up a conversation about baseball, or some other masculine topic which I would know nothing about, given my circumstances. You stand there - uncomfortable and trying to pee faster just to get the heck out of there - awkwardly staring at the wall and noticing that the no-talent ass clown next to you is actually trying to make eye contact with you. This brings me to Rule NUMBER TWO: If you happen to be one of those guys who talks to his urinal neighbor, do not try and make eye contact. It's just uncomfortable and gross.
It should be one of those known rules in the bathroom to not talk to anyone (unless you really know them well, but even then you still stare at the wall, not at them), but occasionally you get those rebels who break the rules and make it weird. However, all of the above can be avoided, if you have more than two urinals to take advantage of.
Rule NUMBER THREE: If there are numerous urinals to choose from, always leave a space of one urinal between you and any other guy.
All of this came about because here at work, I only have the option of two urinals and two stalls in the bathroom on this floor. There have been many times where I'll be standing in an empty bathroom doing my business and some clown will come in and stand at the next available space, and strike up a conversation with me like we've been best friends for years. It's uncomfortable. And it's just weird. Don't do it...
Friday, February 03, 2006
Buca
I ventured to Matt’s homestead in O-Town again last night. We went down for the Owatonna Gun Club’s annual roast beef dinner. The food was pretty good and Matt’s dad paid for our tickets, so I couldn’t complain too much. It was everything I could have imagined – small town gun club, small town people, with home cooking. It was quite a nice break from the city for a few hours.
I also got to meet Matt’s newest pride and joy – his 2 week old nephew, Christian. Christian is a little peanut of a baby with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is quite a sight to see; however, I have to remain loyal to my Lukie… he’s still the cutest little man that I know! But Christian is certainly right up there.
Matt held his “Buca” most of the night and got his “Christian fix”. Matt was so sweet with Christian. He held him in his arms and his hands gently cradled his head. I had never seen Matt hold a baby before, and to be quite honest – it was one of the cutest and most touching things I’ve seen. For those of you who don’t know Matt, he’s very tall, so seeing this tall guy holding a tiny little seven pound infant was adorable.
For someone who said he doesn’t want children, he does a great job of handling one.
I also got to meet Matt’s newest pride and joy – his 2 week old nephew, Christian. Christian is a little peanut of a baby with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is quite a sight to see; however, I have to remain loyal to my Lukie… he’s still the cutest little man that I know! But Christian is certainly right up there.
Matt held his “Buca” most of the night and got his “Christian fix”. Matt was so sweet with Christian. He held him in his arms and his hands gently cradled his head. I had never seen Matt hold a baby before, and to be quite honest – it was one of the cutest and most touching things I’ve seen. For those of you who don’t know Matt, he’s very tall, so seeing this tall guy holding a tiny little seven pound infant was adorable.
For someone who said he doesn’t want children, he does a great job of handling one.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
It's been a while...
Wow, it's been almost a week since I posted anything on here. I haven't had much to write about I guess! I'll just write a brief recap of this last weeks events and write something with more substance later on, that is if my mind can come up with something interesting...
-My mom's surprise party went off without a hitch! It was a lot of fun and she was very surprised. Her family had come up from Kansas and Iowa to help us celebrate and she was very excited to see them.
-Matt and I passed the 4 month mark... it's gone by fast, but in a good way. ***Ok, ok, ok... because a little whiny someone-who-shall-remain-nameless complained that I put a bad picture up here earlier, I had to post a different one. SO, this is Matt and his co-worker Kari at their skating party last Friday.***
-My mom's surprise party went off without a hitch! It was a lot of fun and she was very surprised. Her family had come up from Kansas and Iowa to help us celebrate and she was very excited to see them.
-Matt and I passed the 4 month mark... it's gone by fast, but in a good way. ***Ok, ok, ok... because a little whiny someone-who-shall-remain-nameless complained that I put a bad picture up here earlier, I had to post a different one. SO, this is Matt and his co-worker Kari at their skating party last Friday.***
-I interviewed for a Customer Service Manager position here at work. It would be a nice promotion for me and make it more tolerable to stay here for a while longer. I'll find out late next week whether or not I got the job.
-I bought the Oprah 20th Anniversary DVD collection at Target. Oprah sure knows her stuff! And she certainly knows how to make people cry with her human interest pieces. Oh Mattie Stepanek... that story makes me cry every time.
That marks most of the highlights since last Friday. Pretty boring, I know - but I promise to think of something better to put up here!
Friday, January 27, 2006
Similarities
Today is my mom's 60th birthday, but if she asks how you found out her age, you didn't hear anything from me! Me and my other siblings are throwing a surprise party for her at a restaurant in Burnsville tonight, and even my grandma and aunt from Kansas are coming up to help celebrate. I'm very excited about it as she deserves every bit of the fun and attention, not just today but every day.
My sister and I were looking through a box of my mom's pictures a couple of weeks ago to make up a photo display for the party, and judging from some of the photos, my mom (and my parents together) looked like she's had some crazy adventures when she was younger. It's amazing how much one picture can say.
Looking at my mom's college days and when she was married to my dad and they were living here and out in California, it makes me wish I knew my parents at those various stages in their life. I don't know many of their stories, or anything really about when they were married, and some of those stories I'm missing out on. It makes me wonder just how much I am like my parents. That's not to say I don't think I'm anything like my parents, but I want to know what things we had in common - like what they were involved in and what they were like when they were my age - if they had similar problems or joys, and see if I can relate. Overall, I'm more similar to my dad (if you want to know specifically how I'm more similar to him, just ask).
My siblings always make fun of me and say I'm a clone of my father, which I have been coming to the conclusion, good or bad, that I have many of his mannerisms; but at least I'll have youthful good looks and won't look a day over 40 until I'm probably 80, which more than most people can say!
I am definitely my parent's child, smoldering good looks and all.
My sister and I were looking through a box of my mom's pictures a couple of weeks ago to make up a photo display for the party, and judging from some of the photos, my mom (and my parents together) looked like she's had some crazy adventures when she was younger. It's amazing how much one picture can say.
Looking at my mom's college days and when she was married to my dad and they were living here and out in California, it makes me wish I knew my parents at those various stages in their life. I don't know many of their stories, or anything really about when they were married, and some of those stories I'm missing out on. It makes me wonder just how much I am like my parents. That's not to say I don't think I'm anything like my parents, but I want to know what things we had in common - like what they were involved in and what they were like when they were my age - if they had similar problems or joys, and see if I can relate. Overall, I'm more similar to my dad (if you want to know specifically how I'm more similar to him, just ask).
My siblings always make fun of me and say I'm a clone of my father, which I have been coming to the conclusion, good or bad, that I have many of his mannerisms; but at least I'll have youthful good looks and won't look a day over 40 until I'm probably 80, which more than most people can say!
I am definitely my parent's child, smoldering good looks and all.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
My Kind of Town
Well, apparently I’m not one of the cool kids who got to go on a cruise, but I at least got to go to Chicago this weekend. So THERE!
It was a rather unpleasant two and a half days, which I’d rather not get into on this post or else it’ll just angry up the blood again. Let’s just say rude and ungrateful people suck.
Matty and I got to at least spend a little less than a day on our own in Chicago, so once we left the beast behind, we made our way to our hotel to check in. We got into our room and were finally able to shower and change clothes after having stewed in our own filth for two days. We were so rank that you could actually see the stink lines coming off our bodies.
Once we were all dolled up and ready to show Chicago’s gay boys how to work it, we went to dinner and then headed to the bars. It was pretty dead at most of the watering holes, but it was a Sunday night, so I wasn’t expecting anything huge… but I still had a blast. We went to Cocktail, Roscoe’s, Side Track, and Hydrate. Matty got drunk, which is always fun because then he tells me a lot of nice flattering things, which a boy like me likes to hear every once in a while. There was also a late night stop at Walgreen’s on Halsted. Late night Walgreen’s shopping sprees are always fun when you’re drunk!
Overall it was a rather pleasant way to forget all of the chaos and bitterness involved in the move. Plus it reminded me why I want to move to Chicago and just how much I’m in love with Matty.
It was a rather unpleasant two and a half days, which I’d rather not get into on this post or else it’ll just angry up the blood again. Let’s just say rude and ungrateful people suck.
Matty and I got to at least spend a little less than a day on our own in Chicago, so once we left the beast behind, we made our way to our hotel to check in. We got into our room and were finally able to shower and change clothes after having stewed in our own filth for two days. We were so rank that you could actually see the stink lines coming off our bodies.
Once we were all dolled up and ready to show Chicago’s gay boys how to work it, we went to dinner and then headed to the bars. It was pretty dead at most of the watering holes, but it was a Sunday night, so I wasn’t expecting anything huge… but I still had a blast. We went to Cocktail, Roscoe’s, Side Track, and Hydrate. Matty got drunk, which is always fun because then he tells me a lot of nice flattering things, which a boy like me likes to hear every once in a while. There was also a late night stop at Walgreen’s on Halsted. Late night Walgreen’s shopping sprees are always fun when you’re drunk!
Overall it was a rather pleasant way to forget all of the chaos and bitterness involved in the move. Plus it reminded me why I want to move to Chicago and just how much I’m in love with Matty.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
75 Things About Me
This was going to be "100 Things About Me" but I had to actually get some real work done...
1. I have really blue eyes, and I know how to use them to my advantage.
2. I have 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.
3. I broke my collar bone senior year of college playing football with choir boys and girls.
4. My first job was selling baby clothes and baby furniture at Sears.
5. I originally went to Gustavus Adolphus College to study to become a high school English teacher.
6. I made out with my 9th grade girlfriend, Kim Olson, in the preschool rooms in the basement of my church.
7. I can sing the entire musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”.
8. I tried smoking when I lived in Paris because everyone else was doing it. It never really caught on with me, but when I came back, I used to smoke when I drank.
9. I saw Dennis Quaid at the Houston Airport on choir tour when we were waiting for our plane back to Minnesota. I followed his children around the bookstore there. They look most like his ex-wife Meg Ryan.
10. I wet the bed until I was in 6th grade.
11. I pick at my scabs.
12. I’m in love with my Chapstick Lip Moisturizer.
13. I saw Pope John Paul II on New Years Day 2003 at the Vatican and listened to his New Years address to the public. It was one of the coolest moments in my life, even though I’m not Catholic.
14. When I was 6, I was the ring bearer in my brother’s wedding and I pooped my pants because I got super nervous. My dad threw my underwear away in the boy’s bathroom at the church and I had to go commando down the aisle with the flower girl, whose nickname was Peaches.
15. I was an uncle for the first time at age 7.
16. I don’t write my check card receipts into my checkbook. I should start doing that.
17. I love Drea DiBartolo’s stuffed baked clams.
18. I lost my virginity in a tent set up in the living room in an apartment in College View, my senior year of college. It was with an ex-girlfriend of mine.
19. I hate math and science.
20. I get hot flashes at least once a week.
21. I don’t “pass wind” in front of girls unless I know them really, really well.
22. I love Starbuck’s caramel macchiato.
23. Michael Bublé makes me want to spooge a little.
24. I used to let my nieces give me a make-over when they were younger.
25. My sister Allison used to practice painting nails on me.
26. I think Matt Marshall is HOT.
27. Sometimes the Boy and I go to Abercrombie & Fitch just to see if there are hot boys working.
28. I love dipping apple slices in peanut butter.
29. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is one of my favorite books and movies.
30. My parents were going to name me Andrew Robert or Joshua Robert, but my mom liked the nickname Robbie.
31. Santa at my dad’s house brought us all a stocking full of office supplies when I was 8. I still complain about that Christmas to my dad, that an 8 year old should get toys – not a stapler and tape.
32. I have never cheated on a significant other, and I don't plan on ever doing that.
33. I like ankle socks.
34. I prefer tighty whities over boxers, but will wear both.
35. Someday I want to live in Chicago.
36. I used to steal food from the cafeteria at Gustavus when I worked there freshman year.
37. I got severely constipated after I had my jaw surgery and had to ask my mom to go buy me a laxative.
38. I got an “A” on my senior thesis in college, and it’s my pride and joy – all 33 pages of it.
39. I think Michelle Kwan is too old to be competing in this year’s Olympics.
40. I love my featherbed.
41. My favorite episode of Will & Grace is “Old Fashioned Piano Party”.
42. Rachel is my best friend.
43. I got drunk for the first time when I was 15 at my cousin Natalie’s wedding.
44. I love the game Dance, Dance Revolution.
45. I used to model for the salon my mom works at when I was in pre-school.
46. I dyed my hair my sophomore year of college and it turned out a bright orange color. It was supposed to be a light blonde. I looked like a leprechaun.
47. My sisters and I used to dance around to the Beach Boys in our living room when we were kids.
48. Of all my siblings, I’m closest with my sister Allison.
49. It took 2 nurses and 30 minutes to give me my vaccinations when I was 11 years old. I screamed bloody murder.
50. I was in a car accident with my mom the summer after 7th grade.
51. My dream is to be a writer or journalist.
52. My boyfriend’s name is Matt… there – the mystery of “The Boy” is solved.
53. I don’t understand teenage girls’ obsession with looking like hoochies.
54. I think Nicole Richie needs to eat something.
55. I am a hair snob… I only buy expensive salon products.
56. I get expensive salon products at a 40% discount because my mom works at a salon.
57. When I was a young child, my mom told me they took our dog, Shadow, out to live on a farm. I didn’t realize they actually had him put to sleep until I was in college.
58. My hands shake all the time… the doctor calls it “intentional tremor”, and it’s not life threatening.
59. I have a lead foot, and drive 80-85 miles per hour on the freeway.
60. It’s always been easier for me to make friends with girls than boys.
61. I cry when I watch the movie “My Girl”. 100% guaranteed every time. “Where are his glasses?! He can’t see without his glasses!” How can you not cry during that scene?!
62. I want to be an interior decorator.
63. I can’t pee when someone is looking.
64. I sucked my thumb when I was a kid.
65. I slept with my security blankie until I graduated from high school. I still sleep with it sometimes. We have a special bond.
66. I have never seen “Debbie Does Dallas”, but I kind of want to.
67. I stepped on a toothpick once and it went through my foot.
68. I lost my first tooth at my grandma’s house and cried even though it didn’t hurt.
69. I like to snuggle with Matt.
70. I decorate cakes better than Martha Stewart.
71. I called in sick one morning so I could sleep in. I lied and said I had a migraine. I only took the morning off, and worked the afternoon.
72. When you Google my name, a website comes up for Robert Hill Productions. “Robert Hill” is a porn producer.
73. There is another Robert Hill on the “No-Fly List” issued by the government. Every time I go to the airport to check-in, I have to wait 10 minutes while they verify I’m not THAT Robert Hill.
74. I used to dance/jump along to the Pointer Sister’s “Jump (For My Love)” when I was little and my mom played it on our stereo.
75. My Jetta’s name is Max Wang. He is the younger brother of my old Jetta, Gretta Wang. (Yes, I name my cars!)
1. I have really blue eyes, and I know how to use them to my advantage.
2. I have 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.
3. I broke my collar bone senior year of college playing football with choir boys and girls.
4. My first job was selling baby clothes and baby furniture at Sears.
5. I originally went to Gustavus Adolphus College to study to become a high school English teacher.
6. I made out with my 9th grade girlfriend, Kim Olson, in the preschool rooms in the basement of my church.
7. I can sing the entire musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”.
8. I tried smoking when I lived in Paris because everyone else was doing it. It never really caught on with me, but when I came back, I used to smoke when I drank.
9. I saw Dennis Quaid at the Houston Airport on choir tour when we were waiting for our plane back to Minnesota. I followed his children around the bookstore there. They look most like his ex-wife Meg Ryan.
10. I wet the bed until I was in 6th grade.
11. I pick at my scabs.
12. I’m in love with my Chapstick Lip Moisturizer.
13. I saw Pope John Paul II on New Years Day 2003 at the Vatican and listened to his New Years address to the public. It was one of the coolest moments in my life, even though I’m not Catholic.
14. When I was 6, I was the ring bearer in my brother’s wedding and I pooped my pants because I got super nervous. My dad threw my underwear away in the boy’s bathroom at the church and I had to go commando down the aisle with the flower girl, whose nickname was Peaches.
15. I was an uncle for the first time at age 7.
16. I don’t write my check card receipts into my checkbook. I should start doing that.
17. I love Drea DiBartolo’s stuffed baked clams.
18. I lost my virginity in a tent set up in the living room in an apartment in College View, my senior year of college. It was with an ex-girlfriend of mine.
19. I hate math and science.
20. I get hot flashes at least once a week.
21. I don’t “pass wind” in front of girls unless I know them really, really well.
22. I love Starbuck’s caramel macchiato.
23. Michael Bublé makes me want to spooge a little.
24. I used to let my nieces give me a make-over when they were younger.
25. My sister Allison used to practice painting nails on me.
26. I think Matt Marshall is HOT.
27. Sometimes the Boy and I go to Abercrombie & Fitch just to see if there are hot boys working.
28. I love dipping apple slices in peanut butter.
29. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is one of my favorite books and movies.
30. My parents were going to name me Andrew Robert or Joshua Robert, but my mom liked the nickname Robbie.
31. Santa at my dad’s house brought us all a stocking full of office supplies when I was 8. I still complain about that Christmas to my dad, that an 8 year old should get toys – not a stapler and tape.
32. I have never cheated on a significant other, and I don't plan on ever doing that.
33. I like ankle socks.
34. I prefer tighty whities over boxers, but will wear both.
35. Someday I want to live in Chicago.
36. I used to steal food from the cafeteria at Gustavus when I worked there freshman year.
37. I got severely constipated after I had my jaw surgery and had to ask my mom to go buy me a laxative.
38. I got an “A” on my senior thesis in college, and it’s my pride and joy – all 33 pages of it.
39. I think Michelle Kwan is too old to be competing in this year’s Olympics.
40. I love my featherbed.
41. My favorite episode of Will & Grace is “Old Fashioned Piano Party”.
42. Rachel is my best friend.
43. I got drunk for the first time when I was 15 at my cousin Natalie’s wedding.
44. I love the game Dance, Dance Revolution.
45. I used to model for the salon my mom works at when I was in pre-school.
46. I dyed my hair my sophomore year of college and it turned out a bright orange color. It was supposed to be a light blonde. I looked like a leprechaun.
47. My sisters and I used to dance around to the Beach Boys in our living room when we were kids.
48. Of all my siblings, I’m closest with my sister Allison.
49. It took 2 nurses and 30 minutes to give me my vaccinations when I was 11 years old. I screamed bloody murder.
50. I was in a car accident with my mom the summer after 7th grade.
51. My dream is to be a writer or journalist.
52. My boyfriend’s name is Matt… there – the mystery of “The Boy” is solved.
53. I don’t understand teenage girls’ obsession with looking like hoochies.
54. I think Nicole Richie needs to eat something.
55. I am a hair snob… I only buy expensive salon products.
56. I get expensive salon products at a 40% discount because my mom works at a salon.
57. When I was a young child, my mom told me they took our dog, Shadow, out to live on a farm. I didn’t realize they actually had him put to sleep until I was in college.
58. My hands shake all the time… the doctor calls it “intentional tremor”, and it’s not life threatening.
59. I have a lead foot, and drive 80-85 miles per hour on the freeway.
60. It’s always been easier for me to make friends with girls than boys.
61. I cry when I watch the movie “My Girl”. 100% guaranteed every time. “Where are his glasses?! He can’t see without his glasses!” How can you not cry during that scene?!
62. I want to be an interior decorator.
63. I can’t pee when someone is looking.
64. I sucked my thumb when I was a kid.
65. I slept with my security blankie until I graduated from high school. I still sleep with it sometimes. We have a special bond.
66. I have never seen “Debbie Does Dallas”, but I kind of want to.
67. I stepped on a toothpick once and it went through my foot.
68. I lost my first tooth at my grandma’s house and cried even though it didn’t hurt.
69. I like to snuggle with Matt.
70. I decorate cakes better than Martha Stewart.
71. I called in sick one morning so I could sleep in. I lied and said I had a migraine. I only took the morning off, and worked the afternoon.
72. When you Google my name, a website comes up for Robert Hill Productions. “Robert Hill” is a porn producer.
73. There is another Robert Hill on the “No-Fly List” issued by the government. Every time I go to the airport to check-in, I have to wait 10 minutes while they verify I’m not THAT Robert Hill.
74. I used to dance/jump along to the Pointer Sister’s “Jump (For My Love)” when I was little and my mom played it on our stereo.
75. My Jetta’s name is Max Wang. He is the younger brother of my old Jetta, Gretta Wang. (Yes, I name my cars!)
Le Fabuleux Destin de Rob
I'm sitting here listening to a track from the soundtrack to Amelie, "Une Comptine d'une autre ete", and it's making me miss my hometown of Paris. Paris was always good to me.
When this song is playing in the movie, we see Amelie doing the little eccentricities that bring her joy and comfort - cracking the sugar coating on creme brulee with a spoon, plunging her hand into a sack of grain at the outdoor market, and skipping stones on the Canal de St. Martin. Listening to this song always makes me think of all of the joy and comfort Paris brought to me, and all of the little things I fell in love with there.
The city is rich in history and culture, which I immersed myself in, but for the most part one of my favorite things to do was observe the locals and tourists. I would take the Metro from my apartment to the stop "Cite", emerge from the caverous underground station, and there in all it's majesty stands Notre Dame cathedral . There, I would find a spot to sit and just watch. Little French children with balloon-tied wrists chasing pidgeons. The Batobus traversing down the Seine, filled to the brim with tourists snapping photos. Mothers pushing their children in the stroller. An old man wearing a beret surveying the bouquinistes along the Seine. Out of all the places to people watch this was my favorite. By the end of my stalking the locals, I usually had quite an appetite.
I'd then walk across a bridge to the other side of the river to the Latin Quarter, and here nestled among the intimate cobblestone streets and alley-ways was one of the best Greek restaurants in all of Paris. You could get a world class gyro with fries and a Coke for 6 Euro. In Paris, that's a great bargain.
One (of the many) other thing I loved to do in Paris was go to the outdoor markets on the weekends. Rain or shine, you could always find outdoor markets along neighborhood streets. A gathering of neighbors and friends, vibrant colors, and fresh smells were abundant under the red and yellow striped tents. Each market was unique and usually had one stand that sold something different than the last.
The list could go on and on, but it would only make me miss Paris even more. I wish I could go back and visit, but since that is not a possibility at the moment, I'll only have my memories. As Gertrude Stein once wrote: "America is my country and Paris is my hometown." How true it is.
Monday, January 16, 2006
My Ho Runner
As I was driving to work this morning I saw a burgundy Oldsmobile Delta '88. It instantly reminded me of my old Delta '88 I drove in high school. Granted the one I drove had oxidized paint from having been in Florida for 3 years with my sister, the radio only worked if you put the fuse in or else the antenna would run continuously, and you could house a family of 10 in the backseat - it was a great car. My dad used to drive it before I drove it, and his license plates read "I'm Easy". Classy...
That was a sexy car.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Equals...
Most Addicting Game EVER
Move the red block around without getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black edges! You'll be hooked!!!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html
Procrastinate now, don't put it off...
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html
Procrastinate now, don't put it off...
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Would you like some food with that grease?
I went to Culver's on my lunch break today because my nieces gave me a gift card for there, and now I feel like I'm going to yak all over my computer screen. I've never enjoyed Culver's all that much because their food is covered in grease, marinated in grease, infused with grease... however you want to put it. You could take a bite and watch the grease spray out.
Oh well, it didn't cost me anything, just the gas to get there! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to haul ass to the boy's room and throw up...
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
The Soundtrack of You
We make many happy memories during our time here on Earth, and a smell, a sight, or perhaps a song can make those periods from our life surface. We smile upon these memories - a time spent with friends or family, a first date, a vacation, a kiss - and then let out a sigh and relive the moment in our mind.
For me, the strongest tie I have to most of my memories is music. A particular song I hear can take me back to my bedroom at my host parent's apartment in Paris, overlooking Rue de Charonne and the bustling markets... to my small dorm room when all of my friends and I would cram in together like sardines and watch movies under mountains of pillows and blankets... or to the Boy's bed, laying together, hands intertwined in the blue early morning light. Compile these songs together, and you'd have my personal soundtrack.
If you had a personal soundtrack, what would be on your list? Here are a few tracks from mine (believe me, the list could go on and on):
"Kissing" by Bliss
"The Scientist" by Coldplay
"Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk
"Call On Me" - Eric Prydz vs. Retarded Funk Remix by Eric Prydz
"Fernando" by ABBA
"Stole" by Kelly Rowland
"Jump (For My Love)" by The Pointer Sisters
"Mr. Man" by Alicia Keys
"Goodbye Is All We Have" by Allison Krauss and Union Station
"Smoke" by Ben Folds Five
"Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child
"Winding Road" by Bonnie Sommerville
"Little Wing" by The Corrs
"Shine" by Cyndi Lauper
"Agnus Dei" by The Dale Warland Singers
"The Stone" by Dave Matthews Band
"Case of You" by Diana Krall
"Over My Head (Cable Car)" by The Fray
"Proud" by Heather Small
"Beautiful" by India.Arie
"The Truth" by India.Arie
"Naked As We Came" by Iron & Wine
"Sodom, South Georgia" by Iron & Wine
"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight
"Home to Me" by Josh Kelley
"Cry Me A River" by Justin Timberlake
"Dreamer" by Ozzy Osbourne
"How Many Licks" by Li'l Kim
"Tu es mon autre" by Lara Fabian
"L'accordeoniste" by Edith Piaf
"Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Li'l Kim, Pink, and Mya
"What's Your Fantasy" by Ludacris
"In The Waiting Line" by Zero 7
"Do What You Have To Do" by Sarah McLachlan
"New Slang" by The Shins
"Me and Julio" by Simon & Garfunkel
"Strange" by Tori Amos
"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve
"We're Going To Be Friends" by The White Stripes
For me, the strongest tie I have to most of my memories is music. A particular song I hear can take me back to my bedroom at my host parent's apartment in Paris, overlooking Rue de Charonne and the bustling markets... to my small dorm room when all of my friends and I would cram in together like sardines and watch movies under mountains of pillows and blankets... or to the Boy's bed, laying together, hands intertwined in the blue early morning light. Compile these songs together, and you'd have my personal soundtrack.
If you had a personal soundtrack, what would be on your list? Here are a few tracks from mine (believe me, the list could go on and on):
"Kissing" by Bliss
"The Scientist" by Coldplay
"Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk
"Call On Me" - Eric Prydz vs. Retarded Funk Remix by Eric Prydz
"Fernando" by ABBA
"Stole" by Kelly Rowland
"Jump (For My Love)" by The Pointer Sisters
"Mr. Man" by Alicia Keys
"Goodbye Is All We Have" by Allison Krauss and Union Station
"Smoke" by Ben Folds Five
"Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child
"Winding Road" by Bonnie Sommerville
"Little Wing" by The Corrs
"Shine" by Cyndi Lauper
"Agnus Dei" by The Dale Warland Singers
"The Stone" by Dave Matthews Band
"Case of You" by Diana Krall
"Over My Head (Cable Car)" by The Fray
"Proud" by Heather Small
"Beautiful" by India.Arie
"The Truth" by India.Arie
"Naked As We Came" by Iron & Wine
"Sodom, South Georgia" by Iron & Wine
"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight
"Home to Me" by Josh Kelley
"Cry Me A River" by Justin Timberlake
"Dreamer" by Ozzy Osbourne
"How Many Licks" by Li'l Kim
"Tu es mon autre" by Lara Fabian
"L'accordeoniste" by Edith Piaf
"Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Li'l Kim, Pink, and Mya
"What's Your Fantasy" by Ludacris
"In The Waiting Line" by Zero 7
"Do What You Have To Do" by Sarah McLachlan
"New Slang" by The Shins
"Me and Julio" by Simon & Garfunkel
"Strange" by Tori Amos
"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve
"We're Going To Be Friends" by The White Stripes
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