Shameful Recognition.

It's an awkward moment, telling someone you have a blog.

There's that moment that hangs in the air -where you wonder if the response will be interest or confusion. Most people my age (around here, anyway) don't seem to grasp the concept.

Needless to say, I usually keep a tight lid on the fact that I write here. I reveal it only to people I know for sure will "get it", and only let them know the address if they ask.

It's not embarrassment of what I write, or the fact that someone known to me will read my rants and rambling. It's more of a pain explaining *why* I'd want to write something that "just anyone" can read.

And that reason is a post in itself.

Later.

The Magnificent Mr. Sheen.

Why is anyone really surprised about what Charlie Sheen is doing, or how he's behaving?

We've lauded him for such actions (on screen, at least) for years.

His filmography reads like a testimonial to womanizing, sex-addicted, hard living douchebags. From Bud Fox to Charlie Crawford to Charlie Harper, they all drank, chased women, and openly displayed their vices.

Did it ever occur to anyone that maybe Charlie wasn't acting?

Part of me wants to be the publicly aware Dad that I am and say "That Charlie, so irresponsible." The other part of me is kinda envious about the partying and Porn Stars. (Do ya blame me? I'm a guy, for chissakes- anyone with a dick is lying if they say they don't feel even slightly the same way.)

I think that the media attention that's being given to Charlie is way out of proportion, considering what else is happening in the world, and I'm sure that he feels the same way. But people are watching Charlie Sheen for the same reason they watch Nascar - they are waiting for the crash.

I, for one, hope he makes it out ok. I'm sure he'll eventually get tired of the jet-setting and all the sex, and things will settle down for 'ol Charlie. (Hahaha - ya, I don't think so either.)

Stay the course, Mr. Sheen, you're living the dream for any man over 35. Your midlife crisis is inspiration to us all.

Later.

Communication Overload

Ask anyone, and they'll tell you I'm a talker.

However, there is a guy I work with who puts me to shame - it's unbelievable.

I'm the type of talker who kind of stays on track with the conversation - sure, it'll flow from topic to topic, but it's all related - I can look at how the conversation started to how it ended up.

This guy roams around so much in a conversation that you can start talking about how icy the roads were, and the next thing you know, you're discussing the foot speed of the average Kenyan.

As interesting as it is, it  can be very frustrating to try and get him to stay on topic - God forbid I need to get actual information from him -  I want to know what supplies he wants and you end up discussing the latest possibility of a manned mission to Mars.

I sometimes want to just stop him and point out what he's doing, but that would be a 3-hour conversation in itself.

If I ever get that bad, just gag me.
But gently, okay? I might want to discuss the latest episode of Archer..

Later.

Situational Clusterfuck

Walked into work today to a Murphy's Law situation.

If it wasn't already fucked or messed up, it soon would be - it made me feel like I'd committed so heinous crime in a former life, and God just decided to fuck with me all at once.

There's not really much point in moaning about it - but hey, I've got this space - why not use it?

Later.

Medication Admiration

I've got to admit, Buckley's doesn't pull any punches.

That stuff winds up and puts it's burning, vile tasting, mentholated fist right through your head. It forcibly removes what's ailing you like the Lybian government removes protesters. (Ok, bad example, I'll admit.)

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Unlike other people that I know, I actually medicate myself when I'm sick - I take shit that gets it over with as quick as possible, so I can get back to doing the things people do when they are not sick. (You know, like life?)

Just laying around and hoping you will eventually feel better is like rolling over during a fight and hoping the guy will stop hitting you when his arms get tired.

So I take the short term pain (Buckley's) for the long term gain (Not feeling like shit).

It's working so far.

Now excuse me while I take my dose of nasty, nasty, tasting stuff.

Later.

Organization Consternation

I'm not the most organized guy in the world, but I'm better than most.

Which is why certain things at work drive me completely fucking nuts.

In my job, it pays to be organized - product in, product out, rotation - and the fact that you have multiple people working in the same area means that everyone has to do their part to keep it neat.

And one or two people being sloppy can make my day go from great to shitty in a half second.

It's not that hard - there is a place for everything - just put it where it fucking goes. (Not as elegant as "..and everything in its place.", but you get my meaning..)

I don't want to be "that" guy - the one who rages when one item is out of place - but its getting close. I think the next person I see just putting stuff away sloppily will experience wrath that will make Kahn's look like a Care Bear reunion.

Later.

Motivational Imbalance

My first day off is usually a write-off.

It's not that I don't want to accomplish anything - believe me, my ambition in the hours leading up to my days off is astounding. I have plans to clean the house, do enough laundry to get through the year, balance the budget, cure cancer, and possibly run a 20-miler - and all that before the kids are out of school.

But somehow, it just never seems to work out that way.

I'm probably going to blame it on tasty coffee and the Internet. I'd have to say that those two distractions are what eat up most of my time. And podcasts - sweet,sweet, podcasts.

Hence the fact that my second day off is usually just a catch up day - the house is cleaned, the laundry done, and I'll usually get 7-10 miles in. I guess the balancing and disease curing will have to wait until I'm on holidays.

Sure, that'll work.

Later.

Lack of Communication

I'm lucky enough to have a job where I get to meet and talk to a wide variety of people. I enjoy most of the customers who come in, and get along with the majority of my co-workers.

There are the ones that you can talk more freely with, or have some sort of personal connection or shared interests, and talking with them always makes the night fly by.

Tonight is not one of those nights.

There's just no one interesting working - I can choose between talking quilting with one, how fascinating and dreamy another's boyfriend is, listen to the spazy guy talk about his "girlfriend" (pretty sure its his right hand) and the one other person working says maybe 3 non-work related words a month.

I personally believe this will be the longest night ever.

Wake me when it's over.

Later.

Rebuttal

Dear Mr. Homeless Man:

I do not know how you came to be in your current situation - drugs, misfortune, the CIA, whatever - and I don't really care.

What I do know is that continually asking me for change while I'm waiting for the bus in Vancouver does not endear me towards your plight.

Frankly, your strategy of asking for a quarter, being denied, and then asking for a dime and a quarter is baffling. I'm not sure of your profession before you decided to take up the homeless "gig" - but I suspect it was as a unsuccessful hostage negotiator.

I do admire your perseverance, though, and if you put as much effort into 8 hours at a actual job vs 18 hours of begging, you just might get ahead in the world.

I understand you're "off the grid" , and "living free", so the chances of you stumbling across this piece of digital advice are very slim, but if you do, please take it to heart.

Clean up, get a job, and stop being such an annoying dick to random strangers on the street.

Later.

P.s. - I stuck a quarter in my piece of gum and put it under the bench - pretend it's buried treasure!

Nerdzilla

See that right there? That is Godzilla's giant foot stomping on the Twin's Comic Book Store like my kids step in dog shit in the back yard. (God I suck at metaphors sometimes.)

It's coming out in March - something to do with the amount of copies they bought means they got to be on the cover. I'm surprised some rich guy didn't buy them all and get them to paste his Mother-in-Law on there...hahahaha.

I still think it rocks - good on you, Bro.


Later.

Feeling Horrible

I don't regret much when it comes to the world of pop-culture.

I missed out on Pearl Jam early on, and thanks to the Sidekick, was shown the error of my ways. My regret is that I missed out on all the hype and excitement for each album - the anticipation of what's to come. After all, isn't that half the fun of following a band?

I get the same feeling for Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

It was on the peripheral of my Internet browsing habits 3 years ago - I knew it was there and heard it being talked about, but just kinda ignored it - Neil Patrick Harris really didn't do it for me, and the whole musical thing just seemed weird.

Talk about being wrong.

Based on a solid recommendation from the Twin, as well as some others, I checked it out yesterday. I was blown away.

Complete fucking nerdgasm.

I'm glad I got to see it all in one go, but I kinda wish I'd have been paying attention when it was happening - the story just works for me, and the anticipation between each act would have driven me nuts. (Yes, I realize I'm a mid-thirties guy talking like a teenage girl at a Bieber concert.)

The next time something like this rolls around and I'm not paying attention, somebody slap me, please.



Later.

In Sickness and in Health.

I hate dealing with sick people.

Not mentally, sick - Hell, where I work, they're all a little twisted.

I'm talking about those people who treat a sore throat and sniffles like it's H1N1 - like the world is ending because their sinus headache won't go away.

Those people I want to stab with a pencil and put them out of their misery.

'Cause really, that's all you can do - they are useless to be around, don't accomplish anything, and the bitching and moaning are almost too much to handle.

The thing is, if they would just suck it up a bit, then they would probably end up feeling better - but no - bitching is waaaay more fun.

It's gunna be a loooong night.

Later.

Progress

It's that time of year again - weight loss time.

Since I have to lean out anyway for the races I'm training for, I decided to go for the added motivation of joining not one, but two weight loss contests, one at the gym, and the other is at work.

I know your asking yourself: "Are you fucking nuts?"

While my sanity can be called.into question at times, I think it'll work out fine - the weigh-ins are on different days, which will help me stay focused through the week. (All part of the plan.)

Yeah - believe it or not, I actually have a plan..


Later

Enjoyment

- Coffee.
- How I feel after a good run.
- Reading. ( right now, The Invisible Man )
- Watching my kids on the ice.
- Discovering a really cool app.
- Toast.
- Kevin Smith Podcasts
- "I just had Sex" by the Lonely Island.. ( I know, I know )


These are things I enjoy right now.


Later

Schedule Hell.

Mondays and Wednesdays ?
Skating and Hockey .

Tuesdays and Thursdays?
Karate.

I'm going to be driving these kids around for what seems like forever.

Thank God for Timmy's Drive Thru.


Later.

Last Call

Goodbye, 2010, I hardly blogged ye..




Later.

Mobility.

Picked up a smartphone the other day, and I'm really digging it.

I enjoy having the world's information at my fingertips, and just the fact that texting is so much easier is a plus.

I'm hoping I'll still feel the same way once the shine wears off, but the simple fact of being able to have workouts, dietary stuff, and the entire Internet in my hand is awesome.

(Like I said on Twitter- haven't had this much fun since I discovered my penis)

As for having the Internet in my hand? That includes sites with flash, because Android rules, and iPhones drool..

Later.

True Patriot Love

Just when I thought Canadian bands couldn't get any cooler, I see this on the news today:



The Trews visiting a B.C. school that's practicing "Highway of Heroes" for their Remembrance Day ceremonies. Hearing all those kids singing along is kinda touching. (Don't go telling anybody I have feelings - I'll deny everything.)

Since the video is kinda muffled, here's the original for comparison.




Now that's Patriotic Goodness, right there.


Later.

Brand New Scene

Yesterday I switched my TV service over to Telus. I did the whole "Bundle" thing with the Home phone, TV, and Internet. (It's what all the cool kids are doing.) Since I already had Phone and Internet with Telus, throwing the TV package in there just seemed like a good idea.

I'm incredibly happy with the results.

Aside from waiting for the Install guy to show, it was a painless procedure. (be it Shaw or Telus, why do they have to say "Between the hours of 8am to 8pm" - what's wrong with "2-ish"?) The installation was quick and easy, and he had it setup and running in about an hour. (All shiny brand-new equipment too - he said that this is the 3rd gen stuff they are installing now, works like a charm.)

I really like the guide/schedule/PVR setup as opposed to what I had with Shaw - it's more polished and intuitive. The "Search" feature alone is worth the switch. I find that my picture quality is better too - but if that's from Telus or the fact that they use HDMI instead of Component cables, I'm not sure.

And the upgrade to my ADSL speed is nothing short of amazing - to go from max 5Mbps to approximately 15Mbps is pure heaven. It's not like I was in a two wheeled cart on a muddy road, but my Internet has gone from a minivan to a sportscar to say the least.

I'm sure I'll find some faults with it once the shine wears off, but for now I think I made the right decision.

Now if you'll excuse me - I have some High-Def Zombies I have to watch - (Walking Dead premiere is on repeat..)



Later.

Ticket Frustration.

As a Canadian hockey fan, I understand how tickets to games are always at a premium - there's no shortage of fans who are always willing to pay the maximum price for a chance to see live professional hockey. What astounds me is how affordable the American teams make it for the average fan to go.

While looking at the Colorado Avalanche fan page on Facebook, I noticed there was a "Guys Night Out" package at the Pepsi Center in Denver to see the Vancouver Canucks- 2 seats, 2 beers, and 2 T-shirts for $59.

59 Bucks - and if you want to upgrade the seats to the lower bowl, it's an extra $20. I decided to price this out, just to see what it would be after taxes and shit.

Once you throw in taxes, handling fee, and the charge to pick up at the Will Call booth, the total is $97.30 - and converting that to Canadian Dollars only ads 25 cents.

$97.55 for all that.

Compare to seeing the Canucks play Colorado at Rogers Arena - same seating area, beers, cheapest shirts and all that - $409.

For that price, you could afford to fly to Denver to see the game. (Doesn't include getting back, but still..)

I know it's all about supply and demand, but I think the difference is just crazy - and it must be twice as bad for Toronto fans - they are rumored to be even more expensive, and their team sucks!

I can't see this changing anytime soon, and that's unfortunate - I'd love to one day take the Boys to see a live game - without having to spend their university savings to do it.



Later.