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First day back is over and I'm home. At the tail end of the day, a microwave showed up. Still no water, but I think I'll bring in a Brita to cover that front.

There was this funny story from earlier. This guy was recounting when he lived in New York City and taught in a rough area of Brooklyn. He drove a scooter to and from school and one day he was at a traffic light and a woman approached him. She came up close to him and said, "Don't try it, not even once." The guy was white and, apparently, white guys on scooters usually only came around to score crack around them parts, so this woman was warning him of said drug's troubles. Nice!

Now the microwaves are gone. Where the heck do they think people are
going to warm up their food? It is getting warmer, so maybe I can set
it near a window in the sun. Or sit on it for a bit. I'll need a raise
to pay for the additional cash I'll be pissing out going to lunch more
often. Friggin place is crazy.

And now, the microwaves are gone. This place is crazy.

So I've come back to the office. So far, it has been a gigantic
mistake. I feel fine, that's not the issue. The issue is this place
has removed the water cooler and coffee machine (not that I drink
coffee, but it's the principle). Worse, it appears that the proxy
server is gone so my days of unmonitored internet access have gone the
way of the dodo bird. I see lots of days working from home in my
future. Or using email to update the site. Or my phone.

Labels: stupidity, work

After I got back from getting the last stitches out, my brother came back from running dropping applications off and brought in the infamous card table. I've been looking for this thing for years. Now it can sit in my closet for a decade like my folks.

No, I'm not stalking people, but this crazy ass guy was haning out the window of this cab, pointing and waving to people at bus stops, and generally just wooping it up. In the middle of the day on a Monday. Good work, if you can get it.

My brother showed up about an hour ago. Funny, I thought he was going to show up tomorrow so I had to scramble around and clean up a bit.

I spent some time last night trying to get the blood, bile, and other assorted bodily fluids cleaned up last night. The rest aren't so bad, but blood is a real bitch. I don't know how killers do it. Maybe that's how they get caught.

So I spent an inordinate amount of my day seeking out information on new train stations in London, new train routes, and Olympic venues. And don't think when I say "new train routes" I limited myself to traditional above ground rail. Oh, no. I was looking at subways, too.

Another miscue as I was in my office looking up future Olympic sites and now I've missed the first quarter and a half of the Pistons game. I got sucked into the rail improvements necessary for the London games in 2012. Apparently they're redirecting the terminus of Eurostar up North. That'll cut nearly 30 minutes off the travel time to Paris and will allow increased traffic. Pretty cool stuff. When I win the Mega Millions on Tuesday, I'll have to go get a place over there.

Labels: basketball, gambling, sports

Well, I did some miscalculations and overslept all but the last five minutes of the Finland-Sweden game. Lot's good of action for that five minutes, but Sweden ended up with the victory. Though I had hoped Finland would've one, it was good to learn that goals were all scored by Red Wings. That's something.

Labels: hockey, sports

I started Easy Rider before my hospital visit and wish I hadn't picked it back up. Unfortanately I finished it tonight and that's one disjointed piece of shit. It's amazing what movies are considered great that really blow.

Labels: movies

I was at Central Market in the produce section and I thought I saw a camera flash. Then another one. I looked a bit closer and it was a friggin group of like sixty Japanese men on a tour of the store. Maybe they're taking Central Market international?

If you're going to turn down admittance to the Rock and Rock Hall of fame, the Sex Pistols sure did it right. I think that's how Brando turned down the Oscar.

I woke up and it's raining like a mofo. Instinctively, I went to check to see if there were any leaks though I found none. One interesting side effect of having a roof that doesn't have more dimples than golf ball is drainage (funny, this whole week's been about drainage). So all the water is now running evenly off my porch so I think I'm going to have to redo my patio tiles. Basically, I need to elevate them so there is less pooling of water. I don't see that happening any time soon, unfortunately.

It is one boring ass night when I'm watching a New York Knicks game. This is just embarassing. "This" is both referring to me watching the game and the play of the Knickerbockers themselves.

Yep, it'll be a Finland v. Sweden final. S. Money called to check in on me and apparently the Swedes and Finns don't get along so well. I think Finland is like the red-headed step child of Scandinavian hockey.

Labels: s. money

I got about twelve hours sleep but missed the Czech Republic - Sweden game, though it sounds like the Czechs didn't put up much of a fight.

And another two periods of this Finland - Russia game to go. It would be pretty sweet if Finland played Sweden. I think I'd have to pull for Finland because they were a bit of an underdog, but Sweden's got a lot of players I like. Tough call.

Anyway, I need to get back to the couch.

Finally home! JMVC picked me up about an hour ago and we've been watching the tail end of the Piston's game, but I'll be happy to seep fluids in my own bed again.

Labels: jmvc

Doctor finally came by to kick me to the curb so I'm now just waiting for the "official" paperwork to be completed by the nurses.

But in the interim, Winston stopped by and talked to the crazy guy next store.

Labels: winston

OK, the doctor apparently had surgery at another hospital and is supposed to be here in about 30 minutes. But I'll believe it when I see it.

Still the frick here. Rumor has it my guy's in surgery, but that sounds like a story to shut me up.

I got a big package from my boss. I didn't want to totally open it because I'm hoping to be out of here pretty soon, but I did crack it open enough to see that it's a pizza making kit. Complete with a pizza stone. I won't complain even though I didn't see a peel.

Still waiting on this doctor to let me out. I had hoped to be out of here by now, but that's the kicks.

The shot from my room with a little less fog. Maybe they should bulldoze this hospital and put up a resort.

I got about eight hours sleep with no interuption to check my vitals. Now I'm just sitting around until I get the doctor to sign me out. Hopefully in a few hours...

I was going to finish up Easy Rider, but my DVD player on the laptop doesn't seem to be working. So funk it, I'm going to sleep.

Warm Gatorade doesn't go nearly as well with cookies as milk.

And the friggin Canadians got beat, too. What's up with North American hockey?

So these are after my forced shave. Just wait until the get the gel wrapper on my face. Whenever they get around to it, that is.

So the USA Hockey team got beat, but it looks like I'll get out of here tomorrow. And I'm back on solid food. So I have that going for me, which is something.

But back to the hockey deal. With Canada and USA both losing and the multitude of injuries, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the last time the NHL plays in the Olympics. There are a couple reasons against that, however:

1. European nations really get into this more than Americans and, to a lesser extent, Canadians. Possibly USA Hockey might just field a non-professional roster and let the rest of the nations field professionals. What the USA would lose in experience they'd gain back in "teamwork".


2. The next Olympics is in Vancouver and there will be pressure for Canada to win in-country.


3. On a similar vein, with the Olympics in Vancouver there will be more desire to get the best ratings possible (for NBC). The games in Vancouver would mean more games for prime time viewing.

That's just one man's opinion. An extremely smart man but I'm in the hospital so I may be excused.

If interested, Dan Wetzel has an intesting opinion column on the subject.

Labels: hockey

Man, the Americans are killing themselves with penalties. They won't come from behind to beat Finland at this rate.

Heck, I can't fall back to sleep and there's no Food Network to keep me occupied. But there are always the Barker Beauties...

Jager sent this crazy article about a hockey game and a polar bear.

Labels: jager

Uh oh, I'm only getting USA here so I might only get two channels of hockey coverage (not CNBC, just USA so I'll be missing the Canada-Russia game). And that's not for a few hours so I think I'll be heading back to sleep.

And the first night in the hospital went ok. They have to check my vitals every four hours so that's getting a bit annoying, but maybe the next check in will help to get me up for the hockey game. And the fog is so thick that I thought somebody came by and closed the blinds.

I had a nice visit from a couple of coworkers. I got some soup from Antonio's and a big thing of Gatorade. Though there is a rumor I'm supposed to be on a liquid diet, but I'm not a good listener.

Well, I think I'm ready to try to get to sleep. I'm prety sure the nut case who keeps screaming for the nurse (versus using the call button) is going to have to die.

Well, I've got a few hours under my belt at the hospital and it's amazing how much time can be killed just watching TV. TV, you're the best medicine (short of this morphine drip) ever!

So this is the best that St. David's can offer?

A shot of my spacious room followed by a foggy shot of downtown.

So before you freak out, I'm ok so far. Just sit down.

They admitted me to the hospital. They're concerned about an infection, especially with the wound being on my face. Good side is I've got my own room with a view. And the Olympics are on still, so that's something.

Well, I thought I was having the final stitches out and now I'm sitting in another of the fine ATX emergency rooms. At least I drove myself to this one.

I am beat and have no real desire to do much today. But must...watch...Olympic...hockey.

Labels: hockey

Started watching Easy Rider and this is one strange movie. And I guess you have to go back to 1969 to get somebody who didn't know what a "dude" was.

Labels: movies

I broke in the remote thermoter with a braised roast. I think I did a bit too much braising with the wine; I should've cut the wine with some beef broth, but I'll know for next time.

Chilly's going to Detroit! Well, to Ann Arbor. If only S. Money wasn't involved with baby stuff I'd have him head down to show him around.

Labels: s. money

I think I'm the only jerky working today. Actually, I don't have another holiday until Memorial Day. Crazy place that I work.

I spread out watching The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly over the night and I should've spread it over a side of mayo because that thing needed something to make it palatable. Granted Lee Van Cleef was in it, but still. Not only was it historically flawed (though with Italians making cowboys movies, I should take it all with a grain of salt) but it was overlong to the extreme. I mean, over two and a half hours? Jebus, please kill me. Oh, he already tried...

Seriously, I could put up with almost all of that if it wasn't so bad. Just crappy.

Labels: movies

The before and after of the second blanket. This is an exciting use of the internet.

My big accomplishment for the weekend is complete. It is GD cold here in the ATX (in the mid 30s)and I'm not moving from the couch until it's time to go to bed. Anyway on Friday I realized a two blanket approach was needed so I simply tossed a second blanket on top of my feet after securing myself under the first. I had been putting that blanket over my feet in the same direction as the first blanket, but my brilliant idea had me putting the second blanket under the first blanket then wrapping it over the first. This allows me being doubly sure my tootsies are all warm and toasty. What a day!

Just saw The Guns of Navarone and I need to do some research. Well, check with S. Money. I don't want to doubt the movie's authenticity, but I can't imagine the Germans were that incompetent. As for the movie, it was extremely enjoyable though the special effects are a bit of a joke.

Labels: movies, s. money

So this Cast Away has me thinking. It was on tonight on ABC and it was the first time I had seen a majority of it (even I couldn't sit through the whole thing). Anyway, I don't know about you, but one of the first questions I'd be asking Helen Hunt is how long it took for her to shack up and get knocked up by the new guy. Depending on the amount of time would determine whether or not to be pissed off. If it was at least a year or two (Tom Hanks' character was gone for 4 years), I'd be inclined to let her off. Anything less would be trouble.

Also, does anyone else feel old when you realize this movie came out in 2000?

Labels: movies

Fudge it's cold, I think around 34°. And not supposed to warm up for a couple days. I made the mistake of running some errands and scaring the populace, but I needed some carrots so screw 'em.

Man, I missed Switzerland beating Canada, though the U.S.A game is still to come. Thank God for that.

Chilly came by and we saw Hotel Rwanda (Don Cheadle is the man!). So I'm not just killing the movies in my collection, but Blockbuster's, too!

Now I think I'll get caught up on some reading and clean up the kitchen from the mess I made. I made some spinach and chicken soup from scratch. Well, I guess I didn't make the chickens or grow the spinach, but you get the idea.

Labels: chilly, cooking, movies

Well, I've been holding back too long so here are some shots. I think they might come out better if I had a better camera than my phone. These are after some of the stiches got taken out.

I got some of the stitches out, but the ones closer to core damage are staying through the weekend. At least now I have the clotted blood off my face and can see the nice jagged line going from my right eye to my nose and then across both lips. Very pleasant.

I got Apollo 13 out of the shrink wrap. Just a few more dozen to go. Good thing Chilly got me a deal on some stuff from Amazon so I'll have a few more to cherish.

Labels: chilly

I woke to a a wee bit of a panic this morning because of the face destruction, but everything's better with two hockey games on again. If only tomorrow wasn't a day off.

Well, I killed another unopened movie out of the collection. Last night, A Beautiful Mind, tonight Casablanca. Who knows what I'll see tomorrow!

Labels: movies

My boy Darko got traded! Well, at least now he'll get some playing time.

I've woken from my all day slumber and now have two Olympic hockey games to entertain me (and one is in HD!). Heck, maybe I'll figure out a way to feel bad until this thing is all done.

Labels: hockey

I was just beat yesterday and could barely get out of bed. My toe that I hurt around Christmas starting bothering me again Monday afternoon, so that made things uncomfortable. Aces came by with some of the most disgusting flavors of Gatorade, but Sunshine came by with some Valentine's candy (my first Valentine in over a decade!).

Today I just kept going back to bed with only the occassionaly interuption to...well, I won't disgust you with that. I might have to try the whole day like that...

Labels: aces

Hold your horses, pics from Saturday and Sunday. The after the fire sort of pictures (without the fire). They aren't pretty, that's for sure.




Forgive me for not making these clickable links because they don't need any more exposure.

Chilly came by and brought delivered some food. This was right in the middle of watching The Blues Brothers. I nearly cracked my lips laughing. And this was only on cable. I need to bust out the DVD one of these days.

Now I've got to get ready for 24.

Labels: chilly

Sealy stopped by and brought some flowers by; made my day. I'd have expected the newly married to have better things to do. The husband's winning points in my book so far: long weekend in Jamaica starting Thursday and two weeks in Italy in April for honeymoons.

I got checked out by my doctor this morning and he said things look as good as one could hope for. He seemed a bit more upbeat about the prospect of scarring (e.g. not getting a few). Though the right side of my head is blowing up like something that blows up.

I did go get some drive through, though I managed to screen my face from the workers. I wouldn't want to scare them into vomitting or anything.

Well, things didn't go so well Friday night. After the party, a bunch of us headed downtown (Mac, 420, Patches, incognegro, Winston, Flashman, among others) and a good time was had by all. Winston had agreed to drive me and incognegro back to my place. That's where the fun started.

We left the bar and were heading up Red River when I stepped off a curb wrong. The rest of the experience really felt as if I was looking up from the ground. I saw myself falling face first towards the concrete, but not before some glass broke in my path. The small pieces of glass look huge from the ground and my body looks like a tree being cut to the ground. My body is surprisingly limp except my right arm which is desperately trying to brace the fall though this will do no good.

My next angle is behind the right side of my face as it impacts the shards of glass, viscously breaking my fall before the concrete.

The rest of the next few hours are a blur: me actually realizing I needed to go to the hospital; the look on the cop when he first saw my bloody cut face; the medic in the back of the ambulance saying to remain calm and me responding that I had no other choice; the flurry of activity as I was pulled into the emergency room when I asked for them to spare my shirt, coughing out blood while saying it was from Brazil; somebody mentioning how much glass had been in my face; me verifying that I would be able to go to Sealy's wedding Saturday night.

Some were a bit more vivid, like when the second doctor couldn't close the cut on my neck and me coming back to myself. Questioning something I've taken for granted my entire life. I've never said the words before and hope to never again: am I going to die?

The answer was an obvious one for them and I know why. I needed to know I was going to live even if it was a lie. In death, that would've been the greatest lie ever. In life, it seems almost matter-of-fact.

The total damage was 30 stitches. I've got a cut from the right eye to my mouth and two on my chin. Though I did learn after the fact that the carotid artery was cut, it definitely could've been a lot worse.

incognegro came back to hang out after the work was done. I quickly got back to my flippant style of things and had him take some pictures of the mayhem that once were my internal liquids. We got back to my place around 7 am Saturday and I slept like the dead. Funny, I didn't find out until I woke up that I should've been woken up every few hours in case of a more serious concussion.

I was woken up by a knocking on the front door. I got up, but only barely. I can only imagine what Patches was thinking when he saw me approaching the back door of the house. Me, wrapped up like a mummy with bloody gauze.

It was around 1:30 and I decided to stay up. I woke up the house guest and we sat around most of the day. It was obvious I was in no condition to go to Sealy's wedding so incognegro headed out without me. The Saw came back later in the day and picked up some of my medication.

The rest of the day was uneventful, though I called up some people to let them know. I was thinking of not doing anything, but it's kind of tough to hide the damage the glass and concrete do to a face (that could be a fortune cookie).

I took incognegro back to the airport a bit earlier today after successfully doing nothing of consequence (though I did get him to watch the classic Time Bandits).

I think I'll be looking forward to boring weekends from now on.

Labels: 420, flashman, incognegro, mac, movies, near-death, stupidity, winston

Heading in became theorectical right around noon. Prep for the party tonight has taken on a more urgent priority. Work's overrated anyways. Getting ready for the party by watching Fight Club is definitely a different way to do things.

I'm beat but me and the man are still out. Heading back soon, but I've discovered that Maggie Mae's has two dollar pints on Thursday. No wonder this place is so friggin packed.

Got a call from S. Money and the misses has had their baby. Real premature, like 26 weeks, but she's a fighter!

Labels: s. money

I heard yesterday that Al Michaels wasn't going to do Monday Night Football next year (this year?), but then it got weird when I heard he was traded to NBC for a package of properties that include an old cartoon rabbit. Not any rabbit, but the one that Walt Disney created before losing a patent to Universal. Al Michaels, the rabbit man.

incognegro is here and he noticed the shit I've done around the house with little to no prompting. And he brought some music I've previously owned but lost. Now I just need to track down this missing live Police cd...

Speaking of prompting, my brother called me up and he's coming for a visit in a couple weeks. The good part of that is he's bringing my parent's card table with him. Something more to lose in a card game to Aces.

Labels: aces, house, incognegro

After a couple days of recovery time, I'm pretty sure I'm not recovered. Good thing incognegro shows up in a few hours to destroy any hope I have for taking it easy until Sealy's wedding on Saturday. Oh, and that happy hour at my place tomorrow sure will mess with that idea, too.

Labels: incognegro

Chilly came by for what may be the last time ever (I'm joking, but his wife does get back into Friday so I'm bound to see him less) and we checked out Hustle and Flow. Real good movie, but the real good surprising part was that Chilly recommended it. Good move as I doubt I'd have ever seen it otherwise. Anyway, Terrence Howard had an amazing performance as the pimp wanting to do better. Obviously, it's no The Mack but nothing is. Especially with Goldschläger to go with it.

Labels: chilly, movies

I could pass out right now. This boy just ain't right.

You know when you're pulling over to the side of the road to puke that it's been a good weekend.

I really need to get the heck out of this town.

And that's that!

When a Bud Light is eight bucks.

Taking a bit of a nap at a club is fine as long as you come out fighting. Long live the alliance.

The wall has been hit. I think it was bound to happen, at I'd prefer it not be at the 51st floor when we've dropped a couple bills on a bottle of vodka. Call me old fashioned.

The best of the pictures so far. Shoot into the light!

So this is the crew after a disastous period of gambling.

And them there was this.

So that's all I got so far.

So I'm down 70, but it was worse. And football legend Roger Craig was seen.

And this is my shoe shine.

I'm on the ground in Vegas heading to the gate with no sleep on the flight. Instead I watched the HORRIBLE Elizabethtown. I wonder if I can sneak in a power nap before Aces shows?

Labels: aces, movies, travel

Pretty worthless pic from Houston, but I've got to get my money's worth on this mms thing. Should've got the guy with my shirt. Oh well.

Sitting on the plane to Vegas and some old cat has the same Hawaiin shirt that I have. That thing is going straight to the dumpster (I'm skipping throwing it in my trash can) when I get home.

Labels: travel

Rarely am I at the airport let alone the gate an hour before the flight, but today's one such day. I even had time to stop and get my Vegas cash (let's so that's all I need). This whole 'three hours sleep' might come back to bite me, but I can always sleep next before incognegro shows up. Oh, he got a job out in San Francisco. Man, this post is all over the place.

Labels: incognegro, travel

Well, I've gotten pretty much everything packed and ready to go. Only thing is I've missed my window to potentially take the earlier flight. It was a slim chance anyway.

Maybe going out for beers when I haven't packed and need to get up early wasn't the best of ideas.

My car just hit 88k. Now if I only had that much cash lying around.

Mac just told me the MMS messages (to get pics to my site) cost 25 cents a piece. Darn things costing money.

Labels: mac

That picture is way too disturbing. Anyway, I've got to get to the office for a three hour meeting at 10. That's no way to end the week, that's for sure. I'm hoping to slip out of the office somewhat early to prep for the trip to Vegas tomorrow. The flight out is at 7 am, but I might see about getting the 6 am flight and get to Vegas a few hours earlier. That might be a crazy idea, but I'm filled with them.

Labels: travel

If anything ever said nighty night, this picture does. Or just roll over. Thank The Maker the first month's free, because I'm sensing this'll get out of control.

I came in at 8 am and left at 5:30. That just ain't right. I need to finish some dinner so I can head out to The Crown for beers. And if I have any spare time, maybe pack a bit for Vegas.

Labels: travel

Victory! A two hour delay, but I can post from the phone to the site of sites. Let's see how this impacts the world as we know it.

Let's hope this one works. It's a thing of beauty.

Even though I've been here since 8 am, time has still pretty much flown by.

We've got our VP in from California today so we were asked to come in by 8 am (well, everyone else was asked, I just followed along. But that's just because my boss is up in St. Louis. And really, who doesn't like to come into the office at 8 am?). I don't really know what benefit this is giving me as I haven't seen the guy yet, but I do know I'll need to take a three hour break in about two hours. Regardless our "brown bag" meeting with him later today will involve a lot of me trying not to fall asleep.

I can't seem to get the pictures to post. Maybe I need to change some text within my page? I guess I'll think on it.

Well, I figured out how to email pictures from my new phone, now if I can just figure out how to post them directly to the site then we'll have some trouble.

So I've done it! After over a year and a half living here, I've finally taken a shower totally moved into my master bedroom. The clincher was just a few minutes ago when I took a shower in my complete bathroom (don't worry, I've dried off). Yes, progress is slow at The Estate, but you know the motto for this year: "2006 is all about doing the shit I should've done in 2004."

Human Hybrids! I want one for Christmas.

The end of the world as we know it: the Kentucky Derby is taking a sponsor.

National signing day and it looks like Florida State is doing ok, but we already have Myron Rolle signed! He's the consensus number one guy in the nation. Hopefully we'll have a couple more signed before the end of the day. All I know is next time they're playing Clemson, I'll be booing C.J. Spiller as he supposed to go and play for FSU. Screw that kid.

Labels: football, sports

Jagr sent me this awesome death metal link. You'll need sound, but it'll be worth it.