Currently Reading: The Damnation Game by Clive Barker
You may have read over on CC's blog that she bought me a Clone Trooper blaster rifle from Target the other day. It's true, she did and I really love that thing :-) Oh it has no real purpose. It's just a toy of course. Sure is fun though, at least for me. It's all part of my NOT growing up without a fight.
Oh it's true, I will have to be dragged, kicking and screaming before I ever totally cross over to "The Dark Side" -- meaning being a grown up ALL the time. Where's the fun in THAT? You know, the world would be a MUCH happier place if we all kept just a LITTLE bit of space inside us to be a kid.
You wouldn't want to be a kid ALL the time. Just look what happened to all those baby boomers who refused to grow up at ALL and just ended up exchanging one set of toys for another. They went from toy guns and games to video games and expensive stereos to computers and MP3 players and fancy cars. And they're still at it. But the toys are not really their problem. Hell I have most of those toys myself. The real problem with THAT particular group of child wannabes is that mentally, they still ACT like children. You've seen them I'm sure. They're the ones in the stores pitching a fit at some poor customer service clerk because the shopping experience wasn't perfect. Or maybe they're the ones trying to be "friends" with their AWFUL children instead of actually being a parent. You can always have too much of a good thing.
This toy that CC bought me, I'll let you in on a little secret. Back in the 1970's when the original three movies came out, they made a Storm Trooper gun like this. OH MAN did I ever want one of THOSE! Parents would never get it for me though. I don't know if it's a violence thing or not. I only had two cap guns growing up, one of which I bought myself with allowance money. Never had a BB gun (Red Ryder or other) or any of the guns that shot foam darts. Had one that shot little plastic disks but there again, bought that myself and it was for a game we were playing in high school (think of a very primative version of paintball).
Anyway, so this here toy gun is something I've been wanting since I was about 7. Now I have it and it's COOL :-)
Don't worry though, I'm not such a geek that I'll be taking it with me to the opening of the next Star Wars movie and I don't dress up in costume or anything like that. It's just something fun :-)
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Speaking of A Christmas Story . . .
Currently Reading: The Damnation Game by Clive Barker
One side note I forgot to mention. The house where the movie "A Christmas Story" was filmed was recently sold on eBay. It went for something like $150,000 or so. The guy who bought it is going to pretty much restore it to how it looked in the film and use it as a sort of museum/gift shop for things about the movie. He's actually the same guy who first started selling the full-size "Major Award" lamp.
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, you can see the lamp here.
One side note I forgot to mention. The house where the movie "A Christmas Story" was filmed was recently sold on eBay. It went for something like $150,000 or so. The guy who bought it is going to pretty much restore it to how it looked in the film and use it as a sort of museum/gift shop for things about the movie. He's actually the same guy who first started selling the full-size "Major Award" lamp.
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, you can see the lamp here.
The Big Spring Slowdown
Currently Reading: The Damnation Game by Clive Barker
Hmm, with a title like that I should write the whole letter in the style of Film Noir detective movies.
It was the kind of day outside where the sun came up loud. Clouds littered the sky like cotton balls stuck with cheap glue. Below it all, the new grass clawed its way through the brown remains of last year's turf.
Seems like a lot of effort to go through just to say it was sunny outside and the grass is growing. What's also going on is . . . well not much. That's the whole point of the big spring slowdown you see. We all start to slow down heading into summer. Why? I'm not sure actually. I do know that when you're a kid, it's exactly the opposite. You slow down in the fall heading into the winter. In spring you speed up. The little guys are bouncing all over the streets these days. Wish I had that energy this time of year.
CC and I will put that energy to good use though (theirs, not ours). We're moving into our new apartment in June so we'll be using plenty of child labor. Let's see how excited my sister's kids are about helping us move when we have them haul the desk up three flights of stairs MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA :-)
Actually they'll be a big help. There will be plenty of little boxes filled with just stuff. I have LOTS of "just stuff" around here. Take my desk for example. Yes, it's a bit cluttered at the moment but even in it's CLEAN state it's covered with just stuff. Some of it is stuff I use all the time like pens and address books and things like that. The rest, or most of it anyway, is decoration really. Over to my left, on one shelf, in front of a row of books I've got a small collection of action figures. Three of them are Japanese, the others are Marvel. I have both The Thing and The Hulk. Oh, and there's the black and turquoise bear Judy sent me. There's also a candle and a pile of change. And that's just the beginning.
Over on top of the monitor there's a stuffed bear and a stuffed dog. The bear I got when CC and I went to Gatlinburg for the first time. The dog she sent me when she was in Manila because it looks a bit like Katya. Over on the right, another candle, incense burner, two sets of headphones and my "Major Award" lamp. If you've seen the movie "A Christmas Story" you know all about the major award lamp.
Ok, I could go on with this detailed inventory of my desk but let's face it, it's pretty boring and this blog entry is running long :-)
So remember, it's spring. Take it slow. You're SUPPOSED to :-)
Hmm, with a title like that I should write the whole letter in the style of Film Noir detective movies.
It was the kind of day outside where the sun came up loud. Clouds littered the sky like cotton balls stuck with cheap glue. Below it all, the new grass clawed its way through the brown remains of last year's turf.
Seems like a lot of effort to go through just to say it was sunny outside and the grass is growing. What's also going on is . . . well not much. That's the whole point of the big spring slowdown you see. We all start to slow down heading into summer. Why? I'm not sure actually. I do know that when you're a kid, it's exactly the opposite. You slow down in the fall heading into the winter. In spring you speed up. The little guys are bouncing all over the streets these days. Wish I had that energy this time of year.
CC and I will put that energy to good use though (theirs, not ours). We're moving into our new apartment in June so we'll be using plenty of child labor. Let's see how excited my sister's kids are about helping us move when we have them haul the desk up three flights of stairs MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA :-)
Actually they'll be a big help. There will be plenty of little boxes filled with just stuff. I have LOTS of "just stuff" around here. Take my desk for example. Yes, it's a bit cluttered at the moment but even in it's CLEAN state it's covered with just stuff. Some of it is stuff I use all the time like pens and address books and things like that. The rest, or most of it anyway, is decoration really. Over to my left, on one shelf, in front of a row of books I've got a small collection of action figures. Three of them are Japanese, the others are Marvel. I have both The Thing and The Hulk. Oh, and there's the black and turquoise bear Judy sent me. There's also a candle and a pile of change. And that's just the beginning.
Over on top of the monitor there's a stuffed bear and a stuffed dog. The bear I got when CC and I went to Gatlinburg for the first time. The dog she sent me when she was in Manila because it looks a bit like Katya. Over on the right, another candle, incense burner, two sets of headphones and my "Major Award" lamp. If you've seen the movie "A Christmas Story" you know all about the major award lamp.
Ok, I could go on with this detailed inventory of my desk but let's face it, it's pretty boring and this blog entry is running long :-)
So remember, it's spring. Take it slow. You're SUPPOSED to :-)
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Semi-Annual Sanity Check
Currently Reading: Nothing
Once again I have defied the odds and managed to pass my sanity check. You see, twice a year I have to go in to see the shrink to make sure I'm not nuts. Why? Well I get anxious for no particular reason. Ok more than just anxious. This is more like a full force, raving panic.
Started back, hmm, oh I'd say back when I was in high school. I just had no idea what it was at the time. Figured I was just getting exhausted or maybe ate bad food or something. But then it started happening more regular and more often. Next thing you know I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to hold down my dinner just because someone invites me to a hockey game.
What's really amazing about it though is that it never really got in the way of my theater work. Oh don't get me wrong, I had panic attacks while I was doing theater too. I'd be so tense before a show you just had to poke me and I'd explode. But for some reason, the demands of the show managed to override my panic attacks at the last minute.
When I was in college, I had to give a 60 minute lecture complete with handouts and so forth on Arthurian Literature. I honestly don't know how I managed to get started. I literally couldn't see the table in front of me when I stood up to begin my presentation. The whole world was fuzzed out. But then I started. The words came forth, next thing you know I'm done and it's time for a break. Can't say I remember much of what I talked about but I DO remember people coming up to me during the break telling me how much they enjoyed the presentation and how CALM I appeared. They were amazed and thought I should do more public speaking. If they only knew how much it took out of me :-)
It didn't always happen like that. Hell when I was in high school I was on the debate team, did lots of theater, band, all sorts of stuff that put me in front of an audience. Sometimes the panic would set in, sometimes not. I had no idea when it would happen or what would set it off. My only consolation was that I knew it would STOP as soon as the show got started. The show ALWAYS came first.
When I really started to lose my hearing the anxiety got worse. I quit going out entirely. Didn't really see the point in it. I mean, 1. I couldn't hear anything and 2. I'd probably end up feeling sick anyway.
What made the difference was Lucky Charms . . . the breakfast cereal. I was eating some and in the process I broke a tooth. Now, the tooth was already cracked and had been filled before. Breakfast just pushed it over the edge. I actually called in sick that day because I was so stressed out over it. It's just a tooth. I'd had it filled before. I knew the dentist. Been going there since I was a kid. None of that mattered.
That was when I decided I'd had enough. I called a shrink, went over there that afternoon. Been going to one every 3-6 months ever since. These days it's just to check in, make sure nothing dramatic has happened and pick up prescription renewals. Does it work? Yeah, I'd say so. I managed to get married didn't I? :-)
Once again I have defied the odds and managed to pass my sanity check. You see, twice a year I have to go in to see the shrink to make sure I'm not nuts. Why? Well I get anxious for no particular reason. Ok more than just anxious. This is more like a full force, raving panic.
Started back, hmm, oh I'd say back when I was in high school. I just had no idea what it was at the time. Figured I was just getting exhausted or maybe ate bad food or something. But then it started happening more regular and more often. Next thing you know I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to hold down my dinner just because someone invites me to a hockey game.
What's really amazing about it though is that it never really got in the way of my theater work. Oh don't get me wrong, I had panic attacks while I was doing theater too. I'd be so tense before a show you just had to poke me and I'd explode. But for some reason, the demands of the show managed to override my panic attacks at the last minute.
When I was in college, I had to give a 60 minute lecture complete with handouts and so forth on Arthurian Literature. I honestly don't know how I managed to get started. I literally couldn't see the table in front of me when I stood up to begin my presentation. The whole world was fuzzed out. But then I started. The words came forth, next thing you know I'm done and it's time for a break. Can't say I remember much of what I talked about but I DO remember people coming up to me during the break telling me how much they enjoyed the presentation and how CALM I appeared. They were amazed and thought I should do more public speaking. If they only knew how much it took out of me :-)
It didn't always happen like that. Hell when I was in high school I was on the debate team, did lots of theater, band, all sorts of stuff that put me in front of an audience. Sometimes the panic would set in, sometimes not. I had no idea when it would happen or what would set it off. My only consolation was that I knew it would STOP as soon as the show got started. The show ALWAYS came first.
When I really started to lose my hearing the anxiety got worse. I quit going out entirely. Didn't really see the point in it. I mean, 1. I couldn't hear anything and 2. I'd probably end up feeling sick anyway.
What made the difference was Lucky Charms . . . the breakfast cereal. I was eating some and in the process I broke a tooth. Now, the tooth was already cracked and had been filled before. Breakfast just pushed it over the edge. I actually called in sick that day because I was so stressed out over it. It's just a tooth. I'd had it filled before. I knew the dentist. Been going there since I was a kid. None of that mattered.
That was when I decided I'd had enough. I called a shrink, went over there that afternoon. Been going to one every 3-6 months ever since. These days it's just to check in, make sure nothing dramatic has happened and pick up prescription renewals. Does it work? Yeah, I'd say so. I managed to get married didn't I? :-)
Friday, April 01, 2005
Wet Dog And Soap
Currently Reading: Jupiter by Ben Bova
Everybody's a critic. I already posted this once. Typed it all out, hit the "publish" button and ended up with some sort of java error. I guess the server didn't much care of my detailed rendition of dog washing.
That's what the bathroom smells like, by the way, wet dog and soap. I've washed the dogs today because last night I found a flea. Oh joy of joys, it's flea and tick season! Actually, it never really went away. It didn't get quite cold enough this winter to kill them all off so they've always been lurking out there I suppose. But now one found its way into the house so the dogs must be de-fleaed.
It's not as fun as it used to be. Katya used to be much better about baths than she is now. She doesn't like to sit still in the tub much anymore and she LOVES to shake all that water out of her fur. I usually end up wetter than she is in the end.
And Jack, well, actually he's a success story. At the mention of a bath, he used to get scared, run, pee, and hide . . . in that order. Now, he still gets scared but he comes into the bathroom and waits it out. He knows I'll find him anyway. I can just follow the pee :-)
Once they've dried off a bit I'll brush them down and put on the flea drops. The brushing process will result in a ball of fur large enough to create an emergency, back-up dog or, if we're so inclined, a very colorful sweater for one of the smaller dogs.
Still, better all this than having fleas :-)
Everybody's a critic. I already posted this once. Typed it all out, hit the "publish" button and ended up with some sort of java error. I guess the server didn't much care of my detailed rendition of dog washing.
That's what the bathroom smells like, by the way, wet dog and soap. I've washed the dogs today because last night I found a flea. Oh joy of joys, it's flea and tick season! Actually, it never really went away. It didn't get quite cold enough this winter to kill them all off so they've always been lurking out there I suppose. But now one found its way into the house so the dogs must be de-fleaed.
It's not as fun as it used to be. Katya used to be much better about baths than she is now. She doesn't like to sit still in the tub much anymore and she LOVES to shake all that water out of her fur. I usually end up wetter than she is in the end.
And Jack, well, actually he's a success story. At the mention of a bath, he used to get scared, run, pee, and hide . . . in that order. Now, he still gets scared but he comes into the bathroom and waits it out. He knows I'll find him anyway. I can just follow the pee :-)
Once they've dried off a bit I'll brush them down and put on the flea drops. The brushing process will result in a ball of fur large enough to create an emergency, back-up dog or, if we're so inclined, a very colorful sweater for one of the smaller dogs.
Still, better all this than having fleas :-)
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