Just living for a Tuesday Evening...

GOOD MORNING, HOUSTON
For some reason, I thought it'd be a great idea to come in to work early, so I got in at 0645.
The funny thing is, I got so much done before 0800, it was pretty cool.

WHAT'S IN A NAME
So Pink Tiger is Pink Tiger... Still no name for Watson. As for me...it seems my new nick is gonna be Mo Fizzle. I'm gonna try that out tomorrow and see how it does. That, and we just might try bumper bowling...again. J-Dubs might go, and the usual faces will be there too, but this will be the first week where there'll be no Nate the Mate, and Tinkerbell's out too.

And Finally...
I's 0035, and i'm sleepy. Work was dynamic today. Went for ice cream at the end of the day, and got some stuff done...actually a good deal... Tomorrow looks like it'll be the same...but I enjoy days like these.

Kace and I watched Elimidate tonight. That show gives me hope. Heh.
But seriously. :)

You're not hazardous, you're toxic!

Britney Spears invasion
Pink Tiger and I have this thing about Britney Spears. Toxic, it seems, got to both of us in that, Oh DAMNIT, it's stuck in my head again, sort of way. Some songs, ...well, ok, most songs that do that tend to drive most of us crazy. But at least some of them were classics. Somehow, when you're a guy, and you hear the song, AND you've seen the video... ok, so Jess mentioned it happened to her too, but you see AND hear the video in your mind. Just a funny and scary thought.

So yeah, it must have been playing on the radio last night cuz she left me voicemail. Funny how something that simple can make ya smile or even laugh. As for "not being hazardous, you're toxic!", this whole thing just reminded me of being in a principal's office with a friend, both caught passing notes in class or something, the Principal's on the phone and you're waiting to hear what's wrong or something like...'detention', and you and your friend just won't stop and laugh and talk about whatever. Except this wasn't the Principal's office, but us during work. A long week. But it's in the history books. And I'm glad. Not just that it's over with, but that it was a learning lesson in progress.

Beautiful Chic
I had sent an email to Jennifer Hawkins, the current Miss Universe from Australia.
Said hi and all that, and for the fun of it, asked for an autographed picture. Well, normally, I either get one or I don't, but I've never gotten an email saying Hi back, ... by the way, your picture's in the post. Well, again, trivial, but it's just nice how she took the time to send a response via email too.

Summer cleaning and Life Aspirations
JW and I agree. We're both clean nazis. Well, she's more of one than I am cuz she's perma-obsessive neat, which isn't that bad of a thing. I just go in cycles, myself. But when I hit that clean cycle, I don't care if it's 2am, I'm gonna clean around, vacuum, whatever. Is there a way to deactivate that gene? Oh well, the cool thing is, I finally set up my Playboy statues today. Ah... As dear Christy said, You'd make a good dirty old man. If I'm not there yet, I'm getting there.

Waiting on a Sunday Afternoon
for what I read between the lines... Long story short, I really should trust my instincts more. Whatever you call it, that gut feel, that voice in your head, whatever. I keep telling myself to listen to it more, but do I? Eh, only on occasion, but never enough to know better. Well, ok, so I do listen enough, just enough as a defense. Doesn't mean I listen all the way.

Want Pie Now
Every time we have a new coworker or co-op, I've introduced them to Weebl and Bob.
So, now I'm going to share that here. http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/
Ya gotta watch all the episodes. Click on archive.

Ok, gonna go on errands to el Target and wherever else.

When Come Back, Bring Pie.

Up and Down the Hallways Today
This morning started out with a weird page at 6:43am. Still no idea who bothered trying to page me, but ah well. The night before, finally reset my cell's voicemail. So far, it's still working.
We were supposed to have a test done today, but once again, that got postponed until next Monday. That left it to the usual meeting at 10am, followed by lunch. J-Love, J-Dubs, King Cobra and the lil lady and I went to lunch and did vietnamese food today. Slow day, and at the end of this week, just had to chill out and say 'F^ck it'. Pink Tiger and I ended up going for some starbucks as a break after taking care of some work.

After the day was said and done, went to the mall and got my hair highlighted. I hadn't done anything to my hair color wise since earlier this year, like in June or something. But that wasn't drastic. The last drastic hairchange was back in 1992/1993 for theatre when I dyed my hair permanent red. This new look looks pretty good, and I can't wait to show it off at work.
Always liked being a lil bit different than everyone else.

Jim's Last Day
Although I used to be a die-hard mallrat, I haven't really set much foot at the mall.
Some stores that I loved going to ar eno longer there, etc. Jim was one of the managers at KB Toys. basically, he's give me a heads up if anything I was looking for was coming in.
Today, I got the rare Nolan Ryan in Astros jersey figure. It looks pretty spiffy.

Is that all?
So I got my hair highlighted, went to KB...then decided, Eh, and went to River Oaks.
They were having a cd-listening party. Pretty cozy gathering. Everyone was pretty cool and laid back. I'd gone there to pick up their newest CD giveaway, and left with more than 1 cd, thanks to door prizes.

How Rare
My dear friend Erica called today and asked what I'd be doing within a given period of time. Eh, my schedule isn't too user friendly in the next few months, but as it is, I might accompany her to a wedding in Nov. I'm actually looking forward to that.

Simon says
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The closest of kin sometimes seem to be the furthest from knowing the real you. Remedy the situation now. Being completely comfortable in relationships makes you feel that all is well in the world. Laughter forms a lasting tie.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There's no need for force events into your preconceived notion of what they should be. When you relax, what happens naturally is inspired and sometimes hilarious. Even tedious work is fun if you have the right attitude.

I'm gonna add Scorpio because I'm basically on the cusp. Quick temper, but quick to mellow out... Best of all worlds. And the outlook is better, everything else is.... eh.

Only for decorations

The Pond
Today was a meeting filled day, but it quieted down soon enough. I'd say more, but i'm actually sleepy before it even hit 2am. All I know is that i'm about to crash. Tomorrow (friday) is donuts day. We also planned stuff for lunch. The joy of tomorrow is trying to see if we all push through with the plot and scheme.


Horoscope says (8/27/04):
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your ambition wells up inside you like a geyser ready to blow. But enthusiasm alone won't be enough to propel you toward success. You need an inventive yet sensible plan to overthrow a prsistent obstacle. A Scorpio helps.

I'm so totally there...

MONEYMAKER
Today was a typical dressed-up day...complete with matching meetings. Although Murphy's Law almost played a few rounds, Pink Tiger and I escaped unscathed and ready for more... well... ok, maybe not WANTING more, but we could surely take it on if needed.


BORDER PATROL
It's a sure sign that it's the end of the world. I used to be able to eat 5 tacos before you could finish reading Psalm 23. Maybe it's a stretch, but you hopefully get the point. Today. 1 taco.
1 coke. no refill. Sensei, my training progresses! That, and taking the walks, and the water are starting to help out. Now, if only I can wait for sleep.

OVERANALYZE THIS
Ok, I receive my daily horoscopes on email, but there's also the one from the local newspaper online. Granted, I've been posting the one from the newspaper, I generally pay attention more to the one from email. Tonight's horoscope...well, for tomorrow, that is... funny how it seems to keep up with what's current. Case in point...let's start of with the horoscope:

LIBRA: Thursday, August 26: With this Sun-Uranus opposition, you may suddenly discover that your attitude needs adjusting or your perspective revising. The most blatant clue? Somebody offers you something that you have wanted since dinosaurs roamed the earth, and instead of leaping on it enthusiastically yelling "Yippee!" at the top of your lungs, you say "I dunno, maybe, we'll see?"

Pink Tiger and I had a nice talk today. She basically reminded me that I should be having fun. And sure, she's not been the first to tell me this, but between her, King Cobra, and the Frou song... on repeat... I left work tonight after having had, I think, 5 mugs of tea. back to back. What can I say? I like this flavor. And so I thought, let me go to the mall or something...
Driving with the right music can be good therapy... I stopped listening to the lullabying techno beat of the song, and let some of the words I was hearing sink in... Let go, jump in, what are you waiting for...

It hit me right then. at that intersection. just having crossed the train tracks. I just need to take a breath, and jump in. Instead of "Yippee", I'd been saying "I dunno, maybe, we'll see"...literally. and granted, I'd be more inclined to say frickin A other than yippee, I know now how much fun I used to have when I would just say "Just f--- it" and just go spur of the moment.

Let's find out what happens.
In the meantime, soon, I'll get a haircut and maybe color my hair with bright highlights.

It'll either be yay or nay.
But i'm going to try... I've got nothing to lose, i'm going to try. I'm so totally there.

All the same, here's the newspaper one:
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Everyone has an opinion, but that doesn't obligate you to follow the advice. Feel free to live your way. The old success wheel will start rolling when you develop your individuality to an even higher level. Romance is in the air tonight.

It's that time again???

BOWLING
It's become a ritual... every tuesday, it's bowling night. Maybe it's a release from the maddening crowd that is our work. Do they go for the idea of bringing this one bowling ball and driving it down and taking down as many as possible? Who knows?

I go bowling because I like the company. Funny, but it's the company that seems to make it worth while, right? You've got the usual cast of characters. "The Romancer", "Pink Tiger", "Burninate", to name a few. Although sometimes it gets downright serious, you don't need to have previous experience as a bowler. If you ask me, I think it's more fun to not just throw like you want some points, but to also get creative with your approach. The between-the-legs, the granny-shot, left-handed!!!, or, my favorite one as a spectator... the push-off (for lack of a better term)...

Rock and bowl... it's a great idea. And caters to the insomniac in me.

The MORNING AFTER
The funny thing about bowling late on Tuesday is that Wednesday, you never know what you're going to get. Caffeine-induced mornings lead to skipping up and down the halls of our building...
but then again, sometimes we do that for the hell of it.

TODAY, I GOT PAID TO
Pretty much work things out. What's this entail? Well, on one hand, one group wants to approach things one way. Not exactly the best way of doing things, at that. On the other hand, there's the conscience folks who say, Whoa Nelly. Somehow, the happy medium and I play well with each other. Happy medium says, we can all get along. It'll just take a bit of settling down, talking, and getting everything out on the table. I guess everyone just wants to get heard, and as long as that happens, it usually ends up nicely. But even after much discussion, argument, pursuasion (my coworkers say schmoozing. Can I help it?) , even I needed a break, so I took a walk outside and watched the fish and the turtles in one of the ponds. Really relaxing, and just takes you away to some form of Neverland, even for just a little while.

Paperwork...they say something can't fly in space unless it's got its weight in paperwork. This is basically a true statement. Did that too. Tomorrow...well... ok... 7 hours from now, I'll be giving my first of two presentations. Nothing major. God I love it when that happens. The second one, well... that'll be fun. Let those games begin.

I've come to the realization that I can't do everything. Sure, I say the Serenity prayer at work often, but I've always tried to take on the optimistic view of everything. I still do, but 2 weeks ago, it hit me that there are times to let go. Just like the current song in the track of my mind is singing... "So let go, jump in, oh what are you waiting for? It's alright, 'cos theres beauty in the breakdown." That breakdown was much needed, and put things in perspective.

I don't know how the others see it... but I've got a firm belief that anything is possible. No is just a temporary setback. As Dan Brown said in Digital Fortress, Everything is possible, the impossible just takes longer. This is true, at least in my mind, when it comes to work.

Everything else is different.

Lunch consisted of going to the new Philly Cheesesteak place. Not too bad. Kinda crammed for seating space, but it actually wasn't bad. Now, if only the burrito place and Ben and Jerry's opened already....

That's today in a nutcase. Time to salvage 3 hours of sleep...requiem for the day, an insomniac's defeat at the hands of an unrelenting foe that is sleep. The moon was out bright tonight. It was beautiful.

Finally, today's horoscope (8/25/04):
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Being a winner at work is simple but not easy. Follow this formula, and you'll soon be in line for a higher position with more pay: Plan what you intend to do, execute concisely, and be relevant to the action at hand.

I'm okay with being unimpressive. I sleep better.

it's another insomniac evening, and I'm thinking back to this past weekend.
I had a lot of fun. My friend Megan's great company, whether it's going to a movie or getting lost in town. or IKEA.

Garden State.
"Oh, it's a dark, romantic comedy...Come on, it's even got Natalie Portman. I'm sure that'll convince you." That's all she said. Now granted, I didn't need to know Natalie Portman was in it to go, but it didn't hurt. I liked this movie a lot more than Megan prolly expected, let alone from what I expected. It had a good deal of life's lessons and perspectives, as well as some really funny laugh-out-loud moments. The soundtrack isn't bad either. I recommend listening to The Shins. You have to listen to this one song, it'll change your life, I promise. :)

Some of my favorite quotes:
"You know that point in your life when you realize the house you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? That idea of home is gone. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people who miss the same imaginary place."

"This is your one opportunity to do something that no one has ever done before and that no one will copy throughout human existence. And if nothing else, you will be remembered as the one guy who ever did this. This one thing. "

"You laugh, you know, I'm not saying I don't cry, but in between, I laugh."

Oh, and I was serious...if I were to become rich off of some obscure idea...let alone win the lotto, I'm putting a good number of people on a cruise. After I get a big house. With minimal furniture. and a golf cart. :)

WILLIAMS WATERWALL
I'd always wanted to go here... 64 ft high, 11,000 gallons per minute... it's really picturesque.
I don't know. Maybe it seems trivial, but going here was a really nice moment. It's always been on my list of places to see, but even though I've been once, I wouldn't mind going back time and again.

CENTRAL MARKET
Chocolate-covered coffee beans. I love chocolate. I heart mocha. Granted, I don't really do hot coffee at all, the cold stuff is good. But chocolate-covered coffee beans... very nice.

Growin up in the South, I've been exposed to Lipton tea...and iced tea. Mainly because there was a big Lipton company bldg where I grew up, and well, yeah. I got an introduction to tea the last few days, and I think I'm going to try it out. Jasmine Green Tea smells good, and tastes pretty good too.

IKEA.
Big. Blue. Building. So they tore down the old smaller one, built a bigger one adjacent to it, and converted the lot of the old IKEA into the new one's parking lot. Result? Need more parking space. That in itself was a fun event, just trying to find parking without parkin in the mud.
IKEA. land of the wooden and multi-colored furniture. next time, we're going to get ice cream.

This day was fun. The destinations were fun, and the company, well...can't complain one bit. Sometimes, the best things in life are free. and sometimes, not. But they're all the best in life.

And finally, Today's horoscope:
Not satisfied with mediocre attachments, you want relationships to be spectacular. Making something special takes creativity and energy. Be sure that short-term decisions about love make long-term sense.

No comment for now on that one...