Anna: Every time I think about this, I'm going to regret it!
William: Oh. Hm. Every time I think about this, I would of have been... happy...
-- from Notting Hill
::: Tower View :::
Filling The Box
I've been procrastinating again. In everything.
At least I finally got around in filling the memory box. Again. I'm really getting tired of doing this, but I collect way too many things.
Pictures of the Italian waterline, fountains, ducks, docks, raves, waves, bamboo gardens, and jewelry were the first to go in. Images of charity walks, the land of Oz, and pianos were put in as well. Even this silly picture of a sponge in a microwave went inside. I had that laying around for sometime.
How I got talked into more rave and trance cds, I will never know, but in they went along with the rest.
Then again, I have no idea why I have these pages on tiramisu, salads, iced coffee, and iced teas. I cant cook for shite and have no explanation for them.
The artwork for tattoo ideas were folded up and had to be slid into the side of the box. I'm amazed the damned things even fit.
The keychains with the toy football and toy soccer ball were slid inside the folds of the fleece blanket I used to keep out. Guess all three arent really necessary any more.
So I put this last set on the top of the stack and closed the box. Back into the recesses of the closet this goes until next time.
I really need to stop being such a packrat. Then again, its just hard to let go of some things.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
The Man Who Sold The World by Nirvana
For years and years I roamed
I gazed a gazely stare.
We walked a million hills.
I must have died alone
A long, long time ago.
Who knows?
Not me.
We never lost control.
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world.
**********
************************************************
When did I lose my sense of purpose?
Can I regain what's lost inside?
Why do I feel like I deserve this?
Why does my pain look like my pride?
************************************************
I have always wanted to go home with you. That will not happen now.
-- Broken Sword from Hero
::: Tower View :::
Giving The Finger
| You Are the Index Finger |
 You are ambitious, driven, and capable. You aren't afraid to take responsibility for your actions - or place the blame on whoever deserves it. You are honest, free thinking, and objective. You see things in your own way - and you aren't afraid to let everyone know about it. You get along well with: The Thumb Stay away from: The Ring Finger |
I always figured I was the middle finger.
**********
************************************************
I cannot explain to you
In anything I say or do
But hope the actions
Speak the words they can
************************************************
She's gone. She gave me a pen. I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen
-- Lloyd from Say Anything
::: Tower View :::
Meme for Whowho
Karrie Lyne tagged me for the 8 Things You May Not Know About Me list. Is this what it feels like when the cow gets the number attached to the ear?
This isnt anything new to anyone who really knows me. I am pretty much an open book.
1) I suffer from road rage. Well, not necessarily suffer. More like inflict it.
2) After every MS150 bicycle ride, I reward myself with something that I had always wanted to do. The first 2 were tattoos and the last one was an ear piercing.
3) My first tattoo is the Japanese Kanji for "Hero." The second is a dragon that surrounds the first. They look like they are one large tattoo.
4) At age 17, I went to party and had an extremely large amount of alcohol that night. When I woke up in my bed the next morning, I had no idea how I had gotten there. Afterwards, I didnt touch alcohol for over 10 years.
5) I used to compete in martial arts fighting. I think I would like to compete again.
6) I am an avid movie watcher, especially for Hong Kong martial art and action films.
7) I tend to be a workaholic.
8) Someone once told me that I prefer living in pain. I think they were correct in that assessment.
I wont tag anyone with this. I'm actually of the few folks that havent done this before.
**********
************************************************
I cannot explain to you
In anything I say or do
But hope the actions
Speak the words they can
************************************************
Jeff: They're onto us! They know exactly where we are!
Steve: Jeff, she's my girlfriend. She already knows where I live.
Jeff: Ex-girlfriend.
Steve: Which part of your brain thought that was a good thing to say?!
-- from Coupling
::: Tower View :::
Watch Here
I cant embed Avril Lavigne's video for When You're Gone, but its definately worth the viewing.
I found the segment of the widower touching. Guess I'm just a sentimental old sod.
**********
************************************************
I cannot explain to you
In anything I say or do
But hope the actions
Speak the words they can
************************************************
Ree: That would mean no hiking, camping, fishing, sailing, or sex.
Me: I can hear it now. "Medic! Man down! Get him up! Get him up!"
-- from a recent conversation
::: Tower View :::
Never Mess With The Guy With The Mic
Hat tip to TmCamp for this little gem. Kevin Smith rules!
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
JW: Damn man. You're playing like a madman. What have you been taking?
Me: Its the steroids.
-- from this week's soccer match
::: Tower View :::
I'm Rated What?!
Hat tip to Starfury for this little gem.
I got this for the words pain and hurt.
Fuck that. I thought I would have been rated XXX.
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Me: Waiting to see if Geoff decides to suck the tip or not
-- from a recent conversation
::: Tower View :::
The Space Between
I didnt realize that its been over a month since I've updated this thing. Geezus, its been hectic.
My boss, Hem, had taken some time off again so I was watching the shop. And of course the first day he was gone, everything went to hell.
I've been able to ride every so often. The heat has been pretty unbearable, but still fun overall. I cant complain.
Well, I could, but whats the point of it all, hm?
At least they know how to keep cool.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
Down With The Sickness by Disturbed
Open up your hate
And let it flow into me
Get up
Come on get down with the sickness
You mother get up come on get down with the sickness
You fucker get up come on get down with the sickness
Madness has now come over me
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Oh yeah. Thats you. Dont need anything. Dont need anyone. Just you and your stupid job selling shrimp chips.
-- Jessica from Kiss of the Dragon
::: Tower View :::
Feels Like I'm Dying Here
The cycling season has been relatively quiet these past few weeks, but just enough to make me amiss in my updates. (Well that and I'm just a lazy bastard. I need to update the archives too. I didnt realize the link up top was broken.)
I recently rode a charity event that was 61 miles thru a wind storm. It not only caused severe cramps as we battled thru it, but there were experienced riders that had to get off their bike lest be blown over a bridge.
Those of us that normally average 17mph had to fight to keep 13mph. There were times where we dropped to 9mph.
And no matter how much it hurt, you kept going. 
Then there was another charity ride that was done during what was might as well had been a monsoon.
Riding thru rain is one thing, but this downpour soaked my clothes within 5 minutes of just getting out of the Jeep. The socks were absolutely soaked before I even got my feet in the cleats.
And even then, it was a great ride. Wind and rain soaking thru to your bones. The water continuously stinging your eyes. The pain just drives you on. 
Pedal. Keep pedaling. Legs are hurting. Pedal more. Back is sore. Pedal. Just pedal.
Maybe it really is all about the suffering.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
Bleed It Out by Linkin Park
Death is rolling in every verse
Candy paint on his brand new hearse
Cant contain him
He knows he works
Fuck this hurts
I wont lie
Doesnt matter how hard I try
Half the words dont mean a thing
And I know I wont be satisfied
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Harry: You were going to be a gymnast.
Sally: A journalist.
Harry: Right, that's what I said.
-- from When Harry Met Sally
::: Tower View :::
The Real Horror
As any man will attest to, these are the really scary movies that we see.
When Harry Met Sally
Sleepless In Seattle
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young
-- anonymous quote
::: Tower View :::
Happy Mother's Day
Hope you mothers had a good day as well as you motherfu... errr... Anyways, Happy Mother's Day!
A Monkey Can Do Your Job
Hat tip to AlphaBunny for this little gem.
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Yip: I havent had lunch yet. I need something big and juicy in my mouth.
Me: Well, dear, that leaves me out.
-- from a conversation at work
::: Background Noise :::
What I've Done by Linkin Park
So let mercy come
And wash away
What I've done
I'll face myself
To cross out what I've become
Erase myself
And let go of what I've done
For what I've done
I'll start again
And whatever pain may come
Today this ends
I'm forgiving what I've done
This song keeps going thru my mind. It must be because I'm impatiently waiting for their new cd Minutes to Midnight to be released on Tues.
Aye, thats it.
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Friendships are elective relationships. And they dont always last forever.
-- seen on a horrorscope
::: Tower View :::
I Got Your Humps Right Here
This is absolutely frigging brilliant! I've always loved Alanis' music, but this cover made me laugh like a madman. Enjoy!
**********
Look. An Idiot.
-- Valentine from MirrorMask
::: Tower View :::
Eternal Sunshine
I know I've put this out before, but it came to mind. Its a segment of a poem by Alexander Pope called Eloisa to Abelard.
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;
Labour and rest, that equal periods keep;
"Obedient slumbers that can wake and weep;"
Desires compos'd, affections ever ev'n,
Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to Heav'n.
Grace shines around her with serenest beams,
And whisp'ring angels prompt her golden dreams.
For her th' unfading rose of Eden blooms,
And wings of seraphs shed divine perfumes,
For her the Spouse prepares the bridal ring,
For her white virgins hymeneals sing,
To sounds of heav'nly harps she dies away,
And melts in visions of eternal day.
Far other dreams my erring soul employ,
Far other raptures, of unholy joy:
When at the close of each sad, sorrowing day,
Fancy restores what vengeance snatch'd away,
Then conscience sleeps, and leaving nature free,
All my loose soul unbounded springs to thee.
Oh curs'd, dear horrors of all-conscious night!
How glowing guilt exalts the keen delight!
Provoking Daemons all restraint remove,
And stir within me every source of love.
I hear thee, view thee, gaze o'er all thy charms,
And round thy phantom glue my clasping arms.
I wake — no more I hear, no more I view,
The phantom flies me, as unkind as you.
I call aloud; it hears not what I say;
I stretch my empty arms; it glides away.
To dream once more I close my willing eyes;
Ye soft illusions, dear deceits, arise!
Alas, no more — methinks we wand'ring go
Through dreary wastes, and weep each other's woe,
Where round some mould'ring tower pale ivy creeps,
And low-brow'd rocks hang nodding o'er the deeps.
Sudden you mount, you beckon from the skies;
Clouds interpose, waves roar, and winds arise.
I shriek, start up, the same sad prospect find,
And wake to all the griefs I left behind.
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
When I let her go, it felt like life itself was slipping through me fingers.
-- Constantine from Hellblazer: Rake At the Gates Of Hell
::: Tower View :::
Music In The Mind
Today's ride wasnt so bad. 64 miles of wind, sun, and insects can make for a day, but overall, nothing too damaging. Too bad the same cant be said about me singing.
On the longer rides, I have to have me music and of course, when I get to some strange point of exhaution and/or anger, I have to sing.
It forces the body to keep going and drives the mind inward to concentrate at the task on hand, even for a wee bit. Unfortunately, it just doesnt stop because the ride ended.
And so one of the songs that kept playing in my head after the ride was
Figure09 by Linkin Park
Nothing ever stops all these thoughts
And the pain attached to them
Sometimes I wonder
Why this is happening
Its like nothing I can do
Would distract me when
I think of how
I shot myself in the back again
Cause from the infinite words
I could say I
Put all pain
You gave to me on display
But didn't realize
Instead of setting it free I
Took what I hated
And made it a part of me
Never goes away
Never goes away
And now
You've become a part of me
You'll always be right here
You've become a part of me
You'll always be my fear
I can't separate
Myself from what I've done
Giving up a part of me
I've let myself become you
Hearing your name
The memories come back again
I remember when it
Started happening
I see you in every thought I had
And then
The thoughts slowly found words
Attached to them
And I knew as they escaped away
I was committing myself to them
And everyday
I regret saying those things
Cause now I see that I
Took what I hated
And made it a part of me
Never goes away
Never goes away
Get away from me!
Give me my space back
You got to just
Go!
Everything comes down
To memories of
You!
I've kept it in
But now I'm letting you
Know!
I let you go
So get away from
Me!
Give me my space back
You got to just
Go!
Everything comes down
To memories of
You!
I've kept it
But now I'm letting you
Know!
I let you go
And now
You've become a part of me
You'll always be right here
You've become a part of me
You'll always be my fear
I can't separate
Myself from what I've done
Giving up a part of me
I've let myself become you
I've let myself become you
I've let myself become
Lost inside
These thoughts of you
Giving up a part of me,
I've let myself become you
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
"Goodbye, my love." He doesnt say it. There is no room for softness. No place for weakness. Not in Sparta.
-- Dilios from 300
::: Tower View :::
Prepare For Glory!
Hat tip to Fury for this awesome cartoon originally drawn by VG Cats.
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
No. You dont ask any questions. You dont get any answers. You dont stray from the path. You dont even think about whats happening to you right now. Got it?
-- Marquis de Carabas from Neverwhere
::: Tower View :::
Neither Here Nor There
As you can probably tell from my latest series of entries, I've been watching the BBC mini-series, Neverwhere, which was originally written by Neil Gaiman, who happens to be one of my favorite authors.
I liked the story so much, I ended up with the graphic novel and paperback.
The story is about a man, Richard, who finds himself in an adventure after helping a wounded girl. As an after effect, most people dont acknowledge his very existance. It takes some effort for anyone to even see Richard despite the fact he may be right in front of them.
I always wondered what it would be like to be here, but not ever be seen. Practically invisible to everyone around you, even the ones who knew you the best.
Richard: You're looking very fine, Jessica.
Jessica: You have the advantage of me.
Richard: You're Jessica Bartram. You're a marketing executive at Stocktons. You're twenty six. Your birthday is April 23rd and in the throes of extreme passion you have a tendency to hum the Monkees song 'I'm a Believer.'
Jessica: Is this some kind of joke?
Richard: Oh, and we've been engaged for the last eighteen months.
Jessica: I rather think I'd know if I'd been engaged to someone for eighteen months, Mister...
Richard: Mayhew. Richard Mayhew. You dumped me and I don't exist anymore.
The world would certainly be a different place.
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
In that other city, there was another life. There was another door that might still be open. Here, I broke no promises. Nobody would miss me. I dont look back. I didnt need to. The world healed itself behind me. And forgot that I had ever been.
-- Richard from Neverwhere
::: Tower View :::
Spring Cleaning
I looked around and realized all the things that I let accumulate over the winter. How in the hell did I let things get this way?
There was the actual Taco Bell menu I picked up because I was getting those taco salad cravings. That had to be tossed into the trash. I dont think I'll be having those for awhile.
In a box went the toy football helmets from Boise State and Florida after their tremendous games. Football season will never be the same.
The little toy dancing hamster was put away along with all the various pictures of cemetaries, glass clocks, sunrises, sunsets, hawaiian boats, boardwalks, and gondola rides. The rave cds werent really my taste, but they were different.
Finally, I folded up the winter blanket and placed it in its spot within the box.
Then the box was stored away into the closet, far in the back reaches.
The winter seems so long ago.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
Goodbye by Night Ranger
Yet its hard
Living life on this memory-go-round
Always up
Always down
Turning round and round and round
And all this could be
Just a dream
So it seems
I was never much good at goodbye
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like.
Welcome to the layer cake son.
-- Eddie Temple from Layer Cake
::: Background Noise :::
Out The Back by Fort Minor
I'm no hero
You remember how I was
You know
All I ever did was worry
Feeling out of control
To the point where everything was going end over end
I'm spinning around in circles again
This is where you come in
All of this to explain
To you why
I had to separate myself away
From yesterday's life
Please remember
This isn't how I hoped it would be
But I had to protect you
From me
Thats why I slipped out the back
Before you knew I was there
I know you felt unprepared
But every single time I was around
I just bring you down
And I could tell that
It was time to be scared
Thats why I slipped out the back
Before you knew I was there
And I know the way I left wasnt fair
I didnt want to be around
Just to bring you down
I'm not a hero
But dont think I didnt care
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
::: Tower View :::
Hold Me
This came to mind after yesterday's tragedy at Virginia Tech.
All he wanted.
All he wanted was for someone to care about him. Someone to hold him. Someone to warm him.
Nobody would.
When we hold each other in the darkness, it doesnt make the darkness go away. The bad things are still out there. The nightmares are still walking.
When we hold each other, we feel-- not safe, but better. "Its all right," we whisper. "I'm here. I love you."
And we lie, "I'll never leave you."
Just for a moment or two, the darkness doesn't seem so bad. When we hold each other.
-- John Constantine from Hold Me. Written by Neil Gaiman.
Hold tight to your loved ones. They may be gone in that wee blink of an eye.
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
My Queen! My wife. My love.
-- King Leonidas from 300
::: Tower View :::
This is Sparta!
I know I've watched this movie abit too much. Matter of fact, I broke down and bought the hard bound copy of the graphic novel.
I had the first issue when it was first released, but didnt get a chance to get the rest of them.
So now, I've gone abit overboard. 
Ah well, at least the view is good. Heh.
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
PvP pays tribute to 300. Gamers! Prepare for glory!
**********
::: Background Noise :::
Goodbye My Lover by James Blunt
I am a dreamer
And when i wake
You can't break my spirit
Its my dreams you take
And as you move on
Remember me
Remember us
And all we used to be
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
This is the curse of Jeff Murdoch. I've met the girl of my dreams and I cant take my trousers off.
-- Jeff from Coupling
::: Tower View :::
Vroom Vroom!
Hat tip: Fury
I'm a Ferrari 360 Modena!
You've got it all. Power, passion, precision, and style. You're sensuous, exotic, and temperamental. Sure, you're expensive and high-maintenance, but you're worth it.
"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Chuck Norris uses ribbed condoms inside out so he gets the pleasure
-- from Chuck Norris Joke site
::: Tower View :::
Egg Time
Hope everyone had a good Easter. This came to mind this weekend.
That's it. I'm going to Hell.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
No Surrender by The Outfield
No surrender
Even if it's over
No surrender
Stop pretending
You never cared for me
Because I remember
Words that we shared
A promise to keep
If they meant nothing to you
Well they still mean a whole lot to me
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Ann McD: Wow, Ken! I havent seen you in awhile. Have you lost weight?
Me: No, I'm afraid not. I just wear bigger pants.
-- from a conversation at work
::: Tower View :::
Shhh!
This is one of funniest games I've ever seen.
The object is to try to be as quiet as possible when you are called upon to suffer the consequences. You almost feel sorry for the one guy who keeps getting penalized.
The big black man playing is Ernesto Hoost, a professional martial arts fighter. Its great to see a fighter with a sense of humour.
Too bad we couldnt do this over here.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
Congratulations by Blue October
Is that seat taken?
Congratulations...
Would you like to take a walk with me?
My mind, it kind of goes fast.
I try to slow it down for you.
I think I'd love to take a drive.
I want to give you something
I've been wanting to give to you for years...
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Its the humans that tell the tales where the the hunter kills the wolf at the end. In reality, its the wolf that kills the hunter.
-- from Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade
Damn!
I've decided to be just like Ron Simmons.
The ex-FSU football player is most known as a wrestler for the World Wrestling Entertainment (aka WWE) organization.
Because of his age and injuries, Ron is now part of sidebar skits on the WWE Raw tv show where he goes around the back area, watching certain situations occur and uttering a single phrase.
He could be watching one of the hot ladies walking by and his deep voice simple grunt out Damn!
He could be watching a fight broil in the dressing room and just yell out Damn!
I want to do that.
I want to walk around the office, stick my head into some meeting, look around at the confused people, and just say Damn!
I want to walk into the cafeteria, look at the food on the various counters, and yell out Damn!
I figure why not? I'm already saying that when I look at my paycheck.
::: Background Noise :::
Its Been Awhile by Staind
And it's been awhile
Since I've seen
The way the candles light your face
And it's been awhile
But I can still
Remember just the way you taste
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Dont let the drummer sing. It will just end in tears.
-- Guitar Hero I
Define This
Definition of a bad day?
You start the day with four hours of meetings.
Definition of a worse day?
You finally get back to your desk and disover that your employees are dressed just like you. And its a business casual office.
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
A hush fell over the courtroom, injuring six.
-- seen on a tagline
::: Background Noise :::
Inspired from the recent "Lust in Space" events...
Intergalatic by The Beastie Boys
Intergalactic Planetary Planetary Intergalactic
Another Dimension,
Another Dimension
Well Now don't you tell me to smile
You stick around I'll make it worth your while
Got numbers beyond what you can dial
Maybe it's because I'm so versatile
Style profile I said
It always brings me back when I hear Ooh Child
From the Hudson River out to the Nile
I run the marathon til the very last mile
If you battle me I will revile
People always say my style is wild
You've got gall you've got guile
To step to me I'm a rapophile
If you want to battle your in denial
Coming from Uranus to check my style
Go ahead put my rhymes on trial
Cast you off into exile
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Man screw you guys and your inability to comprehend witty satire.
-- Brent Sienna, Player vs Player
::: Tower View :::
Life Comes At You Fast
I dont know about you, but I found this funny as hell...
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Do you know how to describe a decent day at work? You say "Well, nobody died today."
-- Karen, from a conversation at work
::: Tower View :::
Paean
How ironic that came to mind this day. Karen's sister had been a survivor of a corporate office shooting so our office had picked up the saying as a catch phrase.
"How was work?"
"Well, nobody died today."
The wierd part is that someone did die today.
RP was a programmer that worked in my area. He had worked for me for a short time period since I was soon after promoted to a different team in the same area.
I found him to be a quiet, intellent sort. RP's personal life was abit torn due to home issues, but his wife and sons were an anchor for him.
And this morning, he died.
Nothing nefarious or by accident. Just plain gone. In a blink of an eye.
That just seemed so strange.
To know someone, yet not to really know them. The feeling that they were just there because we keep taking for granted how short our lives are.
Then the morbid thoughts came up.
"This is just an excuse for him to get out of work."
"He heard we were going to assign him to the project from heck."
"Hey, who gets the dead guy's pc?"
"Oh, would you want to sit in that cubicle? There could be like a ghost in there or something."
Yes, we were being abit sick, perhaps even irreverant, but at no point were we disrespectful. RP was a good man and a valued person. Not only by us, but most importantly, by his family. He will be missed.
God speed, sir.
**********
*******************************************************
* If I should fall to rise no more,
* As many comrades did before,
* Ask the pipes and drums to play
* Over the hills and far away.
*******************************************************
Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself; do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.
-- Bruce Lee
::: Tower View :::
Late Christmas Present
I've been lazy as of late, so here is a belate present for those who havent seen it yet.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
Digging In The Dirt by Peter Gabriel
Don't talk back
Just drive the car
Shut your mouth
I know what you are
Don't say nothing
Keep your hands on the wheel
Don't turn around
This is for real
Digging in the dirt
Stay with me
I need support
I'm digging in the dirt
To find the places I got hurt
Open up the places I got hurt
I was talking to JStein and this came to mind. Seemed abit appropriate.
*******************************************************
* I am aware now of how
* Everything’s gonna be fine one day
* Too late,
* I’m in hell...
*******************************************************
::: Tower View :::
Merry Christmas To All
And to all, a good night!
Time To Die Charlie Brown
*******************************************************
* I am aware now of how
* Everything’s gonna be fine one day
* Too late,
* I’m in hell...
*******************************************************
In the dictionary, the definition of Redundant is "See Redundant".
-- from a conversation at work
::: Tower View :::
What The?
Here is something that proves that the Teletubbies are evil beings...
Am I the only one that has the urge to hunt them down and shoot them?
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
Chester's phone gets hacked. Sometimes, in the end, it does matter.
**********
PvP gets animated! Damn, something else to do on the daily schedule.
**********
*******************************************************
* I am aware now of how
* Everything’s gonna be fine one day
* Too late,
* I’m in hell...
*******************************************************
Wild Bill Guarnere: My brother's in North Africa. He says it's hot.
Don Malarkey: Really? It's hot in Africa?
-- from Band of Brothers
::: Tower View :::
Random Shots
1. A Happy (Belated) Birthday goes out to Fury. We are going to have to figure out when we can go hang out, sir. That is when Mrs. Fury says you can go out.
2. Damn it, Rose. If you ever want someone to ever write you back, then get rid of the AOL account. We all cant pretend to be 15 year old newbie virgins for the rest of our lives. Heh..
3. TMX (Tickle Me Extreme) Elmo is one of this year's hottest toys. Why?! Didnt we get enough of this little bastard already?
4. I'm seriously debating about an Xb0x 360. The price has come down on it and there are more titles available now. Oh and most importantly, Dead Or Alive Volleyball 2 is out now.
5. I'm also seriously debating about Guitar Hero 2. I know its another game I wont be able to play, but this looks like so much fun!
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
Teens charged with planting bombs at Wal-Mart. I guess they wanted to make it a Target.
**********
*******************************************************
* I am aware now of how
* Everything’s gonna be fine one day
* Too late,
* I’m in hell...
*******************************************************
If a thing isn't worth saying, you sing it.
-- Pierre Beaumarchais
::: Tower View :::
Sing Like You Mean It
Fury had this on his blog and its so good that it has to be shown again.
No wonder I always liked Natalie Imbruglia. Heh...
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
Revenge is a dish served cold. And this was so cold hearted that its beautiful. (hat tip: Methos)
**********
*******************************************************
* I am aware now of how
* Everything’s gonna be fine one day
* Too late,
* I’m in hell...
*******************************************************
A hush fell over the courtroom, injuring six.
-- seen on a tagline
::: Tower View :::
It Happens
Here are two videos that tell us that we are all human. One you feel sorry for, the other one you just want to beat the shi.. err.. hell out of.
WARNING: Not for the squeamish.
I need a shower now...
**********
*******************************************************
* I am aware now of how
* Everything’s gonna be fine one day
* Too late,
* I’m in hell...
*******************************************************
Drive it in to Candy! She's ready for the backdoor!
-- Veph, during the dept soccer game
::: Tower View :::
Apologies Again
Sorry not being around again. The work life has been abit overbearing, but as much as I hate things they way are at the moment, I cant complain.
I've at least a day off. One of my employees really hasnt had a day off since Sept 13th.
Songs From The Big Chair
Hat tip goes to Fury for this great idea.
IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
Here's how it works:
- Open your music library
- Put it on shuffle
- For every question, type the song that's playing, and don't be cheating, dammit!
- When you go to a new question, press the next button
Opening Credits: N Sync - This I Promise You
First Day At School: Bowling For Soup - Summer of 69
Falling In Love: Semisonic - One True Love
Isnt it ironic?
Fight Song: Expose - Come Go With Me
Breaking Up: The Monroes - What Do All The People Know
Life's OK: Disturbed - Land of Confusion
I guess its not that ok..
Mental Breakdown: Los Trio Panchos - Quizas Quizas Quizas
Driving: Psuedo Echo - Funkytown
Flashback: Ryan Tedder - The Look
Wtf?!
Getting Back Together: Oasis - Dont Look Back In Anger
This should have been the last one
Wedding: Coldplay - Talk
Birth of Child: Sarah Mclachlan - Dear God
Wtf?!?!
Death Scene: Uncle Kracker - Follow Me
Now I'm a cult leader...
Funeral Song: Sarah Mclachlan - I Will Remember You
WTF?!?!
End Credits: Living Colour - Broken Hearts
Fubar...
**********
*******************************************************
* I am aware now of how
* Everything’s gonna be fine one day
* Too late,
* I’m in hell...
*******************************************************
Tell you what, Lor. We'll get a redneck keyboard just for you. Your can type in your password as "Chicken, rooster, cow, pig.."
-- Robbie, from a conversation at the office.
::: Tower View :::
Diet Rite
I was buying a large bag of Purina dog food at the local grocery store and was in line to check out. A woman behind me asked "Oh, do you have a dog?"
On impulse, I said "No, I don't have a dog, but I am starting 'The Purina Diet' again. I probably shouldn't because the last time I did it, I ended up in the hospital. But I did lose 50 pounds before I had to go to intensive care with IVs in both arms."
She continued to look amazed as I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with the Purina nuggets. Anytime you feel hungry, you simply eat one or two. The food is nutritionally complete so it was perfect. I simply had to try it again.
Horrified, she asked "Did you end up in intensive care because of an allergic reaction to the the dog food? Or did it poison you?"
I replied "Oh no. I was sitting in the street licking my balls when a car hit me."
-- And if you believe that, I've got some beach front property in Nevada to sell you. Hat tip: Fury
**********
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
*******************************************************
This gum tastes like rubber!
-- written next to a condom machine in a men's room
::: Tower View :::
Its All About The Suffering
After several months of blood, sweat, and tears (mostly tears), the largest cycling charity event has been completed. I must thank my sponsors Fury, Tigress, Kitty, Lraw, and of course, the Shima clan, for funding me for this event.
So after two days and 168 miles, its time to take stock in what I learned:
Now perhaps I can get back to playing video games on the weekends.
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
In the jungle, a lion sleeps tonight. What is a weebowa anyway?
**********
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
*******************************************************
Lars: Careful Stacy! We wouldnt you to fall on your back with your legs up.
Me: Why not?
-- from a conversation at work
::: Tower View :::
Questions and Answers
1. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
2. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
3. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
4. The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
5. I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
6. What if there were no hypothetical questions?
7. If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
8. Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?
9. If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?
10. Is there another word for synonym?
11. Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?
12. What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?
13. If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?
14. Would a fly without wings be called a walk?
15. Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?
16. If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?
17. Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids"?
18. If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to start speaking?
19. Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?
20. How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road signs?
21. What was the best thing before sliced bread?
22. One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.
23. Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra?
24. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
25. How is it possible to have a civil war?
26. If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown, too?
27. If you ate both pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry?
28. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
29. Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have "S" in it?
30. If you spin an oriental man in a circle three times does he become disoriented?
(Hat tip: Kitty)
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
When she says "Not there!" she means it.. I feel sorry for the guy who didnt heed that warning.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
The Enemy Within by Rush
I'm not giving in
To security under pressure...
I'm not missing out
On the promise of adventure...
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams,
Experience to extremes...
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
*******************************************************
Were you born a fat, slimy, scumbag puke piece of shit Private Pyle, or did you have to work on it?
-- Gunnery Sgt. Hartman from Full Metal Jacket
::: Tower View :::
Survey Says!
1. You can press a button that will make any one person explode. Who would you blow up?
Hmm.. Only one? This may take some time to decide.
2. You can flip a switch that will wipe any band or musical artist out of existence. Which one will it be?
Hmm.. Only one? This may take some time to decide.
3. Who would you really like to just punch in the face? I can only pick ONE person?
My noisy neighbor who cant park his POS car in between the two white lines.
4. What is your favorite cheese?
American
5. You can only have one kind of sandwich. Every sandwich ingredient known to humankind is at your immediate disposal.
Bologna on sourdough with mayo, lettuce, and onion.
6. You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie (porn counts) celebrity of your choice. We are talking no-strings-attached sex and it can only happen once. Who is the lucky celebrity of your choice?
Porn: Nikki Charm; Non-Porn: Diane Lane
7. You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who do you pick?
Andrea Corr from The Corrs
8. Now that you've slept with two different people in a row, you seem to be having an excellent day because you just came across a hundred-dollar bill on the sidewalk. Holy shit, a hundred bucks! How are you gonna spend it?
Do you realize how much Astroglide I need to buy now that I'm sleeping with celebrities?!
9. You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?
Las Vegas
10. Upon arrival to the aforementioned location, you get off the plane and discover another hundred-dollar bill. Shit! Now that you are in the new location, what are you gonna do?
Take a nap
11. An angel appears out of Heaven and offers you a lifetime supply of the alcoholic beverage of your choice. It is...?
Ketel One
12. Rufus appears out of nowhere with a time-traveling phone booth. You can go anytime in the PAST. What time are you traveling to and what are you going to do when you get there?
Early 1970s, buying stocks for Microsoft when they were $5 a share...
13. You discover a beautiful island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place?
Its my house! If you dont like it, you can get the f__k out!
14. You have been given the opportunity to create the half-hour TV show of your own design. What is it called and what's the premise?
Cooking with Bill, the Belching Gourmet
15. What is your favorite curse word?
F_ck
16. One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren't really doing anything, they're just standing around your bed. What do you do?
Look for the bastard reading out of the Book of the Dead. This is probably Brendan Fraser's fault...
17. Your house is on fire, holy shit! You have just enough time to run in there and grab ONE inanimate object. Don't worry, your loved ones and pets have already made it out safely. So what's the item? My wallet. I can buy everything else.
18. The Angel Of Death has descended upon you. Fortunately, the Angel Of Death is pretty cool and in a good mood, and it offers you a half-hour to do whatever you want before you bite it. Whatcha gonna do in that half-hour?
I know how it would start: "Merciful Father, I have squandered my days with plans of many things. This was not among them. But at this moment, I beg only to live the next few minutes well. For all we ought to have thought, and have not thought; all we ought to have said, and have not said; all we ought to have done, and have not done; I pray thee, God, for forgiveness."
19. You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what's even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What's it gonna be?
To make me and the clothes I wear, invisible. That was Claude Rain's mistake...
20. You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again?
Hmm.. Only one? This may take some time to decide.
21. You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? (the answer "nothing" doesn't count).
Hmm.. Only one? This may take some time to decide.
22. You got kicked out of the country for being a time-traveling heathen who sleeps with celebrities and has super-powers. But check out this cool shit... you can move to anywhere else in the world! Bitchin'! What country are you going to live in now?
England. I already watch most of their tv anyway.
23. This question still counts, even for those of you who are under age. Check it out. You have been eternally banned from every single bar in the world except for ONE. Which one is it gonna be?
The V Bar in Las Vegas
24. Hopefully you didn't mention this in the super-powers question.... If you did, then we'll just expand on that. Check it out... Suddenly, you have gained the ability to FLOAT!!! Whose house are you going to float to first, and be like "Dude, check it out... I can FLOAT!"?
Definately Fury's house
25. The constant absorption of magical moonbeams mixed with the radioactive vegetables you consumed earlier have given you the ability to resurrect the dead famous-person of your choice. So which celebrity will you bring back to life?
Megan Leigh. Hey, I can sleep with celebrities now.
26. The Celestial Gates Of Beyond have opened, much to your surprise because you didn't think such a thing existed. Death appears. As it turns out, Death is actually a pretty cool entity, and happens to be in a fantastic mood. Death offers to return the friend/family-member/person/etc. of your choice to the living world. Who will you bring back?
Lisa Deleeuw. Hey, I can sleep with celebrities now.
27. What's your theme song?
Somewhere I Belong by Linkin Park
Thanks go to Fury for this one.
**********
California Dreaming
Do you know what happened this week back in 1850, in California?
California became a state. The State had no electricity. The State had no money. Almost everyone spoke Spanish. There were gun fights in the streets.
So basically, it was just like California today except the women had real breasts and men didn't hold hands.
(Hat tip: Kooker)
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
Its Yakko's World. And we are just living in it.
**********
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
*******************************************************
Jill: I thought you liked taking the front?
Me: No, I prefer being on top.
-- conversation during a training ride
::: Tower View :::
Stress By Any Other Name
I havent been around in so long that I feel guilty. Work is getting slightly better.
Instead of being triple booked during the day, I'm only double booked. Then there are the 100 mile ride weekends in preparation for the big ride next month. I will probably have to dwindle the length of the posts and go for just plain mass hysteria.
So all this stuff made me curious about corporate personalities and I found this. Its the Kingdomality Personal Preference Profile
Mine came out as:
Your distinct personality, The Doctor might be found in most of the thriving kingdoms of the time. Your emotions and feelings are reality based. You are not misled with half formed ideas nor are you given to radical or high risk experimentation. You follow the tried and true and do not waste time thinking about things that cannot be seen, touched, heard, felt or smelled. On the positive side, you can become an exceptional expert in your particular area of the helping professions. You can deliver and maintain consistent and beneficial service to others. You do not lose sight of the reality of the situation and can usually control your own emotions. On the negative side, your emotions may want to be sensually satisfied which might lead to too much food, drink or other sensual pleasures. Interestingly, your preference is just as applicable in today's corporate kingdoms.
I knew I should have went to medical school.
**********
Sign of the Times
How do you know you are getting old?
* You go to your 20 year high school reunion and too many people do not recognize you.
* You have gray hair in your goatee. And you only have 5 hairs there to begin with.
* You notice gray hair in other places that really shouldnt be mentioned.
* I was referring to my arms you sick people.
**********
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
*******************************************************
No project is complete until its in a three ring binder.
-- from a conversation at work
::: Tower View :::
Smashing Success
If you hadnt heard yet, the World's Cup final between Italy and France was a few days ago.
The French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, in what surmounts to be his last match, lost his composure and butted his head into Italian Marco Materazzi.
Here is a guy who annoying you by bad mouthing you, your team, and your country. He's also been kicking you, elbowing you, and pushing you around. So what do you? You turn around and smack the hell out of him!
Or in this case, drive your head into this guy's chest and knock him flat on his back.
Now how cool was that?! How often do we ever get to smack the hell out of some jerk who is bugging us?!
Granted, Zidane's act probably did cost France the World Cup title. When Zidane was ejected from the game, the French lost one of their best shooters. The game was eventually decided on penalty kicks and they lost by 1.
Just to prove once again, that for every action you do, their is some price to be paid.
Then again, what the hell is anyone going to do about it?! Fire him? He was retiring anyway.
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
Its the Lego World Cup! Let me know when they get to Lego pron... hehehe...
**********
::: Background Noise :::
The Walls Came Down by The Call
Well, they blew their horns
And the walls came down...
They'd all been warned
And the walls came down...
They stood their laughing...
They're not laughing any more...
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
*******************************************************
Valium, Prozac, and Ritalin. Breakfast of champions.
-- Lou from the movie Mean Guns
::: Tower View :::
Happy Birthday, USA!
Everyone please have a enjoyable and safe Fourth of July! No putting the fireworks in your ears...
**********
From the "WTF?!" File
Ever wonder how some people end up with their high priced salaries? I do, especially after conversations such as this..
Professional programmer tester:Is this numeric field supposed to be in upper case or lower case?
Me: Ummm..Upper case.
Professional programmer tester:Ok, thanks! Tester walks away
And if you cant figure out what is wrong with that, then you dont deserve to be making over minimum wage either.
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
The Polish group Polska Gola makes a video to sing the soccer theme "Ole ole ole" This is one reason why I watch the World Cup. Ha!
**********
Robbie McKewn wins Stage 2 of the Tour while Thor takes back the yellow jersey. Not bad for a guy who yesterday was given the finger and fell to the ground bleeding.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
Zoot Suit Riot by Cherry Popping Daddies
Zoot suit riot...
Riot!
Throw back a bottle of beer...
Zoot suit riot...
Riot!
I'll run a comb through
Your coal black hair...
Are your lips moving? Are they moving in the right direction?
-- Rei, from a conversation at work
::: Tower View :::
Colour Blind
From Paul Goldin Research
Everyone feels despondent at times and you are no exception. You are feeling so depressed because it seems that everything that could go wrong has gone wrong and you don't quite know which way to turn. So like the proverbial ostrich you are trying to bury your head in the sand. But that won't work - you have to face reality.
You are lazy - you dream of a peaceful, calm, uncluttered and uncomplicated life. Your ideal would be to share a permanent base with some person or persons who would be able to demonstrate on-going love, peace and security.
Nothing seems to be going right for you and you are thwarted every way you turn. You are not at all happy with the situation but it would appear that there is very little that you can do about it at this time. Sit back and let the situation take its course, because at this time you feel that there is nothing you can do to change whatever needs to be changed.
Recent disappointment has led you to become truly introverted. You are becoming suspicious of everybody and consequently you now feel that you are unable to trust anybody. Unfortunately it would appear that you are curbing your natural enthusiasm and imaginative nature - perhaps this is because you are fearful that you may become over enthused and find that you could possibly be carried away by wishful thinking. You are keeping your distance to see whether attitudes towards you are sincere - but this watchfulness could easily develop into suspicion and distrust.
Perhaps in the distant past your trust and belief in your fellow man was misplaced and you can now no longer accept anything as it appears to be. You are untrusting and you insist that before you commit yourself to anything, you examine the pro's and con's with critical discrimination. The situation has now progressed to one where you are apt to disagree yet not make any form of constructive criticism to every suggestion that may be put to you. As a result you are in limbo. There is a saying that goes 'The past does not equal tomorrow'. Think about it - and let go.
Well.. damn...
**********
::: Background Noise :::
Broken by Seether and Amy Lee
Because I'm broken
When I'm open
And I don't feel like
I am strong enough...
Because I'm broken
When I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right
when you're gone away...
You've gone away...
You dont feel me here anymore...
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
*******************************************************
It just tastes so good in my mouth. Yummo!
-- Racheal Ray
::: Tower View :::
Here I Go Again
Yes, its been awhile again. I let the blog go for so long that it seems almost senseless.
But we all need that time off for one reason or another. I figured after having put up with my poor writing skills and extremely long story, that the poor folks who actually read this might want some time off.
Ok, so I admit it. I have been a lazy sod. After putting in an average of 45 to 50 hours a week at the office as well as training with the KBT cycling team, its been amazing that I get enough sleep on a regular basis.
Speaking of cycling the highlight of the past weekends has been the diabetes charity ride. It was 124 miles of pure pleasure.
That is if you didnt count all the hills, bridges, high winds, high heat, and bad traffic, it really was a good ride.
Going over a two day period, this was an early test to determine the endurance level for the large ride that comes soon: the MS150.
Based on how well I did for this ride I can honestly say I am in big frigging trouble. Thank God for large pace lines. 
**********
::: Out In The Yard :::
After 10 years, Dante and Randel have moved on.. sort of. I'm not even supposed to be here today! (hat tip: Fury)
**********
Armstrong cleared of doping charges. Now this gives something else for the French to whine about.
**********
::: Background Noise :::
Rio by Duran Duran
Her name is Rio
And she dances on the sand
Just like that river
Twisting through a dusty land
And when she shines
she really shows you all she can
Oh Rio, Rio
Dance across the Rio Grande
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
*******************************************************
Me? I'm their man in Nirvana. I'm their technical support. I'm... Oh my God! I'm the tin dog!
-- Mickey from Doctor Who: School Reunion
::: Tower View :::
Anti-Climatic
We went into the final day believing that the last few things remaining were to hear closing arguements. The youngest juror, JP, was estatic. All week he had been complaining, saying comments like "This is stupid. I shouldnt be here doing this crap. This guy shouldnt even have to go thru this and just be let go when his time is up." So now he was able to get out of this mess and go on with his life.
Then he asked the rest of us why Ronnie wasnt allowed to testified. A few of us laughed. I even replied "Are you kidding? The State will eat him alive!"
So imagine our surprise when the first thing that occurs is that Fleschmann calls Ronnie to the stand.
Of course Ronnie is happy. In his words, he done some wrong things in the past, but he done made up for by doing his time. He was going to be going home soon. Fleschmann did his best to portray Ronnie as a remorseful convict who would go straight.
Then the State tore him a new one.
When the State attorney asked about his treatment of Sheila, Ronnie said "Well we was into the rough stuff. She really liked it. I even had put a banana up in her."
Ok, I will admit it. I had to suppress a laugh from that comment because the first thing that I wondered was they did it with or without the peel.
When the State attorney showed pictures of Sheila's injuries, the most he could say was "Like I said, she was into the rough stuff. The more I beat her the more she loved me. She really wanted me. She's even said she would leave whoever she was with for me."
The State attorney even asked "Do all those women want you, sir?"
"Oh yah, they want me. Every woman I've met wanted me. I really cant blame them." Thats when the State showed a picture of Ronnie, in his glorious mullet, and replied "Oh of course sir."
With the topic of Denise's attack, Ronnie said "Well now, she done got me hooked on that crack cocaine. So when we go off get drunk and get high, then have sex. I liked her because she liked the rough stuff, just not as much as Sheila did."
There were just so many other comments that I had to stifle my laughter. A few of the others had to do the same.
"Well, sir. If you are released, what would be the first thing you would want to do?"
"I know my family will want to go out. Have dinner and such. I'm sure my friends and I will want to celebrate."
"Would you drink?"
"I might have one or two. Nothing too fancy."
"But didnt you get in trouble when you were drinking? When you took drugs?"
"Well yeah, but that was a long time ago. I know I'm not the same person."
"But you havent taken any kind of treatment for these things?"
"I really didnt need them."
"If Sheila came to see you, would you let her visit?"
"Oh yeah. She's still a good looking woman. We wouldnt do nothing, but we could talk."
The closing arguements finally came around and summed up each side's opinion. For Fleschmann, although Ronnie was a domestic abuser, he was not a sexual predator, and saying that he would offend again was only a guess. We could never be sure whether or not, he would likely to offend.
For the State, they showed a simple timeline, noting that Ronnie was a repeat offender that treated women like objects to prey upon. That not only is he most likely to offend again, but escalate in his violence.
The judge told us the points of law we were to discuss, the main one being that if we as a jury believed that the Respondent would be likely to offend again, we would state this and he would committed for an extended time frame for treatment. We had no say in what kind of treatment or for how long.
As opposed to a criminal case, we could have a split jury. If the majority believed that Ronnie would likely offend, then he could be committed for treatment, but he could take it back to court to dispute. If the majority believed that he would not be likely to offend, then it was his choice to take that treatment or not and could be released at his regular time, which was in Febuary 2007.
So off we went for deliberations. For the first vote, it was 6 to 1 in the belief that he would likely offend again. We all knew who the one was: The nineteen year old, JP.
His belief was that "He's already done his time. You heard that doctor Cectes. He's an abuser, not a predator. There is no reason why he should go back because of some psycho chick. You got to feel sorry for this guy."
Actually no, we dont. Sympathy isnt supposed to make a difference here.
The rest of us believed that Ronnie was going back to the exact same environment that got him in trouble in the first place: the girlfriend who would go back to him, the drinking, the drugs, and most importantly, the family that would either turn a blind eye or pay off anyone that got in the way.
For hours we discussed this, trying to get JP's opinion without the sympathy. His constant whine was "We should be able to say what kind of treatment he gets. He's an abuser, not a predator. You have to feel sorry because you know part of it was her fault cause she kept going back to him."
We could have gone on with the split decision, but that would have meant someone else would have to go thru this kind of trial. After all, Ronnie would have gone back to court to dispute the treatment.
After another hour of getting JP not to feel sympathetic, he agreed that as an abuser with that crazy family and crazy girl in his life, he would more than likely do it again. The turning point?
Foreman: When he gets out, what is the first thing he is going to do?
JP: He'll go out with his buddies and get drunk.
Foreman: Do you think he'll get high?
JP: Hell yeah, I would..
Juror#3: And do you think Sheila will be waiting for him when he gets out?
JP: Yeah, she's pretty much said so...
Juror#3: So when they both get drunk and high together, what do you think is going to happen?
JP: Well...
And with that, there was unanimous vote to send Ronnie back under civil commitment for treatment.
The points of law were abit more specific than what I detailed here, but hopefully I got the gist of it out properly. Although there was some very slow points during the trial, overall I really did enjoy myself. Not only did I meet some interesting people in the jurors, I got a first hand look at the system, good or bad, regardless of what you believe in the outcome.
This could have been an episode right out of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.
How many of us get to say that?
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::: Out In The Yard :::
The top 10 ways you know when a woman is flirting with you. #11 - She asks you if the panties she is removing look better on her or on the floor.
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::: Background Noise :::
Kick Some Ass by Stroke 9
How many people are sick of holding back?
I am, I am...
How many people want to kick some ass?
I would if I could...
But I'm really just a sensative artist
Portrayed that I'm as being the hottest
Acting like I'm not the smartest,
But I'm just an sensative artist
Honest...
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
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Me: Aw frig. Look at this email. It basically opens up a can of "Ken-Shut-The-Hell-Up!"
-- From a conversation at work
::: Tower View :::
The Best Defense
By the time the Respondant's lawyers got around to presenting their case, the trial had already dragged on for several days. And we were looking for more of the same.
This time around, the witnesses were a hell of alot more humourous, if not interesting.
The Brother: This man made sure we knew he was proud to be testifying on the behalf of his brother, Ronnie. The Respondant's lawyer, Fleschmann, made sure that we heard how he saw the estranged girlfriend and victim #1, Sheila, assault Ronnie whenever they were drunk or high. He even noted an incident when Sheila hit his girlfriend "while we was at this here Monster Truck Pull a few years back".
He would be very proud to support Ronnie once he got out of jail. Apparently he had no idea what Ronnie had done.
So here was this large chested, thick necked redneck, being brought to tears by a much smaller, almost minute, female lawyer as she showed every single wound photographed on Sheila, asking the brother what kind of injury it was. He was almost completely broken down by the time she was finished thru all the pictures of the second known victim, Denise.
By that time, he was so soft-spoken that the State attorney had to keep asking him to speak up.
The Brother's Girlfriend: She was the victim of one Sheila's drunken rages because, as she put it, A few years ago, we were having a special night out. We had gone up to the Monster Truck Pull and she was there. At the end, I had gone to the bathroom and Sheila done starting hitting on my man, touching him, putting her arms around him and such. Well, I told her that she wasnt going to disrespect me like that. So she headbutted me in the nose. She totally ruined a good evening..."
Ronnie's First Son: Apparently, the just turned 18 year old was a mix of hip hop, hillybilly. The boy's pants were hanging of his arse and he walked as if he was just too cool to be there. Then when he talked, we all wondered if he was high. I had to laugh when he was asked if he ever witnessed an act of violence from Shiela: "When I was younger, my uncle and his girlfriend took me out to the Monster Truck Pull for a family night out and such..."
My mind was racing. Are we sensing a pattern here?!
The Friend: I can understand bringing out as many character witnesses as possble to show Shiela in a different light, but this one only hurt the cause. I could only snicker when this witness came in because I and a couple of other jurors had seen him in the hallway. They didnt believe me when I said this man was a witness because of the way he acted towards the family. They wouldnt believe me, but now here he was, wobbling in as another guest of the State. In leg and arm shackles.
This witness was a resident of a prison across the state, but was brought in for his testimony. When asked to raise his right hand for the oath, he could only raise his hand above his waist since his wrists and ankles were restrained by the chains.
At least he wasnt at the monster truck pull...
The Father: Now here was a man in denial. "I own a glass business that Ronnie worked at when he was a youngun. He'll work there again. He'll live with me until he gets himself settled with a new apartment for him and that woman he met while he was in jail. I'll watch over my boy and make sure he dont get into any more trouble. My family will support Ronnie through this whole thing."
When the State attorney said "But sir, wasnt Ronnie living with you when he was arrested and convicted for his crimes?", the best he could reply was "Well now we cant keep an eye on him twenty fours a day."
The Uncle: Another man in denial, but with a twist. When asked to introduce himself to the jury, he stated "My name is Elmo J. I own the Elmo J Furniture company. I've been living here for all my life. When my dear departed wife passed, I went on and married her sister, Bobbi Jo, and we have been together for twenty years. We are here to support Ronnie and to show that we care for him."
When the State attorney asked about money that had been given to Denise prior to her testimony, he replied "I didnt give her any money whatsoever. But I do believe my wife did. Something about parking tickets.."
The Aunt: This woman was scary. She reminded me of an evil Aunt Bea from Mayberry and that she would have no issues with shooting you in order to get her way. When she was asked about Denise, the second victim, she claimed not to really know her that well.
Then when the topic of money given to her, she stated matter of factly "Well the girl done called us up, begging for help because she was about to go to jail for some unpaid parking tickets. Since we own a furniture store, we are well-to-do. As a good Christian woman, I knew we could afford it so I done give her the money she needed for them tickets."
Then, the State attorney noted that Denise didnt have parking tickets on her record. Denise didnt even have a speeding ticket.
"Well thats what she told me. I had no reason to think otherwise."
Right. Of course not.
The Good Doctor: This expert witness was a clinical psychologist and its no wonder the State wanted to get in as many psychologists in as possible. This doctor, Cectes, was really knowledgeable. He had performed tests on Ronnie to check for brain damage as well as sexual abnormality.
When asked about his fees, he replied "Well, I only charge $500 an hour..." Only?!?!
After all the work and research he discussed, Cectes made a pretty profound statement: "At no point during the attacks did the Respondant become sexually aroused. He never stalked any prey in order to meet some sexual need. His victims were always women he dated. They may have had sex after the attacks, but it wasnt about power, punishment, or fulfillment, but rather anger. The Respondant had drinking and drug issues which increased his anger and in turn he would take it out on the women he was with. That makes him a domestic batterer, not a sexual predator. He may be a bad person, but being a son of bitch isnt a crime in America. Being a domestic abuser is criminal and Ronnie has completed his jail time for that. If the State wishes to incarcerate him again, then it should be for the right reason, not as a sexual predator."
That would come into play on the final day...
To Be Continued
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::: Out In The Yard :::
Second Life can actually make you money. And just like in real life, you have several companies screwing over the consumers.
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::: Background Noise :::
Digging In The Dirt by Peter Gabriel
I'm digging in the dirt
Stay with me
I need someone
I'm digging in the dirt
Finding the places I got hurt
Open up the places I got hurt
*******************************************************
* But I'm a creep
* I'm a weirdo
* What the hell am I doing here?
* I dont belong here
*******************************************************
The Steward
