Castle Shima

Ready my knights for battle. They will ride with their king once more.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Nothing Is Real

Music is the harmonious voice of creation; an echo of the invisible world.
-- Giuseppe Mazzini

::: Tower View :::
Nothing Is Real
Living Colour has always been a favourite band of mine. When I heard that their song Cult of Personality is going to be on Guitar Hero 3, I went into overdrive and started looking up their videos.

Here is another great song from them called Type
.
**********

************************************************
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?
************************************************

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Surviving the Day

Duty is the great business of a sea officer; all private considerations must give way to it, however painful it may be.
-- Lord Horatio Nelson

::: Tower View :::
Surviving The Day
During the war against Napoleon, when Admiral Nelson wanted to know how many people were dead, he would ask, "What's the butcher's bill for today?"

I felt the same way recently.

Recently, my company has gone through some layoffs. Out of the 80 people released from the Information Technology (IT) division, my dept contained 30 of those people. There were 3 out of my own area; one whom reported to me.

It felt strange because I had forgotten that it was going to happen. We had be warned that it was coming, but it been nearly a decade since something like this even occurred.

One by one, people were getting phone calls to walk over to a conference room in the main building so that they would be given the news that they had just lost their job.

A few of us even had the idea of walking over to the building, go to a conference room on a different floor, then call someone we knew. If they were brave enough to answer, we would just ask them to look up our calendar.

Funny? Yes. Mean? Absolutely. Cruel? Perhaps.

What would have been really cruel would be to lose your job, then realize, you cant afford to lose it. That you live from check to check and barely surviving.

I would hate for anyone to lose their job, but would hate even more for them to be put in that situation.

Lord knows that I am already in that predicament.
**********

Shadow of the Day

**********

************************************************
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?
************************************************

Sunday, October 14, 2007

I'm No Hero

Some motherfuckers are always trying to ice skate uphill.
-- Blade

::: Tower View :::
I'm No Hero

**********

****************************************
When did I lose my sense of purpose?
Can I regain whats lost inside?
Why do I feel like I deserve this?
Why does my pain look like my pride?
****************************************

Thursday, October 11, 2007

For Fuck's Sake

Hazel: Lord Frith, I know you've looked after us well, and its wrong to ask even more of you. But my people are in terrible danger, and so I would like to make a bargain with you. My life in return for theirs.
Frith: There is not a day or night that a doe offers her life for her kittens. Or some honest captain of Owsla, his life for his chief. But there is no bargain. What is, is what must be.
-- from Watership Down

::: Tower View :::
For Fuck's Sake
There are just some days that you just need to say "fuck it." That no matter what happens, you can do no right and only damage and hurt follow in your wake.



If you've never seen the movie Snatch, I highly recommend it. Not only is there alot of swearing, which I'm really good at, but the story is funny as hell.
**********

************************************************
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?
************************************************

Thursday, October 04, 2007

This World Is Going To Break Your Heart

Like most things, I am nothing.
-- Li Mu Bai from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

::: Tower View :::
This World Is Only Going To Break Your Heart
Wicked Game by H.I.M


**********

************************************************
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?
************************************************

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Waiting For My Real Life To Begin

Once you have accepted your destiny, nothing can alter it unless time flows backwards, snow falls in the spring, and the dead come back to life.
-- Goddess Manshen from The Promise

::: Tower View :::
I'm Waiting For My Real Life To Begin
The song is originally from Colin Hay of Men at Work fame. This version from the tv show Scrubs was really well done.


**********

************************************************
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?
************************************************

Keep the sand out of your weapons. Keep those actions clear. I'll see you on the beach.
-- Capt. Miller from Saving Private Ryan

::: Tower View :::
Son of a Beach
Every year I participate in the MS150, which is the main fundraiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Bicyclists from around the area will ride either 150 miles or 150 km (120 miles) during the course of two days in order raise money to fight MS.

Since the route goes along the ocean following the beach line, the view is actually quite good. It makes up for the series of bridges that have to be climbed in order to get to the finish line on both days.

The downside is that for our region, its not 150 miles, but rather 164 miles. Bastards.

Granted, this year's MS150 would be exceptional since its the first time that Team Blue (formerly the KBT team) would be corporately sponsored and we would have money to spend on things such as a support vehicle, a corporate recovery tent, and of all things, food.


So with apologies to Peter King...

The Ten Things I Think I Know About The MS150, 2007 edition
1) Whose idea was it to have us ride during a damn monsoon? Day 1 consisted of 20mph winds and that was the easy day. Day 2 had 30mph winds and we had to finish the last 25 miles going straight into it.

2) Ever been to the beach during high winds? Its like being sandblasted; the damn stuff cuts into everything, including you. Paint has actually been taken off my bicycle. On the good side, it works great for removing that extra skin.

3) There was no shortage of fluids this year. It would have been preferred to drink the water as opposed to wearing it as the rain continously poured down on us. Add the wind and the rain actually hurt.

4) Another Team Blue rider decided he wanted a challenge so he wrecked his bike on a wet bridge grate. This was just so he could convert his very expensive bike to a single speed and suffer thru the last 15 miles of Day 1.

5) All season, after putting in almost 1,500 miles and not a single major injury, what happens? My knee begins to ache after the first 40 miles on Day 1. After 50 miles, I had a limp. After 60, every pedal stroke actually hurt. I ended up dropping from an average of 20mph to 15mph and consuming nearly a bottle of Advil. Day 2 was more annoying when my average speed dropped to 10mph because of the damn winds.

6) I wasnt the only victim to injury. In separate incident, a fellow Team Blue rider was injured when his razor jumped up out of his shaving kit bag and bit him on the finger.

7) The biggest battle on day 1: Watching a Team Blue rider attempt to circumvent the fence that blocked his way to lunch. Unfortunately the Fence won the match 2 - 0 and Big G was forced to walk the long way around to get his turkey wrap.

8) At the end of Day 1, we had real burgers for the second lunch. At the end of Day 2, we had more burgers. Guess what I had for lunch yesterday and today?

9) For dinner, a few of us skipped the typical sponsored spaghetti dinner and went to the local Japanese steak house. We had a Spainaird chef cook our Japanese dinner over the teppanyaki grill while salsa music played in the background. All this while another chef, Japanese in heritage, screeched thru a very bad Engrish version of Happy Birthday to another patron. Diversity indeed.

10) Mental note to self: Next year, at the end of the day 2, even after battling high winds, be sure to pick up my finish line medal before flopping down on the ground, grabbing the knee in pain, and whimpering like a little girl. There is nothing like having to limp over to the elderly woman in a wheelchair who is stricken with MS as she hands you your medal. You come to the realization that what you went thru is nothing compared to what she has gone thru.

With that being said, its time to start winter training.
**********

************************************************
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?
************************************************

Friday, September 28, 2007

Pure Elegence

Sometimes the people whom we've know for only a short amount of time have a bigger impact on us than those we've known forever.
-- Anonymous quote

::: Tower View :::
Pure Elegence
There are days that smiles are few and far between. We rely on others to bring that simple joy to us. Hope this brings you one.


**********

************************************************
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?
************************************************

Sunday, September 23, 2007

The Best Of You

HOPELESS ROMANTIC seeks filthy whore.
-- seen on a t-shirt

::: Tower View :::
The Best Of You


**********

************************************************
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?
************************************************

Death: So. Are you coming?
Hazel: I dont suppose I have any choice.
Death: No. I'm afraid you really don't.
-- from Death: The Time Of Your Life by Neil Gaiman

::: Tower View :::
What Would You Say?
This is absolutely brilliant. If we could only live our own lives int this way.
Hat tip to Alphabunny for this.



**********

************************************************
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?
************************************************

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Filling The Box

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?
************************************************

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Giving The Finger

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
************************************************

Monday, August 13, 2007

Meme for Whowho

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
************************************************

Monday, August 06, 2007

Watch Here

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
************************************************

Friday, August 03, 2007

Never Mess With The Guy With The Mic

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.
*******************************************************

Thursday, August 02, 2007

I'm Rated What?!

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.
*******************************************************

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Feels Like I'm Dying Here

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.
*******************************************************

Friday, May 18, 2007

The Real Horror

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.
*******************************************************

Sunday, May 13, 2007

A Monkey Can Do Your Job

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.
*******************************************************

Friday, May 11, 2007

What I've Done

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.
*******************************************************

Sunday, May 06, 2007

I Got Your Humps Right Here

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!


**********

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Eternal Sunshine

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.
*******************************************************

Monday, April 30, 2007

Music In The Mind

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.
*******************************************************

Friday, April 27, 2007

Prepare For Glory!

"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.
*******************************************************

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Neither Here Nor There

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.
*******************************************************

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Spring Cleaning

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.
*******************************************************

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Welcome To The Layer Cake

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.
*******************************************************

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Hold Me

::: 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.
*******************************************************

Monday, April 16, 2007

This is Sparta!

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.
*******************************************************

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Vroom Vroom!

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.
*******************************************************

Monday, April 09, 2007

Egg Time

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.
*******************************************************

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Shhh!

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.
*******************************************************

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Damn!

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.
*******************************************************

Friday, February 23, 2007

Define This

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.
*******************************************************

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Intergalatic

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.
*******************************************************

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Paean

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.
*******************************************************

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Late Christmas Present

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...
*******************************************************

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas

::: 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...
*******************************************************

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

What The?

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...
*******************************************************

Monday, November 27, 2006

Random Shots

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...
*******************************************************

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Sing Like You Mean It

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...
*******************************************************

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

It Happens

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...
*******************************************************

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Songs From The Big Chair

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...
*******************************************************

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Diet Rite

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
*******************************************************

Friday, September 22, 2006

Its All About The Suffering

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:

  • The KBT Cycling team was fortunate enough to be one of the largest teams out of the 2,300 riders attending.
  • Best fundraising line heard: "Give me money or else I will send you a picture of me in lycra."
  • GU is some truly nasty tasting stuff.
  • On the other hand, Cytomax tastes even worse.
  • Forget sunscreen. Bring bug spray!
  • Giving blood doesnt include the mosquitoes taking three pints.
  • When you are exhausted, there is no such thing as a "small incline."
  • There is no such thing as a "good headwind."
  • Putting ice in your skullcap is a good idea. For about the first 10 seconds. Then you are just freezing your brain.
  • Snow cones should be in their own food group.
  • Apparently having your tongue hanging out has become a new cyclist trait.
  • "The ice cream shop is just down the street..." pffft!
  • Rollerblading 84 miles a day trumps any complaints about riding the bicycle for six hours.

    The Paceline

    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
    *******************************************************

  • Wednesday, September 06, 2006

    Questions and Answers

    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
    *******************************************************

    Tuesday, September 05, 2006

    Survey Says

    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
    *******************************************************

    Tuesday, August 22, 2006

    Stress By Any Other Name

    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
    *******************************************************

    Tuesday, July 11, 2006

    Smashing Success

    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
    *******************************************************

    Monday, July 03, 2006

    Happy Birthday USA!

    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...

    Thursday, June 29, 2006

    Colour Blind

    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
    *******************************************************

    Wednesday, June 07, 2006

    Here I Go Again

    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
    *******************************************************