So, I know it 's been like a *million* years since I've posted....

And I don't really know how to explain my absence, so I won't bother trying.

I'm back for at least one post, and it's to promote my friend Tammy.

I've mentioned her before, and if you don't know, she's my best friend.

Well, she's got a new project in the works, and I'd like all of you to check it out/promote it for me, if you'd be so kind.....

So, if you all would tell folks to watch, watch yourselves if you're able, and share this post, I'll be eternally in your debt.

Or at least very grateful...

Buenos con queso,

T.

#goodpictures

In this new world                I can now communicate through my blog

I'm not the sort of person that makes New Year's resolutions, but....

A couple of my friends stopped by on NYE.  It was an unexpected drop in (tho one txted first to see if it was ok) that was prompted by them having to leave a local watering hole with the dubious moniker of "Ed's Dog House.'

Now, I didn't get all the details, but apparently there was a wake/memorial service going on (ik, r) and somebody said something that was misinterpreted, and at least a few people thought my friend said it.

Which he didn't.

So, in order to 'not get punched in the head' my buddies left.

So, in honor of that, I hereby resolve not to get punched in the head in a bar.  Now, I've never gone to Ed's, and don't have any plans to, but still.  In truth, I don't go to many (any) bars anymore, so I feel confident that this is a resolution I can keep.

I've also decided (tho not resolved) to try and do better with this whole blogging thing.  I'm not going to go apeshit and say that I'm gonna post every day, but I'm going to post more.

I promise.

Yesterday, being as it was, my second day off, was a fuck off and do nothing day.  Well, not nothing in point of fact, so I present you with:

A Day of Thrift Storing

There are several thrift stores within walking distance of my house, and when I'm feeling frisky, I usually hit all of them.  Yesterday, my first stop was at:



I found some books (in fact most of my day was books) but also a wooden camel:

And what I plan to use as a bitchin' dice cup:

I also found some awesome candle holders, but I didn't know if I had enough money at the time, so I trusted the universe, and after dropping off my booty from Salvation Army, I went to a couple different stores:

Wherein I found more books, and a couple kitchen gadgets.  I also stopped at a used furniture store that is in the same parking lot.  I knew the store was there, but I didn't know that he has a pretty cool selection of books as well...

So, after spending a little money there, I headed home.  Pops was back, and he decided to go to the last store with me, with a quick stop at The Salvation Army to get my candle holders:

Now, I don't smoke cigarettes, but after a phone call from my son, I had no choice but to pick up this ash tray:

And, since I'm sure you're all dying to know (not) here's the book swag I scored:

They run the gamut, from fiction to text books.  I didn't find the one I was actually looking for (The Princess Bride since you asked), but I did find some I was pleasantly surprised by.

Oh, and in a shameless self-plug, my birthday is a mere 8 days away, so if one of you wants to buy me that book....

Anyhow, hope you all had a good Christmas/NYE.

Buenos con queso,

T.

I did something tonight that made me quite sad...

When I got home from work (*MAD*house, thanks for asking) Pops asked me if I had any AA batteries...

Now, like most techies, I tend/try to have a supply of most types. C D (yes, D, I have a *good* maglite), but at this point in time, I was frustrated to find that I had none.

I know, right?

Anyhow, in a fit of robbing Peter to rob pay Paulness, I reasoned that I could happily share the batteries from my FM 2's motor drive, since I can't even remember the last time I shot film....

Needless to say, since none of them (eight) tested with a charge, and also given that two of them had started leaking, I decided that it was time to take all the batteries out of my film equipment.

All 3 of them (N70, 8008s, FM2) still have film in them, I just don't see myself using them....

R.I.P.

Buenos con queso,

T.

I'd begun to think I'd lost my marbles....

I'm happy to say, however, that I simply misplaced them:

And below, some close-ups:

Oh, and in one of those 'it's so random I have to comment on it' ways, my 1,111th post was on 11/11/11.

I know, right?

Buenos con queso,

T.

George Lucas has been making money off me since August of 1977

You see, that's when I first saw Star Wars.

In the theatre.

We didn't call it 'Episode 4,' and we didn't call it 'A New Hope,' we just called it Star Wars.

My sis and I were near the front of a line that must have had better than 150 people in it.

Also that summer, I bought the cards....blue borders, red borders...green, and then I think yellow (it may have been orange).

I had action figures, and I bought an X-wing model. I was mad for it all.

Then there was Empire. Saw that in the theatre too. And Jedi.

And all 3 of the 'new ones.'

And then, all 3 of the 'old ones' again, when they were re-released. I owned several different copies of each of the first 3 on VHS, and currently own all 6 on DVD.

I haven't bought them on Blu-Ray yet, but it's prolly just a matter of time.

May the Force be with you,

T.

Let's not dwell on it, shall we?

So many things have happened that I don't even know where to start.....

Lesse....Yes, we went to Dland.

I've bought not one, but two new PS3 games....

I've been playing a stupid amount of EQ.....

I've been working....

And working.....

Working....

All in all, I've been a busy little beaver.....

I guess what really brought me here today, after such a protracted absence is the fact that serendipity (serenity perhaps) gave me another 'must have' tattoo.....

This one will be Chinese text down the back of my left calf that reads thusly: 宇宙间没有任何力量可以阻止我

For those of you that don't read Chinese, that says 'No power in the 'verse can stop me.' Actually, it's closer to 'The Universe, there's no power can stop me.'

How can I be sure, you ask? Well, that's a good question. I had the phrase in mind for a tattoo anyhow, so I was familiar with it. I tried a couple online translators, and they all kind of gave the same thing, but I wanted to be sure.

I send an email to a Professor of Chinese, one John Chang by name, and gave him the phrase and some background about the quote.....He sent me the above, and the other translation I got online....

Anyhow, I'm on my way (maybe) soon to stop in a couple shops and get prices and the like.

I'll keep you posted.

Buenos con queso,

T.

Simon has joined his ancestors.....

I don't have all the details yet, but apparently Chinese neighbor guy has given up the ghost.  We haven't heard too much about it, but as I get more info, I'll share it with y'all.

I guess Anna is still doing fine, but who knows?  I've heard that old couples often go very close together, and they've been together ages from what I understand.

In other news, it's Friday, and boy do I need a weekend off!!  Work's been a festering boil of conflict, and I've been tempted to just walk the fuck out.

I've never done that before, but I'm reacing my limit these days....

Also, 16 days and counting.

I know I haven't really blogged much about it (or anything else for that matter) but Dland is on for the week of Sept 26th this year.  It's going to be a short trip, and only 4 of us are going (pops sis niece me), but my daughter's going to school in SoCal, so we'll get to see her too.

There's a chance that my friend Tammy might be able to join us on one of our days in the park, so I've got my fingers crossed for that.

It's been entirely too long since I've seen her....

Buenos con queso,

T.

No more mister nice guy.

Now, as you may know, I've been helping out the old couple that lives next door.

I don't call them old lightly.  He's 84, and she's 91.  There have been some medical problems, and both of them are now in-patients.

Anna took a fall and broke her ulna and radius at the wrist, and her hip.  I understand that she's had her surgeries, and is doing well, and recovering nicely.

Simon was having other troubles, and was admitted too.

I'm not sure the nature of all of his problems, so I can't elaborate.

Now, if any of you know me, you know that I didn't start helping Simon and Anna (two of the least chinese names ever) for any kind of reward.

I was simply being a nice guy, a good neighbor.

My good samaritanism did net me a couple things tho:

The first of which was a visit from a Health Department worker.  Seems Simon, among other things, was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

This visit prompted the second thing I received, a TB test at the abovementioned Health Department.

I'm happy to report that 20 bux (out of pocket btw) and two days of vacillation between worry and virulent anger, that I'm not infected, but I'm still kinda pissed.

All I was doing was trying to be a nice guy, and not only did it backfire on me, it cost me money.

It may make me seem a bit petty, but methinks my days of helping out may be coming to an end.

Buenos con queso,

T.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the gunpowder, treason, and plot.....

Given the title of this post, you'd prolly think that I'm watching V for Vendetta while I blog this, but you'd be wrong.....

I'm actually watching Episode 5 of Firefly, 'Safe.'

I don't know if any of you ever watched it, or the movie Serenity, and I know I've prolly talked about it before, but you really should give it a look....

But, I digress....

This is what I came here to share with you:

Hmmmmm

Buenos con queso,

T.

HOW hot did you say it was yesterday?

Now, this isn't actually from yesterday, it was more like a couple weeks ago, but's it's impressive, nonetheless...

I know I've talked about the weather here, and how crazy it is, and I've even talked about this area being a 'mountain desert.' but I don't know if I've shown you what the desert heat can do.

I mean, I've shown you snow, lightning, wildfires, but through it all, there's the heat.

This poor soul was left in my Technical Advisor's automobile.

I present for your viewing pleasure, Hot Pez: 

Poor Walleye.....or whatever the fuck his name is.....

Anyhow, as Paris would say, 'That's Hot."
Yes, I know that 'hot' shouldn't be capatialized, but I'll bet she thinks it does....

I'm just sayin'.

Buenos con queso,

T.



The most epic shopping list ever?

Quite possibly.

I know it's been forever since I've posted, but I've gotten really tired of explaining/making up excuses for  why I haven't been posting, so I'm not going to do it.

There have been some changes since last I posted (duh) which include, but are not limited to:  getting a car, organizing my room (somewhat), a new cash windfall, and some good Samaritan work.

The car, if you care, is a 1982 Toyota Celica.

It looks something like this, although, not quite as new: 

 The color scheme is even basically the same.

Pops found out that he's entitled to (and getting) around 500 bux a month from the clerks union (which he didnt think he qualified for), which is nice, and will help greatly with the day to day/month to month money woes that we all face....well, that pops and I face, anyhow.

Not sure that his money will help any of you, but.....

I'm not really going to touch on my room, as I'm sure none of you care if my room's a mess or not (except perhaps for you mom), so on to the good samaritanism....

I mentioned, however briefly, that we moved.  It was nothing major, just out of a condo to an apartment.  I mean, it is closer to work, and the rent is 50 bux cheaper, and we don't have to pay utilities (except for cable/inet/phone of course) but basically, just new digs.

Upon moving in, like all good Americans, we closed ourselves in, and did our level best not to get to know our neighbors.

Well, except for James, my long-time friend, and tech advisor (apt 49) and a High School buddy, Bruce (apt 63), both of whom actually live in the same complex.

So, flash forward a few months, and one day, we notice our next-door neighbor (right hand side), whom I've since learned is named Simon, on the ground, struggling to get back on his feet.

I'm not sure exactly what happened, but he fell, either getting into, or out of his car.

Now, mind you, up to this point, the only thing I knew about him was that he was old (ive since found out hes 84), and Chinese.  His wife Anna, is 90.  Well, as a result of his fall, and for how long, I'm not sure, but he was giving a 'no driving' prohibition.

Being the nice guy that I am, I offered.  I've taken him tothe doc's a couple times, and to the store a few times, and he's gotten to the point now where he trusts me.  He'll give me money, the keys to his car, and a list.

I mean, he still checks the receipts/change when I come back with his goods, but that's just a cultural thing.

Now, as you might imagine, his lists are all written in spidery old-man printing.  The other day, however, there was something else that caught my eye:

It's right there, at the top of the list.  See where he asks for Kikkoman soy sauce?  And then there's a Chinese character there?

If you look closely, you'll see that it's the same as the one above.

Now, say what you will, but I think that makes this the most epic shopping list ever!!

Buenos con queso,

T.

Why have a pause button if you're not going to use a pause button?

I don't think I've ever mentioned it on here, and really, why would I, but I'm Hell on wheels with a remote.
Ever since the first time I got my hands on one, in the dim dark past, I've been in love.

I remember the pre-remote days, as some of you may. The days when 'cable' meant that you had twelve channels from which to choose!! Can you imagine? Not just 2, 4, and 8, with that 'riot snow' on ever channel in between? Rabbit ears? Yeah, I remember those as well. The clunky, tough to turn dial? When I was the remote control?

Yeah, it's all there for me, so you may begin to understand my love affair with the remote.

A device that lets you change the channel without getting up? Or turn the t.v. volume up or down?

My GOD!! Are you freaking serious? Even with a minuscule 12 channels to choose from, this made things so much easier. Now, with the Oh, I don't know 1000 or so that the right price can bring into the house, it's almost a necessity.

Like most things, I like my remotes to have a myriad of buttons. There are a couple (mentioned previously) that get a lot of use, namely the 'last channel' and 'mute' buttons. I use those like they're going out of style, and the mute button almost gets worn out. Even if remotes only had channel up, channel down, volume + and -, and mute, I'd still be in love.

These days, however, they're much more advanced. I guess that I should mention that as I blog this (from my coffee table since you asked) there are four remotes within easy reach. they are, in order of proximity, tv, cd player, digital media player, and home theatre.

With the exception of the audio device (silver) these remotes share some basic buttons: The volume, of course, and channel buttons, of course, but also something I like to call the four-way:

This one (my home theatre remote) also has some added buttons, but it's the four-way that we're on. Used primarily for menu navigation, it's a wonder of convenience up, down, left, right....all moves are a variation on these 4 directions, even in 3 dimensional space. The middle button, or 'go button' as I like to call it, confirms choice.

There's another group of buttons that most, if not all, 'player' devices share. I don't have a bitchin' name for it, but it's the play/pause section:

This one, (also my home theatre) also has some other options. The main ones, play, pause, and the others are totally awesome. I use them with such regularity, that's it's a good thing that the buttons have the markings imprinted into them, because a mere paint job world wear off in no time.

Getting up to get a drink? Pause button. Miss a bit of dialog, or didn't see something clearly? Rewind. Suicide note, or boobies/other nudity? Pause again. Something that you really like? Awesome special effect (like the gravediggers head exploding in bones), or the 'human claymore' at the beginning of Swordfish, or again, boobies/other nudity? Frame advance, to see everything in it's explosive/bloody/sexy goodness.
I can't express my level of love for these handy little devices.

What about you? Do you love/use your remotes like I do?

Weigh in.

Buenos con queso,

T.

He would have been 45 today.....

I miss you, buddy.

Buenos con queso,

T.

Fuck you, Thursday. Fuuuuuccckkkkk Youuuuuuuu!!

Returning to it's roots, yesterday, Thursday handed me a royal screwing that almost sent me over the edge....

The first part of the day was unremarkable, but when I got to work?  Well, that's when things changed.

It started when I found out that our truck crew (which is usu 5-7 people) consisted of me and only 2 others.  One was in the truck, putting freight onto the line and me and the other guy had to take it off and put it onto pallets by department.

All 1600 pieces of it.

Which, as I noted above is at least a 4 person job, and even then it's a bit of a ball-buster.

Somewhere in the middle of it, one of the bosses came and pulled the other guy off the line to unload a different truck that arrived, leaving me to man the line alone.

It was fucking great!!

Only, you know, not.

Add in the realization at some point that I forgot to blog, and my first couple hours at work pissed me off soooooo much.

After getting break approximately 30 minutes late, I decided to post a quick blog from my phone to keep up with NaBloPoMo.

Only to find blogger down.

And on lunch?

Down.

The site was down long enough to ensure that I couldn't post.

There were other little work-things that kept adding up, and I can't cite them all here, but suffice it to say, when I clocked out last night, I was ready to spit fire....

I'd love to stay and chat more, but I have to get ready for work...

Buenos con queso,

T.

Douglas Adams died 10 years ago.

Strangely enough, May 11th, the day he died, was also his birthday.

I never met him, never knew him, but I miss, and prolly always will miss him.

Just in case you forgot, my realization that Thursdays are evil, and the inspiration for at least one (maybe more to come) of my tattoos are a direct result of my love for his fiction.....

So, with that in mind, I plead with you:

Buenos con queso,

T.

“Maybe it's other people's reactions to us that makes us who we are.”

So, here we are again.

Well, I know I'm here, but as for the rest of you, I'll just take it on faith that you're here.  Well, not here, but you get my drift.

Not much going on, but I thought I'd drop in and say 'Hi' anyhow.

I don't know if I've mentioned (and i dont want to check) but I've managed to get the weekends off.  Not that I was trying to, nor does it really make any difference to me what days off I have, but there you have it.

It does make it easier for the D&D, and that's nice, but otherwise, all it means is that there's nothing on tv to watch on my days off.

I liked when I had Mondays off, 'cause I could watch Castle, but I've found a way around that too, so I guess all is good.

Guess that's all for now.

Buenos con queso,

T.

I'll give you a definite maybe

What follows is a verbatim txt conversation that I just had:



                                                       No worries. What's for snacky? Cherry Cobbler?



peanut m&ms lol




                                                   ...obscure pun alert... You're such a goober...



I SO AM NOT! i dont generally like peanuts... how can i be a goober xD



                                                    Well....you're eating them *now* aren't you?



nooooo? -shifty eyes-



                                                    And aren't/weren't they called goober peas?



                                                    Aaaaanddd....since you *are* what you eat.....



goober peas? XD



                                                      Hey, I didn't make it up...google it



then im CHOCOLATE!



                                                      Well, and goobers.....



can i be a chocolate goober? xDDD

                                                   If it makes you feel better....hey, would you mind if I put this goober thing up on my blog?

go ahead :P

Silly, right?

Ok, so I guess a couple more photos....

My hands get pretty beat up at work:

One of exactly  43,252,003,274,489,856,000 permutations, which is approximately forty-three quintillion

My freaky, super bendy thumb:

And again:

And before you ask, yes, they bothdo that.....

And to end it out, a couple of my hair.  I like the angle on the second one, and that I look pretty tatted up.....

Ok, that's all for now.

Buenos con queso,

T.

Maybe we don't always know as much as we think we do.

I mean, I can remember when I thought this:

was a big rubber band.

And yes, when compared to the wimpy little newspaper rubberband that I knew at the time of my youth, I suppose it was.

Then, although I never got around to posting pics...(remember when i didn't have a digital cam), I saw rubberbands that put those to shame.  Now, this isn't the actual rubber band (i don't think) but they are 7 inches long.

Oh, and they sting like a bitch when they hit you, even from across the room.

I found something the other day, however, that puts all previous rubberbands to shame.....

I present to you the M.O.A.E.B*:

Or, to put it in a little more perspective:

I know, right?

Also, some more light painting:

I have more, and intend to make more, but that's all you get for now.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to all you mutha's out there.

Buenos con queso,

T.

*Mother Of All Elastic Bands