Recognition via Mp3 Player

Had a entertaining lunch with the COO and the CIO today. Was sorta funny to have us trench workers mixing all the way up to the top of the corporate structure. I mostly behaved myself until the end when they asked for random questions. Mine was, “Have you located talent in India to replace us yet?”

At the end of our discussion they gave each of us an 8gb iPod Touch. It was surprisingly generous and in my estimation, not deserved. Instead of giving it back I went to Best Buy and traded up to the 32gb version for an additional $200. *snicker* Between the Shuffle and the 160gb Classic, I really don't need it. In fact I was seriously tempted by one team mate's suggestion to traded it in towards a PS3. Yet that seemed disrespectful. It will be a fun memento of the last few months of drudgery.

This will be the third Apple product under my roof. *shudder* Can't be a good sign.

Two Hours

Pretty sure John tricked me into volunteering at his church. Yet every time someone asked me what I was doing Sunday, felt good to say, “Feeding the homeless.” The reality of it didn't hit me even when I was putting the apron on. When the people started shuffling in, it was there. Thankfully there was always something to do.

The hardest part was the kids. One little girl with permed hair in pink pajamas. Two sisters both less than five… I can still see one biting into an apple. I kept up though. Joked with a guy who wanted me to adopt him. Assigned to waiting tables I got called “Lemonade Boy” because I always kept a pitcher with me.

Walking out of there two hours later I almost broke down. John suggested we grab a drink so we headed to the 19. So much to process it was nice of him to distact me. Talked about some stuff we can do during the summer and finalized plans for Thursday night. He gave me an extended kiss good-bye and I thanked him again for sharing this part of his life with me.

Was talking with Michael earlier about my fears of someday being homeless. He laughed at me but I was very serious. Seeing some of those people's faces, their eyes as they thanked me… it came back to me as I went up the elevator. I really did nothing tonight in the grand scheme of things, yet it's more than I've ever done. Pretty sad. Something else I need to work on.

Torchwood

Chatting with my British coworker over lunch last week we somehow got on the topic of Dr. Who. He mentioned a spinoff called Torchwood that was “incredibly gay” that I should check out. He tried to watch some with his nine-year-old son but they were a bit racy, which further piqued my interest. He brought me in a set of rips from the second season. I didn't get to watching the first episode until today.

Not knowing the series' characters or even story/backdrop of the new Dr. Who, I was a little lost but amused at the “Blowfish in a Sports Car” the crew was chasing down. Seemed like something I could get into despite being the traditional overly-attractive cast toting semi-original technology while making pithy remarks (the British accents certainly helped).

Then the evil doer appeared. The camera follow him walking after killing some ruffian and my jaw dropped when I recognized him: Spike! From Buffy!! And it got better. The cute-for-a-Brit Captain guy races off to corner Spike at some bar. They approach each other all full of menace… then kiss! Hello fanfic fantasies some true. After the brief lip lock they proceed to beat the crap out of each other. Hawt'ness.

When the crew arrives there's extra story about how Spike and the Captain were caught in a two-week time loop for five years. They argue about who was the wife and who's was smaller. Spike insisted that he lasted longer. *swoon* So yeah. I just ordered first season on DVD. Can't believe I don't have friends telling me about this earlier.

Funny… a friend and I were talking last night about how Gay is so 90s anymore because we're mainstream now. Personally I think that's great… especially when it allows some diversity in love scenes on TV. *snicker* He pointed out it may weaken our press for basic equality by blurring the lines. I believe that social integration will make legal awareness natural and unavoidable.

I Don't Know What I've Done to Deserve You

Though it was leaked a while ago, I managed to acquire Portishead's new album Third last night. While there are 5/5 stars on every track from the three previous albums this one will be different. We Carry On is a little long and rather annoying. Still not very happy with the one that's been released, Machine Gun. Maybe they'll grow on me; already in love with the nine other tracks. Guess it's silly to be critical of two tracks, but it is Portishead and I've been waiting almost a decade. Wonder if I can get the deluxe version in the States.

Mobility Temporarily Impaired

My afternoon got short-circuited by a large crash near one of the major East exit arteries from downtown. At first I was mad at myself for taking the often faster, more public route despite the belief that it should be quick since it was the middle of the day. Then I saw all the commotion. Spent nearly an hour on the pavement. I opened the moon roof, reclined the seat, and observed the angry heads bobs and pointed hand motions with amusement.

Finally passing the scene I could still see it was pretty ugly. Jack-knifed semi in a position that made no sense. One car was essentially a crumpled black box whose make and model was completely unrecognizable. On my way home after the gym there was still congestion. While a number of people were angry at the inconvenience, I'm sure there are a few families with heavier matters on their minds.

Die, Insect!

Blizzard's April Fools announcement is pretty amusing. My favorite part of the video was the “Skinning a Bear Should Aggro All Bears Within Forty Yards” scene. The concept art was also exceptional. Should never have gotten rid of my Atari 2600.

Thankfully my last day off is a patch day so I've been semi-productive around the apartment this morning, with distractions provided by the Sixth Season of Married with Children. Time to hit the gym then a pass through the MIA.